Thinking of trading my 308QV for an E Type

William, I've just specked out a new data centre for an old employer....every electrical connector, switch, socket etc is a hubbell item.........get markerting to pay for you to keep the 308

 

Come on Will, you know the answer to this already.. Your 308 SITS and is never driven- and you and I both know it's no "show car" . Sell it! You've been talking about the Shaguar forever..

 

No ! The 308 is a keeper . Its so gorgeous .

 

I've been thinking about the XKE for as long as I can remember. I've owned two newer XJR's and just have this special place for Jaguars. I no longer own any Jaguars and would consider an XKE. They are just so sexy. The coupes tend to get very hot in the summer, so a convertable (for me) would be the only way to go. I have noticed that the prices have climbed in the last 3-4 years for one in perfect shape. I think that they have been undervalued for a long time, and the market is starting to show that with the increases. Why are the 8's going for more money then the V-12's?
The problem I have with the Jag is it that it just doesn't sound like a Ferrari. Even though older Ferrari's are not fast by todays standards, they still make a nice noise. And the "Noise" is part of the Ferrari experience that I don't know that I want to give up! But I do think about it as an addition.

 

Get the Jag! One of my dreams and the most beautiful roadster ever. Make mine a 4.2 S1, just gorgeous.

Now tell me about the 308! If you're thinking about trading, think about selling and give me the details. I'm on the verge of getting a new car and have been looking at another Porsche, but for the right 308 I'd keep the BMW beater.

Mark

 

If your really looking for a shaguar.....
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If I were choosing one weekend car and the choice was a 308 or E Type, I'd go with the 308 QV. I used to work in the auto parts business, and in my experience vintage Jags are fussy cars, more so than the injected '80s Ferrari's. You know that British cars leaked in the showroom on occasion, and there must be entire joke books about Lucas electrics.

Given your current Italian fleet, though, I think you wouldn't miss the 308 much.

Mark Hyman in Missouri seems to find some good E Types -- never bought from him, though.

 

You've already got a fantastic Fcar in the TR. I vote to mix it up a bit. Even though the jags are fussy, what beautful woman isn't.

Darrell.

 

Get the E-type but try to buy the very best example you can find, because once they are in top shape they dont give much trouble.

 

I just finished a 3000 hour restoration on a 1965 E-Type and am currently working on a 77 308GTB. I can't say that one is really more fussy than the other. They are both challenging to work on in completely different ways. The cost of parts in the Ferrari world is at least 3 times the cost of the Jag. Neither garage experience will be gratifying if you're paying someone like me $100/hour to fix the PO's problems.

Here is the kicker, you can't make a straight trade for the cars; the SCM value for a #2 308QV is 28K-45K and a SII Jag is 40K-55K and a SI is 45K-70K. If the question is, would I rather have a nice 308qv or a ratty S1.5 Jag, the answer is simple. Likewise, would I rather have a 150K perfect S1 E-Type or a ratty 308qv the choice is equally clear (omitting price as a factor).

A truly great E-Type is an awesome car. Everyone loves it, it gets more comments than any other car I have ever driven. A bad one is a nightmare. Remember, the E-Type is almost twice as old as the QV, it will have serious needs if it is not well sorted out. And, the body is extremely difficult to repair well, the interior is completely hand made, you have to remove the rear end to change brake rotors, and the list goes on. But, a finished and sorted out car will not need a great deal of work and maintenance. As in all cars, buy the best one you can find.

If you are interested, read our booklet on the E-Type restoration at my website at http://vantaaj.com/content/view/13/27/ to see what goes into building a nice E-Type.

All that being said, if you haven't owned a really nice E-Type, you probably should. At least test drive one. They are like nothing else.

Mike

 

william,

do get a great series 1. what a sexy machine.

 

William,

I own a 308 GTB that I'm currently doing major work on and I also have an E-type roadster. The 308 is one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made in my not so humble opinion but real power is lacking (I'm taking care of that problem).

I've had my 1970 E-Type since new and it's a great car. Yes, you have to maintain it but parts are very available and cheap compared to Ferrari parts. The only real electrical problem I ever remember having with it was once, while driving to Watkins Glen for the Last real Can Am race, the engine started to sputter. I opened the bonnet to take a look around and casually leaned my hand on the ignition coil which was HOT! I replaced it with a coil from the local NAPA store and never had another major electrical problem with it.

If you want one to look at and show, get a series one. If you want one to drive, get a series II. It doesn't have covered head lights but it's a much better car electrically, mechanically and comfortwise. Buy the very best example you can afford and have a PPI done BEFORE you buy.

The rear only needs to come out to rebuild calipers or replace rotors, not to replace pads and if it's not all rusted up (old Ferraris rust too) I can have the rear out in an hour or two.

Mine's been off the road for a while but when I get my two other project cars done I'm going to put the E-Type back on the road with some mods. I have a 3 carb manifold, I'm thinking of replacing the wire wheels with Minilites and, among other ideas, I'm thinking of installing a composite series one competition type bonnet with plexiglass covered headlights.

You can steer an E-Type with the throttle by the way and it's great fun!

Wil

 

I have a 1988 XJSC which is the cabriolet model.

5.3 litre 300 HP V12 , old English white with black roof.
My opinion a magnificent car both in shape and power and so smooth.

Several weeks ago my wife and i did about 1800 km over 5 days and the car performed beautifully, what a joy to drive through hills with the roof off.

This model XJS was built for cruising, is quite heavy, but a joy to drive.

I like what Sir William Lyons achieved with his cars, some are works of art and what a sensation when he launched the E type, you cannot go wrong with one of these classics.

Tony

 

I did the opposite... My roadster was beautiful to look at but way to old to really enjoy as a driver...it was a museum peice...yes you can update them but the car is really very, very samll and tight...do not get a XKE if you plan on driving it in miami..car does overheat and even if your does not...then the occupants certainly overheat...mine did not overheat but I had the rare factory a/c... car drives like the 60's ...front end in the roadster shakes...you will be shocked at the difference in drivability from a 80's car to a 60's car... I get all the true sporstacar driving feel and even some "vintage" feel from the 308 but with modern power and great drivability and it is a classic looker....glad I had the XKE and I made crazy $$$ on the appreciation when I sold it but as long as I have my 308 I don't miss it...theh car is tiny..tube tires..no trunk (makes the 308 trunk look like a pickup truck) no footwell room ( have to drive barefoot) I could go on..

 

If it was your only toy I would say keep the F-car, but the E-type is the choice in light of your stable.

 

I've owned two etypes, 68 coupe and a 69 coupe.
had the 68 for 12yrs and the 69 for 17yrs. The 69 went to my neighbor 2 yrs ago when I bought a 328gts.
Etype Jags have always held a place in my heart. If you can find one without much rust I'd say go for it. It won't be like driving a 308 but just as much fun.
Oh, and you can fix them with a cresent wench and a screw driver they are so simple in design compared to ferrari.... anyone can work on 60 vintage jags.
As far a beauty guess it's in the eye of the beholder, but the etype was voted up there on the list. I think it's prettier than the 308 and once you get the jag right they aren't all that unreliable.
I vote etype over the 308

 

V12, yes; 6, no.

 

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