Ultimate Jaguar Buyer’s Guide

THE BIG CAT KEEPS ON ROARING

The big cat mascot of Jaguar has adorned the bonnets of some of the most desirable and drivable cars of all time, and in every era the marque has produced utterly iconic models.

Skip forward to today’s supercars and we find this same mix of iconic power with beauty. Taking its cue from that most fabulous of classics, the 1960s E-Type – the F-Type in Jaguar’s words is “the latest in a distinguished bloodline.” A car of unique beauty and a worthy successor. Under the bonnet that cat does not scream but purrs, with a 300PS 4-cylinder 2.0 litre Turbocharged Ingenium Petrol engine. Supercars do not come much more refined than this.

Jaguar is also successfully moving into the electric car space with the I-Pace concept creating electric waves. The I-Pace itself has its roots in the E-Pace and F-Pace ranges which are popular with our customers.

Go back in time just a little and you find some seriously good supercars which blur these lines. For example there’s the fabulous and rare XJ220 of the 1990s which was at the time the fastest production car in the world and which still boasts out-of-this-world performance and utterly unique looks.

The brawny XJRs and XKRs picked up the performance baton shortly afterwards, with saloons, coupés and convertibles offering both speed and style. And so on all the way to today, when the already mentioned F-Type keeps the marque’s reputation for suave sports cars alive.

The marque’s old motto of ‘pace, space and grace’ still applies, making Jaguars classic and modern some of the most rewarding cars you can own.

ANY COLOUR YOU LIKE AS LONG AS IT’S BRITISH RACING GREEN?

Jaguar is seen by many as a brand oozing in quiet elegance. But the big cat that is Jaguar has roared very loudly over the years, noticeably on the racetrack but also along the green and pleasant lands of the UK’s roads.

In every era the marque has produced iconic and beautiful models. Going back in time, we see the sporting pre-war SS Mark IV models, with their sweeping wings and sumptuous leather upholstery.

Then just after WWII came the ground-breaking and gorgeous XK120 sports cars, followed by the uprated XK140 and XK150. Le Mans is perhaps where that Jaguar has roared the most loudly and successfully over the years.

The C-Type and Jaguar D-Type – some of the most beautiful yet purposeful cars of all time, combining then-new technological advances in braking and engine performance with robust reliability and aircraft-inspired lightweight construction.

And then came the E-Type, a 1960s icon and a car that can still make onlookers’ jaws drop today with its sleek styling and undeniable charisma. The wheels alone are a design icon with their delicate spoke-work. Famous owners include that master of speed Malcom Campbell. The E-Type’s brother – the Mark 2 saloon, which in 3.8-litre form is still a fast, handsome and comfortable car today.

Or how about the elegant Mark IX limousine, the modern classic XJ-S grand tourer or the timeless XJ6 saloon?

If you are considering joining the Jaguar owners’ ranks, you have an existing classic Jaguar you wish to release equity from or you need help with restoring an old classic do please contact us to discuss how we can help you finance one of these beautiful classic cars.

Discover more about how to purchase a classic Jaguar on our Classic Car Buying guide and find out how to finance a classic car with JBR Capital.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

1. OWNING A JAGUAR

The price range of a Jaguar varies depending on model, year, condition and other factors such as mileage and previous ownership. The starting prices for some of the latest Jaguar models in the UK are between £35.000 to £64.000. 

In contrast, early examples of the E-Type, particularly those in original or fully restored condition, can command prices well into the six-figure range, while later models and those in less-than-perfect condition may be more affordable. Like the XJ220, the E-Type is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and prices for well-maintained examples have risen steadily in recent years.

2. MAINTENANCE / INSURANCE/ ADDITIONAL COSTS

The maintenance costs of a Jaguar car can vary depending on the model, age, and usage of the vehicle, as well as factors such as driving conditions. However, some general costs to consider when owning a Jaguar include:

Parts replacement: Over time, certain parts on your Jaguar may need to be replaced, such as brakes, tires, batteries, and suspension components. The cost of these parts will vary depending on the specific model and the type of parts required.

Insurance: The cost of insurance for a Jaguar will depend on a number of factors, including the model, age, and driving history of the vehicle. It’s always best to get a quote from a reputable insurance provider to get an accurate estimate of the costs.

It’s important to keep in mind that these costs can add up over time, so it’s important to budget for them when considering the cost of owning a Jaguar. Additionally, it’s always best to check with your local Jaguar dealer or a trusted mechanic for more specific and accurate information on the maintenance costs for your particular vehicle.

3. WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

Any high-end luxury vehicle should also have a comprehensive main dealer or approved specialist service history, as any significant period of neglect could end up costing you a lot of money in terms of your investment. See also our Classic Car Buyers Guide.

 

4. What model to purchase?

There are many fine Jaguar models from decades of production. Some of the highlights are:

1. Jaguar F-Type: The F-Type is a sleek and sporty two-door coupe or convertible that’s known for its agile handling and powerful engines.

2. Jaguar XF: The XF is a midsize luxury sedan that’s stylish, comfortable, and loaded with advanced features.

3. Jaguar XJ: The XJ is a full-size luxury sedan that’s spacious, refined, and available with powerful V8 engines.

4. Jaguar E-PACE: The E-PACE is a compact luxury SUV that’s versatile, stylish, and fun to drive.

5. Jaguar F-PACE: The F-PACE is a midsize luxury SUV that’s practical, spacious, and available with a range of engines and features. 

Read on for our views on the best jaguar models for investment and pure driving joy.

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JAGUAR D-TYPE

Top Speed (MPH): 160
0-60(s): 5
Power (BHP): 250

JAGUAR D-TYPE FINANCE

With Jaguar’s steel space-framed C-Type racer having won Le Mans in 1951 and 1953, the Coventry firm was eager for further success in the prestigeous 24hr event. Consequently, Jaguar turned up at Le Mans in 1954 with its startling new D-Type.

With a dry-sump, triple-carb version of the 3.4-litre dohc straight six engine that had powered the C-Type (and XK120), the D-Type utilised many of its predecessor’s mechanicals including the steering, suspension and still novel Dunlop disc brakes.

However, the D-Type was revolutionary in that it employed an aluminium monocoque tub with aluminium tube front and rear subframes, along with equally innovative low-drag aerodynamic bodywork.

Weighing a scant 860kg, the 250bhp D-Type was good for 0-60 in 5 secs and 160mph, but despite this the three D-Types entered at Le Mans in ’54 were all hampered by various issues and only one completed the race. It finished 2nd, just one lap behind a 5-litre V12 works Ferrari.

Le Mans in ’55 was overshadowed by the catastrophic accident which saw the favourite Mercedes team retire from the race, but works D-Types – now with 280bhp and ‘long nose’ bodywork – finished first and third. The works supported Ecurie Ecosse team’s 3.4-litre D-Type took victory the following year, a feat the team repeated with a 3.8-litre version in ’57 with other D-Types following it home in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th.

In ’58 a Le Mans rule change saw maximum capacity reduced to 3-litres, and although Jaguar complied with a smaller engine, the D-Type’s wings had been clipped and it didn’t find the speed and reliability required to win the 24hr classic again.

It’s thought that some 87 D-Types were built (67 customer cars plus 20 factory racers) along with 16 XKSS – the XKSS being the better equipped two-seater road version created in ’57 so that unsold monocoques didn’t go to waste after D-Type development ceased at the end of ’56.

Costing a mighty £3,878 in 1955, genuine period D-Types are now region £4m to £6.3m, although $21.78m (c.£16.3m) was paid in August 2016 for the ’56 Le Mans winning car. A genuine XKSS would likely fetch upward of £7.5m if one came to market (not since early 1999 has one sold at auction). In March 2016 Jaguar announced that it would build nine ‘continuation’ XKSSs with a price in excess of £1m.

Jaguar D-Type Finance

JAGUAR E-TYPE

Top Speed (MPH): 143
0-60(s): 7
Power (BHP): 314

JAGUAR E-TYPE – the instant classic

Launched in 1961, the Series 1 E-Type was an instant classic. Its beautifully curvy streamlined shape and 265bhp 6-cyl 3.8-litre engine – both derived from the earlier, Le Mans-winning D-Type racer – and near 150mph performance, all for a fraction of the price of an Aston Martin or Ferrari, ensured its iconic status. Available as a 2-seater roadster or hardtop coupé, the latter featured a capacious luggage compartment with a side-hinged hatchback, thus making it the ideal high-speed grand tourer.

A similarly powerful but torquier 4.2-litre engine was introduced in late 1964, and the first 2+2 version was added in 1966. The Series 2 E-Type arrived in 1968, still with the 4.2 engine, while 1971 saw the introduction of the 5.3-litre V12-powered Series 3, although now available only as a roadster or 2+2 coupe, the 2-seat coupé having been dropped.

With a 9-inch longer wheelbase, a more upright screen rake and a redesigned roofline to accommodate rear seat passengers (albeit small ones), no-one has ever argued that the 2+2 E-Type is prettier than its 2-seat coupé sibling. Enzo Ferrari famously described the E-Type as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’, but that was before the 2+2… However, in the eyes of a young 1970s petrolhead an E-Type was an E-Type and as such the 2+2 was still hugely desirable.

The 4.2 engine had been emasculated by US emission controls, but the big new V12 brought performance back to early/mid ‘60s levels. Power was rated at 314bhp which meant 0-60 in under 7 secs with a 143mph top speed, thus putting it very much on a par with the fastest of its competitors. According to Bill Boddy’s review in Motor Sport (Jan ’72), “…the V12 Jaguar proved to be a very fine effortless high-speed touring car, which would accelerate effectively from 100 m.p.h. upwards”.

E-Type 2+2 production continued until 1973 with 16,239 having been built, 7,297 of those being V12 2+2s.

Jaguar E-Type Finance

JAGUAR XK120

Top Speed (MPH): 124
0-60(s): 70
Power (BHP): 160

JAGUAR XK120 – the sensation

Following three austere post-war years it was no surprise that the spectacularly styled XK120 Roadster caused such a sensation when first revealed at the 1948 Earl’s Court motorshow. Excitement was heightened further by the ‘120’ in its name – a reference to the car’s 120mph top speed, a speed which made it the world’s fastest production car, at least for a while.

As it turned out, 120 was a conservative figure as The Motor magazine’s road test in 1949 recorded a max of 124.6mph with 0-60 in 10.0 secs.

So, Jaguar’s new XK had it all, with a major part of its appeal being its new 160bhp 3.4-litre dohc straight six engine. (The optional SE version introduced in mid 1951 made 180bhp, while later, dealer-fitted factory parts could up power to 210bhp or more.)

Early XK120 Roadsters wore hand-formed all-aluminium bodies affixed to a laminated ash frame, which in turn was mounted to a steel ladder-type chassis, but high demand meant that from 1950 the body was formed from pressed steel. Still with aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, a steel-bodied XK was a negligible 50kgs heavier.

A fixed head coupé version arrived in 1951 with a more capacious drophead coupé following in 1953, and of the 12,055 XK120s built (242 alloy, 11,813 steel) most were exported to the USA.

In addition to the new variants and power options, the XK120’s appeal was further enhanced by a near endless list of track and time-trial successes. It won its first ever race (at Silverstone in ’49), and a lightly modified XK120 managed an officially-timed 132.596mph on a Belgian autoroute (Jabbeke, ’49). XK120s also set several other world records including 131.83mph for one hour, 107.46mph for 24 hours while another averaged 100.31mph over an entire week. And in New Jersey in 1954 an XK120 became the first, and subsequently the only foreign-built car ever to win a NASCAR race.

Initially priced at £998 plus tax (Motor’s 1949 test car was £1,263 on the road) steel XK120s are now valued region £90k-£150k, while the earlier, rarer alloy Roadsters command from £200k to £300k.

Jaguar XK120 Finance