Right so followers of the Big bargain barges thread may know of my intention to buy a silly big car. But to recap this was the situation.
Just started a new full time job since leaving uni so even though theres a park and ride scheme at work, my trusty daily of two years, my MGB GT, was probably not the best car to be undertaking this in. Don't get me wrong, I've used it without issue for a few weeks now, but theres quite a few jobs around the car that need doing which I'd like to be able to get on with without having to worry about getting to work the next day haha
So, what to get as a daily car?... Well 'normal' stuff like fiestas and the like were rather out of the equation as I fancied something a bit different (I've been driving a 40 year old car as my only car for two years, a boring modern wasn't going to happen )
So the search (and the bargain barges thread) began, a mate bought a Lexus IS200 and I realised I fancied more than 4 cylinders, rear wheel drive would be a bonus, fuel economy at least on a par with the MG, comfortable seating for me and mates and something that would be relaxing to drive.
Add in the main factor of insurance price and the shortlist was soon whittled down to Jaguar XJ6's in XJ40 and X300 flavour, a Saab 9-3 Aero HOT, Volvo 850's, an MG ZT V6 and various other big engined cars which I half factored in.
So I found a low mileage X300 in black which looked the business, was on for a good price but sold the morning after I saw it for sale, then the Sovereign appeared in my ebay searches, went to have a look, all seemed ok, agreed on a price and today was the collection day
In traffic on the M6 in the Lexus
and the first couple of pics taken on the way back
So some facts about the car. Its a 4.0 straight 6 with a 4 speed auto with sport mode (lol). Its got a reasonably low 77000 miles on the clock and seems to have been pretty well cared for by its 7 previous owners.
The faults are that the rear passenger side window doesn't work, a front fog light is out, there is some very slight bubbling in the paint on one of the front wings, the headlight washers don't work and the air con doesn't work due to a hole in the top of the condenser.
The good points are that its got a decent interior, the paint is very good, the 16" alloys are in decent nick (although I plan to replace them), the headlining ISN'T sagging!!, its very smooth, has new shocks and new brake discs at the front with new pads all round. Even the brilliantly retro electric aerial and radio work fine, along with the LCD clock which seems to be non functioning in most.
So what are my plans for it?
Initially a good clean inside and out. Then a thourough engine service as it just doesn't quite pull as hard as I think it should.
Also I'd like to get some 16" lattice wheels with dark gunmetal centres to harden up the look of the car a bit, maybe lose a couple of silencers from the exhaust to give it a little bit of a bark and possibly fit some springs from a sport or XJR to just bring it down a little.
Otherwise it shall be wafting me about in much comfort while I concentrate efforts on the B
Cheers for looking in, I'll update with more pics soon
Just started a new full time job since leaving uni so even though theres a park and ride scheme at work, my trusty daily of two years, my MGB GT, was probably not the best car to be undertaking this in. Don't get me wrong, I've used it without issue for a few weeks now, but theres quite a few jobs around the car that need doing which I'd like to be able to get on with without having to worry about getting to work the next day haha
So, what to get as a daily car?... Well 'normal' stuff like fiestas and the like were rather out of the equation as I fancied something a bit different (I've been driving a 40 year old car as my only car for two years, a boring modern wasn't going to happen )
So the search (and the bargain barges thread) began, a mate bought a Lexus IS200 and I realised I fancied more than 4 cylinders, rear wheel drive would be a bonus, fuel economy at least on a par with the MG, comfortable seating for me and mates and something that would be relaxing to drive.
Add in the main factor of insurance price and the shortlist was soon whittled down to Jaguar XJ6's in XJ40 and X300 flavour, a Saab 9-3 Aero HOT, Volvo 850's, an MG ZT V6 and various other big engined cars which I half factored in.
So I found a low mileage X300 in black which looked the business, was on for a good price but sold the morning after I saw it for sale, then the Sovereign appeared in my ebay searches, went to have a look, all seemed ok, agreed on a price and today was the collection day
In traffic on the M6 in the Lexus
and the first couple of pics taken on the way back
So some facts about the car. Its a 4.0 straight 6 with a 4 speed auto with sport mode (lol). Its got a reasonably low 77000 miles on the clock and seems to have been pretty well cared for by its 7 previous owners.
The faults are that the rear passenger side window doesn't work, a front fog light is out, there is some very slight bubbling in the paint on one of the front wings, the headlight washers don't work and the air con doesn't work due to a hole in the top of the condenser.
The good points are that its got a decent interior, the paint is very good, the 16" alloys are in decent nick (although I plan to replace them), the headlining ISN'T sagging!!, its very smooth, has new shocks and new brake discs at the front with new pads all round. Even the brilliantly retro electric aerial and radio work fine, along with the LCD clock which seems to be non functioning in most.
So what are my plans for it?
Initially a good clean inside and out. Then a thourough engine service as it just doesn't quite pull as hard as I think it should.
Also I'd like to get some 16" lattice wheels with dark gunmetal centres to harden up the look of the car a bit, maybe lose a couple of silencers from the exhaust to give it a little bit of a bark and possibly fit some springs from a sport or XJR to just bring it down a little.
Otherwise it shall be wafting me about in much comfort while I concentrate efforts on the B
Cheers for looking in, I'll update with more pics soon