Love the fact you guys are still out there scouting for me!

So...the black one's gone Gaz, the blue one is in Northern Ireland Ebajema, which rules it out for me.

Test drove that grey 968 today. Everything electrical on it works perfectly, interior very tidy (carpets a bit grubby). A bit lumpy at idle from cold and some slightly squeaky belts, but fine and nothing that really troubled me - runs very nicely (and quietly) once warmed up. Needs new discs (no great drama). Great history dating all the way back, mainly OPC and Porsche specialist. Matching conti tyres with 4-6mm tread, ice cold air con. Tiptronic gear box surprisingly much smoother than I'd expected.

Two things stopped me from making him an offer.

1. It's a LOT slower than I'd hoped / expected. I wasn't expecting fireworks from a 20 year old car that only did 0-60 in 8 seconds ish when new. But it just didn't deliver a 'sporty' experience at all.
2. Unspecified oil leak listed as advisory on the last MOT (which the dealer failed to mention before I drove 48 miles to see it - grrrr).

I rang the garage who did the MOT (a week ago) and they know the car well - elderly couple have had it serviced and MOTd in the same garage for years (again, good "provenance") - but they haven't investigated the oil leak at all as it wasn't an MOT fail, just an advisory.

It had been stood on the forecourt for 2 days and there was only a very small oil patch under the car - but hard to tell how much oil was there really as it was on gravel.

I hate non specific issues like that - could be a 50p seal, could be something more dramatic.

I'd either need to get a Porker expert to come and have a look with me or get the garage to fix it prior to sale - which they won't need to do as someone will snap the car up as is for the money they want for it.

And on we go....  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

Oil leak aside, could its lugubriousness be a lack of enthusiastic use?

Could it merely need a good drive to loosen it up and make it feel more lively?

Or, truth be told, did it simply not talk to you? Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

240bhp hooked up to a 4sp slushbox is not going to feel fast these days - even in a 1400kg car.

So.. It must be a fast car then? Is that something you have decided on?!  Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI

Now just look at this engine bay:

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And have you met the aboves older brother:

JAGUAR 4.0 V8 XJR SUPERCHARGED 1998/R

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I actually loved it Si. And I probably would've forgiven it its lack of pace due to the smile it put on my face as soon as I saw it.

Whilst I was sat testing all the electrics (so I'd started it, but not driven it) I was thinking to myself "sold"!

Plus I loved the fact that all the things it needed to be a really, really good example were basically cosmetic - needs a good detail, there are a couple of really minor bumper scuffs and scrapes here and there, the carpets could use a shampoo and if you were being picky (which I am) the wheels would benefit from a refurb and some new centre caps etc.

All exactly the sort of stuff I'd get pleasure from sorting out over a few weeks / months.

But the oil leak killed it for me. Probably because I'm mechanically inept and know feck all about engines...I know a lot about cars...but not about engines. So I'd be buying it and totally taking a risk that the oil leak could be fixed relatively easily, when it could be something much more sinister.

But also because the dealer didn't mention it (said he 'hadn't noticed it' on the MOT advisories. Funny, he noticed the brake disc one. So I instantly think, "Has he had it looked at and knows it's not a simple issue"? He said he wasn't prepared to do anything to the car as it was so cheap - he deals in volume, not margin apparently.

Net result. No oil leak and I probably would have bought it and then stuck a K&N in it along with a Promax chip to try and give it a little more pep (very common upgrade looking at the 968 forums) and been very happy with it...  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

Yes Gaz, awesome cars. But not what I'm after. Which is a shame as I'd get a cracker for my budget.

Hard to explain why - probably lacking a little style / quirkiness.

Both of which are totally subjective, granted. Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

And finally today please look at this absolute beauty:

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Those old Jags are fabulous motors, especially the charged ones. I really don't know what it is about British engines and superchargers, probably something to do with Spitfires.

The one I wish I'd never sold was a 95 XJR6 with a manual box. Just a proper driving machine.

That oil leak was probably something simple - like a crank seal.

You were right to walk away.

Actually, I've no idea how hard it would be to replace a crank seal on a 968 as the gearbox is in a transaxle at the back. Is it just a case of removing the propshaft and clutch?

Hmmm. What about an XK8...how come nobody has suggested one of those...Gary...?!!

I've got 2 hot leads in play....two totally different cars - both of which I'd buy based on what I currently know. One I'm viewing tomorrow, the other is on a well known auction site and ends on Sunday, and I'm currently the winning bidder.

Hopefully my next update will be to say I've BOUGHT A BLOODY CAR!!  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

No, Joe, you can't buy a car.

Seriously, you can't.

Not just yet.

Because if you do, this thread will end. And we can't have that as it's just too enjoyable to read and contribute on.  Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

It's pretty much made my mind up to stick an XK next to the SL in the garage. I figure that I would then have 12.8 Litres in 3 cars which I reckon is pretty green. Most people would have to buy 12 cars to get that level of efficiency.

 2011 Stornaway Grey 5.0SC Autobiography

Jon - like your style. Global warming's a myth anyway.

Si - I know...but I wouldn't worry too much - if I ever do finally buy something, I'll be looking to change it by next Thursday.

Or...far better idea....you pick a budget and some parameters, and we'll find your next toy. Sure you can fit another one on the drive....if you stack them on top of each other?!

 Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition