DANNY HOPKINS

BUDGET: £1000 1992 Jaguar XJ40

179K miles, loads of history and new tyres. This is proof you can still get a decent XJ40 for under a grand.

Great to drive and their looks are ageing well. Comfortable, sumptuous and quick: prices are rising. The ones that are left at this price should have led a sheltered life and the club support is excellent.

Early (pre-ford takeover) electrics are frail and 2.9-litre engine is not up to the task. Rust around subframe mounts can kill a car and rust just about everywhere else will make it look shabby. Saggy headlining.

The Jaguar Enthusiast Club has a healthy XJ40 register and the Drivers’ Club celebrates the marque, too. There is an XJ40 Owners Club and Xj40.com is the most popular online meeting place. Parts still plentiful.

I’ve owned two and used them both as my daily drivers. The 4.0 litre engine is the best but any of the ‘40’ family will provide plenty of smiles. You will never get more than 30mpg but the expenditure is worth it.

Not bad. If you are handy you can do just about anything at home… I have. Servicing is a doddle and even major jobs are not beyond the average spanner waggler. Bolt on panels are a boon… beware structural rust.