Good hardy little cars these ignis's (igni?) are, if a little unrefined. Just been looking through the owners reviews on autotrader who rate it 4.4 out of 5. One review points out that it is chain not belt, though as SLO says, the benefits of this are only valid with proof of regular oil changes as per service schedule. Another review suggests that the 4x4 system is 'on demand' whereas your advert says permanent 4x4?. But going by the pictures, it looks worth going to see at least.

Insurance can be high on a new policy but you could insure the Jag as a low yearly mileage which may help. I got a second car for work yeras ago and the insurance was v steep to start with.

It would indeed if Joe were only going to use it for his holidays: but I would imagine that he would use the cheap car as an everyday runabout, and keep the Jaguar for longer journeys.

That should help to prolong the life of the Jaguar which he is understandably fond of.

Insurance can be high on a new policy but you could insure the Jag as a low yearly mileage which may help. I got a second car for work yeras ago and the insurance was v steep to start with.

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“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.” - My pocket girl apk

Those who followed my recent saga with my Jag x type (04, 174k miles) ............ I have lost some confidence in the old girl and don't know whether I'd trust her for a foreign trip again.

A well known fault has been remedied. You know her even better than you did before. So logically you should have as much if not more confidence in her as you had before you left for France. And you now have valuable experience in dealing with anglophobe opportunist French mechanics.

(we were still taking our old Passat with >200,000m on the clock to France last century)

You make a very valid point. The fault has been recttified - and further, she;s been 'checked over' (as far as you can) by my indy. No reason at all NOT to have confidence in her. And reading some of the stories of problems with cars only a few months old (and expensive cars, at that) I am probably in a better position than many.

I have a couple of trips coming up - a 300 mile round trip to a friend for the purpose of drinking beer, and a 600 mile round trip to daughter where not so much beer will be involved, and will see how those go.

The experience of breaking down in France did teach me something. Even with a superb recovery insurance policy and being on my own (no wife or kids to worry about) and with a working knowledge of the language, I felt very vulnerable. It was a bit like when I lived in Cyprus (05-10) you knew that if there was an incident you - as a foreigner - were automatically to blame. This is a shame, because I enjoy driving in France. My routine for the last few years has been a fast blast down to Andorra, then 10 days or so on back roads back up through France, staying in small towns and villages. They are disappearing as we knew them, and I felt a change in the attitude (even when I played the payes de galles card).

Back to the car - she;s going as well as ever. I've looked at the scrappage schemes (not as good as they appear when compared to broker prices) and for now, I think, I'll keep her going and keep my money in the bank.

PS: There is now no doubt in my mind that Pierre le merde mechanique was bent as a 9 bob note.. And what a position to be in - exclusive contract for recovery from the autoroute, mandatory payment for ;diagnostic work' if he didn;t do the repairs, and at minimum a 'storage charge' per day until the car was recovered. I have not told the rescue people what the problem was, or how it could have been sorted with one hour labour at roadside.and don't know if it would do any good if I did so. I have a feeling that while they make a profit on this type of insurance, they are quite happy. Just seems a bit wrong to me.

Edited by joegrundy on 15/09/2017 at 08:56