The Algarve or Bust

[ng4xjs]

My dear wife has promised her Niece who lives in the Algarve that we will spend time with them over Christmas this year. I don't fly anymore since having a crash in an albeit light aircraft many years ago. Do I take my 2006 XType which quite honestly is not much more than a fairly reliable workhorse or do I take the XJS (A fairly pampered 1994 AJ16 variant)? My head says XType my heart XJS. It's a 3000 mile round trip drive through France or a bit more relaxed on a boat down to Spain. Anyone out there with either experience views greatly appreciated.

I guess I will also need the like of a specialist Recovery breakdown service that far from home. Mine doesn't support European cover on a can as old as mine (XType though is still okay).

Thoughts please
Nick

[ptjs1]

Nick,

That would be an easy choice for me. I'd take the XJS, although I'd probably take the boat down to Santander. I'd service and fully check over the car but after that I'm not even sure I'd take much in the way of spares. Make sure you've got decent breakdown and recovery service through your insurance company. You'll have a great trip and the car will probably run better for it.

Paul

[ng4xjs]

Paul

I knew you would say so. I'm persuaded the XJS it is then. Thanks or the vote of confidence. I'm thinking Footman James for recovery insurance but if anyone else has a different suggestion more than happy for any detail/information.

Nick

[Brakebuster]

good luck on the trip

i use GEM Motoring Assist, very comprehensive breakdown cover, bigger then the AA and the RAC added together, slightly more expensive, but lots of extra cover in the costs, worth checking out

special cash back deal as well for new policies ( around £25 cash back i think )

BB

[steve_m]

Definitely the XJS: you would expect the X Type to get there so it would be much more of an adventure in the XJS!
Just as an aside, I also have an XJS and an X Type; is this a popular combination in the Club?

[BrizzleJag]

Nick,

That would be an easy choice for me. I'd take the XJS, although I'd probably take the boat down to Santander. I'd service and fully check over the car but after that I'm not even sure I'd take much in the way of spares. Make sure you've got decent breakdown and recovery service through your insurance company. You'll have a great trip and the car will probably run better for it.

Paul

I agree with Paul a combo of taking the boat to Spain and driving the XJS would be the best adventure.

[oldtimer]

Nick,
You lucky son of a gun, sadly my days of motoring around Europe are over I think. It was probably back in the mid eighties that we used to tour France in my XJ12. What a fabulous improvement in the road network in the subsequent years. We got down to Barcelona one year, despite a careful record of fuel uplifts I could not fiddle the figures to make more than 14.7 mpg. That was to be expected on a v12 running on carburettors. These adventures and the memories that last for a lifetime.

To me it is a no brainer, has got to be the XJS. Get a few miles in before you go just to make sure you are confident every thing is in order. don't forget the legal bits , first aid kit ,fire extinguisher , spare spectacles, bulbs, high viss jacket. breath alyser kit.

When I retired we spent two months in France each year with the caravan towed with my S type that continued for just over 12 years

I would suggest you obtain suitable Maps and plan your route. The motorway network is brilliant and in
my experience very little congestion with exceptions of course.

Have fun planning it all, only wish I was fit enough to volunteer to be your navigator!-

Please keep us up to date with some detail

Regards Oldtimer

[PaulGover]

I always have a set of spare hoses (the big ones, at least), drive belts and a set of spanners before setting off abroad.

[ng4xjs]

Gentlemen - Thank you for your supportive comments. It's going to be the XJS, on a boat down to Santander. I have hoses and a new belt. I'm ready to go then. Did just return from my parents in Yorkshire 600 mile round trip which actually I do every 3 times a year so should be fine, fingers crossed.

Thanks
Nick