LERN ME: The Jaguar XJR. Yup, I'm going here.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

I looked at this one last week. Super clean and maintained very well by a Dr. Probably the cleanest XJR I've seen in person

https://offerup.co/OAjdnKv8Pfb

But you can certainly get a sub 100k mile example in good shape for under 10k if you aren't Curtis 

The Mercedes trans in the X308 XJR is a pretty beefy unit.  Jeep used it in SRT8s until they switched to the 8 speed.  Mercedes has put V12s in front of it, etc. 

I'll also agree with not being a huge fan of ZF autos.  They're ok, but not great.  I've spent time behind the wheel of an XJ40 XJ6 with the ZF 4HP22 and found it ok, but it's a sterotypical slushbox in feel.  The 5HP24 in my E38 feels good in most driving, but once you get close to WOT, the shifts (and corresponding power cut) are pretty slow, almost like an average driver in a manual.  It just starts to feel decidedly not-performance-like under high power, as the trans just isn't meant to handle banging through gears quickly under high power.  But I'm used to autos like the one in the Jeep that will snap into the next gear instantly with no power reduction and break the tires loose when it goes for 2nd.  Neither ZF trans was ever unreliable, they're just a bit uninspiring. 

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

1988RedT2 said:

Edit:  Faster than the Mach 1, under $4k, and reliable?  Good luck with that.

Mach 1 1/4 : 13.8 at 102 https://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/mustang/2003/2003-ford-mustang-mach-1-2/

XJR 1/4 : 13.7 at 103 https://www.motortrend.com/cars/jaguar/xj-series/1998/1998-jaguar-xjr-long-term-wrap-up/

There's one for sale right now in the classifieds of this very forum for just a tick over $2k. Do your own work to fix and go kick some mustang butt. 

I drove my XJR for 3 ish years and 30ish k miles with just a few minor repairs needed. They are reliable. 

Edit, sorry, there's actually 2 on the front page of the cars for sale subforum right now for $2500 or less ;)

saw another C/D back article this morning that inspired me to update this post. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15140186/1999-porsche-911-carrera-vs-1999-chevrolet-corvette-archived-comparison-test/

1998 XJR - 13.7 sec 1/4, 0.88g skid, 117 ft stop from 60mph

1999 911 Carrera - 13.5 sec 1/4, 0.93g skid, 170 ft stop from 70mph

1999 Corvette - 13.6 sec 1/4, 0.90g skid, 173 ft stop from 70mph

2004 Mustang Mach 1 - 13.8 sec 1/4, 0.82g skid, 119 ft stop from 60 mph

Simply put, the XJR puts you in some very good company for very little money. How much of a 911 or c5 corvette can you buy with $2k?

Having just purchased an XJ8, I can concur.  Although I paid more than a $2000 budget, I did it because of overall condition, and maintenance records.  I will say, comparing my old C-4 Vette to this XJ8, I much prefer the the Jag.