Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I've posted about my husband's derelict 1994 XJ6 and how we want to maybe get it up and running again...

As an alternative- I discovered a 1996 XJ6 on craigslist that is beautiful, (I think I want the car more than he does!!) however I am not car savvy. I've read that the 96's have much more reliable engines than older models... but what are the main things I need to look for? Is a 96 XJ6 a good car, mechanically speaking?

Also, it has a salvage title... I plan on doing a full history reporty before purchasing, it does have some minor cosmetic defects but nothing glaring... anyone have experience with buying a car with a salvage title? I'm not scared of the DMV, I can handle them!

Advice, wisdom and insight is greatly appreciated!

 

Hi lswindler12,

I have moved your post from the forum for the X350 to the forum for the X300, which is the Jaguar factory project code for the XJ6 from 1995 to 1997. Here you will find knowledgeable owners of similar cars.

I'll chip in a couple of thoughts:

The X300 is built on the same basic monocoque as your '94 XJ40 and shares many of the same parts, but it has (to my eye) much prettier sheet metal at the front and rear. The engine is an evolution of the one in your car with a different Engine Management System (EMS). The interior is also a slightly more modern evolution. I personally like the X300s a lot, and there is plenty of information available to keep one running and in good condition.

You really do need to learn all the details of why the car was salvaged, though. Report what you find here and you'll get some knowledgeable replies.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks Don!
I seem to keep misplacing my posts. I'll learn the lingo eventually. I agree, I like this body style much more (and it's a pearly white to boot... lovely!)

Do you know of any major issues to look for? I have seen several people say jaguar engines are easy to work with, do you agree? (this from someone who knows nothing about engines but considers herself fairly intelligent and willing to learn).

Any transmission issues? I've driven manuals my whole life so I'm always paranoid of automatics and transmission problems...

 

I know nothing about 'salvage title', but the X300 (XJ6, late 94 to 97) is a great car - bulletproof engine and transmission and much better that the preceding XJ40

Things to watch out for - RUST and electrical glitches - check all electrics work (except the clock - it won't), look for rust bubbling on rear wheel arches (not overly expensive to fix if you've someone who's good at welding) and as I just discovered last weekend, sills - was replacing the carpet after a previous welding job to get through MOT and discovered passenger side underside was rapidly approaching the stage where flintstones style braking could have been applied

Check for suspension clunks - I really need to look at my bushings as they're old

But still a great if somewhat thirsty beast

c

 

If it drives nice and it's cheap then it's fine. Rust is a problem so be prepared to weld. Rubber bushes will need replacing. Oil filling the plug wells is annoying because the cam cover is expensive to replace. Yeah and the clock is always broken, don't worry about it.

 

Welcome to the forum!
X300's are fine cars; but all nearly 20 yrs old or more now. So you'll have the occasional failing rubber or elastomeric piece. (Hoses, bushes, seals, weatherstrip and the like.) Despite the foregoing warnings, I've never seen a rusted X300. Not sure how much you salt the roads in MO in winter, nor whether your target-car has spent it's 20 yrs there or is a fresh arrival from somewhere else. If it spent most of its life in the southern US, you won't have a rust problem. One of mine, obtained in AZ last year, spent most of its life in Seattle, WA and hasn't a spot of corrosion, as neither do both (presumably) TX cars.
Here are a couple of threads to keep you occupied for awhile:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...k-links-20088/ (I thought this one was a link to the "Buyer's Guide" thread, but it takes you to the How-To stickies. There is a buyer's guide there for download
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...roblems-46769/