Hi there,
I'm currently looking for what will become my first car, and the series 3 XJ6 has definetely caught my eye. I'm also aware that jaguars have quite the reputation for being very unreliable.
My question is this:
If I was to spend about $8-10k AUD, (about $7k USD) on a car that was in good condition, and had it checked by a jag mechanic before buying, would this be a feasible first car?
I like this car so much, that the relatively low fuel efficiency doesn't deter me, but I won't be able to afford the ridiculous insurance premiums new drivers cop, is this a problem?
I enjoy challenges and would be happy to spend plenty of my time working on it, but again is this possible for someone with no experience?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

You should probably look at the X300. Sure, it's not as nice as the series 3, but generally speaking it's a whole lot more reliable. You could go for the 3.2 (I take it your looking at 4.2 S3s), which, as well as being a bit more econimical, It'll lower the insurance costs (assuming they raise the cost of third party with the engine size, which is what they do here). What's more, the X300 is a whole lot more rust resistant than those older cars, and it's probably cheaper to buy than the S3.

I've got nothing against the S3. They're beautiful cars an have the potential to be reliable every day cars, however considering it's to be your first car, you might want something that's going to be a bit less needy (by Jaguar standards that is).

I was looking at the V12 XJS for my first car. Insurance would have cost a fortune, not to mention gas, but then they decide that they are going to bring out some stupid law restricting young drivers to a certain number of cylinders. That crushed my dreams, but at least the pragmatic side of my brain could rest easy when I got my X300.

 

Good choice...the Ser IIIs are fantastic cars. But......

By modern standards the Ser III uses stone-age technology but it wouldn't be my first pick as a subject car for learning DIY auto repair from the ground up. It would be most beneficial if you had an experienced helper looking over your shoulder to assist with the fundmentals and used resources such as this forum to clarify the Jaguar-specific tricks and quirks.

Don't get me wrong, many here are happy to help a willing student, but if each conversation will require a preliminary dissertation of auto repair fundamentals before ever reaching the Jaguar-specific aspects....well....not everyone will have time for that in every instance.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from. No offense is intended. It's just that I've been on many automotive discussion forums for years and years and I know how these things go :-)

On the positive side, you're shopping in a price range which should provide a better than average example with fewer problems to contend with. Notice I said "fewer problems" and not "no problems" :-).

These cars CAN be quite reliable but it does take some effort to keep them that way. You seem willing to put out of effort and I'm sure many here will help....but do keep in mind what I've mentioned.

How are you set for tools?

Cheers
DD

 

Good advice on the X300.....which will likely provide more pleasure and less heartache :-)


Cheers
DD

 

The Series 3 is a beautiful, beautiful, car. I know, I had one for 14 years. A mechanic I know near Liverpool once told me they were the last of the repairable Jaguars. The only trouble is there is usually an awful lot needing repair !! Almost everything on the car can be done by a home mechanic who has the tools and also access to the excellent workshop manual, still available on the internet. Mostly no complicated electronics, except for the analogue fuel injection system.

Do be aware that these cars had a number of serious issues that were never really attended to by Jaguar until the last one or two years of production, when they finally realised the XJ40 model was going to be late. They then did a lot of modifications to keep the car viable as a selling proposition until the XJ40 was ready. So cars from around 1984 onwards are much, much better built.

Bodies all rust regardless of year this being a consequence of the sheer lack of modernity of Jaguar production facilities, only put right by Ford in the 90s

 

Thanks for the replies guys,
Doug, I see your point about asking basic questions. I can imagine there are plenty of resources online or at the library that could fill me in on the basics, I literally only post on forums when a few hours of googling come up empty.
As for tools, dad has a trucky tool set which should do quite well.

I think I'll have a look into the X300 then.

 

Sorry, not sure how to edit.
One more thing, how well do these go on gas? (S3 and X300)

 

Tim,

As already said, and my 2 bobs worth.

My first Jaguar, 1968, MK7M, I was 18, what a learning curve, no money for mechanics, just me, NO internet, bugga, 3 years, never broke down, cams close, but.

Many, many Jags since, and now I have dragged myself out of the XJ-S (16 years) and into a X300 3.2, and my old body is rewarding me with MUCH pleasure in driving and enjoying, without the many hours of "catch up" maintenece the other Jags have all required.

The fuel thing is not too relevent, my X300 returns 12.5l/133km suburban, 8.9l/100km, highway, and sufficient performance for the curent restrictions the law imposes.

The XJ-S (now hers) returns 15l/100km suburban, and 11.2l/100km last interstate we did from Adelaide to Cairns, and back.

The S3 is an awesome car, make no mistakes, but as Doug said, catch up maintenence will get at you eventually, being your first car, later in car life would be a good choice.

Both my kids had S2 4.2l XJ6 as their first cars, and fixed eveything themselves (with dad holding the whip), even the daughter, they did learn respect for their cars, and still run Jaguars today, without dads involvement, ah the peace and quiet, priceless, haha.

 

As I said before, I'm sure the 3.2 X300 will be a fair bit better on gas than the 4.2 S3, the former being smaller and more modern than the latter (I think there are 3.something S3s (3.6?), but they don't seem too common).

And the 3.2 X300 is far from underpowered - it's still a beautiful ride.

.
.
.

Rust is the real killer with the S3. Mechanical repair is one thing, but panel work is quite another. It takes a lot of time and skill (or a lot of money to get someone else to do it), to get a good repair. If you do opt for an older Jag, you want to be exhaustive in your pre-purchase examination of the vehicle, and remember that once you start digging out rust, there will ALWAYS me more hidden that you hadn't bargained for.

Luckily for me, my old man is a mechanical engineer, adept at panelwork, and a veteran Jaguar enthusiast!

 

I agree with the consensus here, the X300 model will prove a better bet. You don't normally have to worry about the engine, for a start. And it will not cost much more than a Series3, and fuel mileage with digital fuel injection is better. My 1980 4.2 best consumption was around 18 mpg (UK gallon).

 

A bog standard 'XJ6' X300 in decent condition may even be a bit less than a comparable S3. I see an abundancy of the LWB models on the market for very reasonable prices. Often with less than 150,000km on the clock. Mostly Singapore imports I guess... (gotta watch for that saggy headlining)

 

The X300 is a fine auto and more reliable. Perhaps the most important point for a first car is: Chicks dig 'em!

 

I agree with everything in previous posts. I had an XJ40 for my first car and it ran like a top. I replaced that car (which I was rear ended in and was totaled) with another XJ40, but the series 3 has always been my dream car. I finally bought a series 3 and it is a learning curve for me, but it is a joy to work on and is really rewarding.

Perhaps the point Im trying to get at here is go for the car that you actually want. It took me 2 jags and a honda for me to get my dream car. So if a series 3 is what you really want I say go for that rather than the X300. If you get one that is mechanically sound with a straight body you are golden. The electrics will always be a problem, but you will gain a vast amount of knowledge from working on the car and solving problems with the help of manuals and the excellent guys here on the forum which have knowledge that is beyond belief.

It all depends on what you are looking for from the car. If you want just a car that is reliable, stylish and relatively low maintenance, go for the X300 you wont regret it. However if the looks of the series 3 lure you in and you are willing to work on a car and gain knowledge beyond belief, dont dismiss the series 3 as an option.

Best of luck on your buying decision

 

Looking at the S3 again, it really does have one of the nicest ***** you'll ever see on a car. So many designs are let down by a clumsy rear end, but this one is perfect!

 

A Series 3 is a beautiful looking car, but you must have the enthusiasm to work on them, as it is likely you will have to do quite a bit of work. These cars are repairable, and parts are not too expensive, and electronics are minimal, it is all very traditional in construction etc. You must, however be prepared for doing maintenance and repairs as the youngest you can possibly buy is 25 years old.

Don't be afraid of buying parts for UK suppliers, most of them have Series 3 parts and can help you out quite a lot. You really MUST buy the official Jaguar workshop manual, and also, if you can find one, the parts catalogue. The manuals can be found on the internet. These two publications will enable you to do literally anything on the car.

Try this site: -

http://www.motorbase.com/

 

I would recommend getting the X300. It will likely be a lot more reliable and easier to maintain. Also, you are looking at about a 12 year or so improvement in technology as well as rust prevention. They are both very beautiful cars although strictly style-wise I would give a slight nod to the Series III.

 

My "first" car was a beautiful royal blue 1987 Series III. I bought it for $1500 when I was 20 years old and I had it for nearly 3 years. In all that time they only thing I ever had to do was replace the alternator (around $500), new battery, and regular oil changes.

I say it was my "first" car because I initially bought a 1985 SIII which was a total hunk of junk. Of course I didnt know any better at the time, but I learned alot from that car, especially what to look for when it was time to buy a better one! So 6 months later I picked up the royal blue '87, and I was far better prepared for it.

Make sure you do all the research you can on the model youre looking for, ie known problems and such. Find a good example and have it checked out by a Jaguar mechanic (don't take an older car to the dealers, they dont care about them and theyre too expensive anyhow).

5 Jaguars later, Im driving a 05 XJ8L, but there are times when I see a clean Series III on the road and I get a tinge of jealousy. My XJ8 is a better, more reliable car in every way, but you just cannot ignore the beauty of the Series III. If I had more disposable income, I'd pick one up and tool around in it on the weekends!

Take the time to find a prime example and you wont regret it. In my humble opinion, the X300s & X308s are failed attempts to recreate the Series III. Don't bother with them. You'll be sorry when a beautiful Series III passes you on the road!

PS: Look for a post-1985 model with mileage around 150k, and listen for a tapping noise in the engine, almost like a loud sowing machine. If you hear that, move on to the next one, because that engine is gonna blow soon. Research tappet guides and youll know what Im talking about.