Hi,
I’m contemplating an XJ as car to use a few times a week, not a daily. I’ve got a baby and a toddler. My father used to own a series 1 that I learned to drive in, hence the reason for wanting one now. So my question is, what is the best series/model to get?
I’ve found series 1 to be to expensive. Considering these cars are getting old the mileage is high. What kms are considered too high for a v12 or 6? I’m experienced working on old cars, efi scares me more than carbs. Any recommendations?

 

I felt like that before I got my Series 3, but having worked on the fuelling system quite extensively now to get it running rght, I am no longer scared of EFI. There is plenty of information here on the forum and elsewhere to help work through any problems in that area.

All versions of these cars are at least 35 years old now, so any of them could have high mileage; this need not be a problem if maintenance & repairs have been done. I'd say have a look around at whatever versions of the car you can find available for sale convenient to where you live, and get the one you like most!

 

You'd be fine with a SIII (I am one of several on this forum that use an XJ as a daily). I second not being intimidated by the EFI on the SIIIs. It's a simple analog system which is easy to troubleshoot, reliable, and parts are easy to find. That being said I wouldn't discount a SII car if it had been well maintained.

As previously stated mileage shouldn't be an issue if the car has been maintained. My SIII is at 170K and counting.

 

I had S2 cars, a few, as did the kids.

S2 V12 Infected, now at 655000kms.
S2 Daimler 4.2, now at 380000kms.
S2 XJ6, daughters, no idea, odometer stopped 12 years ago, on her to do list, ha. She has Daily driven that car since she was 18 (it survived a teenage petrol head), she now at 34, still the daily.
S3 Sov 4.2, Sons, stayed about 2 years, he not so into cars as the sister.

ALL the Jags in this house have been daily drivers, garage queens are not permitted.

Welcome to the Forums.
Please do an Intro in the New Members Area when the coffee cools down.

 

Series IIIs are my favorite. Built like a tank and drive like velvet. My Series III V12 is my daily driver. Years ago I had a Series III as a daily driver. Never been stranded by the roadside....although problems do crop up from time to time. When you have 30-35-40 year old cars as daily drivers, that's what you get.

the majority of old Jags are suffering some degree of neglect. Unless you find an exceptional car at the very high end of the price range be prepared for some rehab work to get everything sorted. And then enjoy the car.

Rust is a problem on these old Jags. Watch for that.

Climate control systems can be a problem so finding one with a fully operational system is a plus.

Most mechanical repair are well within DIY territory for a reasonably experienced tinkerer and you'll never find better internet support for any other car.

Cheers
DD

 

G’Day, I’ve added you to the NSW Roll just follow the link below............
If you’re wanting carburettors a series 2 would be a good choice and they aren’t as expensive as a series 1, however you need to look through the rubbish out there as there are some roughies. I drive mine weekly, the XE is the daily.
Mines got 180kklm

 

I have owned a 1984 XJ-6 since 1989 and I have never had any trouble with the fuel injection. Totally reliable until this day knock on wood. Member Jeff is selling his 1987 in very good condition and well cared. Get your money together and go get that one. Prices are starting to go up on these cars.

 

I agree with Doug as above.
Climate Control can be intimidating but several of us have been elbow-deep into ours and came out winners. We'll all be glad to help you where we can if you need it.

My Series 2 is Pre-electronics, and once I figured out how the British think, it was simple. The trick with renewing Any Elderly Classic is to take one thing at a time. Start with the easy stuff you understand and work your way to not as easy stuff you don't understand so well. You'll often find that by the time you get to those hard parts, they're not as hard or frightening as you thought they would be.

If you need help, well, that's why this place exists: To help owners like you keep these Classics on the road safely for a Looong time to come.

EDIT: I was just thinking of your original question: What about a Series Jag for a growing family.
Now that I consider it, I think a Series 2 will be a bit small for your needs. The Series 3 has a bigger cabin and therefore more leg room in the back seat for growing children and longer legs. Not only that, you might be able to find a Series 3 in relatively better condition than a Series 2 because, as you mention, they are getting on in years.

Welcome to our Playroom from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Nice thing about a good Series 3 is that you have a lot of the stuff you get on new cars, like power windows, sunroof, cruise control...and the ride is just better. They're easy to drive, but you must get it out at least weekly or it might feel neglected and stop working properly.

 

Welcome aboard.

Lots of talent here along with the will to help.

As to the choice of a Jaguar. somewhat similar to the choice of any other old car

1. Mileage is not the most important thing. A high mileage car can be in better condition than a similar low mileage car. Stop and go vs long trips. good maintenance vs great maintenance.

2. Buy the best car that your budget will allow. Buy cheap, pay expensive...

Got mine in 2001. Sure do enjoy it.... It has had issues. Moat fixed. some remain. but it is what it is... One of my greatest auto challenges. But, a win sure fees great...

 

not a 12 cylinder, that is a very high maintenance car. The Series 3 6 cylinder is a lot easier as long as you start out with an excellent-condition car.

And it has a child-proof secret switch to prevent operating the power window switches from the rear seat.

Parts supply is excellent and replacements are in the not expensive class. Lots of support too, but not for the V12.

 

Be it Series I, II, or III the car is the same. Just the engine is different, in essence. Engine aside, all the sub-sytsems are the same and all the same potential pitfalls exist. Rust, neglect, brake repairs, suspension repairs, fuel system repairs, climate control problems, electrical, etc.

Starting off with an excellent condition example makes the experience a lot better no matter what engine. A new owner will probably have a lot better experience with a very well maintained V12 car than he would with an indifferently maintained 6 cylinder car.

A V12 isn't the right choice for everyone. It's exactly the right choice for others. The 6 cylinder is probably a better choice for a first timer but a V12 is a perfectly viable choice for a DIYer who is willing to dig in and learn a few new things that are V12 unique.

Having driven both for years I'm hard pressed to think of anything I've needed to repair on the V12 that I never needed to repair on the 6 cylinder. Over the course of years both needed cam cover gaskets, water pumps, radiators, starters, alternators, fuel injector cleaning, fuel hoses, coolant hoses, ignition modules, repair of crispy wires, new vacuum hoses, and so on.

The upside of the 6 cylinder engine is that it is easier to perform these tasks. The upside to the V12 is smoothness and an extra 100 horsepower.




Not quite sure what you mean by that !

Cheers
DD

 

Secret child-proof window switch......tell me more.

Dave

 

I presume Jose is talking about the window lock-out switch on the center console, right above the sunroof switch, which defeats all the power windows and sunroof

Cheers
DD

 

A Series III Jag is the most modern of all antique cars

Cheers
DD

 

That has to be it Doug, my immediate thought went to the little toggles in the end of the back doors on some of the more modern cars for disabling a back door. "Secret switch" and "child-proof" took me down the wrong path.

Thanks

Dave

 

Could not agree more! For the purposes of pmd400, you could not go past a series 3. My taste is for series 1 as I reckon they are by far the best looking XJ6. But I would not recommend one as a daily driver as the ventilation system is primitive.

 

Welcome to the forums pmd400,

Like others on this thread, I've had several XJ's. However from this and many other similar threads, the one inescapable truth is the further you get them away from the factory in Coventry, UK, the longer they last. Here in the UK my Series I and Series II were starting to crumble from the bottom up after two or three years with the combination of rain and road salt. In Australia the XJ's seem to last forever!

If that's not a recommendation, nothing will persuade you.

Graham

 

Actually, such rear locks were fitted to Series III cars for certain markets. USA cars didn't get 'em, though.

Cheers
DD

 

it's no secret if I tell you.