Hi guys,
I'm new to this...
I have 2 XJ6 '85 and '86. Love those cars! Now I'm really getting into XJS '89-'90 convertibles. I never drove one, just the design is stunning.
If someone can tell me why are the so inexpensive (relatively). I see a few on eBay for about $6,000 + in great condition. Is there is a catch? Is there something I should now?
I would really appreciate your advice.

 

I'm no fan of the XJS....it's the car that ruined Jaguar. The v12 with it tall gearing and 3 speed slush box is unreliable, overweight and anemic. XJS' are under powered, under braked and punishingly expensive to maintain and repair. The 93/94/95 XJS' with the straight 6 are the only ones to own, the last few with 6.0L V12's are rare and worth collecting for nothing else than as a representation of the end of an era.

 

That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks you!
P.S. I still love this car though...

 

I had a 1989 xjs convertible one for 6 years, and I enjoyed mine.



You need to like to work on cars though!

Poor gas mileage, but oh so smooth . You can go from 50 mph to 100 effortlessly and without a lot of drama.

I suggest you read this if you want to know more:

Kirby Palm's Jaguar XJ-S Help Book

Again, you need to be mechanically inclined.

Good Luck!

 

Thank you Sdduke!
I started to read the book... 700+ pages is a bit too much to swallow. I'll find parts in the book related to XJS. Though it's not correct model name according to the book.

 

Hi Leon

You can also research the car here:

XJ-S enthusiast's Forum from Jag-lovers - the world's No 1

and here:

Welcome to Jag-lovers - The Members' Photo Album

Some people on Jag Lovers post here as well, most notably Doug Dwyer and Cad Jag.

 

Thanks Sdduke!
I will check the links.
I'm not really good with cars mechanically. Can do simple things, but not much more. I enjoy driving and not fixing. I know, it sounds silly buying an old unreliable car and being dependent on mechanic who's really knows an old Jags. But it worked for me last 6-7 years since I god my first XJ6.
I'm a designer, so most important aspect of pretty much anything for me is its design, and this car is simply gorgeous.

 

The first 'catch' is that, often as not, they really are not in great condition.

More than that, though, Jags just don't hold value. Sure...a couple exceptions like the E-types and old XKs....but all used Jags are cheap.








I had an XJS V12 for several years. Fabulous car. I'd love to own another one day. Great car on the road, long legs, a pleasure to drive. 125 mph feels like 65 mph. So long as you keep the cooling system up-to-snuff you can't hurt the engine.

Definitely an 'owner involvement' car, though. Not a drive-it-and-forget-it car by any means.

Mine was utterly reliable....but it took some effort to make it that way. Most suffer neglect. I lost track of how many 600 mile, trouble-free weekend jaunts I enjoyed in the car.

Since you're not a DIYer I suggest first finding someone to work on it....then buy. Some Jag shops have no interest in dealing with XJS quirks. For DIYers that's part of the fun.

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Leon,

Everything has been covered.

I had my XJS for 10 years and loved it.

My experience is that what you don't spend on purchase price, you will definitely make up for with ongoing general maintenance costs.

Mine never broke down once, but it did get looked at by a jag man once a year on top of my constant tinkering with it.

Even back then, I spent over $1500 a year just on said maintenance and it was only an occasional weekender car, so not much mileage.

Twelve cyclinders means twice as many things to fix / replace / fettle.

Ah but those effortless highway cruises in near as silence as you will ever experience, I miss that.

Literally watching the fuel gauge drop whilst sitting on 80 miles an hour, I don't miss that.

Cheers and happy motoring,

Nigel

 

Thanks a lot guys!
I got the picture. I'm trying to find one with low milage and in a good shape. I know, the exterior of the car does't tell the story... But I have an old XJ6's and know that they're not Toyota Camry... In any way. I will put on scale my desire to own one and the price of having one.

 

I'd welcome a nice V12 XJS in my drive. preferably a convertible, but, I could live with a hard top.


To be noted:


1. There is an XJS page here.


2. The XJ6 and XJs are built on similar floor pans. The suspensions, front and rear are alike. Rear ratio's etc notwithstanding. and, the shift towers interchange. The GM transmission that comes with the V12 is far more modern than the ancient BW in the XJ6.


Toyota's they ain't, but....


Carl

 

I'd like a 3.6 manual cabriolet, my friends got one sitting in his garage just awaiting finishing off after a major bodywork and bare metal respray. Been there for about 3 years now, one day I'll persuade him to let me have it.........

 

One more question.
I live in Chicago. Would it be really stupid, to occasionally drive this car during winter months?

 

Hi Leon,

It's a car.

Same rules apply to it.

If you wouldn't drive because of weather conditions, then the XJS will be no different.

If the roads are salted in your area, it becomes a personal decision. It will rust just as quickly and probably a little quicker than anything else.

The only caution which applies in both wet and dry conditions with a V12 up front is that the XJS is still a heavy vehicle and the heavier engine does shift the handling balance a little.

Going into corners, the extra weight up front means a little more understeer, meaning at extremes, it will want to push on straighter than the bend.

Also, close to 300 horses at the rear wheels means deft touch with accelerator especially in the wet.

It doesn't take much to lose the rear end, and then it takes some careful management and space to correct / control the slip. The extra weight makes this a bit of a handful.

Not that I have ever experienced that?!

From memory, the rear will break to the left, and pretty violently if you aren't paying attention.

Having said that, drive modestly like a seasoned Jaguar driver and a cold but clear and dry winters day will be very rewarding, if for no other reason than cold air is denser and the engine will positively feel alive on the open road.

Go forth and enjoy,

Nigel

 

It's 107 miles to Chicago, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and I'm wearing sunglasses

 

Thanks Jag! I used to ride motorcycle in the winter, not to mention that I used to race them...
For 12 years I had a Mercedes G Glass. 6.5K pounds. 4 wheel drive is a big help, but still, if not careful, it will spin.
Good tires will help too, I guess.

 

Oh... Jag, I think it's 106 miles...

 

Damn, I'm getting rusty