Hey guys, just joined the forum...so basically i'm not currently a jag owner but I fell in love with early 90s jags but I have only ever owned 1 car and am not very knowledgable when it comes to engines. I would like to know if an early 90s xjs (preferably convertible but I would definitely "settle" for a coupe) would be affordable at around a 12,500 budget to be a daily driver. I've read the buyers guide which was extremely helpful but the first and only car i've owned cost me 600 bucks when I was 17 so i'm a little hesitant when spending this kind of money and would like to know what you experieced guys think...oh and by the way, as much as I would like a v12, from gas prices being so high and my engine expertise being so low I think would rather go with a 6 cyl......any help is much appreciated thanks!

 

go with a 4.0L six, less troubles in general. these engines are pretty bulletproof and go for 300K. I also sent you a PM

 

Yes, I think the 4.0 six cylinder would be a good choice. I'd shoot for a 94-96 coupe, personally....not just because I prefer the coupe's looks but because they are usually less expensive than the convertible, allowing you to buy substance rather than style. In other words...spned the money on a better condition car rather than a more stylish car.

But, by all means, if the "right" convertible comes along, don't hesitate :-)

For the amount you've mentioned you should be able to find a very nice example and have cash left over for some repairs....which is good because a few glitches always crop up on any used car.

Cheers
DD

 

You'll definitely find way more six cylinder affordable cars than the 12. I have to say though the V12 on my '95 convertible has been very trouble free (knock on wood). I also average about 11 mpg, hence it's not my daily driver. The price differential is a lot less too. For $12,500 you should be able to find a convertible in pretty good shape with less than 100k miles.

 

Hey thanks for all the info guys, i've been looking at them for a few months now (eBay, autotrader, hemmings, craigslist) and it seems like the ones i'd be interested in that are nearby are $8,000-$17,000...I guess I figured that if I went more towards the 8,000 then I would end up spending another 5-8k on repairs which would end up putting me over my budget

 

I'm hard pressed to imagine *any* XJS getting $17000 except perhaps a couple of the rare performace variants.

Cheers
DD

 

I love my 95 4.0L. it's powerful enough. I think starting in 95, the 4.0L engine is individual coil ignition (no distributor) and has higher output then pre-95.

 

Also stay away (if possible) from the 89-92 or so models. I think Ford took them over in 1989? and it took them a few years to work out some bugs! You may get differing opinions here, just throwing in what I heard when I was looking for one several years back. I have a 93 4L coupe and it is awesome and trouble free!

 

V12 engine went to 6.0 L in '94. IL6 went to 4.0 L AJ16 in '95. My opinion is the '95 V12 Convertible or the '96 IL 6 are the best ones to get for long term use. Keep them in lots of 20W-50 oil and clean antifreeze every two years and they will last a long time.

XJSPaul

 

Trip gas mileage on '94 V12 18 mpg to 20 mpg. Engine complexity AJ16 6cyl to 6.0 L V12 (other than 6 more cylinders) is not very different. They are both (Ford) Jaguars.

Now '93 and older - both 6 and 12 cylinder - hang on to your wallet. Jaguar did some strange things that can be expensive. Get Kirby's book and read every page.

XJSPaul