RE: SOTW: Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport

RE: SOTW: Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport

Friday 26th August 2011

SOTW: Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport

Shed returns to its fast-luxury heartland...



After several weeks of Shed of the Week oddities (and if you don't call an Austin Ambassador, a V6-engined MR2 and Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch odd, then we would politely question your sanity), SOTW has returned to its spiritual heartland with today's offering.

By the time the 'X300' XJ6 came along in the mid-1990s, Jaguar may have lost its way slightly with the third part of its 1960s mission statement to provide grace, pace and space, but it still had the first two bits in abundance.

These days, Jaguar has fully embraced modernity, but the Jaguar of the 1990s was still stuck in a retro rut. Even so, the sleek, graceful lines of this 3.2 Sport still have a certain timeless balance to them.


True, you might risk looking a little Arfur Daley-esque (particularly with the shiny hubcaps and coachline), and you might have to explain to people that you're not driving a Jaaaggg about just because Clarkson told you they're cool (even though he's right), but just look at that creamy, leathery, woody interior...

Unlike the last time we featured a Jaguar of this era (an XJR that seemed attractively powerful, but unattractively tatty) this particular car also sounds like it's in pretty decent nick.

It's done a chunky but not ridiculous 121k miles, seems to have been regularly and diligently serviced. It also seems to be visually pretty tidy, aside from a few minor rust bubbles and a spot of peeling paint lacquer. Heck, it's even got a full 12 months MOT.


There is more than one person at PHHQ who would be mighty tempted by this. If it wasn't for that coachline...

Advert is reproduced below

1995 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport (1995)
121,300 miles £825

1995 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport in carnival red with all the usual Jaguar refinements.

Starting off with the mechanicals, the engine is the trusty 3.2 litre chain cam straight six engine. It pulls well and runs nicely up to temperature, doesn't overheat, burn oil or leak any fluids. The gearbox shifts smoothly with no untoward noises or jerky changes. 


The car had a lubrication service in April and the front upper shock absorber bushes were replaced. I have receipts for all parts purchased. All the warning lights extinguish during ignition as they should. All the electrics work with the exception of the infamous digital clock. The air con blows cold, seemingly a rarity on X300 Jaguars.

The bodywork and interior are clean and tidy with no major issues. There are a couple of very small rust bubbles around the edge of the rear screen and one on the edge of the windscreen. There is patch of peeling lacquer on the rear passenger door. The car looks very clean and presentable with smart white coachlines. All the alloy wheels are in good order. 

I have one working key and one working remote fob. 


Overall this is a very cheap introduction to luxury motoring. The car is totally dependable and I've just completed a 1000+ mile journey through France without any issues, in fact, it was a pleasure to drive over such a long distance. The car has a new MOT and is ready to be driven away. 

MOT expires: 08/2012
Road tax expires: 09/2011

 





Author
Discussion

johnpeat

Original Poster:

5,326 posts

264 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
It's a shed for sure and the price is right - I fear we may be hearing stories of woe in the pages to come tho smile

vit4

3,507 posts

169 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
I love that interior... if I had the money to lose I'd probably go for that to be honest smile

attym3

7,259 posts

167 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Now this is a bit more like it, worthy of the "gentlemans car" thread.

Mark

oa

23,879 posts

193 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Proper barge: none of this reliable german rubbish!

billzeebub

3,862 posts

198 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
just the thing for popping down to the Winchester Club

johnpeat

Original Poster:

5,326 posts

264 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
billzeebub said:
just the thing for popping down to the Winchester Club
Oi Terry!

to3m

1,226 posts

169 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Not sure about the colour, but for £825 I suppose I could live with it.

My dad had a green one as a company car (!) in the late 1990s, and much as I loved the look of it I never rated it that much as a passenger. They're surprisingly cramped inside, and you don't have to be super-tall - I'm 6'2", and not that long of leg - to find the leg- and head-room a bit limited. But after driving it a couple of times I was absolutely smitten. For such a heavy thing, with seemingly so much wood and leather inside it, it picked up speed surprisingly quickly. I'm always a sucker for that. £825 would leave me enough cash to drive it with the gearbox in Sport mode, too, for maybe a few months smile

When it was time for my dad to change car, he got a BMW, saying he'd never get a Jaguar ever again. I can only assume that he realised that there was no way he could top the experience of having one. Not even by getting another one. Can't think of any other explanation.

BadgerBill

274 posts

238 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
And relax.

As much as old vaux's, etc may have merit, nothing says shed like an old luxury smoker that can cripple your wallet in a heartbeat!

Good work

BB

fathomfive

9,876 posts

189 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Now that is a nice place to sit.

cheesyblob

370 posts

174 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Nice. One of the last XK6 engined Jaguars.

diddly69

695 posts

176 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
I looked at this a couple of days ago and thought this would be a great SOTW candidate biggrin

Mr Scruff

1,322 posts

214 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
For sure a wonderful looking thing. Good advert too, and for that price I think I could even deal with the coachline...!

VPower

3,598 posts

193 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Excellent!!

Having just got myself an S-Type R, I ask why I've never gone Jaguar before!

This really is a bargain.

varsas

4,004 posts

201 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
cheesyblob said:
Nice. One of the last XK6 engined Jaguars.
Sadly not, this will have the 'AJ16' engine. The last cars with the XK engine was mere made in the early 90's, XJ's haven't had them since the series 3 (I think?)

Friend had one of these, really really nice. From the moment I got in it during the test drive it just felt right. Everything you want from a jaguar, and this has a lovely colour combination. I'm not a huge fan of that dash (I prefer the XJ8) but that's nit picking and everything else is great.

ETA: why is it under boring stuff? RWD + straight 6 means it's not, surely?


Edited by varsas on Friday 26th August 08:09

Jasper Gilder

2,166 posts

272 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
I had one brand new, M reg. Fantastic car - my first Jag and when I drove it away I thought it was the puppies privates.

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
So much want! Excuse me while I go and read up on these.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
Very decent for the cash. Stick a dateless plate on that and the majority of joe public would reckon that a 40k+ car.

djbobbins

101 posts

175 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
My mate's father had an early 80's Daimler double 6 as a weekend car, then after his business partner parked that in a tree, went for a new one of these.

There is something archetypal about that shape, say what you like about the new Jags but the XJ and the S-type ooze a certain British charm. I see that there are now 3.0 S-Types now also coming into the reach of shed wallets and I'm tempted to opt out of my company scheme and get one!

Of course, I will also have to invest in a pipe, slippers and tartan blanket for the parcel shelf!

Chutney374

6 posts

168 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
I love XJ's. I was 31 when I had mine... a 1998 3.2 V8 XJ Sport.... shame about the Nickasil Lined engine that lost ALL compression on ALL 8 Cylinders.... What I will say is that it was quiet simply the most comfortable car I've ever driven, and more comfortable than my living room, but I wouldn't have another one...

legalknievel

352 posts

196 months

Friday 26th August 2011
quotequote all
What a great shed. After the last, minder themed jag shed, I actually convinced a mate to get one. He backed out after I'd seen three. But what an adventure just thinking I was going to be able to ride in the back in a grey suit and a trilby!

Great shed guys. Burgundy is king!