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 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
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
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.
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?
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!
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