Jaguar XJS or Triumph Stag?
Discussion
Assuming it was for a fun classic not a practical long distance mile muncher I'd go for the Stag.
Why? Partly an age thing; I remember seeing them as a teenager when they were new and thinking they looked lovely. Also, I suspect they would be easier to tinker with and look after.
And they make a lovely V8 burble!
And also I am of the age that saw the XJS as a disappointing replacement for an E Type. Now I appreciate them as something entirely different but it still colours my instinctive 'want/don't want' reaction.
Why? Partly an age thing; I remember seeing them as a teenager when they were new and thinking they looked lovely. Also, I suspect they would be easier to tinker with and look after.
And they make a lovely V8 burble!
And also I am of the age that saw the XJS as a disappointing replacement for an E Type. Now I appreciate them as something entirely different but it still colours my instinctive 'want/don't want' reaction.
It'd be a Stag everytime, for one reason: affordable parts!
When I was looking to "retire" from owning a Caterham SV after 22 years I was laser focused on a TR6 or a Stag, based on whichever came first that was in great nick. Whilst SWMBO wanted a Jag, the reasonable prices for TR parts were a strong factor, backed by availablity of a well regarded local TR garage in case something came up I couldn't do in the garage myself.
Having had our '73 TR6 for 5 years end of this month, would I change my mind? Doubtful but if our grandkids were 10yrs younger possibly just for the rear seat. Since they're now entering their teens, they're my under dash, etc monkeys when I don't want to perform unnatural gymnastics.
Back to the Stag, I'd be seriously looking at which engine it has, has the radiator been updated to a triple core, does it have electric + engine based cooling fans, and how much paperwork proving prominence does it have.
Would I sell on our TR6 for a Stag now -- absolutely not!
When I was looking to "retire" from owning a Caterham SV after 22 years I was laser focused on a TR6 or a Stag, based on whichever came first that was in great nick. Whilst SWMBO wanted a Jag, the reasonable prices for TR parts were a strong factor, backed by availablity of a well regarded local TR garage in case something came up I couldn't do in the garage myself.
Having had our '73 TR6 for 5 years end of this month, would I change my mind? Doubtful but if our grandkids were 10yrs younger possibly just for the rear seat. Since they're now entering their teens, they're my under dash, etc monkeys when I don't want to perform unnatural gymnastics.
Back to the Stag, I'd be seriously looking at which engine it has, has the radiator been updated to a triple core, does it have electric + engine based cooling fans, and how much paperwork proving prominence does it have.
Would I sell on our TR6 for a Stag now -- absolutely not!
If you can get to Derbyshire then visit the Driving Dad's Cars museum where you can drive both an original V8 engined Stage and a V12 engined XJS cabrio. It's not an extensive test drive by any means!
I know, because I did.
I loved both. The Stage felt slightly more dated and the interior reminded me a bit too much of the Marina my Dad had in the 70s whereas the Jag was more special.
On the other hand the V8 burble was majestic.
The Stag is slightly more practical, being smaller, so I'd have to revel in the retro and go for one of those, with the radiator mods etc.
I know, because I did.
I loved both. The Stage felt slightly more dated and the interior reminded me a bit too much of the Marina my Dad had in the 70s whereas the Jag was more special.
On the other hand the V8 burble was majestic.
The Stag is slightly more practical, being smaller, so I'd have to revel in the retro and go for one of those, with the radiator mods etc.
Stag would be an easy choice for me 
My old man had a Triumph 2000, and then a 2500S, and a friend of his had a 2500Pi back in the day and therefore the similarities to the Stag, especially dash and interior would be a nostalgic draw over the Jag.
I can remember sitting in a brand new Stag in a dealership in summer of 1980, while my Dad was ordering some parts from the parts counter, and salesman said it was the last one they had left unsold after production had ended.
I was never much of a fan of the XJ-S anyway, and as already said, size and parts support for the Slag would be another reason to choose it from my pov, plus its a V8
My old man had a Triumph 2000, and then a 2500S, and a friend of his had a 2500Pi back in the day and therefore the similarities to the Stag, especially dash and interior would be a nostalgic draw over the Jag.
I can remember sitting in a brand new Stag in a dealership in summer of 1980, while my Dad was ordering some parts from the parts counter, and salesman said it was the last one they had left unsold after production had ended.
I was never much of a fan of the XJ-S anyway, and as already said, size and parts support for the Slag would be another reason to choose it from my pov, plus its a V8
My dad had a Stag in the 80s when I was primary school age, so I have many fond memories of them.
But I'd go XJS in a heartbeat. Coupe not drop top, mind you.
The Jag feels so much more special inside, it's night and day.
And we had our share of sunny days sat stewing in the car on the roadside while it cooled down and got more water added, so there's that you'd also be avoiding
But I'd go XJS in a heartbeat. Coupe not drop top, mind you.
The Jag feels so much more special inside, it's night and day.
And we had our share of sunny days sat stewing in the car on the roadside while it cooled down and got more water added, so there's that you'd also be avoiding
CoupeKid said:
If you can get to Derbyshire then visit the Driving Dad's Cars museum where you can drive both an original V8 engined Stage and a V12 engined XJS cabrio. It's not an extensive test drive by any means!
I know, because I did.
I loved both. The Stage felt slightly more dated and the interior reminded me a bit too much of the Marina my Dad had in the 70s whereas the Jag was more special.
On the other hand the V8 burble was majestic.
The Stag is slightly more practical, being smaller, so I'd have to revel in the retro and go for one of those, with the radiator mods etc.
Driving Dad's Car sounds fun - tell us more about it? How long did you get to drive them? Were you just let loose with them?I know, because I did.
I loved both. The Stage felt slightly more dated and the interior reminded me a bit too much of the Marina my Dad had in the 70s whereas the Jag was more special.
On the other hand the V8 burble was majestic.
The Stag is slightly more practical, being smaller, so I'd have to revel in the retro and go for one of those, with the radiator mods etc.
Pistom said:
Driving Dad's Car sounds fun - tell us more about it? How long did you get to drive them? Were you just let loose with them?
I did it one freezing day in December a couple of years ago. Basically they have collected running examples of British cars through the ages that a typical family might have owned from an Austin 7 through to a Ford Sierra and they also have some more esoteric cars like a Rolls, a Stag and the Jag.
My old man had a Minor, a Cortina Mk 3, a Marina, Cortina Mk 5, Cavalier 2 and a Sierra. None of which appealed to drive so I booked the Stag, the XJS and a Capri.
No you are not allowed out on the roads or without supervision. You get about 10 minutes per car to trundle around an industrial estate. It's enough to get a feel for the car as it's really just the experience you're getting. It's not a test drive ahead of a purchase.
The passengers are all volunteers. One encouraged me to give the Stag some beans so I could hear the engine while another wasn't impressed when I offered to power slide the Capri on some gravel!
I would go back and try some more more mundane motors. The Austin 7 is worth it for a vintage experience, I've never driven a Mini (much too tall) and I'd like to see just how bad 70s and 80s cars like the Allegro and Maestro really were.
Are you going to be working on it yourself or have pockers deep enough to paying someone else?
If you're going to maintain it DIY I'd say Stag - as will you the second you open the bonnet of a V12 XJS (I6 not so bad). If you're paying someone else, we'll both good choices so "The least rusty one".
If you're going to maintain it DIY I'd say Stag - as will you the second you open the bonnet of a V12 XJS (I6 not so bad). If you're paying someone else, we'll both good choices so "The least rusty one".
//j17 said:
Are you going to be working on it yourself or have pockers deep enough to paying someone else?
If you're going to maintain it DIY I'd say Stag - as will you the second you open the bonnet of a V12 XJS (I6 not so bad). If you're paying someone else, we'll both good choices so "The least rusty one".
I was asking out of interest rather than considering one. A friend was looking to buy a Stag and I’ve suggested an XJS as an alternative. If you're going to maintain it DIY I'd say Stag - as will you the second you open the bonnet of a V12 XJS (I6 not so bad). If you're paying someone else, we'll both good choices so "The least rusty one".
I could not choose so now have both. Both imported from the USA as LHD and rust free is a bonus here (Netherlands).
My XJS is a rare 6 cylinder 3.6 with manual gearbox. Love it.
The Stag is not on the road yet. It has the 4 speed manual box. I have a 4 speed box plus OD available from a 2500 saloon. I also have a spare ZF 4HP22 available. What should I choose for the Stag?
My XJS is a rare 6 cylinder 3.6 with manual gearbox. Love it.
The Stag is not on the road yet. It has the 4 speed manual box. I have a 4 speed box plus OD available from a 2500 saloon. I also have a spare ZF 4HP22 available. What should I choose for the Stag?
badhuis said:
The Stag is not on the road yet. It has the 4 speed manual box. I have a 4 speed box plus OD available from a 2500 saloon. I also have a spare ZF 4HP22 available. What should I choose for the Stag?
If it was an auto, then the ZF is a popular swap.Swapping a manual for an auto though will be a lot more painful to do.
The 2500 saloon gearbox isn't the same as the Stag's, so you'd be better off just trying to fit the Laycock overdrive unit to the existing Stag gearbox. Stag gearbox has different first gear ratio, plus a stronger needle roller bearing layshaft.
Is it an earlier A type Layock OD or the later J Type Laycock O/D with the 2500 gearbox...?
What a strange comparison? A stag and an XJS? Wow! the XJS is quite simply in an different league to the Stag. I suggest you read the period road tests of the XJS to understand what you are dealing with. Its the equivalent to a super car of today, and covered ground at an astounding rate. The Stag is a wonderful machine, and personally really like them. But if you want the master Italian eater I suggest doing some research. My own 1976 Continental munching pre HE XJS Awesome 
Turbobanana said:
Mercedes-Benz SL R107.
Don't get me wrong, I like an XJS or a Stag, but there is something timelessly elegant about an SL that's just not present in either of these.
If I HAD to, XJS. But I'd want a manual 3.6 / 4.0 rather than a V12.
I'd go with a Stag because I already own 3 107s and a 94 XJS V12 Convertible. Trying to find one that has not had its engine swapped with something else in the US is hard work though.Don't get me wrong, I like an XJS or a Stag, but there is something timelessly elegant about an SL that's just not present in either of these.
If I HAD to, XJS. But I'd want a manual 3.6 / 4.0 rather than a V12.
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