Discussion
Would appreciate peoples feedback on the Jag XJ (1994-02 model)...they are SOOO cheap at the moment, I saw a 4.0 sovereign for £995 and was mighty tempted, but are they financially ruinous? They seem to rack up big miles, but are they more likely to give you trouble than say a W210 E Class Merc of the same vintage?
Im just selling my 98 XJ8 3.2 Sport, bought it cheap through work (£400) in July done about 3000miles and absolutely no probs,I think they are suprisingly reliable things and dont give many problems,soo comfy and yes dirt cheap.
Im ditching mine as the wheel bearings whirring (£220 quoted so hardly ruinous but) and am swapping to a big bimmer to see what they are like as a cheapy barge.
I would get a 4.0 exec or sov as my sport is woefully equipped for a luxo barge,no rear wiper,no phone (some have)no cd player or multichanger,no sunroof etc but comfy,smooth,reliable and great timeless looks.
Im ditching mine as the wheel bearings whirring (£220 quoted so hardly ruinous but) and am swapping to a big bimmer to see what they are like as a cheapy barge.
I would get a 4.0 exec or sov as my sport is woefully equipped for a luxo barge,no rear wiper,no phone (some have)no cd player or multichanger,no sunroof etc but comfy,smooth,reliable and great timeless looks.
Edited by nagsheadwarrior on Wednesday 4th January 20:08
In the case of the straight 6 (94 - 97), if you're handy with a spanner they are unlikely to be financially ruinous. Just pick one that's been looked after and has history, and listen for knocks from the rear suspension and a whine from the rear diff. The rest is virtually bulletproof.
They can be very expensive to maintain and there lies the problem. As the OP says, they are very cheap to buy. Therefore it follows that new owners may find it difficult to justify spending large amounts of money on them. Thus a large repair bill can lead to the car being scrapped.
Was always the way with Jags; I remember in the early '70s that Mk 7-9 and Mks 1 and 2 were being scrapped because of blown head gaskets!
So the cheap X300 and X308 cars on the market now are very likely to have been poorly maintained over the past few years. But there are good cars out there. Learn about them and their potential problems (ignore the Nikasil panic merchants all these years later) and spend some time looking for a good, well maintained car. Don't let mileage put you off, although the V8's ZF gearbox will go pop at 105,000 miles.
I personally like the V8s, so much more character in my way of thinking, and the V8 does go well (0-60mph in 6.7, which can't be bad, although you will learn to come to terms with the word "wafting"). You will also learn the meaning of "point and squirt" and with absolutely no drama or fuss. The supercharged XJRs are faster, but I don't like the black trim and grille. A Jag should look quality, dark colour and lots of chrome.
Buy a good 'un and it will become a love affair.
And I'm in love with my beautiful V8 Sovereign, has absolutely all the bells & whistles, and chrome! No, (obviously) it's not a V12 before anyone mentions it! Big DB7 wheels add to the looks, but do tramline, I'm afraid.
I hope you find your dream car.
Was always the way with Jags; I remember in the early '70s that Mk 7-9 and Mks 1 and 2 were being scrapped because of blown head gaskets!
So the cheap X300 and X308 cars on the market now are very likely to have been poorly maintained over the past few years. But there are good cars out there. Learn about them and their potential problems (ignore the Nikasil panic merchants all these years later) and spend some time looking for a good, well maintained car. Don't let mileage put you off, although the V8's ZF gearbox will go pop at 105,000 miles.
I personally like the V8s, so much more character in my way of thinking, and the V8 does go well (0-60mph in 6.7, which can't be bad, although you will learn to come to terms with the word "wafting"). You will also learn the meaning of "point and squirt" and with absolutely no drama or fuss. The supercharged XJRs are faster, but I don't like the black trim and grille. A Jag should look quality, dark colour and lots of chrome.
Buy a good 'un and it will become a love affair.
And I'm in love with my beautiful V8 Sovereign, has absolutely all the bells & whistles, and chrome! No, (obviously) it's not a V12 before anyone mentions it! Big DB7 wheels add to the looks, but do tramline, I'm afraid.
I hope you find your dream car.
The S6 is generally thought to be more 'reliable' than the early V8s, but having said that, once a few issues (tensioners, water pump) have been sorted on the V8 they can be fine. There were issues with Nikasil liners on the early V8s, most will have been either sorted now or shouldn't be a problem (was caused by high levels of sulphur in fuel). There is a view now that if an engine hasn't experienced Nikasil problems by now, then it will be fine.
Have a look in the Jaguar thread, quite a bit of info. there, and here
http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/
Like any big car, Mercs and BMs included, it won't exectly be cheap to run, but you might be lucky and find one that's trouble free.
Re an earlier thread, I can't say I've seen many XJs with rear wipers
Have a look in the Jaguar thread, quite a bit of info. there, and here
http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/
Like any big car, Mercs and BMs included, it won't exectly be cheap to run, but you might be lucky and find one that's trouble free.
Re an earlier thread, I can't say I've seen many XJs with rear wipers
SV8Predator said:
They can be very expensive to maintain and there lies the problem. As the OP says, they are very cheap to buy. Therefore it follows that new owners may find it difficult to justify spending large amounts of money on them. Thus a large repair bill can lead to the car being scrapped.
Was always the way with Jags; I remember in the early '70s that Mk 7-9 and Mks 1 and 2 were being scrapped because of blown head gaskets!
So the cheap X300 and X308 cars on the market now are very likely to have been poorly maintained over the past few years. But there are good cars out there. Learn about them and their potential problems (ignore the Nikasil panic merchants all these years later) and spend some time looking for a good, well maintained car. Don't let mileage put you off, although the V8's ZF gearbox will go pop at 105,000 miles. Ah yes. The supposedly 'sealed for life' gearbox. They can last considerably longer if they've had regular oil changes every 40k or so. ;
I personally like the V8s, so much more character in my way of thinking, and the V8 does go well (0-60mph in 6.7, which can't be bad, although you will learn to come to terms with the word "wafting"). You will also learn the meaning of "point and squirt" and with absolutely no drama or fuss. The supercharged XJRs are faster, but I don't like the black trim and grille. A Jag should look quality, dark colour and lots of chrome.
Buy a good 'un and it will become a love affair.
And I'm in love with my beautiful V8 Sovereign, has absolutely all the bells & whistles, and chrome! No, (obviously) it's not a V12 before anyone mentions it! Big DB7 wheels add to the looks, but do tramline, I'm afraid.
I hope you find your dream car.
Looks lovely.Was always the way with Jags; I remember in the early '70s that Mk 7-9 and Mks 1 and 2 were being scrapped because of blown head gaskets!
So the cheap X300 and X308 cars on the market now are very likely to have been poorly maintained over the past few years. But there are good cars out there. Learn about them and their potential problems (ignore the Nikasil panic merchants all these years later) and spend some time looking for a good, well maintained car. Don't let mileage put you off, although the V8's ZF gearbox will go pop at 105,000 miles. Ah yes. The supposedly 'sealed for life' gearbox. They can last considerably longer if they've had regular oil changes every 40k or so. ;
I personally like the V8s, so much more character in my way of thinking, and the V8 does go well (0-60mph in 6.7, which can't be bad, although you will learn to come to terms with the word "wafting"). You will also learn the meaning of "point and squirt" and with absolutely no drama or fuss. The supercharged XJRs are faster, but I don't like the black trim and grille. A Jag should look quality, dark colour and lots of chrome.
Buy a good 'un and it will become a love affair.
And I'm in love with my beautiful V8 Sovereign, has absolutely all the bells & whistles, and chrome! No, (obviously) it's not a V12 before anyone mentions it! Big DB7 wheels add to the looks, but do tramline, I'm afraid.
I hope you find your dream car.
Is that an Interceptor poking out on the right of picture?
Most important of all - no matter which model of XJ you choose - is the need to make sure you buy the very best example you can find. Finding the right car often takes time and will usually mean buying from an enthusiast who has really taken care of his car.
Personally I'd choose a V8 (1998-2002) every time. It's a much more refined and powerfull car than the earlier straight sixes and providing it's had the timing chain tensionsers and gearbox oil changed and has a good service history there's no real need for concern about reliability.
Like any old car of course things will go wrong and an old XJ will need taking care of so you'll have to be either handy with the spanners or be prepared to pay a garage to carry out servicing and repairs. Parts and tyres are fairly cheap, fuel consumption is not too ruinious if you drive sensibily and the feel good factor of wafting about in a lovely old XJ is priceless.
Personally I'd choose a V8 (1998-2002) every time. It's a much more refined and powerfull car than the earlier straight sixes and providing it's had the timing chain tensionsers and gearbox oil changed and has a good service history there's no real need for concern about reliability.
Like any old car of course things will go wrong and an old XJ will need taking care of so you'll have to be either handy with the spanners or be prepared to pay a garage to carry out servicing and repairs. Parts and tyres are fairly cheap, fuel consumption is not too ruinious if you drive sensibily and the feel good factor of wafting about in a lovely old XJ is priceless.
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