The XJS looks like a great proposition right now - thoughts?
Discussion
I don't know if it's me or not, but a straight 6 Jag XJS for somewhere around the £4k mark seems like a wonderful buy at the moment.
For example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJS-Automatic-3-6...
Would I be correct in saying they would not be completely ridiculous to run like the 12 (is it true the 'HE' in the V12 stood for 'High Efficiency'?! I knew a guy who ran one for a while, and it killed him financially, and I have another mate who had a double six and the engine was like a vast leech attached to his bank account, sucking it dry - but he couldn't get rid as his father left it to him in his will).
I think the XJS is really looking good now, and (and this is a guess) fettling one probably wouldn't be prohibitively expensive either. Comfy, beautifully made 'gentleman's express' [(c) Pistonheads], happy to waft you across Europe, good looking and the sort of car which will absolutely confound anyone trying to pin a badge on you. It's a fairly rare car these days too, surely a good buy at the moment?
If I had five grand ish to spend on a car that wasn't needed for commuting I would seriously consider one like the above for 4 grand, spend a bag fettling it, then enjoy it for a couple of years - anyone else think so too?
Would love to hear from anyone who runs a XJS 3.6 day to day.
cheers,
Robsa
I have always liked them in red ever since the yummy mummy down my road used to give us lifts to the tennis courts in her red one when I was ten, although hers had a black vinyl roof too.
For example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJS-Automatic-3-6...
Would I be correct in saying they would not be completely ridiculous to run like the 12 (is it true the 'HE' in the V12 stood for 'High Efficiency'?! I knew a guy who ran one for a while, and it killed him financially, and I have another mate who had a double six and the engine was like a vast leech attached to his bank account, sucking it dry - but he couldn't get rid as his father left it to him in his will).
I think the XJS is really looking good now, and (and this is a guess) fettling one probably wouldn't be prohibitively expensive either. Comfy, beautifully made 'gentleman's express' [(c) Pistonheads], happy to waft you across Europe, good looking and the sort of car which will absolutely confound anyone trying to pin a badge on you. It's a fairly rare car these days too, surely a good buy at the moment?
If I had five grand ish to spend on a car that wasn't needed for commuting I would seriously consider one like the above for 4 grand, spend a bag fettling it, then enjoy it for a couple of years - anyone else think so too?
Would love to hear from anyone who runs a XJS 3.6 day to day.
cheers,
Robsa
I have always liked them in red ever since the yummy mummy down my road used to give us lifts to the tennis courts in her red one when I was ten, although hers had a black vinyl roof too.
There is a burgundy coloured one that I regularly see at work. Always in the same place, always taxed. It never moves. I've seen it at all hours of the day, from sunrise to sunset and all through the hours of darkness. It looks a bit tired, but it is always kept washed too.
I guess it's either not running and the owner can't afford to fix it, or they simply can't afford to fuel it.
I guess it's either not running and the owner can't afford to fix it, or they simply can't afford to fuel it.
The pic you posted is of a V12...
I had A late V12 HE for a while, it wasn't too bad on fuel. I used to get 20mpg from mine, exactly the same as both my XJR and XJ6 gave and service parts weren't expensive. I imagine if it went wrong you'd be in trouble but you only live once, it's generally regarded as reliable and to be fair engines are expensive in lots of interesting cars. For me it's the V12 that makes the car special, so I wouldn't have anything else but each to their own and all that.
The topic of XJS's comes up every now and again, it seems people either love them or hate them. They (and Jaguars in general I would argue) are different to drive, you can't hustle the car and try and attack the road, you have to gently guide the car. It's very satisfying and rewarding when you get it right. As someone else put it, you make love to it you don't try and shag it. Test drive it and see what you think...you'll either get it or not.
Worth knowing that the XJ-S and the XJS ('facelift' cars, the one you linked to is a very late XJ-S) are very different; the body, HVAC, dashboard and lots of mechanical bits are all different. They are practically a different car although they initially look very similar.
Yes, HE stands for High Efficiency. Early V12's don't have the May cylinder heads which allowed for much greater part load economy (but made changing the spark plugs a pain)
The one in the pic does look nice, for what it's worth I reckon XJS prices are held down by XK8 values being so low.
I had A late V12 HE for a while, it wasn't too bad on fuel. I used to get 20mpg from mine, exactly the same as both my XJR and XJ6 gave and service parts weren't expensive. I imagine if it went wrong you'd be in trouble but you only live once, it's generally regarded as reliable and to be fair engines are expensive in lots of interesting cars. For me it's the V12 that makes the car special, so I wouldn't have anything else but each to their own and all that.
The topic of XJS's comes up every now and again, it seems people either love them or hate them. They (and Jaguars in general I would argue) are different to drive, you can't hustle the car and try and attack the road, you have to gently guide the car. It's very satisfying and rewarding when you get it right. As someone else put it, you make love to it you don't try and shag it. Test drive it and see what you think...you'll either get it or not.
Worth knowing that the XJ-S and the XJS ('facelift' cars, the one you linked to is a very late XJ-S) are very different; the body, HVAC, dashboard and lots of mechanical bits are all different. They are practically a different car although they initially look very similar.
Yes, HE stands for High Efficiency. Early V12's don't have the May cylinder heads which allowed for much greater part load economy (but made changing the spark plugs a pain)
The one in the pic does look nice, for what it's worth I reckon XJS prices are held down by XK8 values being so low.
Hi there!
Great cars, and the straight six is much cheaper to run that the V12 (having owned both at different times). My last XJS was a 3.6 (1990 on a 'H' Plate) and gave really decent mpg, around the same as my R32 Golf (and I used it as my daily driver). But keep in mind they need regular fettling, and they can do with a few updates to make them a better option to use on a daily basis. Upgrade the lights with either better bulbs or replacement twin light units as the std lights are like two candles. Make sure the brakes are in good nick, including the handbrake. Door seals can be a bit leaky, but are easy enough to source and make a big difference. Also check inside the boot as if the car has a leak this is a vulnerable area. Headlinings tend to have dropped, but again can be replaced for a reasonable cost. Check the rain gutters and drain holes are not blocked as this causes water to sit and eventually will cause corrosion. The windscreen bottom corners are notorious rain traps, one way to sort this is to get the screen removed and reinstalled with new seals, OR a cheaper option is to put a dollop of silicone in each corner to prevent the water pooling. Finally rust is their worst enemy, and so check the key areas underside, wheel arches and rear buttresses for any signs of either damage or previous damage and repair. Many have been 'fixed' and touched up or painted on the cheap and so look great for 12 months but then start to look shabby again. The car in the ad looks lovely on first impressions, but do your research and then you can buy and enjoy!!!!! Happy to help if you need any more info.
Scott
Plus I have a lovely set of original Jaguar 'Kent' alloys (as fitted to the car in the picture) if you are interested?
Great cars, and the straight six is much cheaper to run that the V12 (having owned both at different times). My last XJS was a 3.6 (1990 on a 'H' Plate) and gave really decent mpg, around the same as my R32 Golf (and I used it as my daily driver). But keep in mind they need regular fettling, and they can do with a few updates to make them a better option to use on a daily basis. Upgrade the lights with either better bulbs or replacement twin light units as the std lights are like two candles. Make sure the brakes are in good nick, including the handbrake. Door seals can be a bit leaky, but are easy enough to source and make a big difference. Also check inside the boot as if the car has a leak this is a vulnerable area. Headlinings tend to have dropped, but again can be replaced for a reasonable cost. Check the rain gutters and drain holes are not blocked as this causes water to sit and eventually will cause corrosion. The windscreen bottom corners are notorious rain traps, one way to sort this is to get the screen removed and reinstalled with new seals, OR a cheaper option is to put a dollop of silicone in each corner to prevent the water pooling. Finally rust is their worst enemy, and so check the key areas underside, wheel arches and rear buttresses for any signs of either damage or previous damage and repair. Many have been 'fixed' and touched up or painted on the cheap and so look great for 12 months but then start to look shabby again. The car in the ad looks lovely on first impressions, but do your research and then you can buy and enjoy!!!!! Happy to help if you need any more info.
Scott
Plus I have a lovely set of original Jaguar 'Kent' alloys (as fitted to the car in the picture) if you are interested?
Edited by Scottman on Friday 24th August 23:35
The XJS is becoming very popular in my area of north London, with the number in use as daily drivers catching up with the number of Merc SELs of similar vintage (very numerous around here).
I would go for the straight six, as it is less complex and less thirsty than the V12. I think that, in style terms, these cars have aged well. Get a good one and keep it.
I would go for the straight six, as it is less complex and less thirsty than the V12. I think that, in style terms, these cars have aged well. Get a good one and keep it.
Hmn, yes, well I only put the pic up to remind people of the XJS' general shape TBH; I would not know how to tell a 6 or 12 from a distance! For what it's worth, I prefer the original XJS to the facelift one looks-wise. I love the original back lights and kooky dash!
I suppose the ultra-cheap XK8 is always going to be the choice for many, but for me the rarity of an original XJS would swing me over the considerably more common XK8 (I mean that literally, I love the XK8 too).
ETA: Thanks for all the info and kind offers btw fellas, but I am not looking to buy one at the moment - have a rather less interesting car on the way - a Seat Ibiza 1.2 SC FR! I don;t really think an XJS would make a useful car for me as a surveyor - where I carry round all sorts of hammers, drills, saws, vacuum cleaners, RPE, PPE and so on!
I suppose the ultra-cheap XK8 is always going to be the choice for many, but for me the rarity of an original XJS would swing me over the considerably more common XK8 (I mean that literally, I love the XK8 too).
ETA: Thanks for all the info and kind offers btw fellas, but I am not looking to buy one at the moment - have a rather less interesting car on the way - a Seat Ibiza 1.2 SC FR! I don;t really think an XJS would make a useful car for me as a surveyor - where I carry round all sorts of hammers, drills, saws, vacuum cleaners, RPE, PPE and so on!
Edited by robsa on Friday 24th August 23:40
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