XJS Fear and Desire...
Discussion
Can't stop looking at them.
Look: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3149497.htm
>>grunt<<
Few questions...
Exactly HOW ruinous are these and what to look out for.
I HAVE to have the V12 don't I?
I mean really, it would be rude not to right? Or is there some kind of secret way to get the same rumbling waft without effectively riding a time-bomb with a happy face and a huge erection?
I need advice here, because I am just running out of reasons not to run at one of these with a fistful of dollar.
Help.
Look: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3149497.htm
>>grunt<<
Few questions...
Exactly HOW ruinous are these and what to look out for.
I HAVE to have the V12 don't I?
I mean really, it would be rude not to right? Or is there some kind of secret way to get the same rumbling waft without effectively riding a time-bomb with a happy face and a huge erection?
I need advice here, because I am just running out of reasons not to run at one of these with a fistful of dollar.
Help.
Like you, I HAD to have one a few years back. Managed to contain the V12 urge and bought a tired late 3.6.
It let me down of course during our relationship but not badly and finally collapsed on its nose as the front suspension rusted away. The car cost very little and I recovered a decent chunk of what I had spent.
Did I adore it? You bet and I'd have another tomorrow (but a 4.0) but I really do need four proper seats. Got a 4.2 S Type now.
It wafted so well and was just a great place to be. Pure class.
It let me down of course during our relationship but not badly and finally collapsed on its nose as the front suspension rusted away. The car cost very little and I recovered a decent chunk of what I had spent.
Did I adore it? You bet and I'd have another tomorrow (but a 4.0) but I really do need four proper seats. Got a 4.2 S Type now.
It wafted so well and was just a great place to be. Pure class.
go for as late a model as possible.I have the 6.0l and you get a 4 speed box and outboard brakes it is (despite what 5.3 owners will tell you and I have one as well) a much better car.Also dont be put off by mileage if its a car you want to use.A well used and serviced high mileage car is better than a car with low mileage that has spent far too much time in a garage not being used.
The 4 litre is also a very fine car and performance wise not a lot of difference but it doesnt sound as smooth as a V12 but never the less not to be sniffed at.If you need any help just ask there are plenty of knowledgable people about but not that many good cars.
The 4 litre is also a very fine car and performance wise not a lot of difference but it doesnt sound as smooth as a V12 but never the less not to be sniffed at.If you need any help just ask there are plenty of knowledgable people about but not that many good cars.
It really depends on your mileage.Most people dont do a great dealmore than 2k a year so avg 15mpg for the 5.3l
So about £800 for petrol.Insurance mine costs £200.servicing you need lots of Oil 2 gallons and similar amounts of coolant 12 spark plugs 12 leads etc but if you can do it your self its not that bad.Everything else brake pads engine parts etc will be similar to other Jags.
I work on about £2.5k a Year to run it and a sa hobby thats not too bad.
The 4 litre will cost you about £650 in fuel and servicing costs will be less because you dont need as many bits or as much oil etc.But if you realy want an XJS then you have to look at a V12 or you will never forgive yourself.
You can always go to a 4.0l later on which are fine cars but if you dont do the V12 you will always have that itch.
So about £800 for petrol.Insurance mine costs £200.servicing you need lots of Oil 2 gallons and similar amounts of coolant 12 spark plugs 12 leads etc but if you can do it your self its not that bad.Everything else brake pads engine parts etc will be similar to other Jags.
I work on about £2.5k a Year to run it and a sa hobby thats not too bad.
The 4 litre will cost you about £650 in fuel and servicing costs will be less because you dont need as many bits or as much oil etc.But if you realy want an XJS then you have to look at a V12 or you will never forgive yourself.
You can always go to a 4.0l later on which are fine cars but if you dont do the V12 you will always have that itch.
I had a pre HE V12 some 20 years ago and loved it to bits - bits is where that one ended sadly as it was more filler than steel on reflection but mechanically it was superb and was an abolute pleasure to drive. The V12S are silky smooth and effortless.
Funnily enough, I needed to alleviate some debt and had to sell my Griffith 500 a fortnite ago and took a superb V12 convertible in part exchange.
What a joy, no fuss, turbine power delivery and so comfortable.
Good to be back in a big cat again.
Do it Gorvid,you know you have to...............
Funnily enough, I needed to alleviate some debt and had to sell my Griffith 500 a fortnite ago and took a superb V12 convertible in part exchange.
What a joy, no fuss, turbine power delivery and so comfortable.
Good to be back in a big cat again.
Do it Gorvid,you know you have to...............
The 1993 cars on were better for corrosion since Fords took over.You often here people b
h about these cars being unreliable etc but the fact is many of them never owned or ran a decent one.If your buying a car that is 20 years old or more you have to look at servicing as an ogoing project not just once a year oil change but thats part of the fun. 
A nice day out for me a trip into Wales a nice lunch or picnic and a good drive home on quiet roads perfect.
h about these cars being unreliable etc but the fact is many of them never owned or ran a decent one.If your buying a car that is 20 years old or more you have to look at servicing as an ogoing project not just once a year oil change but thats part of the fun. A nice day out for me a trip into Wales a nice lunch or picnic and a good drive home on quiet roads perfect.
Interesting. because my priorities were similar ( but 3000 mls per year )
Twenty years ago I used a 4 year old XJS 5.3 V12 as a business machine and could offset expenses against tax.
Just as well because it averaged 13 MPG ( and about 9 in town ). Make no mistake the V12 has a fantastically smooth
powerplant mated to a slightly soggy 3 speed autobox. Although I loved it, the overall driving impression was that of a
big luxury saloon in a party frock. Great for motorways but a bit of a handful on the twisty bits.
18 months ago I sold my 1970 911S and fancied another XJS as a weekend classic. This time I decided on a 6 cylinder manual.
I decided against the post 1991 facelift cars for 2 reasons.
1. I prefer the more classical XJS looks of the older cars ( not keen on the facelift skinny tail lights )
2. Performance. The racebreed 3.6 AJ6 engined cars don't have a catalytic converter and are quicker than the catalysed 4.0l cars.
These later engined 3.6's (from 1988 - 1990)are silky smooth and really pack a punch ( although less torque than the 4.0L ).
0-60MPH in 7.1 secs for a twenty one year old, not far off 2 ton grand tourer is quite respectable.
Mine has the sports pack with stiffer uprated suspension and recaro style seats.
The facelift XJS's also rust badly and many owners facing mot failure's are now offloading them. Yet many pre facelift cars have now been
brought up to scratch. You really need to evaluate each individual car on it's merits.
The 3.6 is well over 200lbs lighter than a V12. This makes it feel more agile on twisty roads. Mine averages about 21 mpg with spirited driving and 28mpg on the motorway.More important, it's much more fun shifting with that very precise Getrag 5 speeder.
If you must have a V12 why not try an XJRS. They are sportier than standard V12's and were made in limited numbers.
They are all great cars to own and I would road test all variants before making a decision ( somebodys got to do it} .
Happy hunting.
Here's my 3.6
Twenty years ago I used a 4 year old XJS 5.3 V12 as a business machine and could offset expenses against tax.
Just as well because it averaged 13 MPG ( and about 9 in town ). Make no mistake the V12 has a fantastically smooth
powerplant mated to a slightly soggy 3 speed autobox. Although I loved it, the overall driving impression was that of a
big luxury saloon in a party frock. Great for motorways but a bit of a handful on the twisty bits.
18 months ago I sold my 1970 911S and fancied another XJS as a weekend classic. This time I decided on a 6 cylinder manual.
I decided against the post 1991 facelift cars for 2 reasons.
1. I prefer the more classical XJS looks of the older cars ( not keen on the facelift skinny tail lights )
2. Performance. The racebreed 3.6 AJ6 engined cars don't have a catalytic converter and are quicker than the catalysed 4.0l cars.
These later engined 3.6's (from 1988 - 1990)are silky smooth and really pack a punch ( although less torque than the 4.0L ).
0-60MPH in 7.1 secs for a twenty one year old, not far off 2 ton grand tourer is quite respectable.
Mine has the sports pack with stiffer uprated suspension and recaro style seats.
The facelift XJS's also rust badly and many owners facing mot failure's are now offloading them. Yet many pre facelift cars have now been
brought up to scratch. You really need to evaluate each individual car on it's merits.
The 3.6 is well over 200lbs lighter than a V12. This makes it feel more agile on twisty roads. Mine averages about 21 mpg with spirited driving and 28mpg on the motorway.More important, it's much more fun shifting with that very precise Getrag 5 speeder.
If you must have a V12 why not try an XJRS. They are sportier than standard V12's and were made in limited numbers.
They are all great cars to own and I would road test all variants before making a decision ( somebodys got to do it} .
Happy hunting.
Here's my 3.6
Looks are a personal thing (and I love both) but I definately prefer the style of the earlier cars.
I would probably buy a six cylinder one too since there is so much less to go wrong with a 3.6 or 4 litre car and my XJ40 is incredibly robust and reliable, though it lacks the exotic glamour of the V12.
Of course looked at another way there there may be less to go wrong with the six, but there is also less to go right...
I would probably buy a six cylinder one too since there is so much less to go wrong with a 3.6 or 4 litre car and my XJ40 is incredibly robust and reliable, though it lacks the exotic glamour of the V12.
Of course looked at another way there there may be less to go wrong with the six, but there is also less to go right...
I had one for a few years, and so nearly bought another one 6 months ago, but got my XJ6 instead. I was looking at them in the classifieds just last night, found a nice one 20 miles away...
Everyone's right when they say the later cars are better, and for your budget an XJS (instead of an XJ-S) would be the better bet. Having said that, I'd buy a late 80's HE as I prefer the way they look, hey buying one isn't going to be a rational purchase anyway. Because of that, if you want the V12 then get one. You only live once! Oh, and for the record mine would return nearer 20mpg on a run.
I was always surprised at how well they drive. Of course they ride well, but you could also have fun in the corners. Nice and easy on the way in, let it settle, and then feed in the power. You could really feel and use the weight transfer.
Check for rust, electrical gremlins and odd noises coming from the engine/suspension (it should be silent and perfectly smooth from inside the car when hot at idle).
This book:
You and your XJS
is very interesting. You'll learn that that the later XJS is a totally different car from an earlier XJ-S!
Just a note that XK8's are surprisingly cheap at the moment, sub £5k for (what looks like) a nice one. I might even go as far as to say that XJS's are now more expensive!
Everyone's right when they say the later cars are better, and for your budget an XJS (instead of an XJ-S) would be the better bet. Having said that, I'd buy a late 80's HE as I prefer the way they look, hey buying one isn't going to be a rational purchase anyway. Because of that, if you want the V12 then get one. You only live once! Oh, and for the record mine would return nearer 20mpg on a run.
I was always surprised at how well they drive. Of course they ride well, but you could also have fun in the corners. Nice and easy on the way in, let it settle, and then feed in the power. You could really feel and use the weight transfer.
Check for rust, electrical gremlins and odd noises coming from the engine/suspension (it should be silent and perfectly smooth from inside the car when hot at idle).
This book:
You and your XJS
is very interesting. You'll learn that that the later XJS is a totally different car from an earlier XJ-S!
Just a note that XK8's are surprisingly cheap at the moment, sub £5k for (what looks like) a nice one. I might even go as far as to say that XJS's are now more expensive!
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