Jaguar XJ-S and other GTs for Daily Drive

[V8Triumph]

I've wanted one ... for what seems like forever! But what model I'm not sure! £6-7k to spend.

Must be usable as a daily driver, my work is picking up - do about 200 miles per week for 4 months of the year and 150 miles per week for 8 months of the year, for work. Should be going up to about 250 miles per week year round eventually. This car would replace my XJ6 as it's rather tired if I'm honest and not really up to the job (was a cheap impulse buy).

Not bothered about a convertible but would be interested in a '70's rubber bumper model (apart from the fact OH would go positively crazy over me buying a Pre-HE model , he said if I ever buy an E-type he'll help me to convert it to HE spec, so Pre-HE V12 for daily would not go down well.)

Keep looking at the very late 'Celebrations' but am concerned that they are not at the bottom of their depreciation curve and that the bumper looks a bit weird on them, also can you change the steering wheel to one without an airbag, it looks rather ugly IMO? I don't really like / enjoy modern cars.

Another part of me just says leave the XJ-S idea and go for a MGC GT Automatic instead or another Stag. Any info welcome on the XJ-S. Reckon I've missed the boat to be able to afford a BMW 2800CS for £6-7k...

[300bhp/ton]

V8Triumph said:

I've wanted one ... for what seems like forever! But what model I'm not sure! £6-7k to spend.

Must be usable as a daily driver, my work is picking up - do about 200 miles per week for 4 months of the year and 150 miles per week for 8 months of the year, for work. Should be going up to about 250 miles per week year round eventually. This car would replace my XJ6 as it's rather tired if I'm honest and not really up to the job (was a cheap impulse buy).

Not bothered about a convertible but would be interested in a '70's rubber bumper model (apart from the fact OH would go positively crazy over me buying a Pre-HE model , he said if I ever buy an E-type he'll help me to convert it to HE spec, so Pre-HE V12 for daily would not go down well.)

Keep looking at the very late 'Celebrations' but am concerned that they are not at the bottom of their depreciation curve and that the bumper looks a bit weird on them, also can you change the steering wheel to one without an airbag, it looks rather ugly IMO? I don't really like / enjoy modern cars.

Another part of me just says leave the XJ-S idea and go for a MGC GT Automatic instead or another Stag. Any info welcome on the XJ-S. Reckon I've missed the boat to be able to afford a BMW 2800CS for £6-7k...

I love XJ-S's one of my all time favourite cars. And one I've been lucky enough to own.

I think you need to decide if fuel is going to be an issue and what sort of performance you are expecting. The V12's will not be good on fuel, HE or not (you probably know this). I never bothered to work out the mpg on my 5.3 HE (it was an '82) but I'd est 11-15mpg. The biggest downer IMO is the gearbox, the 3 speeder is very very lazy, over geared and doesn't like to kick down unless heavily provoked. Makes for a good cruiser, but sadly does blunt and distill the performance somewhat. I believe XJ6 engineering do an ECU upgrade that is meant to make a world of difference though.


The 6.0 V12's are really the best of the breed, with a nice responsive electronically controlled 4 speed auto and plenty of poke. Mpg is likely to be similar to the 5.3, maybe slightly better. Out XJ12 (XJ41) used to do 14-16mpg (highs of around 18 or so).


If going for a 6 pot, then I feel there is less in it. The 3.6 and AJ6 4.0 are only 2hp different, although some claim the 3.6 as too harsh. Personally I'd fight tooth and nail to find a manual one, hugely more entertaining. The AJ16 4.0 litres are a bit more pokey, but there's less than 20hp in it.

As for looks, well I like extremes I guess. Overall I do really like the original shape, with the early rear lights and the barrel gauges. But I do like wood in a Jag, so real early ones would probably appeal less (bar a 4 speed manual V12). I also like the lighter burr elm you could get in the early 80's models.

Then it's off to the other end of production, the last "big bumper" look ones do indeed look the most modern and most sleek. I'm less keen of the facelift model with old style bumpers though, these I'd look at last.


If you're up for a project and I'm amazed more haven't been done. How about a manual AJ16 4.0 and then swap in a supercharged 4.0 from an XJR6? I reckon it could make the ultimate XJS.

[crostonian]

For the budget you mention £6-7K you could get a very nice 560 SEC or a 635 CSI and probably a Porsche 928, admitteddly they don't have a V12 or the interior ambience of a country cottage but for daily use I would be going teutonic not gin n'tonic.