Jaguar XJ6 Series 3

[BlueJ]

Hello All

I have looked at these on & off for many years now, but never had the confidence to actually buy one. My interest is for two reasons:

(i) I absolutely love the looks and the interior. I simply think they are a very cool car (sub-zero in my view)!.
(ii) We had a few used examples when I was young and I have fond memories of travelling in them, so there is an element of nostalgia.

My question is, am I mad to be considering this car and likely to be disappointed in practice? I would be after a 4.2 which is likely to be 40 years old. I am not a spanner-man and have never owned a classic before. Budget would be up to £15K which from research gets a nice one, but who knows what problems lie ahead / hidden under a recent respray.

Any input, advice & experience of owning older cars would be appreciated as I'm getting close to going to look at a couple and don't want to get drawn in without my eyes wide open!

Thanks in advance.

[Belle427]

One of my all time favourite cars.
Rust, rust and more rust as you say.
Running gear is pretty strong, inboard brakes on the rear are a bit of a pita come maintenance time but the whole rear subframe is designed to be dropped out fairly easily.
Had a go in a 3.6 XJS many years ago and loved it, also owned a Cobra replica with Jag series 3 running gear which was all quality.
Electrics are known to give some issues too.

[dontlookdown]

Lovely cars for sure. But quite complex and a brave choice for a first classic. Rust!

If you want to learn DIY a simpler car would be a better starting point. But if you just want to own an XJ6 go for it.

[mattman]

As others have said - rust!

For me, the series 1 XJ6 is perfection and would be investing here, probably a safer place to stick your money.

[samoht]

However good the car, it'll need a good garage to look after it I think, one with a bit of knowledge and enthusiasm about these cars. So if you can identify somewhere good not too far away, that'll help.

Would be ideal to get such a car inspected before purchase, as it could be hiding a lot of issues I imagine.

In general these cars have been very cheap for a long long time, which tends to dissuade owners from spending what's needed to keep them in good condition. However with Jags there will always be some wealthy older owners who will pay whatever's required regardless of 'market value' of the car, this is probably the sort of car you want to look for.

[sjc]

Prices starting to firm up. 15k should get you a corking 4.2. Might be worth talking to Robert Hughes and registering an interest?

[BlueJ]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I’m aware of Robert Hughes but hadn’t thought to give them a bell. I don’t mind a bill each year for “upkeep” but sounds like getting a solid car (via inspection) is perhaps the most important aspect of this.

I certainly don’t want to buy something that looks nice now but is a rusting liability a few years down the line.

Apart from the warnings, good to see some appreciation of these cars!

[alabbasi]

I imported a pretty clean 1990 XJ12 from Canada to the US last August. Flew to Seattle, took a 2 hour bus ride to Bellingham and walked across the Canadian border in the middle of Covid then picked it up from Vancouver the following day and drove it around before driving it back to Tacoma and putting it on a truck to Texas.

A month later some idiot rear ended me while I was waiting at an intersection and I had to battle with their insurance company for about 8 month to get a settlement. I still have the car and will get it fixed.

[BlueJ]

alabbasi said:

I imported a pretty clean 1990 XJ12 from Canada to the US last August. Flew to Seattle, took a 2 hour bus ride to Bellingham and walked across the Canadian border in the middle of Covid then picked it up from Vancouver the following day and drove it around before driving it back to Tacoma and putting it on a truck to Texas.

A month later some idiot rear ended me while I was waiting at an intersection and I had to battle with their insurance company for about 8 month to get a settlement. I still have the car and will get it fixed.

I remember the thread. Sorry to hear about the shunt, that explains why the updates stopped!

[BlueJ]

One option, put to me by KWE Jaguar during an enquiry, is to import from Japan at a similar price point, the advantage being that they tend to be without rust (apparently). I know they don't salt the roads in Japan and MOT is more stringent, but the place is still wet!

I am considering this but only if UK style plates could be fitted - square JDM plates would be a deal breaker!

[dontlookdown]

BlueJ said:

alabbasi said:

I imported a pretty clean 1990 XJ12 from Canada to the US last August. Flew to Seattle, took a 2 hour bus ride to Bellingham and walked across the Canadian border in the middle of Covid then picked it up from Vancouver the following day and drove it around before driving it back to Tacoma and putting it on a truck to Texas.

A month later some idiot rear ended me while I was waiting at an intersection and I had to battle with their insurance company for about 8 month to get a settlement. I still have the car and will get it fixed.

I remember the thread. Sorry to hear about the shunt, that explains why the updates stopped!

Me too, your car was a beauty. What a wretched thing to happen, Hope you can get it fixed soon.

[dontlookdown]

BlueJ said:

One option, put to me by KWE Jaguar during an enquiry, is to import from Japan at a similar price point, the advantage being that they tend to be without rust (apparently). I know they don't salt the roads in Japan and MOT is more stringent, but the place is still wet!

I am considering this but only if UK style plates could be fitted - square JDM plates would be a deal breaker!

That sounds like it could be worth looking at. JDM cars tend to be top spec models too I believe.

My Mum bought a JDM import Rav 4 a few yrs ago from a specialist importer. Not really comparable to an XJ6 granted, but it was rust free and fully loaded. Speedo and odo in kms so you may need new clocks.

[BlueJ]

dontlookdown said:

That sounds like it could be worth looking at. Speedo and odo in kms so you may need new clocks.

Thanks - agreed. Based on the overwhelming consensus re "rust, rust & more rust", this route is looking the favourite as at least I should start with a 'solid' car, and can then address the speedo, radio etc.

[sjc]

dontlookdown said:

BlueJ said:

One option, put to me by KWE Jaguar during an enquiry, is to import from Japan at a similar price point, the advantage being that they tend to be without rust (apparently). I know they don't salt the roads in Japan and MOT is more stringent, but the place is still wet!

I am considering this but only if UK style plates could be fitted - square JDM plates would be a deal breaker!

That sounds like it could be worth looking at. JDM cars tend to be top spec models too I believe.

My Mum bought a JDM import Rav 4 a few yrs ago from a specialist importer. Not really comparable to an XJ6 granted, but it was rust free and fully loaded. Speedo and odo in kms so you may need new clocks.

The X350 lower panel part of the boot is swappable from JDM to the UK type plinth.. don't know if it's the same for older Xj's but might be worth asking the question.

[BlueJ]

sjc said:

The X350 lower panel part of the boot is swappable from JDM to the UK type plinth.. don't know if it's the same for older Xj's but might be worth asking the question.

Thanks, useful, will do.