Tuesday 14th August 2018

Jaguar XJR: Spotted

The supercharged XJR will soon be consigned to history, so how about one for £6k?

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While the fact hasn't been advertised too widely, it seems the current Jaguar XJR is no more. The lovable XJR575 has been taken off sale with a new XJ due at some point soon, and so if you want a supercharged V8 Jaguar saloon then a secondhand one is the only option. Because let's be honest: with the supercharged V6 now replaced by a four-cylinder turbo, it seems very unlikely that the 5.0-litre V8 will survive in its current form into the next generation of JLR models.

Without knowing any details about the replacement, that seems a shame, if not entirely unexpected as legislation tightens even further. A supercharger has been a fixture of the XJR right back to the X300, and a supercharged V8 from the X308 onwards. For more than 20 years the flagship Jag saloon has had the immediate response and endearing character of a force-fed V8; with its likely demise another interesting engine layout goes.

So how about some affordable reminiscing? The X350 XJR, despite its appearance, was a remarkably modern car on launch in 2002, the all-aluminium construction making it strong and light. It would also be the first diesel XJ, before being replaced by the car that's recently ceased production.

But we're not interested in the diesel; instead it's this, a 400hp XJR for sale at £5,995. One thousand pounds less than a Dacia Sandero, the cheapest car on sale in Britain today. In fact, this particular XJR is by far the most affordable on PH, the next similar X350s available at £9,000, £13,000 and £20,000.

The reason for its relative cheapness is the predictable one, this XJR having covered 131,000 miles. Still, that's fewer than 9,000 miles a year, and it looks perfectly alright from the inspection afforded by nine pictures. It's been with this owner for five years and the advert, while brief, does feature a few encouraging details: recent pads and discs being one, four matching Dunlop tyres the other. You'd be amazed how often the rubber is skimped on on secondhand fast cars...

Now the XJ is hardly a fault-free used purchase, with rust and some electric issues apparent, but none of its rivals then or now have blemish free track records. It would be worth having a proper inspection, as it often is with a used purchase, but the positive comments in response to the PH Buying Guide would suggest XJR ownership can be an enjoyable and reasonably stress-free experience.

Speaking of the alternatives, there are unsurprisingly very few at city car money. The days of the £6k M5 are long gone, the £10k examples now at the bottom even leggier than the XJR; this S8 is the same money but a much older design, less powerful and more wooden to drive; similarly this E55; and, well, what else is there for bargain basement V8 saloons?

While there will be more care and maintenance required in a 15 year-old, £6k Jag than a brand new car (or even a slightly less used XJR), there does seem to be an awful lot of traditional V8 appeal for not much money here. Apparently modern classic status begins after a decade and a half too, so it must be one of the cheapest classic (and fast) Jaguars around...

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SPECIFICATION - JAGUAR XJR

Engine: 4,196cc, V8 supercharged
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 400@6,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 399@3,500rpm
MPG: 22.3
CO2: 299g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 131,000
Price new: £58,500
Yours for: £5,995

See the original advert here.

[L200animal99]

Very nice but rust and electrics always an issue with Jags. You mention the mercedes and BMW M5 as alternative V8's but what about the BMW 645ci? Good looking, powerfull, normally aspirated and cheap. Apart from the odd oil leak a great car

[L200animal99]

I grant you the 645 looks are a matter of personal choice. I noticed it the beemer is a coupe, but to be honest the jag doesn't have that much of a space advantage. Contemporary reviews condemning the fact that for a 4 door it was difficult to get in and out. The Jag hasn't changed that much to look at since the XJ6 first approved, so hardly innovative. The subframes aren't alloy and they rust but the real problem was iron rivets which react with the aluminium panels. In fact, corrosion was a real problem for these jags which, to quote 'What car:- "was quite a feat" considering most of it was aluminium. No-one mentioned the electrics. "What car" condemned it with faint praise saying it was "reasonably dependable." The V8 fuel consumption is legendarily "vast." Anyone ever owned or even driven a 645? The oil leaks are exaggerated, mine doesn't leak, in fact apart from a sticking relay it has been ultra reliable. That has probably kyboshed it. I had a 996 before and all the forums were full of doom and gloom about the alleged weaknesses in the engine. Mainly by those who hadn't driven, let alone owned, one and repeating what they had heard elsewhere. That will teach me to venture an opinion