Before I bought my 96 X300 I was looking into some other Jags. There were quite a number of 90-94 XJ6's for sale but each had a myriad of problems. I never really noticed it before but I am so damn glad they put the quad head lights back on the X300's because truth be told (to me at least) those headlights on the 90-94 Jags were not pretty at all. To me it makes them look too much like a stereotypical late 80's/early 90's car.
When I drive mine today I always get looks and compliments, people think my car is only within the past 10 years old.
Just wanted to talk about that.

 

Too bad it' such a mission to have lights that are not all fogged up.

 

Agreed.

Actually, the earlier (XJ40) models were also built with a handsome 4-headlamp set up. You won't see many in the USA because, broadly speaking, it was used only on the base models. I understand the retro-fit is pretty easy, though.

I've thought about buying whatever is needed for the swap just in case I ever buy an XJ40...which might happen one day :-)

Many don't like the Xj40 look but, IMHO, with quad lights, the right color, and the right wheels they are very good looking.

Cheers
DD

 

+1 to that Doug. To me the quad lights scream Jag

 

Love the 96 X300.

Have 92 and 93 XJ40s with the Rectangular single light units, you get used to them.

For the first time Doug, I disagree, we have quite a few of the 3.2, 3.6 XJ40s with the quad square light set up.

To me they don't look great, neither one thing or the other, and I certainly would not retro-fit quad square lights into a flat bonneted Jag.

JMHO

 

It was in the US that the quad set was on the 88 and 89 cars. All of them. In 1990, since the US didn't really import anything (as far as I know) that was a base model, so they all (from what I know) had the square headlamps. I'm only 90% on all of this.

I myself am quite glad that we've got the quad set up on the X300's. It's also really great that Jaguar kept the same body style to 2003, so my car doesn't look as old as it is.

 

Yes, my 93 Xj40 with block headlamps didn't scream Jag as much as it screamed "square."

Either way over the course of 5 years I enjoyed her and still turned many heads. But nothing quite beats the classic quad look! Although some of the new Jags, and even totally redesigned XJ are quite spiffy. Minus those funky taillights and back end...

 

I don't really have an opinion on the newer Jags. Although Ford did (somewhat) keep some of the same ideas on them they really just don't look like Jags to me. They look like Fords...with Jag headlights...and nice interior. They seem to lack the grace and finesse that the British Jags had. Well except for the XK series, those just look money to me!

 

I am not a big fan of the rectangular headlights either, but I wouldn't turn away from an older XJ just because of them. I like the quads on my 95, but I would have bought it either way. As far as the new jags go-----mmmmmm, I don't think so. I have not seen all the different models, but what I have seen does not impress me style wise. To each his own.-----Scott

 

By no means would I ever turn down a 90-94 Jag just because of the headlights, but if there were identical Jags (mileage, price etc) for sale, one a '94 and the other a '95 I would go with the '95 hands down just off the looks. Like I said the 90-94 series look like they actually belong back in the 80's with those headlights. Not that the 80's were bad

 

Yes, they don't really scream Jaguar, but I think the XJ40 still exudes tons of British class. Less sporty than the usual Jag shapes, but more 'stately' in a RR sort of way.

The XJ40s are great looking cars, but I still think the S3 XJs were the prettiest. X300 is the sweet spot though - modern reliability and classic jag lines.

I personally don't like the quad rounds in the XJ40 - or the XJS for that matter. It's too obvious those cars weren't designed with them in mind.

 

I like square headlights , quad lights on XJ40 looks very well too

Mostly and almost everyone prefers "round" ligths over square ones but I differ on that lol