I'm thinking about getting a different Jaguar I currently have an S-Type, but I would like a mid 90's to early 2000's xj6. Is there any common issues I should watch out for?
Thanks, Ayden

 

Hello Ayden,

The mid-90s XJs are pretty easy to live with (X300, 95-97), although you might not be able to tell from all the posts here! 1997 was the last year the six cylinder XJ6 was offered. The later model XJ8 (1998-2003) is more "developed" and refined, but the earlier versions had some major engine and transmission problems come up. In general it is a more complex vehicle. Compare the sticky thread buying guides and info in the respective sections here. The sweet spot is about late 96-97 model year, with the six cylinder cars available with a long wheelbase and huge back seat with the L version or Vanden Plas. You will find a plentiful market of used Jaguars in Florida, although the X300 supply is a bit thin now.

 

I love my 95 X300 Vanden Plas. Almost a year with it. Reliable, cheap to run, plenty of power. There is one here locally for sale...a 97 VDP with 140k that looks great and price is down to $2500 bucks...The owner is clueless about Ford/ Jaguar. The only reason that car is as good as it is due to Fords direct involvement.

I'd be happy to look at it for you...then just take amtrak to Richmond and I will pick you up!

https://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/...691443280.html

 

I've got 3 of each, albeit my S-Types (all MY 2003 and subsequent) are allegedly a refinement of yours.....I don't dislike them, atall, they are nice rides, but I'd take the X300 any day for any purpose over the X202! I'll admit the X202 exhibits sharper handling on the rare occasions when all its suspension bits are in good nick, but that also comes with a harsher ride.

As an added bonus, despite the advanced age, I've found the X300's to require less unscheduled maintenance than the X202's, as well.

 

Some 1998 through ???? V8 MY's had the Nikasil cylinder wall problems and V8 timing chain tensioner problem's seem to still enter the Forum's pretty regularly . I'd try sticking to the 6 cyl's 95 through 97's. Even though radio/CD, clocks,& seat memory issues enter the 95/97 MY's. Just my two cents, for what it's worth.
Larry

 

They do give a sharper ride and I got mine only because the price was right at the time

 

I've got 3 X300's 96 vdp with 196K 97 XJ6L with 182K and 96 vpd with 60K. I love all of them. Many nagging little issues but you just need to keep up on them.
I've owned them since 2004ish. I've driven them daily and cross the US from NC to Washington 3 or 4 times. I still wouldn't hesitate to take the one with 196K across country tomorrow. They are the most reliable cars I've ever owned. They all have interior and electrical issues but they are mostly easily and cheaply addressed. The things that will hurt are bad rear-end that hasn't been taken care of.. 3000 to repair, and someone running cheap coils which will tear up the electronics and the valve cover. If the valve cover is leaking it's nearly irreplaceable because they are getting very hard to find. Headliners are always needing to be fixed. but that's not expensive. Cup holders break $100 or less fix. Clocks and stereo's go bad they're pretty pricey but doable. The slide on the passenger side of the sun roof breaks often and is almost impossible to find and you have to take the headliner out to fix it. The seat memory never ever worked well forget trying to fix it.
Tilt and telescope steering goes bad. pain to fix but not expensive if you do it yourself. Automatic door locks go bad they're pretty easy and cheap to fix.... A reasonable good condition X300 will run around an extra thousand or so to get up to snuff so just plan for it. Example, my 97 I purchased for 2500 knowing I needed a rear end. I'm into it for a little over $6000 now after all repairs. Now everything works except the seat memory. I've put 65K miles on it in 5 years. So I'm at less than 10cents per mile ownership. That's pretty cool for a really nice car. I'm pretty sure at this point that I'll get a smooth 250K out of all of them at this point.
S.