So I recently crashed my 1988 XJ6 (XJ40) Sovereign, it had round headlights which is the style I prefer, a half electronic dash panel, and a key to my heart.

I seriously was in love with this car. The first luxury car I owned, it was slick like bmw, comfortable like Mercedes, and bold like a Jaguar.
Perhaps I'm going overboard here but you get the point. I miss my car.

So much so, I've looked into other models. Many have advised me to get a newer model, but I kind of like the flat hood and the way this one looks.
Part of me had half a mind to convert the engine to V8 350 small block Chevy and have a sleeper car that cameros and chargers would be like "Nice Jag" and then being surprisingly impressive in stead of the slow advancement that the line 6 provided.

Here's the meat of it though...
Is it worth it to go back and buy this car again? The last was only $1000 and I think it may have saved my life. I don't like the other versions with normal headlights, and I actually kind of like the electronic display even though it was noted for various gremlins.

Can these cars be alright? The 88'-89' that is, with the electronic dash. I was told constantly about the electronic display but mine rarely malfunctioned. Is there a better or similar model of a newer year?

I don't like the ford Taurus-esque backs on some newer jags, and I loved the all metal body this had. Tips? Recommendations? Experience with your XJ40

 

Hi Hollowitz,

I'm very sorry to hear about your XJ40. They really are amazing cars. I don't know how much you are willing to spend on a replacement, but a couple of things to take into consideration are that the later XJ40s, 1993-94, can be retrofitted with the round headlights from your '88. You just need to have the trim panels painted to match the car. That's what I did on our '93 because I also prefer the quad headlamp setup.

The later XJ40s have 4.0 liter engines with noticeably more horsepower and torque, but even more importantly they have a revised differential gear ratio that gives better acceleration (at the expense of the engine running about 500 rpm higher at any given speed). Also, they have the electronically-controlled transmission with Sport mode that holds gears longer during acceleration and coming out of corners (I leave Sport on all the time except on long highway trips).

It would also be worth looking for a good deal on an X300 (1995-97), which is built on the XJ40 core and also has quad headlamps, but has the revised AJ16 4.0L six-cylinder engine, the electronic gearbox, and arguably prettier curves than an XJ40.

I'll look forward to hearing what others have to say.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks for the feedback Don.

The acceleration was definitely a bother on the old 88'. I remember having to kind of listen to it, and feel when it was going to want to shift gears to back of the gas some or put the pedal down to make it shift.

The electronic display is a small reward for all of the improvements you listed, and according to much of what I read would only cause trouble in the future anyway.

I did order a repair manual so I'll be keeping my eye out for later years. As for the X300, its nice but a bit too modern for my taste. I feel like it's in between XJ40 and Series III in terms of the body, like it couldn't decide. That being said, many people recommend it and love it. What would that have to offer that the 93' - 94' XJ40's wouldn't?

 

Seems like your XJ40 experience was enjoyable but unfortunately short lived. I'd go for another XJ40, perhaps a later model with the 4.0L as most seem to recommend. But take my input for what it's worth as I've owned XJS and SIII XJ6 models but not an XJ40. The XJ40 is on my 'to-do' list and I've driven a few I liked.

They seem to go pretty cheap, even the VDP ones with low mileage. They have outboard rear brakes so that's a maintenance advantage (imo) over a SIII and a XJS. I have not owned an X300 but like the looks.

Another bonus of the XJ40 is I've noticed tons of highly detailed maintence threads on the forums with lots of photos from Don B and others. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

The rectangular headlights in the 93/94 models can be easily switched to the round style of the older xj40s. I did the change on mine because I like the look of the round headlights. Cary

 

I hate the round retro look lights, would NEVER switch from the big N. American squarbzies, they make the car in my opinion

Also no fan of the retro X300

Come to think of it I dislike retro styling on any medium, give me avant-garde or nothing - the best thing about the '40 was the completely new look which owed nothing to nostalgia.

XJ40's are Cool!

Larry

 

I agree on all these points. These are solid mechanically excellent cars. They are not Too hard to find and are usually not very expensive to get. If you have (unfortunately) a boatload of parts then whatever will fit your next one is all to the good. I surrender the soapbox.

 

Thanks for all the good feedback guys, and Don B. who has got my back a lot so far when it comes to quick replies to questions I might have.

I'm highly considering pulling my car from the tow yard and trying to part it out or keep it for my next XJ40 as an organ doner, but I don't know that will be a possibility with all that's happened. f

 

I have a 88 VDP XJ40, rebuilt rack & pinion, new ball joints, AC pump, fuel pump, fan, shocks, rebuilt differential, new tires, Hella head lamps. At present I am installing a new shift cable. Car looks and drives very nice! Wife hates it, thinks I should sell it off and buy another Model A.

 

I like the XJ40 looks also. Especially with the "fishtank" headlamps and smoked tail lamps. You might luck out and find one with a manual transmission! That being said I do love my X300. Wouldn't mind having both. Happy hunting!

 

Chiming in here as well. I have always loved the look of the North American XJs with the large headlights. Pretty much the reason I wanted the car. To me the later 40s are modern enough enough to be reliable but still have that Old World luxury feel.

I can't speak for the power issue of the older cars or the gearing While I wish it had more power it's enough to cruise at well over 80 for as long as I want to drive it. I driven the 300s and the 308 and while I've cars they feel different to me. Even with the mileage on mine 190k I'm still considering getting it repainted.