After a bit of advice if you dont mind
 

Hi

new to the forum and looking for my first jag. I want an XJ6 and have seen a couple of examples here in NZ.

Jaguar XJ6 Series 2 1974 | Trade Me
which looks pretty straight. Or this one

Jaguar XJ6 1975 | Trade Me

which has had a rebuild but has trans issues (at least the guy is up front about it). the front door does look a slightly different colour in the photo though.

obviously having a classic jag is the appeal, but while I was browsing I stubled across this

Jaguar Xj6 X300 SPORT 4.0 1995 | Trade Me

which is a 1995, so 20 years newer, and in what looks like almost showroom condition.

the question is, Would I expect the ride and reliability of the newer vehicle to be a huge amount better? and/or do either of the series 2's look like they deserve a 5 hour trip to see them in person.

the green one has been in storage so im thinking fuel tank rust and other issues you get from improper long term storage.

the silver one has all the paperwork but I feel anxious about something that someone else has already broken for me.

any input would be appreciated


thanks

Go with the newer one
 

For the difference in money, the newer one (if it as they represent) is much newer and should get much better mpg...

Having had a SII, they were never any good...the one guy has spent $5000 in the past two years! He has had enough....

Of the three shown I'd take the red 1995. I think you'd get more pleasure and less aggravation from it than the two older candidates.

Cheers
DD

I agree, having both the x300 and an older "series" xj6 i would recommend the newer car for all round reliability and ease of ownership, and it is almost as nice to look at. No amount of classic chrome, wood and leather makes up for sitting at the side of the road with a car that simply wont start, i have been there, but never in my x300!

The X300 series of XJ saloons is looked back on with nostalgia by Jaguar fans as the car that finally put reliability and quality back into Jaguar. This followed a major effort by Ford to try to sort out the reliability problems that were causing punishingly high warranty claims.

The AJ16 in the X300 was probably the best engine ever made by Jaguar; the V8s that followed it were a disaster in comparison, and only sorted out many years later.

So.....

Go for the 1995 !!

PS : the rear bumpers can fall off due to corrosion, but this is a minor issue and easy to fix.

The salvage yards are FULL of AJ6/AJ16 engines because nobody needs them.
The engines are reliable and the ZF 4HP24 is very dependable.

I made a lot more money repairing the old 4.2 straight sixes than I did the later 4.0.

bob gauff