The gauges on the 1983 model all work independently. Is there a particular gauge not working? Are you certain of the year?

What kind of money are you talking about for each car? Asking price will determine a lot about which is a better deal.

1983 XJ6: will nickel and dime you to death, be prepared to work on it, it will leak oil

1992 XJ6: faster than the older models, IMHO not as classy as the older model, will not leak oil, more dependable than the earlier model, more expensive to fix than the older model

 

hi,
there's no such "control module" for the instrument cluster in the 1983. Mine is similar though it's a 1984. Can't help you with the 1992, but I do know there'splenty issues to consider, (electronic and mechanical), with the modern Jags. Just read the posts here and you'll see what I mean.

The only way to find out why the instruments don't work in the 1983 is to get in there behind and under the dash to check all fuses, wiring harnesses, (trial and error) until you find it.I've owned my 1984 for 17 years now and have never had such a problem. Somethingmust have happened in that particular car. Perhaps a wiring fire? Rare ocurrence but it can happen. What are they asking for the 1983?

I prefer and recommend the Series 3 XJ-6, (1980½ to 1987) for any first-time Jaguar buyer. Those models are still in use all over the US, they are simpler cars to repair,(no digital stuff), lots of parts suppliers all over the country, and lots of knowledge about the Series3, which issomewhat limited as compared with the XJ-40 (un-oficcially the Series 4,5, and 6 from 1988-on) which came later. Also, the Series 3 is considered to be the most elegant design of them all.

I'm a Jaguar enthusiast and collector,not a car dealer, but I willbe getting ayounger Series 3XJ-6 innice overallcondition in the nextweek or two. It will be sold fairly cheap because it is overheating. Could be the water pump, the fan clutch, clogged radiator, or the cylinder head gasket might need replacing. Worse case scenario, about $1 grand worth of repairs strictlywith thecooling system, which is not an engine rebuild. Owner does not want to bother, hebought another, asked me tosell it. Depending where you are, this onemight be worthlooking at, just get on a plane and come see it, I live next toa main airport in Central Florida.

FYI: Southernand south-Western XJ-6 are the best examples to buy. Do try to stay away from Northern and north-Eastern cars, they are usually hiding rot by now. Buying a rotting XJ-6 will not pay. Start with the best possiblebody you can get, the mechanical part is secondary and they are simple to repair.

Otherwise, good luck in your search and remember the first Golden Rule of used and old car buying: Never Buy Any Car Sight Unseen.

Jose

 

Ken, you're joking right? "nickel and dime you to death"? Now Ken, what year XJ-6 do you own yourself ? "Leak oil"? all Jags leak. My 1965 S type leaks. My 1984 XJ-6 leaks.Even I leak. And what about Ford or GM or BMW or Mercedes? do those not leak after 50k miles too?Any car leaks, Jaguars don't leak any worse.

Well, better to be "nickeled and dimed to death" than "dollared to death" as with the 1992-1995 XJ-40, is that what you are saying?

The bottom line is that once you bring a Series 3 XJ-6 to a no-maintenance-needed-for-a-good-while-condition, you end up with a reliable motorcar for a long, longwhile.

Dave: Ken owns a beautiful Old English White Series 3 XJ-6. (sorry I gave you away Ken !!!).

Jose

 

No, Jose, it's a black 1982!

With those prices, I would go with the 1983. $3k seems high to me. The 1983 is a very forgiving car. I just think they take a little more up keep. I do disagree with the Jose about the oil leaks. It seems to me when Jag introduced the XJ40 engine, the leaks dried up at least considerably.

You will find the 1983 more simplistic to work on because of it's age. Advanced for it's day, but Jag added a lot of technology in those 11 years to the 1992.

Jose is right, I have an 1982 and love the way it looks. To me, that's when Jag got the body right! It could possible be the "over-Jag" of Platonic speak.

 

yeap, "technology" in the sense of sensors here and sensors there, sensors everywhere, bells and whistles and more sensors. Digital Sensors to be exact.

Then you try and fix them when something goes hayware. Good luck!

nahh, give me simple cars. That's why I love my '65 S type, no sensors, no bells, no whistles, talk about 'Easy To Repair".

And by the way, the Delanair II A/C system in the Series 3 XJ-6 is easier-to repair! The Delanair III in the XJ-40 is a p.i.t.b. when it malfunctions thanks tothe infamous "DarlingTon" transistors.

But I always say, it's your money, you spend it as you see fit.

 

Dave, the 83 XJ6 came with a Borg Warner Model 66 transmission. It originally took type F trans fluid, but I believe the Dexron 3 is just fun. Ask at your local parts house for the fluid compatibility. Depending how long the car has sat, you may want to replace the fuel filters in the tanks as well. Looks like you have the rest well covered.

 

I forgot to add that we use 20-50W Castrol on the Series 3 (80-87 XJ6) and the XJ40 (88-94 XJ6) cars.