Hi :-)

I was wondering if anybody have some experience on the Jaguar XJ6 1978 model? Im about to buy my first Jaguar, and was wondering if its a safe purchase?

Would like some advice on spareparts, maintence and if anybody have some experience on the model? Also will it fall or rise in price over the next years?

Thanks in advance.
- Jeppe

 

thinking of investment return? buy a Ferrari, not a Series 2 Jaguar XJ. You will spend and spend after you buy someone else's problem.
These cars are to enjoy spending your money repairing what the previous owner didn't, then you enjoy them a little and pass them over to some other buyer. But recovering your investment? NO.
Increasing in value? Haven't seen it happen.
parts availability? little support for this car.

Better yet, buy a Series 3, (1979.5 to 1987).
same thing but a newer car, parts are available, same zero return on investment.

Jeff has a wonderful 1987, last year made. Buy that one.

 

Definitely NOT the right car for an investment return ! Nor any XJ saloon apart from maybe a very good Series 1 and a Series 2 Coupe.

 

I don't think Jeppe's question was about making money. In my opinion, if you buy carefully you probably won't make a lot of money, nor will you loose a lot of money. That being said, if you buy a car and there is an unknown major problem you could loose money; if you buy a car and can quickly and easily fix any issues, you could make a little money. The trick is to buy carefully. There are several good buyer's guides free to download. Read them and checkout a potential purchase carefully. Receipts for work done that show the date and milage are a big plus. Documented ownership with dates and milage is good. Finally a good road test. If it starts, drives, handles and stops like it should you are on the right path.

Back to the money issue, check out Hagerty's Price Guide (free sign-up). That will give you an idea how much you should pay for 5 different conditions, a good place to start negotiating. The old adage to buy the best car you can afford is true. Buy at a fair price and sell at a fair price and you'll come out ok.

Vintage Jaguars aren't for making money and they aren't (in most cases) for daily driving. They are a hobby to be enjoyed.

And yes, I have a fully sorted, fully documented, beautifully restored 1987 for sale if anyone is interested.

Jeff

 

The thought struck me that 1978 was the year the Series 3 started up in production, I think. If we could just see a picture it would help. I don't want to be pessimistic, but the late 70s were really dreadful for quality in Jaguar. The UK was just coming to the end of a decade of total and utter madness just before Mrs Thatcher won the 1979 election. I know, as I lived through it. Union bosses wandered around Whitehall like a team of inspectors. The country was basically ungovernable. Strikes in the auto industry were endemic and Jaguar was not excluded.

 

Fraser's comments are very true. Here in America our news casts often spoke of Britain's labor problems (stikes). 70's American cars were not too hot either. That being said, I own a 1979 XJ6 series III and love it. One of the very first series IIIs made. All the gremlins have been sorted out long ago and it is now as good as any other series 3. Each car is unique. I agree some photos would be very helpful, Jeppe. Especially the area under the front and rear windscreen. That is one of the easiest to spot rust problem areas.

Jeff

 

Fraser, according to Jaguar World, the Series 3 started to be built in 1979, and at the same time Series 2 was being built.

For the American market, the Series 3 was introduced as the1980 model. Just like the XJ40 was introduced in America for 1988, but it was being built and sold in Europe since 1983. So you could be right that 1978 was also a Series 3 year as shown in Jaguar World's XJ Production Chart.


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I guess it depends on were you live.

Here in Australia (Tasmania) series 1 & 2 cars are becoming rarer. With labour and parts being so expensive a lot of cars were just dropped off at the automotive workshops for repair and after being told that the cost would be $4>5,000 the cars were given up to wreck.
Therefore in the natural nature of things only the better cars survived. I purchased our 1976 S2 car for less than the cost of overhauling the rear end. Front brakes, and a complete overhaul of the air con and heater system along with a thorough service now sees a mechanically good car. Then the largest expense of all a complete respray plus rechrome rear bumper. This all cost me about $20,000
The going price for a car of this vintage at that time was around $18,000, three years later they are bringing in a break even figure for our vehicle.
General opinion is that the S1 and S2 cars will continue to rise in value slowly. But I agree with every bodies sentiments, you don't buy these cars to make money.
It is a heart rules the head decision.

 

were many classics destroyed by the recent fires in Australia?

 

Pictures of the car in question may help with advice to buy or not. I have had a lot of older XJ6 and remember that 30 years ago when i got my first they needed a lot of work back then.
The same for my Father who ran them for years back in the day. I still like them but at 52 don't need the potential time and financial demands of such a car.
Definately not an investment unless you find a V12 Coupe restoration for £500 Imo.

It all depends on what you want as old cars are often decisions of the heart not the head.

 

Ive seen photo’s of many classic cars being burnt, but only seen two jags.

I bought my series 2 five years ago for around $1800 with green slip (MOT) ready for registration and have been driving it since. Got mechanics sorted with the last being both carbies totally refurbished by SU Midal and have now got about $6000 in it. Next is a respray in Old English White which I am currently prepping for the shop. As has been said you don’t do this as an investment, just for the love of these cars.