I'm seriously considering the purchase of a 1987 XJ 12, please take me out!

The more i see it the more I like it! It's is like a femme fatale, so beautiful but it can also hide horrendous secrets or so i've read everywhere, is it that bad?

Anyway, what is like to live with this big cat in terms of maintenance and gas expenditure. What I have to look for and say no if I see it?

Neeeed your help

 

These cars are a real pleasure to drive but can be a complete PITA to maintain and keep running. Fuel consumption is very high on the V12, OK if you live in the USA but a bit daunting in Europe. If the car has been well maintained and cherished, and there are records of work, then it could be a nice hobby, but don't consider it as a go-to-work car, at least not in the first few months of ownership.

Apart from the V12 engine and GM400 gearbox, the rest of the car is the same as the six, and the other mechanical parts like suspension and brakes are the same. Almost everything is available mechanically, but body panels are getting rarer. If the car was kept in Spain, rust should not be too bad compared to a northern Europe car.

I had my XJ6 for 14 years, and spent most of those 14 years doing work on it. It was, however, a 1980 car, the absolute worst for quality in the history of Jaguar, but I didn't know this when I bought it, like the fool I was !!

 

buy it and sell it in France, an auction there just grossed over $35 thousand USD for a 1965 S type only good for parts. The French are paying big money for Jaguars.

 

For many years the Series III V12 was flagship of the fleet, and for good reason.

But, yes, unless you find an exceptional example that has been cherished and serviced by a fastidious owners/seller, be prepared for lots of remedial work.

Cheers
DD

 

I bought an earlier version of the XJ12 (picture seen in my signature) back in 2003 and has never really left the project status despite all the hours and dollars I spent on it. It is dormant right now.

Buyer, be aware!