hey, was just coming here looking for some advice and opinions. Looking at getting an older model jaguar, and currently my main options are between a 1995 xj6 Vanden Plas with 170000km(107000mi) in good condition with some very minor interior work for $6000CAD, Or a 1989 xj12 Vanden Plas in very good condition and very well taken care of with 55000km (34000mi) for around $9000CAD can also buy a 1987 xj12 that has some body damage and needs a starter for $2000 to use as a parts car. looking for something fun, reliable, and comfortable. thanks for your time!
Frank

Welcome to the Forums.

2 very different era Jags there.

That XJ6 is, and still is, the MOST rleiable, and easiest to live with, of all "modern" type Jags. I had 2, one an R, and stupidly sold them.

When younger, eons ago, I had many V12 beasts. AWESOME things, BUT, YOU are the caretaker, and unless you are prepared to get Down and Dirty, and do ALL that To Do List the previous caretaker forgot, BE CAREFUL. Mechanics, and I use that word very loosely, that understand the V12, are harder to find than Hens Teeth these days.

Low mileage examples are trouble, MY OPINION, as these engines were dsign to RUN, and RUN hard and long. One of mine is topping 800k KIms, and untouched internally since 1976.
Others are well over 300K each, and the same.
YES< it took me a while to get Freddy Fiddler's Nightmare Repairs out of the system, but once gone, look out.
The 85 XJS HE did 2 runs around the coast road of our island, 25K kms each time, and never missed a beat.

Lots of stickies at the top of the X300 and the XJS Tech Sections.
I say XJS, coz that is where most of the V12 Guru's live.

Think long and hard, and GOOD LUCK.

Quote:
looking for something fun, reliable, and comfortable. thanks for your time!

Both can fill the bill.

I agree with what Grant has said. Just because I like to hear myself talk I'll add a bit more.....

At 30-40 years old any car you buy will need some work. There's no two ways around it and Jags are no exception. Darn few have been enthusiastically maintained; most have been neglected in some way or another.

These are hobby cars now. Both can be very reliable but it'll take some effort to make them that way and keep them that way. Neither will truly be a "drive it and forget it" car. If you don't have deep pockets you'll need decent DIY skills and you'll have to treat repairs and upkeep as part of the hobby. The usual scenario is to buy the car and then a few months (and a chunk of cash) getting everything sorted. After that you enjoy the car with comparatively little effort.

I'm a Series III fan and a V12 fan; until a few weeks ago my Series III V12 was my daily driver for several years. Thus I'm biased towards the 89 XJ12. But in fairness I'd say that it would require higher DIY skills and a higher level of owner commitment than the '95 XJ6. Not the right choice for everyone.

As for the low mileage on the XJ6, well, it can be a problem. Or not. If the low miles is the result of long periods of non-use it can be troublesome. If the car was in regular use through its life....even if just driven a few times per year....I don't think it's an issue. Due to owners' individual circumstances some cars just don't accumulate many miles even if they're used fairly often.

Cheers
DD