I've had my XJS seven years and after a big push recently its finally at a point where its mechanically sound and reliable. I know its best to drive these cars and not let them sit, and I am wondering if I should use it as my daily driver. The issue as I see it is that my commute is roughly 8 minutes long and never gets above 40 mph and I basically don't do any other day to day driving. So, the question is would it be better for the car to do that commute day in day out and get used all the time but only for short distances where it probably won't even get up to temperature....or to continue as I've been using it, which is for an occasional road trip. Generally if I haven't driven it for a couple weeks I'll take it out for an hour or so just to keep it moving.

Welcome any thoughts....

 

Why not do both?
Commute during the week and give it a good run on the weekend!
It's a car. Don't overthink it!

 

That's the plan if it makes sense! I didn't mean I would stop driving it for fun. I am just wondering if such short daily drives would be worse for it than it sitting most days.

 

I would think that it is better if the car can achieve operating temperature. If not, the oil may load up with moisture since it doesn't get hot enough to boil it off. That's what I learned causes sludge to form. Of course you could just change your oil more often. My commute was ten miles, 2/3 freeway and the car was able to completely warm up. Taking the car out for a good run is a good idea to balance out the commute. Congrats on getting your car to this point.

 

I use my '85 Series III V12 as a daily driver/commuter. City driving isn't what a V12 likes best but an occasional ITU keeps the plugs and combustion chambers clean.

It's no economy car but, what the hell, you only live once. And, besides, it's so nice to drive that leaving it parked is unbearable. Almost criminal.

Cheers
DD

 

Not sure the model year or the engine; but I daily drive my 96 XJS with the AJ16 engine.

winter, summer, rain and even snow!

 

For what it's worth my 93 4.0 was driven 100K+ as a 70mi commute car. Then, retirement came and no more commuting. As a result, I alternate between my XJS and my X308 for errands. Local runs are @10 miles, longer can be 40 there and back. With the club events monthly 100 miles is common. My point is DRIVE THE CAR, lol! Both of them continue giving great operation and enjoyment and complements.
Dave in AZ

 

I daily drive my 211k mile 94’ XJS and weekend drive a 1986 Series 3. So it doesnt hurt unless something is not up to snuff.

 

I did it for a year last year while my dd was in the body shop. Well working AC is critical to me.

 

I retired the 308 five years ago when at about 117K miles, it quit on me while I was on my way to a meeting with 30 people waiting on me to do the presentation. I decided then that it had reached the level of age/wear that I couldn't risk my job to it. Maybe if I had more flexibility to be late but I don't. So I bought a much newer Jaguar. (And I've always kept a Honda for backup, but I can't pull the Honda around on a trailer with me everywhere I go).

About 20 years ago, I retired my 85 Toyota Supra when after a minor bump it took six months, several long-distance, sight-unseen used part purchases of wasted money and finally a whole parts car to get a bumper cover that would fit and taillights that weren't cracked, all while wrestling with insurance companies over the value vs repair cost.

And now my office has relocated to cheaper digs post-pandemic and I've lost my parking garage. The XF has a beautiful interior but British glue is notorious for disintegrating in the Texas sun. Probably drive the Honda now through September so that I'm not having to re-glue the dash leather or replace the alcantara headliner.

Some of the kind of things to think about when choosing to drive a classic Jaguar as a daily driver. I'm just going to look forward to retiring myself and try to do so a few years early.

 

In this new era of Stratospheric fuel prices, our biggest concern is, after reliability of course, Which rig runs cheapest. A beloved Jag that on a good day makes 18mpg, or an Elderly Subbie that does 24 day in and day out. No mean consideration given our commute distance.

It pains me greatly to keep Nix incarcerated as she is, but until fuel prices come down to more reasonable, affordable levels, she will be only an occasional, Special Occasion ride.
(';')

 

You only live once and prices will never go down. If you own an XJS fuel prices should be of no concern. Ever!

 

I've been dailying my 4.0 on and off for a few weeks at a time since April and I'm loving it. For me it's kind of practical since the other options are the car I share with my partner which isn't always available without us co-ordinating logistics, or a motorcycle. So obviously with great regret (lol) I end up taking the XJS more often than not!

I think the main advantage from driving it every day is really getting to know the way it behaves and pre-empting discovery of any issues when you use it for a longer trip. It sounds like you've already done a lot of work on yours so perhaps this is less relevant, but mine was bought as a runner without any major resto work done in the past, so it's been a bit of a journey of discovery to learn what parts needed attention (like a side repeater that was intermittently shorting thanks to a previous owner's efforts). In the year and a half I've had it, it's only in the last couple of months I've really got the confidence that it could take me anywhere, having learned and replaced various bits through necessity.

Fuel cost is a little painful, but I think what you get out of it is worth the cost (and at least you're not going too far!) I'd agree with the earlier point - use it for the commute, but also find time for a longer run once a week? There's much worse places to be after a day at work than taking a long route back home in the surroundings of an XJS