Hi All,
Recently joined the Jag Forum as I am in the market for a 95/96 XJS…..and wanted some tips, recommendations from this group for what to look for as possible issues and key known problems with 95/96 XJS's…I am being told the 6 cyl 4.0L is a great engine, but wanted this groups expertise to make my purchase worry free if at all possible…are there know issues that need to be looked for and if found easy to repair.
I plan to have the vehicle inspected by a Jag Dealership when I do find the right one.
Additionally, I see that a 96 has a wooden steering wheel, and the 95 does not…is the 95 and 96 Steering wheels interchangeable if one is available.
Cheers, Ilfordboy.

 

I guess all the usual stuff when looking at a second hand vehicle. I've owned several jags over the past 35 years from Mk 2's to 420's and XJS's to XJ6's. The thing I found is that some jags seem to be driven longer without the due attention they deserve because their owner trys to avoid the somewhat high repair costs associated with these cars, especially when you take it to a dealer. I think a lot of today's jag dealers are not too familiar with these cars anyway! If you can find an example that's been well taken care of, a fairly complete service history is also a plus but rare. The 4 speed O/D trans is good. The straight 6 is also good although I'm hooked on the twelve. Loads of spares are available for these cars and often easier to obtain in the U.S than U.K! Good luck with your purchase, there are a lot of very knowledgeable guys on this forum so you're in the right place for reliable feedback!

 

@Ilford

As has been said already, the last run 95/96 4.0 cars had pretty much everything sorted on them after nearly a 20 year "ironing out period" that had passed since the XJS was introduced in 1975.

The steering wheels will be interchangeable, just remember you have an airbag in it so obviously it needs to be disconnected before you start pulling bits off.

You are still buying a 15 year old second hand car so all the usual checks need to be done. As far as using a Jag dealer to check the car out, I think you'll find they'll not be too interested. I would try and find a reputable independant Jaguar specialist. Post back where you are or do a search on this forum to see if there is one near you. I am in San Jose and have an excellent indy guy who is basically the main reason my 92 is still running today.

There are a lot of 4.0 cars out there so be very, very picky. I would try to buy directly from the owner so you can actually talk to him and ask him things about the car. Ideally you want a guy who bores you to death going through his 3 inch thick service file, and forces you to come over on Sunday to see a slideshow of the polished underside of his XJS.

I have to put in my 0.02cents though and say you should get a V12, which is A LOT more risk and trouble, but for me it was one of these things I wanted to do in my lifetime (Own a V12 Jag) I am currently still in the middle of the experience and I am still smiling (just!)

 

OK ....so I went to look at a 2 owner Topaz 95 XJS convertable...with 60K miles...very clean, Florida car, been driven 2500 miles in the last 3 years...However the guy wants top dollar for it ..$15K....The AC is not cold...and the compressor lines were not cold..blower and Fan works ...may be just the freon is low. Overall the car is in tip top condition, the wheels, top, seats, and interior/exterior clean...and it has a small leaper on the hood in addtion to the badge...the worst part is the Chrome wheel arches...uggggg.
Is the price a good deal or to high for a 95.....really was looking for a 96 with the wooden steering wheel..this 95 does not have one.

 

@ilford

That sounds expensive.......I'd be looking to have everything perfect for that money, including having the V12 under the hood! Keep looking.....i think you can get what you want if you are patient

The AC on these cars isn't great.....I'd be very surprised if it just needed gassed.

I also have a personal thing about really low mileage Jags...... I think I'd rather buy one that had more miles on it but had been driven more often. I'd rather the previous owner drove it a lot and got everything fixed for me. I run 2 jags and I notice the more I actually drive my XJS the happier it seems to be. The cars don't seem to like sitting around and not being used, they are made to be driven!

 

I agree about the price, seems high.

If I were you, I would wait for a '96, since you seem to really want the steering wheel included.

You will find '96 models for less money...just be patient.

I found mine on Craigslist...I know eBay has a few as well.

Good luck.

 

After reading the comments, the rush to buy has died down......I still want the 96 with the wood steering wheel...and I now also know that the 96 had the colored piping on the seats......holding off now till the right one comes along, I am in no real rush. What would you consider a good price....as most of the ones I have seen are in the $15 to 17 K range?

 

Bought mine in the DC area for $10K.

56K miles, brooklands green exterior, coffee interior.

It was the color combo I always wanted.

Had a friend that had a blue/cream interior sell in NYC for $7,500 with 29K on it. (didn't know about it until I bought mine, would have bought theirs at that price, but I don't know if I would have been as happy)

Good luck.

 

Just for kicks I'm always checking out ebay and craigs for xjs jags and there are some excellent deals out there. It's a buyers market for these cars for several reasons and not just because of the economic climate. I would also add that I've seen some superb 94-96 low mileage low ownership cars even just recently. As has been stated, buy the best you can and take your time.

 

Update! Just looked on ebay and there's a superb 94 (i think) white ragtop and a 96 35k mile topaz for $14,000 "buy it now" that is almost mint condition or so they say, but it does look pretty clean in the pics.

 

After the notes from all, I have expanded my search, and like previously said, this is a buyers market, with a big choice....seems the price is all over the place...there are some as high as $ 23K....? I am feeling much more optimistic now that the right one will turn up......96, Topaz or British Racing green with Tan/Cream interior, low mileage, good service history, and good price....willing to go up to $14 IF ...it meets all the requirements.... If you see one, let me know. Cheers.

 

@ilford

I did a quick search on autotrader.com and found 3 Topaz 96 cars as per your specifications (The highest mileage was 83k, lowest was 56k, price ranged from 10 to 13)......where are you located ? This could also be a factor, ie if you are in a typically wet state, you may want to get a car from out of state... etc

 

Thanks for the leads...AUTOTRADER...great site....did not look there previously...will do so from now on...the 96 model is so much better looking than the 95 from a interior standpoint...piping on the seats, wood steering wheel etc...I also saw the Black on Black XJS in Florida...looks great...but price is on the high side at $16.5K...and there was no CarFax to validate the mileage of 45K...Thanks again....will keep on looking.

 

I got my 95 XJ6 VDP about 4 months ago. It has a wooden steering wheel. It had 95k on it and I got it for $5800. My wife works at the car lot and I got it for the trade in value. I hope it was a good deal, but I don't care. I love this car. I have never owned a car that rides this good or has this much power, even if I don't use all of it. It glides!

 

tcarby, 95 VDP sounds like a great deal.....bottom line is that you have to love it....price for a vehicle is very subjective....based on quality of vehicle....as long as it is the ball park based on blue book value with plus or minus on quality, you will be happy. Jags are the best, and with this forum, there is no shortage of help and support. Cheers

 

Check the engine and make sure it has the distributor less ignition. There should be no distributor on that engine for 95.5 and 96. That is definitely the motor you want.

 

Was not aware there was a difference in the 95 to 96 with the distributor...that is a big help and tip...sort of makes sense now to stick with the 96 year and get the distributor less engine upgrade as it makes the motor solid.

 

Hey, coming from a guy that's had 16 Jags...wait for the one you want. It's out there. When I found out that Jag had shipped over 9 5 speed XJS convertibles, I was on a mission. It took me about 9 months but I finally found one. All I needed to change was the interior from that hideous tan color(sorry, just not my fav) to black and garnet. Love the car and have kept it longer than any of the others. Just need to be ready to travel. Bought mine in D.C. and drove it back to SC. It now resides in sunny Texas.

 

moto, Its been a bit of a search for the right one, my key criteria has been a well documented car, and 96 if possible....not really looked for a manual version though...how do you rate the Manual over the auto trans ? I don't believe I have ever seen one for sale...BTY...from your history on XJS...any major items that I should look out for...seems like a lot of them have AC problems...and have heard issues with the rear end....what are the tell tell signs that the rear end might have issues? Cheers

 

I've bought three XJS models, one to three owners cars with 38k, 40k and 61k miles.
Just a matter of WAITING for the right one to show up!