I am picking up a 89 xjs v12 and plan on taking it on a few smaller road trips and was curious of other people's road trips they have taken in their xjs v12s. How many miles, over how many days, how often did you stop, any issues or things to watch for? Thanks for any insight you may have!!

 

HA,

Down here we regularly do a 400kms round trip "just for lunch"

Many, many Interstate runs, of 4000kms over a week or more.

Twice the Red Beast took us around the Aussie Island Coast Road. 18 months and 25000kms each time. Some unsealed roads (many actually to get to that Special thing we had to see).

Trouble, NOPE, its a Jag, what else would you want.

Only issue was the 1st big trip when the Idiot Light oil sender leaked. Toyota dealer had a sender, same thread, same terminal, good enough for me and only $10.

BUT

The car was RIGHT, its the way I am, near enough is for the Wombats, and that took some time to get it that way, but I dont have any issues with that. ALL my Jags are the same, and go where I want, when I want, without fuss.

 

Sounds like you had some great times! I'm planning a more local lake michigan coast trip this summer (about 1k miles) and then a route 66 road trip from Chicago to LA next year at some point. I have my eye on a trip to Niagara falls and then out to Maine for a lighthouse cruise along the Atlantic as well. Glad to hear you had no issues with the long treks. That's what I was hoping to see

 

Congratulations on your new car!
If it has been properly serviced and cared for by the previous owner then it should be no problem. If not, then I would tread carefully until such a time as any issues have been resolved. Heat sink with the V12 is a potential issue I.e. engine continues to heat up after you shut it off. Something to consider.
Enjoy it!

 

I'll have to keep my eye on that. Going to bring it to a shop before I take any long trip just in case. It passes the eye and drive test so far.

 

Over my past two years of ownership, I've taken my '95 V12 convertible on increasingly longer trips. Once you have the main systems sorted and in good working order (cooling, electrical, engine tune, steering, brakes, AC, etc.) the XJS is a reliable, comfortable and very enjoyable car to travel in. Good looking too.

• From my home on Long Island, I do a fairly regular trip to Kingston NY, 135 miles each way non-stop.
• Took the car during a very cold but dry winter day to Burlington, VT, only stopping for gas, 335 miles each way..
• Drove down to Lorton, VA to catch the Amtrak AutoTrain to FL, 290 miles, Once at the Sanford, FL station drove 200 miles to West Palm Beach. Repeated on the return trip.

I'll do the basics before a road trip - check tire pressure, oil and coolant level, and clean the wipers, glass and headlights. Always carry a small air compressor, Slime tire sealant, a jump starter, jumper cables, wheel chocks, lug wrench, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and wind up flashlight/radio/cell phone charger. And most importantly my cell phone and AAA card.

Installed front and rear cameras to avoid accidentally bumping into anything (especially concrete parking lot curbs) and a Bluetooth FM transmitter/battery gauge to listen to tunes and check my electrical levels.

The more you drive and get to know your car, the more confident you will become taking it anywhere. And enjoying it.

 

Been all over the Southwest United States in the last one I owned, which has been some years now. I don't remember the longest stretch I ever did, but there were some desolate ones! I had full faith in the Jag and would hop in and drive anywhere at a moment's notice. Long as I had gas money.

I'm at the point where I need to buy another vehicle, and who knows it might be the last one I ever purchase. Another XJS, or CL600 are about the only 2 realistic options unless some $$ falls on me, then it's a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

 

Basic maintenance up to date, no special treatment. Confidence in the car is important and can be helped a great deal by really getting to know your car by performing as much of your own maintenance as possible.
l have done occasional trips of 2000+klms each way in my 1989 XJRS. Straight through a couple of times when my daughter had some issues but otherwise 1 overnight stop.
Fuel return of under 11 litres per 100 klms.
Never had a mechanical issue, skippies can be a problem, pic is result of one such meeting.

 

Yep, and Wombats too

Camels were the main issue up North, but at least you could see the suckers from afar, usually.

Snakes in the tropics, ALWAYS looked in the mirror to make sure it came out the tail end, scary as.

 

l had a near miss with a dead wombat on the Hume some time back Grant, l swear it was half the size of Ayres rock and just as solid.

 

Wombats are a solid as Brick Outhouses.

Back in the early 70's, pedaling the Road Train to Perth (Nullabor was dirt then), I hit one, broke the front spring hanger, oops, 130 ton, ground to a very quick halt, Bugga, is the polite version of what was said.

THEN, the little sod got up and waddled off, took 2 weeks to fix that rig in the middle of nowhere.