I have decided that I want to try a Jaguar and like the XJS series and I am in the USA.

My requirements are a convertible and 2 seater and a V12.

What would be the best XJS to buy?

Is the XJS convertible from 1994 through 1996 only available in a 2 + 2 or did they offer it as a 2 seater as well?

Would the most powerful XJS be a 1993 XJR-S?

What should one expect to pay for a low milage prisitine 1993 XJR-S?

 

the possibility of you finding an XJRS are slim, and even slimmer if you want a cabriolet. your best bet would be a 94-96 if you want power. now expect to pay about 10k for a 4 liter cabriolet. if you find a 6.0L V12 cabriolet, well, the sky is the limit.

honestly, for that kind of money, youd be way better off with an XK.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the 5.3 HE had more horsepower than the 6.0

 

Were all the 1994 to 1996 models 4 seaters? I like the 2 seaters better myself.

 

depends on which 6.0 you mean, but they were both more powerful than the 5.3

the 94-96 developed 333bhp.

 

I stand corrected (well, sit corrected at least)
I've found a couple website listings that say the 6.0 had a couple more horses that the 5.3

 

I think for the North American market:

5.3 = 262HP
6.0 = 318HP

oops - beaten to it! And the above info may well be more accurate.

 

UK market

5.3 = 280
6.0 = 333

 

When you are quoting the North American HP for the 6.0, are you referring to the 94 to 96 6.0? What was the HP on the 1993 XJR-S 6.0? I believe it is a different 6.0 then the 94-96 6.0.

5.3 = 262HP
6.0 = 318HP

 

the XJRS was stroked out by TWR. im not sure what the horsepower was, but it had the XJS inlets and heads and such, so it probably wasnt as much as the new one.

why on earth would you want a 93 xjrs? if i was gonna go through all the trouble to locate an XJRS i would get the pre facelift body style. otherwise i would just get a 94-96 XJS that already comes with a 6.0

 

I want a 2 seater with a V12. I know in 1992 they made a 2 seater V12 with the 5.3, would this be a good car? The 1993 only came with a 6 cylinder except for the XJR-S.

Does the 94 through 96 come in 2 seater styles or do tehy all have the back seat?

 

When I first started looking, saw a couple 94-96 'verts and they had back seats. Need a back seat for the young'uns, so I assumed (incorrectly) that all of them had back seats. Went and took a look at a really nice '90, V12. Had the money in my pocket. Just waiting for the owner to move a few other vehicles so I could take it out for a drive and make sure everything worked so I could take it home. Then noticed that it had no back seat!!!! Had to pass on it and cried (not really) all the way home.

So, I started to focus on just the facelift cars. All the ones I looked at before coming across my coupe (!!!) had back seats. I believe that the pre-facelift 'verts were all without back seats unless they were converted with kits and the facelift 'verts all had back seats. Not sure of the pre-facelift coupes.... didn't really consider a coupe until I found mine and it was too good a deal to pass up. At least thats what I observed during my quest.

howlinowl

 

Pics please. I'm a sucker for a XJS coupe.

 

I don't know what the TRW 6.0s were rated at. Were those the 333hp cars?

The Jag-built 6.0s were 303 or 318hp depending on which spec sheet you believe and what body the engine was installed. There were two different intake systems as I recall, and thus the difference.

The USA 5.3 HEs were 262 hp. ROW versions went as high as 299.

Any of the 6.0s will stomp all over a USA spec 5.3

The later XJRS cars had the Zytec engine management. When parts/service/diagnosis are needed owners find out that it's a white elephant.

Cheers
DD

 

The backseat came out in a certain year, maybe '93? Not sure of the year but there's a cutoff where it wasn't offered and then it was standard.

I can't imagine why you wouldn't want the backseat, it's not like on the E-types where they lengthened the body around it or anything. They just wedged a tiny little seat back there where a worthless waste of space was. Otherwise the car's the same.

Unless you're trying to make a statement like, "I'm too cool for a backseat".

 

JNSST,

If you are seriously looking, start out by reading the "Buyers Guide" in the FAQ quick link. Also, get into as much of the "XJS Book" as you can (also in the FAQ...). Both are great resources. Late last summer/early fall I was looking at a local '86 XJS going for around $1500. I spent some time reading the Guide and Book, as well as going over the forum pages. These helped me to avoid an expensive mistake.
Take your time, look around, and don't jump at the first one you see.
I spent fall, winter, and spring combing through ebay, Craigslist and auto trader. Just last month I brought home a very nice '94 Convertible 2+2 with the 6 Liter V-12. Inside, outside and underneath were spotless. The previous owner took real good care of it, it runs cool and the ignition system got a check out every year. Yes, it did have 93k miles on it, but from what I see on these pages, that won't be a problem. And, the price was right, 7k.
Regarding an XJR-S, I only recall seeing one (Coupe) this past winter for sale out in the mid-west. If memory serves correctly, I think the "Buy it Now" price was 25k.
Good luck and enjoy the search, and while you're searching...do some reading as well.

Bill

 

The original XJR-s was a 5.3L TWR stroked it to 6.0L prior to the facelift, this car uses TWR crank and pistons, the facelift XJR-s used the Jaguar 6.0L with different ECU, this is the inforamtion I have gathered in my research over the past 2 years.

The I6 is the weapon of choice for the racers as it makes nearly as much HP and is lighter. A supercharger on the I6 and you would outperform a V12 in most cases.

 

To be fair, the 6.0s also come with a 4 speed automatic, vs the 3 speed turd the 5.3s were saddled with since their inception. As most of the 5.3s are old enough for classic status now, and exempt from emissions testing in most major markets, here's how to broaden your search:

- find one in the seating configuration you like
- gut the cats & lose a set of mufflers
- throw a 4 speed transmission in there
- ??
- profit

 

HAHA. dont forget the race buckets and cragars.

 

He is buying a Jaguar not a Camaro