Howdy everyone, I'm about to throw my hat into the ring of jag ownership and wanted to see if there were any items I should be on the look out for?

I grew up always wanting to own a e type and now having owned MGs, Miatas and MINIs I think it's time to get a jag. I really want an E but my budget says no, so 2nd favorite is the XJS. What models should I be looking for, years, options? Just shoot out your two cents. thanks.

 

The XJ-S was built to have the V12 engine- it's a beautiful piece of machinery- need I say more? A good year is '89 on with Marelli ignition, or anything later. Michael.

 

Personally, I would go with the six cylinder XJS. Far more reliable. These were 1994 and up. Have made up your mind on what year you want or which engine?

 

Minor correction, '92 up. The 4.0 XJS a nice car, but it's a different car. If you grew up driving V12, you might not appreciate the compromises.

If I could have my choice of any, it would be early '88. That range had the ABS, and the Bosch alternator to amp up the electrical system accordingly. But it still had the Lucas ignition system, which in the long run requires less preventive maintenance than does the Marelli, and will never burn your car to the ground if it fails.

Then you can get an '89 steering wheel, much nicer thet the previous ones. If they made a cabriolet (XJSC) to the above specifications, and I'm not sure about the ABS fitment, I'll have a black one with Magnolia leather if you please.

1990 and later have a huge air bag steering wheel that never seems to be in the right place for me, no matter where I set the crappy tilt adjuster. I have seen a few crashed cars with this mechanical airbag setup that did not activate, so I wouldn't consider it a negative to drive without one in an XJS or XJ40. On the other hand, having the ABS is a worthwhile benefit that eliminates all earlier choices through 1987.

 

If you want reliable, buy a Honda! If you want b***s make it a V12 Jaguar- one of the finest production engines ever built. JMHO. Michael.

 

I'm going to assume that wasn't addressed to me, although I can't figure out who it was directed to otherwise.


Edit: my mistake, I guess you were talking to Ken. I also happen to agree that the V12 is fabulous when properly maintained. The flaws all arise from bad care, not bad design.

 

I must say that this is the first time I've ever heard Marelli ignition referred to a a "plus". :-)

A well sorted V12 is a joy. The sorting-out process is not everyone's cup of tea.

Cheers
DD

 

Exactly my point. If you don't mind playing with the car, the V12 rocks. Mine's a 1990 cnvt. I you want a jump in and drive car, go six cylinder.

 

Thanks for the comments. This won't be my daily driver so i'll have time to fiddle, just didn't want something that would spend more time in the garage than on the road. I think I might be leaning V12, I worry that I'll get a six and always wonder what the 12 was like.

 

If I had it to do again I would hold out for a '96 and stick to the 4.0

The 6.0 is a great engine but it's hard to keep it cool in that car. There's some aftermarket cooling system refits which seem to successfully address this but I doubt the first thing you want to do when you get your cat is start tearing her apart. Also, if it's been overheated this can create real serious reliability problems for the car and that can be really tough to suss out until problems develop.

When Ford got ahold of Jaguar they managed to successfully address a lot of the reliability and wiring issues that these cars had a reputation for. 95 was the year they introduced OBD and they did a half-assed job of it. 96 was the only XJS year that was fully OBDII compliant and that makes a real difference diagnosing a car with a really extensive electrical system.
These cars seem to be nearly exclusively automatics and if you can source a 5 speed you may well be happier but good luck with that.

-Sodium

 

Yea, I'd love a stick but so far I've found a total of one even remotely near me (ie 500+ miles away)

 

Sodium said:
The 6.0 is a great engine but it's hard to keep it cool in that car. There's some aftermarket cooling system refits which seem to successfully address this but I doubt the first thing you want to do when you get your cat is start tearing her apart. Also, if it's been overheated this can create real serious reliability problems for the car and that can be really tough to suss out until problems develop.

When Ford got ahold of Jaguar they managed to successfully address a lot of the reliability and wiring issues that these cars had a reputation for. 95 was the year they introduced OBD and they did a half-assed job of it. 96 was the only XJS year that was fully OBDII compliant and that makes a real difference diagnosing a car with a really extensive electrical system.


First, the 94 6.0 V12 is not hard to keep cool. In fact, it is easier to keep cool than my 91 was. Simple routine maintainance is all it takes, though it might take a bit to get there if the PO was negligent.

My 94 has OBD I. It will allow me to pull engine codes through the trip computer. OBD II was introduced in 95, and allows codes to be pulled through a generic scanner. OBD I required a specific factory scanner. Due to complaints from independent shops, Congress mandated OBD II.

OBD I and II deal only with the engine managment system, not the entire electrical system.

 

My personal preference would definitely be the v12. It is true that they are more of a challenge to work on due to the limited space in the engine bay, but most of the common problem areas are right on top of the engine (that I've found). The major downfall of these cars is of course their electronics, the '90+ 3.6/4.0 I6 will still have this, though maybe at a lesser extent compared to the v12's 'rats nest'. But, why go for a 6 when you can have double that An invaluable resource is Kirby Palms http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/Jaguar.html that is over 730 pages of XJS goodness, and while you're at it, check http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/XJ-S_pix.html for lots of pictures, and just in general, the www.jag-lovers.org is far out!