Look on UK ebay. Loads of V12s going for high teens and mid 20s UKP. And these prices are being paid. It's happening. But like V1Rok's post, that is not in the least important to me, other than I am glad this superb car is getting more widely recognised.

 

when I bought mine I used it as an every day driver... (5 mpg when it got it ; now after I have gone through it fixing this and that; warming up MPG 10 to 12 MPG, after warm up better MPG )
I got lots of comments at first... then people got used to seeing it...
I put 1500 in the old van to replace the steering rack and fix leaks and new front tires and alignment it is now the daily driver and I drive the Jag on sunny days...
I get more question at work on hey where is the Jag... "I say its raining it is home safe" I feel better... if some one slides in to the van... 2900 will pick up another one...
so classic it is already for me...

 

Yes this is true, but when I bought my XJS there were none here in Australia (that I saw anyway) over $15k and a couple of years ago convertibles were advertised around the $20k mark, prices have risen here in Aus for a good XJS.

 

That first link you've given Warren is very suspect given the vin quoted. Vin says it is 5.3 litre of 1989 vintage. Nowhere near 1994 by which time 6.0 litre was the norm and xjrs was finished.
It can't be that hard for a dealer to get the number correct.

 

If I can ever get mine running top notch and everything working I will be a very happy camper. Every time I drive, it gets lots of compliments.
Don't care what it is worth, I like it.

 

That XJR-S is sold, I don't know what the final price was but knowing Australian dealers it will not be below $80k

 

a perfect low millage v12 convertible i probably would not want to swap. if its got anything else working against it i would not really worry too much about it. if its what you want and you plan to keep it for a long time.

mine is a nice driver car but far from perfect its had 2 re-sprays 140k on the clock 93 4.0L i don't feel the least bit bad about swapping it, has a nice little 380-400hp small block the thing finally moves out like a sporty 2 seater convertible should. it fixed almost all my dislikes about the car. oh and i can actually drive it again rather than looking at it sitting around cause one day i turned it off never to start again with the 4.0L.

 

I personally am not keen on the inline 6 engines in the XJ-S. The car is all about a V12. It's kind of like buyinga Ferrari Enzo with a 2.7l V6 instead. All the looks but not really the primciple behind it. Economy isn't everything

 

I have both . And like both. The 4.0 is a good engine.

 

I have the 4.0. Its more than fine. If one likes the V12 more, great. Why can't they both be good?

The Ferrari example makes no sense. Why is the 6 cylinder about "economy?" It surely isn't an economy engine at 15 mpg around town. In the US, one can't take advantage of the V12's upper end anyway, at least not legally. Both the 6 and the 12 are both very similar throughout the torque curve until you get above 80 mph. At that speed, I'm gonna get lots of tickets. Quite happy with the 6's performance, durability, reliability, and sure, if its a little bit better on fuel, all the better.

As for price appreciation...fewer V12s made in the facelifts, so maybe they will do better. Again, good for those owners. But if you put it away for potential collectibility, then you are not driving it, and not enjoying it. One has to admit, there are lots more facelift 6s around to drive every day and enjoy.

Pick your spots. I like em all

 

you kinda hit on what my biggest complaint about the 4.0L was is it was just lazy till you were over any legal speed limits in the us. and then it ran like a dream. about the only time it actually would feel like it had any guts was on the downshift to pass someone on a 2 lane.

its current setup iv clocked it at 4.9 0-60 now that is a difference where you will actually be able to use it.

in the end its how/where you drive your car and what you want out of it. there's nothing inherently wrong with the jag engine.

 

Well, I personally am not keen on the V12 in the XJS. I would not even own an XJS if my only option was a 5.3L V12. My '95 with the AJ16 is quiet, fast and super reliable. Fact of the matter is the XJS with the stock 5.3L V12 is a slug for being a V12 so unless you can cruise at 110MPH what does the stock 5.3L offer except poor fuel mileage and lack luster performance?

I think I need some of the kool aide you V12 guys are drinking so like you I can miss the value of the AJ16 climbing faster than the slug 5.3L V12 in today's market. Funny how you guys act like the 5.3L XJS is the only real XJS but no matter I just enjoy driving my AJ16 with all the compliments I get. .

 

Twelve cylinders

Cheers
DD

 

Its delicious!

Comes in a twelve pack!

 

Poll the V12 enthusiasts here. A week's pay says that, to a man, market value is of no consequence whatsoever to them; it simply isn't a factor in their enjoyment of the car. Market value isn't what motivates them.



For some the V12s carry a certain je ne sais quoi that many people simply don't see or feel. And, since the V12 ownership can be a bit challenging at times, there's a lot of personal satisfaction in keeping one in good order. That sense of satisfaction and accomplishment is something that market value simply can't replace. No way, now how. But, not everyone relates to such things.

To put things into a perspective that perhaps everyone can appreciate, the V12 was an essential part of the original XJS concept. Yes, the later cars with 6 cylinders were very good in their own right, but it's like a cover version of your very favorite song: It may sound great and earn critical and commercial success but, somehow, it'll never be as good as the original. "It just ain't the the same".

As it should be !

Cheers
DD

 

some times I do not need to comment...

 

I will admit, without reservation, that the late model AJ16 XJS is the 'best' XJS from a practical point of view. Far more modern engine, better transmission, better electrical bits, etc. etc.

Additionally, a coupe is significantly better than a convertible, for comfort, handling, noise, etc.

That said, the only XJS I would ever consider going through the known hassles of owning any older car, is a 89-91 V12 convertible.

Kool-aid? I think you're right, because I'm knowingly attracted to something that should be less desirable by nearly all measures.

However, I have a hunch that 20 years from now, collector quality 89-91 V12 convertibles will command the highest prices. But it's just a hunch.

Cheers

 

for me its simple , an AJ6/16, is it dont have 12 cylinders.

my very 1st car was a 12 cylinder Lincoln,it did not run , and i never got it to run, BUT it scared all my 15yr old friends anyway!

because it had 12 cylinders!

i never forgot the talk around the small town i lived in , WOOWWEE 12 cylinders!!

 

Hi all,

I have had the joy of owning two XJSs, a 90 Convertible and currently a 94 Convertible. Both were little more than junkyard cars, but I loved them. They got lots of compliments for two reasons, one doesn't seem them everyday and regardless of what's under the hood they are great looking cars.

Personally, I liked the headlight configuration of the pre-facelift cars. The power and sound of the v12 can cure the most severe case of erectile dysfunction, but you cannot beat the reliability of the 6cyl.

My V12 tended to run hotter than normal, but only a couple times managed to get to overheating. I worked my way through the entire cooling system and never figured out why. The only thing left was to replace the radiator with an upgrade OR actually take it to a real mechanic to figure out what the issue was. I traded it in for a Lincoln instead. BIG MISTAKE THAT I REGRETTED RIGHT AWAY!

My 94 was purchased in a lien sale. I got an amazing deal on it, but it came with a salvage title. It ran and I could drive it almost anywhere right away. I have been working my way through its issues and a year and a half later it the project is coming along well.

I drove the car up to Santa Fe NM last weekend for the Zia Regional Rodeo. SF is only about 50 miles away, but it was the longest, fastest trip I've taken since purchasing. It did great! Some teen boys in a minivan pulled up next to me one night and wanted to race. The adult in me obviously knew better, but the teen boy in me floored it when the light changed. I am proud to report that the XJS put the minivan away with no trouble. I didn't even have the "go fast" button on.

The main point I'd like to make is that rather a 6cly or V12, people compliment the car and envy us owners because they are great looking cars that are VERY SEXY. The engine is only for personal satisfaction, like exotic underwear (usually you know you have it one, but only a select few get to see, I hope).

Tony in NM

 

when you have a I6 you know you got a sexy XJS...
but you never get to say "YES" and then offer to show them the V12 when they ask...
and after start it up... to show how smooth it is or quite as you leave....


part of the reason I bought my v12 was I wanted something I would enjoy turning a wrench on...
(I am working on remote control cut outs so Mustangs will not have all the thunder)
a club member here offered to sell me his I6 XJS for 13k he just stepped up to an F type and he only has room for about 4 to 6 cars in his garages
so far a no go for me... maybe when we are in the new house