So, make sure the paint, trim and interior are well kept. Got it. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm in advertising, so style and uniqueness go a long way with me. Great paint catches my eye every time. But just so I don't lose all respect, I was an M1A1 Abrams tank platoon leader in the US Army's 3rd Armor Division, fought in Desert Storm, and was the "Point Platoon" in the Division's attack on the Republican Guards. So I hope I have some "Guy" credibility with all of you. BTW, if you think a Jaguar is a workout to maintain, try working on a 72 ton armored fortress outfitted with a Honeywell AGT 1500 gas turbine engine. Believe me, that beast could move! Oh, the stories I could tell.

 

Always lots of Jags in Houston Sell that Jeep!

 

I'm on it!

 

Well hopefully the Jag will have slightly better ride characteristics than that tank! Although I must admit having a .50 mounted somewhere on the car would be nice on occasion..

 

the V12 is way easier to work on IMHO. in every american car ive ever worked on, i always feel like someone threw all the engine components under the hood and bolted them down where they landed. i always get a sense that the Jaguar engine compartment was carefully planned out to be easy to repair. ive worked on a lot of engines, and the V12 by far is the easiest. im one of those people that gets pretty impatient and claustrophobic when working on cars. i try to enjoy it as a hobby, but until i got my XJS i just couldnt. now, theres so much room to work with, and its such a joy to work on that ive really started to enjoy fixing it up.

im also 6'3" and waiting for the day that i gouge my eye out on the corner of the open bonnet.

 

A .50 cal would come in very handy in this Atlanta traffic.

 

Try an M60A3....An M1 is a piece of cake, comparatively speaking, esp the A2!

 

I'm currently running a '95 4.0 convertible as my daily driver. My previous XJS was an '83 coupe V12. The V12 isn't particularly difficult to work on just time consuming and they are hard on front suspension componenets. The V12 weighs 750 lbs. and this weight affects component service life and the handling of the car. I do all of my own work and the 4.0 is the best fit for my lifestyle right now. Though...I see the day when a black V12 convertible with Ferrari tan leather and...will also be in my driveway. Two different cars for two different purposes...

 

MustangSix... You gotta love the M60A3. It was my first tank. We were the last Brigade in the Army to have them, and that was 1988 in Germany. I was with the 8th ID. That was a mechanics tank! We dropped driver's hatches all over Germany during REFORGER. You really had to be a good Gunner to shoot high with that tank. When we moved to the M1A1 we couldn't believe that anybody could ever miss a target! You actually have to TRY to miss with the M1A1! Good memories on the M60A3 and the MawDeuce .50 Cal!

 

my uncle piloted an M60A3 in korea back in the 70's or 80's.

 

QUESTION... Is it okay to post links here to cars that caught my eye? Love to get all of your advice/opinions. Still working on selling the Jeep, and still targeting early July to pull the trigger.

Also, what would you all consider to be "The Best XJS On The Planet"? What would it have? And, I am a Coupe guy. I ask because I am not interested in collecting, but driving and enjoying. Thanks!

 

a pre facelify XJRS is the best XJS in my opinion. all the good bits + the good looks.

 

The best XJS on the planet? Well, that would have to be mine..lol!
But seriously, it depends on your taste. I personally don't like the looks of the facelift models. The tail lights just look ugly to me.

 

"Best XJS" - whichever body style you prefer, whichever roof you prefer, whichever wheels you prefer. But, low miles (and within your budget, I mean 20K or so), ZERO rust and an IMMACULATE interior. In all honestly there is no reason, at the dollar figures you listed earlier in this thread, that you can't get a car that has absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you find a car you think is perfect but the cigarette lighter doesn't work, keep looking because you can afford it.

In all honesty if you prefer a pre-facelift, hold out for perfection and you'll get it. Facelift cars, maybe a little less so but you can still get an outstanding car with zero needs.

 

In the Atlanta area, Dick Maury at Coventry West would be a good person to call. Dick's involved in the JCNA, knows a lot of people and cars.

I have a pretty nice lightweight xj-s 3.6 5 speed stick I've toyed with selling. It's a preproduction test car from a group of 2 dozen cars with consecutive vins that came over in 84. If a stick's of interest, pm me. The car's in Columbia, SC. I have a spare NOS gearbox, spare cams, and a low mileage engine coming from another one of the test cars that I'll be getting from a friend over the summer. The car's light, quick, and nimble.

As far as the v12s are concerned, I like the later 6.0 cars though I agree the facelift cars don't look as good to imho.

Cheers.

84 xj-s 3.6 5 speed
03 STR
05 S-type 4.2
67 XKE roadster (sold)
00 XJ8 Vanden Plas (sold)

 

for your budget, you could buy yourself a nice one, and me an okay one! i got mine for 740$ haha and now im one of the lucky ones with a five speed v12 xjs

 

Sorry, link hijack in progress.....

Same division! - Manheim 3-8 Cav, 1981-82, then 8th ID HQ in BK 82-85!

Hijack over....now back to our regular programming....

I would skip any of the 88-89 models with the automated mousetrap seatbelts. Too hard to service and just too goofy. Thanks, Feds. My preference would actually be the 90-91 model. Just ahead of the full facelift, they started installing airbags and the last HE's prior to that would be the ones I would look for. Second choice would be the Pre-HE. They have unique bumpers and the non-HE engines that have more performance potential.

In any case, I would get one with the best paint and interior I could find.

 

but they consume 50% more fuel at highway cruising speeds and theyre not as torque biased so theyre geared down slightly, hurting the cruising economy even worse.

cool motors though. i love the flathead concept.

 

You XJS nuts sure know how to scare a guy away from one. After scouring other XJS threads, I'm wondering why in the world I would buy one. But then, I see that beautiful profile, and I am drawn in like a moth to a flame.

How do I reply PM directly to a post? RRT?

 

weve all been there. the great thing about an XJS is that you get all the looks, the sound, the impracticality, and unreliability of a supercar, without the supercar price or useless boot.

click on the screen name and then click send PM.