XJS: is it a wise purchase?
 

Hello everybody
I am one of the founders of the Jaguar Club of Catalonia, and I am also the proud owner of a Jaguar XJ 358 that runs like a Swiss clock. I am now considering buying an XJS, specifically the convertible with engine 4.0 straight six. I understand that, as this model was one of the last to be built (1994-1996), many of the weaknesses of its predecessors (rust, electronic problems, etc....) were corrected or at least greatly improved, but I will still check everything just in case.
I am not worried about care and maintenance because here in my hometown of Barcelona we have an independent repair shop specialised in Jaguars that is one of the best in Europe, and they are also specialists in restoring old British cars to leave them like brand new. This "eventual" XJS will not be maintained by a generalist mechanic, but by real Jaguar experts who know the XJS like the back of their hands. They have specifically warned me against the V12's, because their maintenance is extremely complex (and expensive), but they told me that the 4.0 straight six is a very simple and reliable engine, literally bullet proof if maintained properly.
I do not plan to buy this car as an investment but as a weekend passtime. But talking about classic cars, I perfectly know that only those models who are scarce and REALLY SPECIAL go up in value. If a model is not special, it will be just an old car no matter how scarce it may be.
¿Do you consider that this specific model, the 4.0 straight six convertible is "special enough" to become one of those classic cars whose value will increase in time?
Thank you in advance for your advice.

V12s are intimidating to the inexperienced, but not complex and infact quite reliable, I drive one every day, some people on the forums here have clocked over 500,000km on the same car with incredible results.

The car your looking at is nice, quite reliable but it doesn't really have the raw power of the V12. I just can't see a mid 90s inline 6 being a rare/valuable classic any time soon, and the rear tail lights... :icon_really:

FYI, just got an article from Hagerty (big insurance company in the US for the rare/collector car market) yesterday talking about British cars to hang onto or ditch. Much to my delight, the XJS V12 (properly it's an XJ-S V12) is considered a buy. Apparently values have risen 15% or so in the last year. Some of this was credited as being because an XJ-S V12 is one of the cheapest ways to get into a V12 of any make. Maybe the younger crowd is starting to think about fun vs. economy???

Apparently, the six is not so attractive a purchase if you are looking at "investment" value. I can understand that. Six cylinder engines never seem hard to find, and given that the XJ-S is a heavy car, I think that the six will just give mediocre performance. On the other hand, I would think it's much easier to work on/take care of. Having said all that, I've only owned the 5.3 V-12, so my firsthand knowledge of the six is zero (and I expect, and rightfully so, to get flamed for that very fact).

But look at it this way...in any case any XJ-S is better than no XJ-S at all!!!

John
1987 XJ-S V12

Ive driven both 6.0L and currently own two 4.0 models. You will be suprised at how nimble and torquey the later 4.0 cars are due to different gearing. My 94 XJS coupe is a canyon carver here in Malibu and its climbing in mileage. It has plenty of pick up, and will spin the wheels. So its no slouch, I simply put the shift lever into 3 and Sport mode makes my day, plus I like the ZF transmission. Easy to work with, and lots of support for it. V12 is the zenith of Jaguar ownership so it takes a very special kind of guy to run them. The 4.0 is also beautiful to look at, although I am v12 hungry too.

I am a tad biased, oops.

The V12 is the better, ONCE all the stupid stuff, and LAZYNESS of many previous owners/mechanics/experts, is sorted.

My V12's all tested my vocabulary, ability to consume alcohol to calm the inner beast. This was waaay before computers and Forums, so "seat of the pants" stuff mainly.

The 2 AJ16 cars, X300 Sedans, had their issues, timing chains, oil leaks (its British, why the hell not), rubber components dying daily, etc etc, but again, once sorted, awesome.

They were/are, all daily drivers, and are driven HARD.

Very few owners have a V12 that is "on song", and running "hot and strong" as we in Colonies say, so dont really appreciate that "special "moment" in motoring.

My XJS, at 5500RPM, on the open road, mile after mile, is so relaxing, and exciting, all at the same time.

EDIT:, LAptop had a female moment, all sorted now, I hope.

Value for money in teh future, TOSS A COIN.

10 years ago, down here, XJS of any sort could be had for less than $10K. NOW, anything in the Mid to High Teens $$ wise, is a work in progress, no matter the year/engine/body style. Mid $20K and North is where the better cars are, but still with their issues, and as you near the $30K mark, the real enthusiastic owner maintained cars start to appear.

6ltr and 4ltr cars could be counted on one hand, they simply did not come here in any real numbers.

The V12 loves to be driven hard. I often sit on the open road in second gear and take it up to 4500 - 5000 rpm.

She loves it.

Luckily mine is "on song" at present and thoroughly enjoy it.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...a3ca325173.jpg
Welcome to the XJS forum. I have two '95 convertibles and even though I have several special cars ( many more powerful and faster than the 4.0L XJS ) truth be told if I had to get down to one special car I would keep one of the 4.0L XJS'.

I have had my first XJS for about 9 years now and it has been super reliable, smooth and a complete joy to own. All XJS' have their quirks no matter whether we are talking about V12 or 6 or very early ones or the last few years-they all have their quirks. So you have to trust your heart and go with the car that moves you and puts a smile on your face. I really really like the styling changes that came on the "face lift models" and love everything from the lower profile bumper covers, tail lamps, hood bulge, AJ16 engine cam cover and dash cluster upgrades. That is not a cut at all on the older XJS styling cues but for me the face lift changes are why I love looking at my two 1995's.

My suggestion to any one considering buying a XJS for the first time is check out and drive as many different ones that you can before you decide. You will know which one is the right one for you and that is all that matters. This is not a V12 vs 6 debate but rather find the XJS that speaks to you. Good luck with your search and again welcome to the XJS forum.

I was waiting for Grant to comment on this. Words to live by right here lol. Jaguar more so then any other car does have personality, you gotta find your big cat and you'll know it when you do...might take a few tries no harm in that.

Later facelift XJSs are, sadly, quite liable to rust. The windscreen surrounding metalwork under the stainless trim, and under the plastic bumper trim front and back, frequently hide appalling rust damage. These areas must be very thoroughly checked, as bodywork rectification is far more costly than any mechanical work..[/QUOTE]

The fact you have a specialist garage is great news, if you are not maintaining the car yourself. While the V12 is definitely the more wonderful version, for a garage-maintained car the inline 6 is the price-performer. However, remember that the running gear is basically identical between the two versions, and you must expect to have to renew quite a large proportion of the suspension rubber bushes, if the car is to drive as it should. Air conditioning is another area that may require maintenance, but all parts are available.

The six cylinder cars will always be less valuable than the V12 versions, which give a hard to define but very different driving experience. It is very unlikely that if you count the costs you incur buying and maintaining the car properly (NOT recommended!) you will find it to be a good investment. But you will have great fun in one, so why not?

I go for the straight six from year 1995 to 1996. These have same engine as the 1995-1997 XJ6 and they are very reliable. I never considered to own a XJS until last week. It took me less than 30 minuted to close the deal and I never driven a XJS before. I am fortunate to found a 1995 XJS locally with low miles and in excellent condition at extreme low purchase price. There are plenty of of them out there but very few are in top notch condition. I would rather pay higher for one with good condition with minimum repair and still have good paint OEM paint job instead the latter. It will hold its value.

santi,

In my opinion, a late 4 litre XJS convertible is an absolute surefire investment, particularly in Europe.

As you've probably seen, values have risen hugely in the last 18 months with good examples making really strong money. There's even a company in the UK that imports nice LHD examples from the US and sells them at big money. They had one very low mileage car up for sale at £65,000 recently!

I understand that the same might not be true in the US at the moment which perhaps explains the cautious comments from some members. But it seems that in every other country, there's a huge rise in the popularity and prices of XJS.

Buy it anyway, you'll really enjoy the car!

Good luck

Paul

I tend to agree with Paul, it is really location related. The majority of XJ-S and XJS production went the US, and I believe an even higher percentage of convertibles -- The two highest production models are the pre-face lift 5.3L v12 convertible, and the facelift 4.0L I6 2+2 convertible -- so right now there is still an excess supply in our market.

In your market, I would imagine it is a much rarer beast, and only a mass importation of US cars would change that, and that won't happen unless the prices are high enough to justify it.

Good luck!

Ebay advanced search showing sold low miles 95-96 XJS were ranging from $8,000 to $21,000,00 in the last several months.

There is a 1995 XJS on ebay auction at $12,000.00 with 69 bids and has not met reserve yet.

I have a 1994 6.0 V12, and a friend has a 1994 4.0, with a 5 speed manual. Both convertibles. I'd pick the V12 over the 6 simply because the interiors are much nicer in the 6.0 V12 cars, Jaguar really went to town on them to make the interiors special. Basically everything is leather, whereas there is a lot of vinyl on the 6 cylinder cars.

I think the V12 suits the "grand touring" character of the XJS, the massive torque is much nicer than the 4.0. The overdrive gear of the 6.0 makes for relaxed cruising too, yet has the lower gears for acceleration. If fuel economy is an issue, get the 4.0 though. My V12 averages about 11.5 L/100km on motorway cruising ( 110 km/h), whereas a 4.0 can get 8-9 L/100km. In the city the V12 is around 16-17 L/100 km.

Hi Jagboi

Would you or would you not agree, that the Interior of the 4.0L Celebration XJS is every bit as Luxurious or quite possibly even more so that of the XJS 6.0L Car, as you have described

They elephant in the room is maintenance, maintenance, and maintenance. 4.0L i s much simpler DIY maintenance and repair versus 6.0L. I do not think XJS owners are type of drivers that drive fast or spirit drive around the corners or curves. I own a first generation Miata, which was completely modified from ground up with coil over, supercharger, ECU, etc. I automatically drive like a nut once get into this car. However, I automatic take my time, leisurely drive as soon I sat down in a Jaguar or any Jaguars. 4.0L has over 200 HP which is plenty for grand touring. I only wish 1995 XJS has the wooden steering wheel that comes standard in 1996 XJS.

Hi annamiata

In the (UK) the 1995 XJS Celebration Convertible like the one I have, has a Full Leather Interior with embossed Leather Seats together with a Wood and Leather Wheel and Trimmed throughout in Burr Walnut

These were the last of the line Cars, where together with the (96) if you're after a luxury XJS 4.0L it really doesn't get much better than that and is going to be the XJS that Collectors are after

As far as I know, the Celebration was UK only, and only for 1996. I've never seen one in person, so can't comment on how they compare to a 6.0 car. They are certainly not "average" 4.0 cars though.

Hi Jagboi

Celebration Convertibles in the (UK) 1995 and 1996

Just to clarify, all XJS after VIN 221855 are "Celebration", irrespective of engine size or the country they were exported to. Jaguar just decided to make standard a few extra items and then call the car "XJS Celebration".

The Celebration 6.0 interior does have some extra leather on seats and door panels compared to the 4.0. And the seat leather is ruched autolux on the 6.0 compared to "standard" leather facings on the 4.0 Celebration.

They are both lovely cars, as we all know!

Paul