Greetings all, I posted about four weeks ago pictures of my 1997 XK8 Coupe in a front end accident. It was deemed irreparable due to front frame damage and I'm ok with the settlement offer.
So now begins the search for a replacement. I only owned the car for 1.5 years but put 7,000 enjoyable miles on it and planned many more if not for the accident. Replaced door switches, sway bar bushings, repaired interiors plastic bits, refinished shift knob, steering wheel & shift surround and re-gasket drip trim passenger side. Comfortable with my abilities to manage X100 flaws. Everything I experienced had wealth of resources on this forum.

My local British Car Shop [Jag specialist] mentioned a client is selling a 1993 XJS Coupe [6 cyl] and asking price is less than my settlement. Owner is a helicopter pilot and maintenance was meticulous.

Curious for feedback on X100 vs X27. Should I stick with X100s or try a different Jag? What about maintenance [DIY or pro] compare? Handling, performance, etc.
May consider this XJS as a placeholder for my next X100.
Thanks,
Chris

 

I almost bought a 95 XJS before I bought my first XK8. The US version had the 4.0 L six that was used in the X300 sedans in 95&96 and would be an excellent choice. If you are looking at the British version and it has that engine I think you should consider it. Prior to the I6 they used the V12 which was nowhere near as easy to maintain.

 

Back before I bought my xk8, I was hunting for an XJS convertible. I saw this XK8, wasn't on my plan but I looked into it. Contacted a friend of my girlfriend. He knows more about Jaguars than I ever will, he's a collector with dozens of Jaguars parked in his 80 foot long 2 story garage.

I think the best summary of his answer to XK8 vs XJS was: "John, the XK8can do everything the XJS can do and more." The context was performance. Bought the XK8 the next day and never regretted it, maybe I wish I knew more about XKRs back then, but this was low hanging fruit.

Friend, after owning an XJ6, I have to ask: do you know what you'd be getting into with Lucas electronics, jaguar quality before Ford bought them and brought their supply chain leverage, and most importantly proven Quality management to the jointly launched X100 platform?

Afterthought: look up 0 to 60 time for the 6 cylinder in the XKS. The XK6 with an equivalent weight was about 11 seconds. Your call.
John

 

I would buy whichever you want - maybe try the XJS for a change. You won't lose money on it, as they are going up in value. Asking the question on an X100 forum will always tend to favour the X100, and asking on an XJS forum would favour the XJS. I have a 1998 X100 and a 1993 XJS V12, so I'm not naturally baised one way or the other.

With any older car maintenance is the key, so if the XJS has great history there is no reason not to go for it.

 

I would go for BEAUTY all day long and that would make me buy the x100... IMHO the XJS doesn't hold a candle to the x100 in terms of style and class and beauty. NO COMPARISON (but, then again, I am an X100 owner)...

 

Finding a good XJS is difficult so a meticulously maintained one from a source you trust is a major plus. With values only now rising after being on the floor for years, many were neglected. You are unlikely to lose money and it could even appreciate whilst X100 values are still on the downward slope. Running costs for the XJS are generally higher than the X100 and spares are also scarcer.

After the V12, I was disappointed with the 6-cylinder and the X100 has the edge in both performance and handling. The XJS is an earlier generation in design concept and feels "old fashioned" in comparison. Perhaps therefore not a vehicle for regular use but a pleasure to own as a weekend alternative. If you are contemplating a similar 5K miles per year that you did in your X100, it could be less satisfying.

Graham