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Jaguar XJ-S
Hey all,
Tomorrow I am going to look at a potential addition to the stable. It's an '88 Jaguar XJ-S. From what I have been told about this car, it seems to be in pretty nice condition overall. I don't know the mileage, but it does run well and recently had a new rear main done on it. Biggest hitch on the car is the need for new rear brakes (remember, those have inboard discs), but I have plenty of experience with those from when I graciously undertook the same job on a Lotus Esprit for a friend. I do remember hearing that the '88s were among the worst years for Jaguars and problems (imagine that, Jaguars and problems), but the price sounds way too good to pass up on. Don't know if it has any electrical glitches, but I'm pretty excited anyhow. Has anyone lived with one of these cars for any extended period of time? What seems to have been the biggest issue with them? Any help is always greatly appreciated!
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Regards, Aaron |
#2
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Is it free?
If it were REAL cheap, I'd buy it and run it into the ground. Then sell it as a parts car. My sister has the same car (picked it up for a grand, I think), that was my advice, and it's worked out well in that lots of little stuff has broken, but it still moves under its own power. For now. Remember, compadre, you get what you pay for. Don't get all delusional on us and think you can make the car right! That's been done-it's called a 6.9
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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss Michael 2014 E63S Estate 2006 SLK55 1995 E500 1986 Porsche 944 turbo |
#3
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Michael,
Yeah, the 6.9 is indeed one of those "buy the best you can afford" cars. I have a '79 6.9 right now, my second one. The last 6.9 I had I used every day and sold it with 205,000 miles on it. The current 6.9 is a Sunday only car, and she's going to the M-100 show in California this summer. But I have always liked the XJ-S, and did actually check out an '85 model with 30,000 original miles which was in absolutely showroom condition. I'd have bought it, but it was so nice, I'd feel guilty about driving it. I want one that's a good useable car, at least on nice days. This '85 was a collection piece.
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Regards, Aaron |
#4
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Aaron
I have a 1976 XJ-S with about 160K on it. I don't really know what to tell you...? It is a much better built car than I thought it would be, and mine is the very first model! No rattles, etc. I would think an 88 would be very fine indeed! There is an excellent web site on this model, do a search on Google. I shall give it a try, because I have lost it on my favorites list....something about a crashed computer...
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Ed 1981 300CD (Benzina) 1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles! 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido) 1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine! 1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!) 1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!) 1977 Suzuki GS750B 1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold) 1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser) 1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago") Solex Moped 1975 Dodge P/U camper "Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!" |
#5
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I have a 94 xj6. I bought it a little over a year ago with about 60,000 miles. It now has 80,000, and has been almost trouble free - really a great car despite the reputation. However I was told by my mechanic to avoid 1988 and 1989, as they were the worst years ever. I also understand the xjs 12 cylinder engine requires constant work, while the 6 isn't too bad, but the 6 isn't considered a true xjs by afficianados. They are beautiful cars.
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#6
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AAL
I heard of these thoughts too about the 12 requiring more work... I don't get it though, What's to do? Filters, plugs, etc yeah, but I can't think of anything different about this engine, than a 6... The 12 is really marvelous though. The first time I tried to get mine going, (it was abandoned, long story) I thought it didn't have any compression because of the way the starter sounded. Everyone else was convinced too. It sounds exactly like all the plugs had been pulled! Weird, but vaugly aeronautical! I think they are huge bargains! I have heard to buy anything past 1986, as before this they had labor problems, poor build, and poor parts. Then they got into german electics, etc. They have amazing ride qualities you wouldn't expect from such a heavy car, with short travel suspension. Mine has the early engine/fuel injection and has truly terrible fuel mileage. Oh well.
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Ed 1981 300CD (Benzina) 1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles! 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido) 1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine! 1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!) 1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!) 1977 Suzuki GS750B 1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold) 1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser) 1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago") Solex Moped 1975 Dodge P/U camper "Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!" |
#7
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We traded a 1992 Jaguar XJS V-12 a few years ago for the 500SL we now have.
It was a beautiful car, rattle-free and mechanically sound. I do miss the REAL glass window (as opposed to the plastic one on the SL). The V-12 in and of itself was trouble-free. I had heard that if you let one overheat, you risk dropping valve seats (and the valve)! Good rebuilds run in the $12K range for the 6.9, so you don't want to go there! Even with all of the "Delco" stickers in full view throughout the engine compartment, the car was an electrical nightmare! It ate O2 sensors for breakfast, and loved to snack on batteries and alternators. The climate control unit was just as troublesome, and after sinking about $6K to keep it running for the 12.5K miles we put on it, I just had to let it go. I got about $11K in the deal...this is for a car that listed new at $68K. So they are a bargain if you pick them up after a few years.
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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car |
#8
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I love that car. Isn't that the original car that Simon Templar, also know as the Saint, drove? This was actually the same engine which Tom Walkinshaw racing made into a Porsche beater. There are plenty of these around here. Nowadays there are 1600cc cars putting out more power, but none of them sound as sweet In all seriousness Aaron, do you need ANOTHER car? Just wondering what you do with them
Kuan |
#9
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Well, I knew the Saint drove a Volvo PS1800, and I think that the reason was that Jag either didn't have the car ready yet, or something...
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Ed 1981 300CD (Benzina) 1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles! 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido) 1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine! 1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!) 1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!) 1977 Suzuki GS750B 1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold) 1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser) 1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago") Solex Moped 1975 Dodge P/U camper "Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!" |
#10
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The Saint drove a Volvo? I thought he was English! What sacrilege! He should have his knighthood taken away! Or, maybe it's because he was English that he drove a Volvo
Kuan |
#11
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Kuan,
Are you confusing the "new" Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) with the "real" one(Roger Moore)? About 30 years or so difference .
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Mike Tangas '73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72 '02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel Non illegitemae carborundum. |
#12
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My dad had an 86 XJS-V12 convertible (custom conversion). IT had 35k on the odo when he bought it in 1993 for $10k
After a few months we had to have the whole right side top end rebuilt. Alon
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'92 300CE - Sold 2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio 2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon |
#13
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Purchasing a Jag is an incorrect procedure. They must be bought in pairs.
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Don't Chrome them; polish them |
#14
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I know Halloween is coming soon, but bringing this back from the dead?
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#15
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couple recommendations
I was in love with the idea of a Jag V-12 for a while. One guy named Pascal on the V-12 XKE forums would drive his car all over the East coast and run it on track days. He posted several videos. What a sound. On the other hand a friend recommended " lay down until the feeling passes"...
Look around online for XJS forums and something called "Kirby's book". He is like a Brian Carlton / Larry Bible for XJS Jags. He is an aircraft mechanic and has documented his recommendations in this text file. The one you are looking at may be late enough not to worry, but earlier ones were known to have bad distributors / caps. This caused poor combustion, but you can't tell 'cause the V12 is so smooth. The problem is the cats then overheat from the extra fuel, then potential fire. Keep it in tune and all is good. Worst case, the XJ-S is prime candidate to "lump", or install an american V8. There are kits for this complete with wiring. The XJS is still a very pretty car, good luck with your decision. Chuck |
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