1985 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas

[Jorn]

I always had a weak spot for these cars, think it's one of the most beautiful sedans ever built. Especially the Series III and I love this color combo.

I'm going to have a look at this one tomorrow. Please tell me why not to buy it.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/4804450291.html

[Stretch]

I think they are well lush - well I thought they were well lush until I drove one.

The one I tried had an LPG converion that had totally killed the performance.

The inside of the cabin I found to be cramped - I know they say "cosseted" is the way you are meant to feel but I think they are claustrophobic - especially compared with a Mercedes of the same era.

...well you did say "Please tell me why not to buy it" => However, I don't think any of the reasons I've given are valid...

[t walgamuth]

Its a lovely looking car. Was that during ford's ownership? I think it may be pretty reliable. Its one of the last true jag DOHC sixes that started production in the forties. its a rugged reliable unit mechanically and I suspect by 85 they had the electronics worked out. I'd be concerned about the windows and such on any car that old.

Not much money, can't lose much.

[Maki]

Check for parts availability. A friend had a '90s XJ fall into his lap for next to nothing. It was dirty and had a crack in the corner of the windshield but the body and interior showed little wear. Bringing it back to what would be considered a clean used car was expensive. Aftermarket parts support is nothing like Mercedes of the same era.

[The Swede]

Nice looking car!

The salvage title issue is something I'd do research on....

[kerry]

That is a nice looking car at a good price.

[tbomachines]

Beautiful, I also have a soft spot for those. I don't think they were ever especially reliable (and ford takeover was 1989 IIRC), particularly with the electronics. I've always wanted to get a black one, lower it a bit, widen it a bit and throw an LSx in there. I've also heard a lot of grumblings about aftermarket support...I think junkyards would be your best bet for trim and such -- I imagine that the electronics are simple enough that you can trace bad stuff with a multimeter and re-solder any iffy components within them (thinking similar to the w126 electrics), but just a guess.

[pj67coll]

That's a beautiful car alright. In my opinion the best Jag shape ever. In fact I were nuts enough to actually contemplate owning one it would be one of them. My brother is a Jag nut and has owned several. Though none this old. His were/are the later Ford ownership ones. He has the advantage of living in England where they are rather like Chevy's and parts availability etc is somewhat better than here.

Actually I saw that ad myself a few days ago when I was Idly trolling craigslist. My thoughts would be that if you have that as a third or fourth car. Something of a weekend toy rather than a daily driver you could have a very nice time with it. But if it's your only means of transportation, that would be a very different story.

It's no 123, 116, 126 etc...

- Peter.

[Txjake]

Beautiful cars. The only thing about my 99 X308 was the electrical. It was fine for a long time and then , bam! Major meltdown. Rover did the same thing . Love 'em though. Go for it.

[Hatterasguy]

Growing up my grandmother had that exact same car, except it was an 86. Traded it in 1995 for a 1994 which was a POS.

Nice cars, just its not built to Mercedes standards. A 420SEL which it would have competed with when new is a better car.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Growing up my grandmother had that exact same car, except it was an 86. Traded it in 1995 for a 1994 which was a POS.

Nice cars, just its not built to Mercedes standards. A 420SEL which it would have competed with when new is a better car.

Apparently the rebuilt ones are much better

Home - KWE Cars

[HuskyMan]

True that. It's tough for the English to trump the Germans when it comes to automotive excellence in engineering. English cars are merely OK and are known for wiring/mechanical issues. Of course, this may be a reflection on the way the English think and process information versus how Germans think and process information. Two very different schools of thought when it comes to automotive design, engineering and manufacturing.

I could walk you through a plethora of other German designed and manufactured products but there isn't the space or time to do so on this forum. I've seen it up close and personal and some of their designs look like they had assistance from highly intelligent outer space aliens. The Germans really do breathe different oxygen than the rest of us.

Mercedes Benz Forever, Forever Mercedes Benz.

Next.

[Txjake]

it is odd though that, as well as MBs are made now and prior, most newer BMWs I see on the market are rife with typical failures of systems that render them troublesome POS. Same German air & thought process, and....why are BMW motorcycles such grand long term machines and the cars such odious POS after a few years?

On a bigger note, why do so many cars nowdays have head gasket issues? increased operating tempratures?

[HuskyMan]

Originally Posted by Txjake

it is odd though that, as well as MBs are made now and prior, most newer BMWs I see on the market are rife with typical failures of systems that render them troublesome POS. Same German air & thought process, and....why are BMW motorcycles such grand long term machines and the cars such odious POS after a few years?

On a bigger note, why do so many cars nowdays have head gasket issues? increased operating tempratures?

BMW automobiles in years past may have been a better built car than those coming out of the factory today. The new BMW cars seem to have suffered quality control issues. In addition, I see a lot of the 20 - 30 year old age group driving Beemers.

The 20 to 30 age bracket/Generation X, Y and Millennials are KNOWN to change their cars as often as they change their underwear. So, if the car doesn't last or breaks down, who cares? Trade it off on the NEXT big thing.....

Don't know much about head gasket issues as the vintage Mercedes cars I drive have never suffered that problem. I hear that some auto makers use dissimilar metals in their engine blocks versus their heads and that may be a cause of head gasket failures.

[tbomachines]

My 135 was a mess. I honestly don't think mercedes or audi are any better or worse when scaled up, it's the price you pay for tech and performance.


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