Purchasing an XJS

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jereme - 19 May 2004 06:32 GMT

Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
minutes to the corner store then the car will most likely be fine. I
drive clost to 100 miles aday mostly on the expressway. Would that be
enough. I know buy the latest model I can afford but is there anything
I keep overlooking. I know maintence can be costly but are all XJS
cars costly or just the ones not maintained. I know someone with the 6
cylinder that loves it, I want the 12 mainly for the 400+ miles
highway driving trips on weekends.

Any help greatly appreciated

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Stephen H. Westin - 19 May 2004 14:48 GMT

> Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
> read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> cylinder that loves it, I want the 12 mainly for the 400+ miles
> highway driving trips on weekends.

Remember that the Ford purchase was in 1989, so try to get a car later
than that. The great improvement in quality, believe it or not, came
after the takeover.

Signature

-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not
represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.

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Tony P. - 19 May 2004 18:32 GMT

> > Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
> > read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> than that. The great improvement in quality, believe it or not, came
> after the takeover.

Get one later than 1989. Friend of mine has an '89 XJ-12 Convertible and
the thing has the Lucas electrical system. It's a bloody nightmare. They
don't call Lucas the Prince of Darkness for nothing.

92 On is when the real changes happened. I also believe the Vandenplas
were made in Germany, not the UK.

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Stephen H. Westin - 19 May 2004 21:00 GMT

> > > Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
> > > read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> the thing has the Lucas electrical system. It's a bloody nightmare. They
> don't call Lucas the Prince of Darkness for nothing.

Quite right. Obviously things didn't change overnight.

> 92 On is when the real changes happened. I also believe the Vandenplas
> were made in Germany, not the UK.

Nope, Jaguars are all made in England. In Coventry, in fact, except
for the X-Type, which took over an unused Escort plant near Liverpool.
There was some talk of assembling the S-Type in Wixom, Michigan, in
the same plant as the Lincoln LS, with which it has a significant
degree of commonality. But Jaguar came up with a substantial subsidy
to renovate a body shop into an assembly plant for the car, so that
(fortunately) didn't happen.

Anyway, the improvements in quality came from two sources:

1. Access to different component suppliers, and

2. Implementing quality techniques pushed by Ford.

Honest.

Signature

-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not
represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.

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jereme - 20 May 2004 05:19 GMT

Thanks to all that replied so promptly. I actually like the style of
the mid 80's but intended to get atleast an 1989 hopefully 1991 or
later. One of the reasons I'm wanting a 12 cylinder rather then 6 is
the habit of driving 80+ mph on the expressway. With Jaguars' being
touring cars I wasnt to sure the smaller engines would handle well.
Travelling in certain parts of the state I have even set the cruise at
100 (much to my surprise I have still been passed.)

Thanks again

> > > > Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
> > > > read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> Honest.

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Stephen H. Westin - 20 May 2004 14:31 GMT

> Thanks to all that replied so promptly. I actually like the style of
> the mid 80's but intended to get atleast an 1989 hopefully 1991 or
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Travelling in certain parts of the state I have even set the cruise at
> 100 (much to my surprise I have still been passed.)

As I recall, the performance difference between the sixes and the
twelves wasn't that great. And the six has the Le Mans tradition
behind it. No, wait, that would be the later six, not the XJ, wouldn't
it? Anyway, both engine configurations are in inherent primary and
secondary balance (unlike, say, a V8), with the twelve presumably
a bit smoother.

<snip>

Signature

-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not
represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.

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bill@microsoft.com - 21 May 2004 16:11 GMT

>Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
>read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>cylinder that loves it, I want the 12 mainly for the 400+ miles
>highway driving trips on weekends.

At this point in the car's lifetime, it all depends on the maintenance
the individual car received. When it was made is of relatively little
consequence. (After 15 years, Bosch and Lucas fail at about the same
frequency '-) Parts for the later cars may even be harder to get
since there were fewer of them made... but generally parts are not a
problem for Jags (Welsh has everything!).

It is easier to work on the 6 cyl but then you end up driving a little
old lady sedan... the torque curve of the 12 cyl is amazing even
though the quoted HP is about the same. I have never driven a better
hiway cruiser.

("Horsepower sells cars but torque wins races," - Sterling Moss)

Buy what you like. An XJ-S is totally impractical for a daily driver
(speaking from years of experience... I do it) but you are not driving
an XJ-S for practicality. That's reserved for Kias '-)

But XJ-Ss do not like sitting in a garage. They pine away and break
if you don't use them at least 50-100 mi/wk.

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Jerry McG - 21 May 2004 23:29 GMT

I drove XJSs for years as Comany cars. Only one ever let me down, no-start
from a loose connector at the ECM. Outstanding long distance cruiser, and in
the right city a true "crumpet catcher". Later ones fit & finish are far
better than the pre-92 models, but post '94 MY V12s less abundant in the
States.

> >Once again Im wanting to buy an XJS for commuting. From what I have
> >read these cars are simply meant to be driven. If driven more then 10
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> But XJ-Ss do not like sitting in a garage. They pine away and break
> if you don't use them at least 50-100 mi/wk.

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RickPiatt - 23 May 2004 17:38 GMT

My 88 XJ-S V12 has been a dream to drive! As one other mentioned, the
engine output is exciting and worth all the effort to obtain a good one. So
far, the electronics haven't been a problem ... but the speedometer has been
playing head games with me recently ... hope its not a sign of things to
come. But, from a driver's perspective, I've never enjoyed driving any
other car more than this one.

Rick Piatt

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