My father has an '88 XJ40 shape (the same as an XJ6 AKAIK) Daimler; one of
the few models with a fully electronic dash. It's "the six" as an automatic
and a bloomin' lovely car. Shagpile carpets ... Makes you want to take your
shoes off before getting into the car :)

I think the rectangular lights are a real '80s retro treat! They're
available for both the Jaguar and Daimler marques.
<http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic-car-images/buyers_guide_jag_xj40.jpg

Cost? 1000-3000 UKP for a good one.

Look out for electrical oddities. On my father's everything is controlled by
a central computer, even the indicators and brake lights. The instruction is
sent to the computer, which gives out an instruction to the signal.
Oddities, like the indicator light on the dash flashing double-quick *only
when braking* while on the outside, the indicator is flashing normally.
Initially, the passenger window went down when cornering to the left with
the brake applied :) Other models/years may vary.

Neglected models may suffer more with electrical oddities and perhaps a
little rust in the boot. Check the prop shaft mountings for signs of wear,
since they don't always whine when they're about to fail.

Consumption? 18-22 MPG seems normal for a cruising auto "six". Not too bad,
really ... Well worth owning for a year or two. Anyhow, there's a full
buyers guide here:
<http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/buyers_guide_jag_xj40.htm>

Personally, I'm going for an XJS for my 40th.

Keep us informed ...

Paul

1989 900 Turbo S
http://saab.go.dyndns.org/

"Al" <alistairdore@yahoo.com> wrote in news:Fud%f.69033$zI1.19087
@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk:

Never owned one but seriously considered it several times. Was looking at the
same vintage you are or even a bit earlier. Decided I really couldn't afford
it, since it would be my only car.
Found lots of good info here:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/

I ran a Mark 2 3.4 way back in 1965/66. Fortunately  it was before the
intrduction of the 70 limit and one could use a Jaguar  as it was intended
unlike nowadays when the only racing takes place from traffic lights and
fizzles out at 50 mph.. The original bit of the M6, it was called the
Preston by-pass IIRC, had just been opened and I used to run flat out along
it. The big and very big snag with cars as early as this was rust, the rust
grew as you watched it! I finally traded it for a Ford Cortina!
The straight six was a lovely engine, the only snag was the plastic drive
key for the rev counter which sheared every so often. I still have the
official Jaguar workshop manual for the car.

The XJ series are unreliable and expensive to maintain. They feature strange
idiosyncratic and sometimes dumb engineering but they are beautiful to
drive if the suspension is properly maintained.

If you want a reliable and powerful XJ the best thing to do is to throw out
the engine and gearbox and fit a good second hand 4.0L Lexus 1UZ-FE V8
engine/trans.  These engines are very strong and utterly reliable and can
be tuned to produce huge power.

There are quite a lot of XJs getting around here (Australia) with Holden
(GM) and Ford V8 5.0 litre engines and gearboxes.  

Another plus with the engine/trans conversion is that with the money you
save in not continually replacing leaked oil you will be able afford to get
all the electrics replaced.