ADVICE PLEASE on Jaguar XJS (95/96)

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

Hi all,

I know, Jaguars aren't suppose to be that reliable, but my wife has always wanted the older style XJS, so I've been looking around for a 95 or 96. (Easier to fetch that instead of the later models).

I have a friend who's had a 95 for 8 years, without any major issues. And it's driven often, currently has 60K on it, so I figured I'd give one a shot.

Are there any major differences b/w the 2 years? It does seem like a difficult car to track down, but I've been seeing them go in great shape b/w 11 and 13K if they have under 50K miles.

Any advice is appreciated, or if you have a good lead on one, please PM me.

Thanks,

lendaddy · 07-10-2006, 06:56 PM

My nephew works on them at the dealership, he was just telling me the other night what a joke they are. They service BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Buick. He and his buddy that also works there said that Jags were far and away the worst. FWIW anyway.

Joeaksa · 07-10-2006, 08:24 PM

Stay away from the 1986-1994 model cars. Lots of labor trouble during that time and the cars were not that good.

I had a 1995 and 1997 (believe it was those years) and loved the cars. After Ford bought Jag in the early 90's they started working on the reliability issues.

My 2000 model car has done 3600 miles in the last week (500 today) and not a hiccup. My 1969 XJ has around 700,000 miles on it, so if they are taken care of they usually do fine. Its when someone treats them like a American car and does not keep up with issues that they can get expensive. There are forums like this one for Jags that help a lot.

Get a good PPI on the car and if it passes would feel ok buying one of them.

Joe A

gaijindabe · 07-11-2006, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
There are forums like this one for Jags that help a lot.

Joe - please tell.

Joeaksa · 07-11-2006, 05:20 AM

None of the forums are as good as Pelican but there are several that are descent.

www.jag-lovers.org

There are several that are type specific (S-type only) so which model do you have?

There is a guy on the XJ forum that I work with who has been trying to put a triple carb manifold on his car. Could not find the parts. I found them in a few hours on the internet and bought two of them for a very good price of $75. Now selling one of the manifolds to him for half of what it cost me.

We both end up happy, so yes, there are forums for Jags like Pelican out there.

NICKG · 06:40 AM

runaway!!!runaway runaway!!!!!(in my best monty python voice)

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

Joe,

Is that a typo? 700K miles?.................................

Any other input is appreciated. Anyone know the diff. b/w 95 and 96?

Best,

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by NICKG
runaway!!!runaway runaway!!!!!(in my best monty python voice)

+1

For about a decade, Jaguar's pitch was: they're a lot more reliable than last year's piece of junk. That finally came true when Ford took over and put the new cars on Ford platforms with Ford-level reliability in the drivetrains and electrical systems. Probably any Jag before 2000 will require your having a Jag tech in the family.

Joeaksa · 07-11-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jbripps
Joe,

Is that a typo? 700K miles?.................................

Any other input is appreciated. Anyone know the diff. b/w 95 and 96?

Best,

Jon,

Nope, we drove the car for many years. Both my Father and myself were on the road sales reps for many years. We did about 100,000 miles a year in a car, so it had to be reliable and comfortable. He put the first 450,000 on the car and then I bought it from him and ran the clock up to 660,000 or so.

The car was then given to an old friend who kept it for me while I was overseas and he drove it another 40,000k and then put it in his garage in Houston, where it sat for almost 20 years until I returned and got the car back.

I started its restoration two years ago, working on it part time. The engine is one that I overhauled back in the late 70's and has been left alone after I pulled the pan and checked everything out. Everything else on the car has or will be overhauled or replaced as I am able. Some interior parts are getting hard to find.

Believe that it all comes down to taking care of the car in the first place. My Honda Accord has 230,000 miles on it and is still going strong. I tend to buy a good product, take care of it and it usually rewards me in kind...

Joe A

speeder · 07-11-2006, 08:23 PM

Joe, you might want to talk to the people over at the Guiness book of world records. Or should I say, they might want to talk to you.

That's freaking amazing.

Joeaksa · 07-12-2006, 03:35 AM

Denis,

Funny thing is that the car is still going as well. Right now the engine and gearbox is almost new. The entire front suspension has been overhauled and powdercoated and everything is new there. All the underbody has been steam cleaned and is now painted and with underbody coating.

All that is needed is for me to get some time off and replace the interior (have a new set of Connolly leather seats, impossible to get now) and do the bodywork. Slight bit of rust in the lower trunk area then paint the car and its done and ready to drive some more!

Here is a pic a year ago after it had driven for the first time in 20 years.