Any Jaguar owners here?

[Zeke]

I just spent quite a few minutes reading back 10 pages of threads that came up under "Jaguar." Well, I only read the ones that were really about the cars. I found the forum people mention and read about nikasil problems in the early V8's.

I know Ford owned Jag for about 8 years and made improvements. So I come here now to ask not about what is easy to find out, but what isn't. Like when was Lucas replaced with Bosch?

I've always been attracted by deals and low prices. Having some stupid girl total my truck while it was parked and recently having the 911 rear ended (minor damage but more than a minor inconvenience dealing with Allstate) all makes me think I prefer throw away cars. Jags are cheap enough that I consider them in that category.

Last throw away I had was a Sedan de Ville. I'll keep those in mind too. But, what about Jags? Mainly interested in sedans on the cheap.

[kaisen]

Joe A, Byron, Matt J....

[Embraer]

I bought a Jaguar XJR as a throw-away car. Paid cash for it....150K miles on it (but it was one owner, and the owner was fanatical...only used Jag oil filters, replaced the battery with a Jag battery, etc. always serviced at the dealer.) I bought it in the summer of '08 when gas prices were crazy. The car drinks 93 octane and gets 16 mpg average.

I paid less than 4K for the car. I've put about 25,000 miles on it, with nothing more than oil changes. Mine is the pre-v8 XJR (It's the blown 4.0 6cyl with an Eaton supercharger). The car is plenty fast, and yes....I've blown Mustang V8's away from 55 to 140. It hauls.

For a 4 door, it's pretty useless. The backseat is extremely small, and the roofline is really, really low. (Look at an XJR next to any other car on the road...total height is less than most cars...even compacts).

Mine's a '97, and I havent had a single electrical gremlin. I wanted a Jag, and I looked for the one without CATS (the overly elaborate suspension system). The chassis (up to '97) is unchanged from the mid 70's. No air suspension, or anything. Less crap to break.

Overall, the car has surpassed my expectations. I still have the original window sticker for the car. The PO paid 74K and change for it.....talk about depreciation. Glad I didn't have to eat that...

[Joeaksa]

Look from 1994 and newer. It took a few years for Ford's influence to make the car reliable.

Personally if I had it to do over again would look for a 2004 S-Type with the V-8 engine (4.2 I believe) and be happy for many years to come.

Byron has a different version as does Matt and last I heard both are happy with them. My 2000 S-Type was rock solid, gave 25+ mpg and never caused a lick of trouble. My current V-12 is much the same but still fussing with fuel mileage.

[Joe Bob]

My buddy has three, 2 parts cars and a runner. I just helped him on the fuel pump. I also have a guy that wants to unload a V12.....

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Look from 1994 and newer. It took a few years for Ford's influence to make the car reliable.

Right on...plus the X300 just LOOKS a lot better.

[Zeke]

kaisen, I did read posts by those you mentioned. Matt is onewhippedpuppy, right? Yeah, these guys like their cars, Joe's being an early series XJ6 first owned by his dad. I had a '71 back in the mid 70's. It was trouble and I know the rep on these cars.

Embraer, I appreciate your cheer-leading and confidence, but I read all that from you in the archives. Except the part about the chassis, thanks for that bit. Someone tell me more specifics so I make good choices if and when I go shopping.

If I could get away with an OBDI model, I would prefer that because I know how to look after those cars. I just don't need a time bomb. I'll get a Caddy before I knowingly buy a bomb.

[Embraer]

Milt,

The early V8's had issues. The X300 6 cyl was refined to the point of being bulletproof. I'd go for '95-97. XJR parts are substantially more expensive than XJ6's. What exactly do you want out of the car? Just a cruiser?

[Embraer]

Back on the suspension thing...(X300s). The control arm bushings and transmission mounts are all "classic" things to go wrong. Jag engineered an overly elaborate transmission mount system with springs. The bushings fail and the springs begin to go. You'll recognize this by a "thumping" sound from what appears to be the rear suspension under hard acceleration. Also, the front upper shock mount bushings go bad on these cars. The "smooth" Jag feel will quickly disappear and the car will sound/drive like a truck.

The LCD screens on the radio/climate control are also notoriously bad.

My car has the factory Harmon Kardon sound system...one of the best i've heard.

[Joe Bob]

Further, one of the parts cars runs.....it also needs a fuel pump. They are all 80s models, XJ6, Vanden Plus, etc.....the second one that runs, he'll take $500 for. The parts car has no engine, drag it away for free......

The V12 has a constant running injector......all three were clear coat volunteers and all are peeling in the Northern Nevada sun.....minor issues on electrical, Lucas still in evidence. No major fires......

Back a few years back, CA allowed 350 V8 conversions. Really woke those things up.....heard a rumor that they weren't allowing that anymore.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Embraer

. What exactly do you want out of the car? Just a cruiser?

Yeah, a throw away grocery getting and parking lot car. One can't have a nice car here in SoCal. It's insane to buy anything really nice and expect to keep it that way.

Right now we have three 2 seat cars and a '44 Jeep with no top. We can't take anyone with us anywhere unless it's 3 in the front seat of the truck. Makes taking people to the airport impossible w/o borrowing a car.

That's one big reason the 911 is going down the road.

[Embraer]

sounds like a car like this would fit the bill....

1995 Jaguar XJ6

[Zeke]

I could deal with that. I bet he'd take 3K. Except there are a dozen just like that in LA Craigs for similar and lower prices. This could be fun.

[gduke2010]

Originally Posted by milt

Yeah, a throw away grocery getting and parking lot car. One can't have a nice car here in SoCal. It's insane to buy anything really nice and expect to keep it that way.

Right now we have three 2 seat cars and a '44 Jeep with no top. We can't take anyone with us anywhere unless it's 3 in the front seat of the truck. Makes taking people to the airport impossible w/o borrowing a car.

That's one big reason the 911 is going down the road.

I had the same problem when I moved to S. Florida with a new car. It got pretty banged up and finally was stollen. So, I bought an $800 car and drove that for 4 tears until I moved to Boston.

[Joeaksa]

Emb is correct about the early V-8's having problems, but after a couple of years of refinement they are now fine. It was a "nikisil cylinder" issue just like many other makers had along the years.

My 1992 is a excellent daily driver but eats a bit too much gas to be used every day if you are going too far. I can get 20 mpg on the road with it but the truck gets 27 so I use it. The '92 is a Canadian version and not seen over here, so you will not find any like it here.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Embraer

sounds like a car like this would fit the bill....

1995 Jaguar XJ6

This looks like a good candidate. Fix the A/C leak, put a newer version radio in it, change EVERY fluid and filter in the car and drive it with a smile on your face.

[gduke2010]

Milt,

There's a 1989 944 from Napa on the for sale thread if you're looking for something inexpensive. New clutch, valve job, breaks, etc. for $7500.

[Joeaksa]

All situated in Long Beach.

I like this one. $6000 or so but appears to be well worth it.

1998 Jaguar XJ Series XJ8 Vanden Plas Sedan 4D (( LOW PRICE ))


$9000 but only 129k miles and looks like new.

2003 Jaguar XJ Sedan XJR


Another worth looking at:

2000 Jaguar Vander Plus $6,995*

[gduke2010]

[QUOTE=mikez;542661 Northern Nevada

Mikez,

Where are youi at in Northern Nevada? I live in Minden.


Gary

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by mikez

Further, one of the parts cars runs.....it also needs a fuel pump. They are all 80s models, XJ6, Vanden Plus, etc.....the second one that runs, he'll take $500 for. The parts car has no engine, drag it away for free......

The V12 has a constant running injector......all three were clear coat volunteers and all are peeling in the Northern Nevada sun.....minor issues on electrical, Lucas still in evidence. No major fires......

Back a few years back, CA allowed 350 V8 conversions. Really woke those things up.....heard a rumor that they weren't allowing that anymore.

Gee, those are promising.

There is a sweet SBC conversion FS in Venice with a TPI Corvette in it for 3K. I'd have bought that this weekend if the Carrera were finished and ready FS. I drove by the bodyshop and the car is still parked where I left it last Monday.

I guess I'll have to drive by tomorrow and see wtf is going on. It's not like they are waiting on parts. It's only a $573 job.

Wait, maybe that's the problem.

Maybe I should jerk it out of there.