I'm looking at a 1973 XJ6, in good condition, new upholstery, new paint, asking price $5000. It's a certifiably beautiful car--I've been an XJ6 watcher for years and this one tops them all, and I am chronically bewitched.

But is it worth $5K, and is the XJ6 the maintenance nightmare it is reputed to be?

Skip

Old cars smell better.

Submitted by iwillnotdesert… on Sun, 04/24/2005 - 11:24

Doug--I read with profit your buyer's guide. If, as seems to be the case, the four speed is rare, is a 1969 XJ6 with manual tranny, listing for $10K, worth looking at, as a potential collector's gem?

Skip Stevens
P.O. Box 123
Reisterstown, MD 21136
"Old cars smell better."

Submitted by iwillnotdesert… on Fri, 04/22/2005 - 21:03

More about it--

The car is very clean, and, in a casual kneel-on-the-pavement-and-look-underneath inspection, seemed rust free. The car looks original, except for the paint, which is, supposedly, a Ford color, burgundy, and fits the car well, albeit somewhat on the metallic side. It has new leather upholstery, new ball joints, new tie rod ends and a tune up. There is no record of work to the engine other than a recent tune-up, but it idles smoothly, has plenty of power, and no smoke. To my mind the only problem is that it's an automatic, and I like a car with a clutch and stick--more fun to drive and, in this case, makes for a more valuable investment.

Old cars smell better.

Submitted by dougdwyer@adel… on Thu, 04/21/2005 - 23:47

Well, it is 32 years old, remember. You might encounter a few nightmares but, at this stage of the game, most problems are likely to be age-related and not have much to do with the car being a Jaguar.

On the plus side, almost all repairs on these XJs are well wth the realm of a fairly decent do-it-yourselfer. Also, the Ser I is just about one of the most gorgeous cars ever built....so if that ain't a big "plus", I don't know what is !

Nice Series I cars are rare so it may be worth $5000. Can you tell us more about it?

Bear in mind that paint-trim-leather-wood repairs are quite expensive compared to most of the mechanical repair you'll likely encounter.

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1987 XJ6 Ser III
1988 XJS V12 Coupe