hi my name is jim, im new here, and hope you will be able to help me. i have been a jaguar fan since i can remember. i did have a jaguar xke roadster back in 1979 and it was perfect,wish i still had it, but due to hard times i had to sell it. dummy me! anyway after numerous cars later i have decided to get another one, this time a xjs i love the style and everything about this car, im presently looking at a 1994 12 cyl. with 57000 mi but this is not the only one, this is where all of you come in as being jaguar owners maybe you can help me ,as to the best way to go 80s vs 90s, coupe vs convt, 12cyl vs 6cyl ? i am going to get one but could use all the feed back i can get . i have been doing research but talking to real owners i feel is the beat way to go. as i hope to be an owner soon. i realize this is long and i have opened a big can of worms, but all help would be greatly apprecated thank you james m. hewing
Submitted by NE52-32043 on Wed, 09/07/2005 - 11:45
Wow, you've asked the right questions to have someone write a book in response. Here's my opinion on a couple of the main points:
1. Pre- or post-facelift? I'll answer your question with a question -- which do you like better? It's a matter of taste more than anything else. Personally, I like the looks of the older cars with 4 round headlights rather than the Euro headlights, and the nice eyebrows in the back rather than the strip running all the way across. But hey, that's me. You choose what you like.
2. 12 vs. 6 -- Now it starts to get complicated. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The 12 cyl. engine is a behemouth. Very smooth running, powerful, unbelievable highway car. But they tend to run hot, can be a problem depending on the ignition system, fuel rails, etc. The 6 cyl. engines are very durable and dependable, by comparison, but lack some of the power and highway pull of the 12s. But they are also a lot less expensive to have serviced and are much easier to work on yourself. Trade-offs either way you go.
My advise -- regardless of the age or engine, get the absolute best one you can find. That is, lowest mileage, well maintained with service records to back it up, NO RUST, runs well with no problems that need to be fixed. You may pay a little more up front, but in the long run, you'll save yourself a lot of time, effort and money.
For information on buying an XJS, go to www.jag-lovers.org and follow the links to the XJS-lovers page, and download "The Book" by Kirby Palm. It has an entire section on buying an XJS, what to look out for, what to avoid. It's a free download and contains the accumulated wisdom of XJS owners from all over the world.
Best of luck and let us know what you end up doing.
Steve Weinstein
'70 XKE FHC, '69 XKE OTS
Former '89 XJS Coupe owner