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XJ6 Sovereign Jaguar - READ ONLY
54 messages, Last post on May 04, 2002 at 6:38 AM
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What is this discussion about? Jaguar XJ-Series, Sedan
#45 of 54 by speedshift
May 02, 2002 (10:17 pm)
Shifty I saw a mid-'70s XJ6 today which got me to thinking about how handsome these cars are, which got me to thinking about how even more handsome they are without the big bumpers, which reminded me that the earliest ones ('69?) were available with a four speed. Ever driven one with a stick? How would it compare with the Mark II or the Mark X? Sort of in the middle? My brother's Mark II with Chevy was a blast, the Mark X comfortable but ponderous.
#46 of 54 by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 03, 2002 (9:34 am)
Gee, I never did drive one with a stickshift. Personally I think it's awful to have to shift such big cars and I'd imagine it would kill their value.I wouldn't touch a 100K Jaguar from the early 90s with a ten foot pole unless it was pretty cheap. $4,500 is plenty, that's a fair price. That's what Bill buys 'em for, not sells 'em for, so he's no fool either.
Better yet, I'd just save up and buy a low mileage one, because you will have spent the price of a low mileage one soon enough. I'd rate Jaguar maintenance costs equal or higher to a Mercedes, and in durability of the body/interior/hardware there is simply no comparison in the early 90s. Now it is closer however, but as the cliche goes "only time will tell" and so far, when the years roll by, the Benz has always come out on top.
I know, I know, you meet people who say they haven't had "much trouble" with their older Jaguar, but it never fails, I get in their "no trouble" car and find about 25 things wrong with it that they have blissfully ignored because they are in love.
This is not unlike the people who marry into your family now and then.
#47 of 54 guzzetta by im_brentwood
May 03, 2002 (9:40 am)
Well,That hasnt been my experience. You need to find a good, competent Jaguar tech to work on your car who's familiar with XJ40s. Remember, they share more in common, parts-wise, with a BMW 735i than they do with a 1987 XJ6 or an XJS.
I'd say $1,000 a year for repairs and maintinence should be fine assuming that the car doesnt have the problems I mentioned above. These are either great cars, OR, they can rund and drive nicely, and be hiding $1,000 in repairs. So look it over carefully.
Bill
#48 of 54 by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 03, 2002 (9:42 am)
Yes! Start with a GOOD ONE, that's the trick, and find a COMPETENT Jaguar mechanic, is trick #2.This is what I always encourage people to do "without exception" if they want a pleasant Jaguar experience. But too many people jump on high miles cars that aren't carefully and thoroughly inspected, or they fall into the hands of real monkeys who don't know a Jaguar from a Pontiac (despite their claims).
If your shop fixes Jaguars, Porsches and Buicks, watch out.
Also, stay away from the 12s, but that's another topic.
#49 of 54 by jrosasmc
May 03, 2002 (9:58 am)
Even in the mid- to late-80's, did Jags still use Lucas electrical systems and Smiths gauges? These things seem to have an alarmingly high failure rate.#50 of 54 Shifty by im_brentwood
May 03, 2002 (10:14 am)
Nah... if its clean... 3500 wholesale.. MAYBE 4K if it loks like a 97.Now, tomorrow we're delivering a 1990 VDP. Sold for $9,500. It has 48,000 REAL Miles on it and I would DARE you to find anything wrong with it. And you know how well I know these cars.
Door seals are new, Leather, wood, Mechanics, Paint, chrome.. perfect. Leak and rust free. New Pirellis. New AC system. The car is a total stunner. My Jag mechanic has been all over it and I spent $1,300 on the car with him (Damned compressor blew.. and the customer wanted new door seals. Didnt NEED em, but he wanted it perfect and who am I to blame him)
But, again, Miles and condition are paramount to value on these cars...
Bill
#51 of 54 by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 03, 2002 (10:26 am)
Now Bill don't you go DARE me to find things wrong with a car! That is one of the few things in life I am very good at--lol!Hey, you should buy my girlfriend's 1999 Lexus. It has 2,900 miles on it!
#52 of 54 XJ-12s by c43amg7
May 03, 2002 (2:38 pm)
I had a '95 XJ-12 Sedan (essentially a Van den Plas without the fluted grill and plinth, but with the V-12 and all options) -- great car and no trouble at all with the V-12. Tremendous torque and great for uphill passing -- faster than any S-class (including the S600 -- too heavy) and the 740s -- a 750 would be very close. Eevryone ought to have a V-12 at least once in their life (teaches the kids to spot cheap premium -- got 10.5 MPG city and 16 highway, which is not bad for two 3L V-6s, each getting 21 city and 32 highway!).Drove it from 10,000 miles to 50,000 miles but Jaguar didn't want to roll over the lease, so I let it go. Wife also had an '86 XJ6 at the same time -- the best of the Series III in terms of both styling and reliability -- also trouble free. Women love Jaguars.
Have now gone over to the dark side -- C43 AMG, 420SEL and a 190E Limited Edition (with factory Sportline). M-B repair costs similar to Jaguar and, of course different driving feel. Finding a good Jaguar independent once it's out of warranty is key -- I would myself avoid the XJ40s and go after '95 or take a late Series III -- '86 or '87.
#53 of 54 Shifty by im_brentwood
May 03, 2002 (9:19 pm)
Whoa...Just one question here.
You date a woman who drives the automotive sensory deprevation chamber?
Oh wait... tis for sale... Has she seen the light yet?
As far as the VDP.. I'm pretty conservative in my descriptions... it is that nice. Seriously. Even I am duly impressed. OK, so it has the odd parking ding. There
Bill
PS... I got a nice 93 164S 5-sp in... Tell yer GF we take trade-ins.. haha!
#54 of 54 by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 04, 2002 (6:38 am)
Well, Bill, I don't try to influence other people's choices if they don't ask me. I think Lexus are very nice cars, but god are they boring to drive. Maybe some of the new ones they are making now with 6-speeds and some guts might be better, I'll have to see. I find Jaguars pretty boring to drive, too, but they are pleasant and comfortable, so I understand their appeal. Even the XK8 I drove did nothing for me.But I don't expect jaguar to cater to my narrow definitions of "fun" in driving. They USED to do that many years ago, but now, to stay alive they have to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. I mean, unless you want to be as small as Morgan!
Now an Alfa 164, that is a fun car to drive, but not one I would recommend for most ladies. I do know a few who drive them, but winding up the engines and slamming the gears is not to most women's tastes. This is why you see so many women drivers in XJ6s, for the refinement.
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