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Jaguar XJ-Series

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#1 of 2773 Advice sought on buying a JAG by christchurch Feb 20, 2001 (10:54 pm)
I am considering buying an XJ series Jag - say from 1995 to 1998. (1) What advice can you give me ? XJ6 or XJ8 ? Models to avoid ? What mileage range would be advisable ? (2) What about the "unreliablility" of Jags - true or false for these model years ? (3) What extended warrenty is best among those available ? (4) Any other advice to someone "new to Jag" ?   Thanks! CC Replies to this message: jagernut (Oct 12, 2009 2:19 pm)
#2 of 2773 I can answer some, but not all by rea98d Feb 21, 2001 (5:17 pm)
XJ6 or XJ8? My personal preference is V-8's on any car, but the I-6 is a good engine, and is favored by many because it's the last "true Jaguar" engine. If it doesn't bother you that your Jag engine has the same block as a Ford Taurus, go with the V-8. Also, the V-8 models will be slightly newer than the I-6's, which is always a plus. OTOH, the I-6's can be had slightly cheaper than a V-8. decisions, decisions, decisions.   "Unreliability of Jags?" Corrected in the early 90's by Ford. No need to worry on newer cars.   "Extended warranty" Sorry, no idea in this dept.   Any other advice for new Jag owner? Yup. www.jag-lovers.org Will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about these cars. Just be sure you look under the "Modern" section and not the "XJ" section, because the "XJ" only covers cars made in 1987 and earlier.
#3 of 2773 re: Jag by arcoates Feb 21, 2001 (6:51 pm)
In case you didn't see my post in the high end luxury catagory, or missed it because ljflx has decided to prove me wrong, here is what I said:   Personally, I would opt for the XJ6. There wasn't a huge improvement switching from the I6 to the V8. To compare, the I6 had 245 bhp, and 289 ft.lb. of torque. The V8 has 290 bhp, and 290 ft.lb. of torque. So, in day to day driving, where torque is more important, they are equal.   The body styles are nearly identical, the XJ6's will be cheaper, interiors almost the same (I prefer the XJ6 interior design to the XJ8 actually). The XJ8's will come with more standard equipment, but any Jag buyer would load it to the gills anyway.   We got our XJ6 used, as you will, and it had the "Select Jaguar Warranty" I think it's called. It's whatever Jaguar gives to it's used cars, that's the name. And it pretty much covers everything.   I would say go for a 1996-97 XJ6. It's always better not to buy the first year of a car. I would also say to go for the Vanden Plas, as the rear-seat room in the standard wheelbase is pitiful.   As for the reliability problems, Ford had owned Jaguar for a number of years when these models came out, and they worked out most of the bugs.   They are great cars to buy used. The mileage isn't really an issue, since the engines are engineered to high standards. I'd say somewhere in the 60,000m range.   I think you will be happy with either an XJ6 or an XJ8, but I would advise to go for the XJ6. Better fuel economy, and not much of a difference from the V8. Good luck.   A.R.
#4 of 2773 along same line by hersbird Feb 21, 2001 (8:00 pm)
what about the XJR before they switched to a V-8 (I think starting in 1998) Are these supercharged I-6's reliabile? Does the drive train hold up to the torque? I see pretty fair prices on 96 and 97 XJR's on autotrader.com. Finally are any of these Rear drive jags good in the snow? I don't know why I worry about such things. I'm just spoiled with the AWD cars we have now. In high school I had a 71 Plymouth with semi-bald 50 series tires which got me through Montana winters. Then again it never really mattered if I got where I was going!
#5 of 2773 to rea98d Jaguars by jarmstrong2 Feb 21, 2001 (8:10 pm)
I have tried several times to pull up www.jag-lovers.org wit no success. Could you check for the correct address.
#6 of 2773 by etharmon Feb 21, 2001 (8:42 pm)
I've always liked the styling of the 95 to present XJ sedans and the previous version(88?-94) were pretty sharp too. One thing, I don't like what they did to the instrument panel on the 98s. I know it mimics the XK8, but it just doesn't look as nice in a large sedan like the earlier ones did. The idea of a classy looking Jag with a V8(even if it is Ford based) is tempting though. BTW, from 95-97 Ford owned Jaguar used Cadillac transmissions(4L80E). I think they have switched to ZF 5 speed units on later models.
#7 of 2773 XJ6 Jaguars by netranger4 Feb 21, 2001 (9:10 pm)
Be ye not afraid of the 6cyl Jaguar. That engine powered my 1975 XJ6L over 160K miles without a falter. After touring the assembly plant in England in 1989 (they were building the XJ40 series) and seeing the personal pride their craftspeople took in the product it was gratifying to own one. The XJ6 engine not only powered cars but military tanks and reconnaisance aircraft...one tough engine. Just make sure that whatever you purchase have it gone over by a reputable Jaguar shop..it's worth the expense.
#8 of 2773 by rea98d Feb 22, 2001 (10:09 am)
Okay, I have jag-lovers website up, and I'm copying & pasting thw url exactly as it appears in the address bar. http://www.jag-lovers.org/ Hope this helps.
#9 of 2773 by arcoates Feb 22, 2001 (12:00 pm)
I agree that the instrument panel in the 1995-1997 Jaguar XJ's is much nicer. The new one, is set in 3 different wooden holes. I prefer just a simple, common area for all of the car functions to be displayed in.   I think that an XJR with the I6 would be a great car. I don't know too much about them, but if I were going to buy a regular wheelbase Jaguar again, I think I would go for an XJR, because otherwise there is no advantage on a standard Jag over a VDP.   As for winters, as long as you get a car equipped with traction control and/or limited slip differential, it should be as good as any other RWD car.~ A.R.
#10 of 2773 by shehzad Feb 22, 2001 (4:06 pm)
Like Arcoates, I also posted in the High end luxury forum w/ A8/XJ8 etc (#644)forum about my XJ8. I suppose much of the stuff ie which engine is better or is the dashboard nicer etc is very subjective. It really depends on what you want and what you prefer. I do have one thing to add though, about the XJ's ability in the snow. I live in Northern VA, where, if it snows about 1/2 inch, everything closes down-if it snows 3 inches, we're closed for a couple of days. That said, there is no doubt that we (myself included) are not the best drivers inthe snow. During any snowstorm, the Jag stays in the garage. Although mine has traction control as well, the car, in addition to being rear wheel drive is very heavy in the back, and the rear has an acute tendency to slip. Usually, the traction control get's to the wheels b/f they slip, but for me, it's a very uncomfortable feeling, and I usually take one of my other cars. Now, this could be attributed to my unease in driving in the snow or to the car itself, but most of my other colleagues that have jags don't end up bringing their jags to work in the snow either.

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