My XJS - Still Loving it
Discussion
I bought my '95 XJS (4.0 AJ16) in 2007 and love it more every time I drive it. The prices remain low on these, mainly due to ignorance I believe. The car had some dodgy years quality-wise (more than less tbh). Due to that reputation, prices have been long anemic.
The looks have always impressed and have gotten better with time IMO. That said, the prices are beginning to creep up. The 1992-96 models, known as face lift models, are a world better in quality. The 95-96 models (final year) saw an upgrade from the great AJ6 to the even better AJ16. Most car enthusiasts fail to realize this I believe. Other than minor maintenance, I have had no trouble from my XJS.
Maybe someone on here had a direct or indirect hand in its design/manufacturing; if so, I offer my thanks.
Please excuse my random banter, I just like this car more than my others and want to crow about it now and again.
The looks have always impressed and have gotten better with time IMO. That said, the prices are beginning to creep up. The 1992-96 models, known as face lift models, are a world better in quality. The 95-96 models (final year) saw an upgrade from the great AJ6 to the even better AJ16. Most car enthusiasts fail to realize this I believe. Other than minor maintenance, I have had no trouble from my XJS.
Maybe someone on here had a direct or indirect hand in its design/manufacturing; if so, I offer my thanks.
Please excuse my random banter, I just like this car more than my others and want to crow about it now and again.
downsman said:
I'm glad you're still enjoying it. I like to see them on the road, and as you say, the styling has improved with age. In fact, I now think the XJS looks a lot better than the late E Types!
I tend to agree on the looks part; however, saying such unholy things might get us locked up.Lovely things, glad to hear yours is still giving you 'the joy'. A mate of mine worked at the Jag from '86 to '92, one of his regular jobs was fitting the dash into XJSs, if you ever strip yours down you might find a rude word or two daubed thereabouts, or perhaps some 'anatomical drawings' for your considered perusal...!
P5BNij said:
Lovely things, glad to hear yours is still giving you 'the joy'. A mate of mine worked at the Jag from '86 to '92, one of his regular jobs was fitting the dash into XJSs, if you ever strip yours down you might find a rude word or two daubed thereabouts, or perhaps some 'anatomical drawings' for your considered perusal...!
Ha! I hope to never have the need to find out. Was he just michevious or was he sticking one to the "rich people"?
Very envious of you.
When I was looking for a classic earlier this year, I seriously considered an XJS but was unaware just what big cars they are for a 2+2 Coupe. I'd measured that one would just fit into my modern garage with a couple of inches to spare lengthwise but what killed it was that because the doors are so long, I'd not be able to get in or out!
So come on, show us some photos of your p+j.
When I was looking for a classic earlier this year, I seriously considered an XJS but was unaware just what big cars they are for a 2+2 Coupe. I'd measured that one would just fit into my modern garage with a couple of inches to spare lengthwise but what killed it was that because the doors are so long, I'd not be able to get in or out!
So come on, show us some photos of your p+j.
Jimbeaux said:
P5BNij said:
Lovely things, glad to hear yours is still giving you 'the joy'. A mate of mine worked at the Jag from '86 to '92, one of his regular jobs was fitting the dash into XJSs, if you ever strip yours down you might find a rude word or two daubed thereabouts, or perhaps some 'anatomical drawings' for your considered perusal...!
Ha! I hope to never have the need to find out. Was he just michevious or was he sticking one to the "rich people"?
P5BNij said:
Jimbeaux said:
P5BNij said:
Lovely things, glad to hear yours is still giving you 'the joy'. A mate of mine worked at the Jag from '86 to '92, one of his regular jobs was fitting the dash into XJSs, if you ever strip yours down you might find a rude word or two daubed thereabouts, or perhaps some 'anatomical drawings' for your considered perusal...!
Ha! I hope to never have the need to find out. Was he just michevious or was he sticking one to the "rich people"?
P5BNij said:
It was down to boredom mostly, he told me they got up to all sorts, especially on Friday afternoons. They used to take various small items from the parts bins and play footie with them, not caring one bit if said items happpened to make contact with the cars on the line!
Yeah that went from harmless bit of fun to full blown prick.Had a couple of disappointing drives around 10 yrs ago. Notably a v12 convertible, very windy above 55 and drove like a rudderless boat. As with all cars, maybe it's best to check set up before judging too harshly.
Anyway, last year I had a 4.0 Celebration ('93 I think). Lovely. Had me looking at the classifieds! A fine riding, confident steering GT. A proper Jag.
Anyway, last year I had a 4.0 Celebration ('93 I think). Lovely. Had me looking at the classifieds! A fine riding, confident steering GT. A proper Jag.
CABC said:
Had a couple of disappointing drives around 10 yrs ago. Notably a v12 convertible, very windy above 55 and drove like a rudderless boat. As with all cars, maybe it's best to check set up before judging too harshly.
Anyway, last year I had a 4.0 Celebration ('93 I think). Lovely. Had me looking at the classifieds! A fine riding, confident steering GT. A proper Jag.
That was one of the "good years" for the XJS. A Celebration 4.0 no less, rarer still.Anyway, last year I had a 4.0 Celebration ('93 I think). Lovely. Had me looking at the classifieds! A fine riding, confident steering GT. A proper Jag.
I had several XJ-Ss back in the day and in the early cars, quality was NOT a word you'd use to describe them! I had a 1980 pre H.E in white (one of the few colours the new paint plant could do) and it rusted before my very eyes: seams between sills and rear wings, bootlid, and the paint crazed like mad on the inside of the flying buttresses. To drive it was a most pleasant thing and could lift its skirts and run with the best, but it didn't handle at all and a sports car it certainly wasn't.
Had an '84 H.E. after that and it was much better made and in a lovely sage green with doeskin hide and looked lovely but it was the most unreliable car I have ever known - everything went wrong with it from misfires, aircon, rear brakes, alternator, starter motor, various belts and sundry electrical problems which absolutely infuriated me. The final straw was a recall for faulty cruise control which would take 3 hours to fix... it was in the main dealers for 3 days and the cruise never worked again! So 9 months old it went back for a refund (which took some getting out of them!).
I always said I would never have another but always did and finally had a facelifted straight 6 manual with the 'sport pac' in gunmetal and that was actually, a really nice car and was finally a decent thing to drive and much better on fuel, handled well, and went better than my H.E that proceeded it. I liked that car lots but it spoiled me for the 6 litre thing I had later with TWR bits that was back to being plain awful.
As said above, I think they now look great (especially the later cars) and definitely better than the V12 E types. They have grown into their looks and seem modern and fresh now when 15 years ago they looked old and tired.
Perceptions change... Enjoy.
Had an '84 H.E. after that and it was much better made and in a lovely sage green with doeskin hide and looked lovely but it was the most unreliable car I have ever known - everything went wrong with it from misfires, aircon, rear brakes, alternator, starter motor, various belts and sundry electrical problems which absolutely infuriated me. The final straw was a recall for faulty cruise control which would take 3 hours to fix... it was in the main dealers for 3 days and the cruise never worked again! So 9 months old it went back for a refund (which took some getting out of them!).
I always said I would never have another but always did and finally had a facelifted straight 6 manual with the 'sport pac' in gunmetal and that was actually, a really nice car and was finally a decent thing to drive and much better on fuel, handled well, and went better than my H.E that proceeded it. I liked that car lots but it spoiled me for the 6 litre thing I had later with TWR bits that was back to being plain awful.
As said above, I think they now look great (especially the later cars) and definitely better than the V12 E types. They have grown into their looks and seem modern and fresh now when 15 years ago they looked old and tired.
Perceptions change... Enjoy.
Xtriple129 said:
I had several XJ-Ss back in the day and in the early cars, quality was NOT a word you'd use to describe them! I had a 1980 pre H.E in white (one of the few colours the new paint plant could do) and it rusted before my very eyes: seams between sills and rear wings, bootlid, and the paint crazed like mad on the inside of the flying buttresses. To drive it was a most pleasant thing and could lift its skirts and run with the best, but it didn't handle at all and a sports car it certainly wasn't.
Had an '84 H.E. after that and it was much better made and in a lovely sage green with doeskin hide and looked lovely but it was the most unreliable car I have ever known - everything went wrong with it from misfires, aircon, rear brakes, alternator, starter motor, various belts and sundry electrical problems which absolutely infuriated me. The final straw was a recall for faulty cruise control which would take 3 hours to fix... it was in the main dealers for 3 days and the cruise never worked again! So 9 months old it went back for a refund (which took some getting out of them!).
I always said I would never have another but always did and finally had a facelifted straight 6 manual with the 'sport pac' in gunmetal and that was actually, a really nice car and was finally a decent thing to drive and much better on fuel, handled well, and went better than my H.E that proceeded it. I liked that car lots but it spoiled me for the 6 litre thing I had later with TWR bits that was back to being plain awful.
As said above, I think they now look great (especially the later cars) and definitely better than the V12 E types. They have grown into their looks and seem modern and fresh now when 15 years ago they looked old and tired.
Perceptions change... Enjoy.
I must admit that when I purchased my '95, I was unaware of how quality was night and day from the earlier models to the latter ones. I lucked up in that regard. I am happy to say there is zero rust on this 22 year old. I do enjoy the "sport" switch feature. It works well at holding low gear just right for a pick-up-and-go. Had an '84 H.E. after that and it was much better made and in a lovely sage green with doeskin hide and looked lovely but it was the most unreliable car I have ever known - everything went wrong with it from misfires, aircon, rear brakes, alternator, starter motor, various belts and sundry electrical problems which absolutely infuriated me. The final straw was a recall for faulty cruise control which would take 3 hours to fix... it was in the main dealers for 3 days and the cruise never worked again! So 9 months old it went back for a refund (which took some getting out of them!).
I always said I would never have another but always did and finally had a facelifted straight 6 manual with the 'sport pac' in gunmetal and that was actually, a really nice car and was finally a decent thing to drive and much better on fuel, handled well, and went better than my H.E that proceeded it. I liked that car lots but it spoiled me for the 6 litre thing I had later with TWR bits that was back to being plain awful.
As said above, I think they now look great (especially the later cars) and definitely better than the V12 E types. They have grown into their looks and seem modern and fresh now when 15 years ago they looked old and tired.
Perceptions change... Enjoy.
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