XJ12 - Am I Insane

[bobthemonkey]

Can you buy a decent-ish condition XJ12 (S1 or S2) for under £3000. Its for high days and holidays, although if a realy nice example comes along this could be increased.

I'm more worried about mechanical reliability than anything else, also whats classic insurance like on these, and is there anything to watch out for when looking. I'd rather go for the manual, although I could put up with the GM auto box.

Thanks

[prof beard]

S1 and S1 XJs are very rust prone - S3's a bit better - IMHO a late S3 XJ12 would be the way to go. (Mind you you can get excellent late V12 XJ40s too, but they are not to everyones taste - personally I like them).

The 12 cyclinder engine is pretty bulletproof if it has been cared for - overheating them or burst hoses is the main cause of problems - check for signs of both (and for signs of general neglect!)

[deadslow]

Can definitely be done. Check this car: www.jagads.co.uk/1024.html?

Don't know the car personally, but Gibbon and Wilson are the top independent Jag guys in Glasgow/Central Scotland. Worth a call, I reckon.

[GavinPearson]

I agree with Prof Beard.

I would recommend that you test drive a number of cars - a couple from each series and then an XJ40 V12.

Early cars have had 30+ years of use that will have degraded the bodywork and suspension bushings, by the time XJ40 V12 had come along (93) Jags had improved immeasurably.

[bobthemonkey]

Thanks for the advice, but it looks like I won't be buying anything just yet.

[Wacky Racer]

Can't really see why you would want to go down the V12 route.., the fuel bills will be horrendous, with speed cameras everywhere these days you can't really use the performance, and if anything serious did go wrong with the engine repair bills could be crippling.....

All imho...

[groomi]

Wacky Racer said:

Can't really see why you would want to go down the V12 route.., the fuel bills will be horrendous, with speed cameras everywhere these days you can't really use the performance, and if anything serious did go wrong with the engine repair bills could be crippling.....

All imho...

One word... smoooooooooooth

I may go the V12 route soon, but I'm looking at lasr of the line XJ40/X300s, so the 6.0 litre incarnation. My view is that by then the engine had been in production for 40 years, the drivetrain for similare and the body/interior for 10. Should be pretty reliable.

Oh, and I can't imagine a V12 being noticeably thirstier than a supercharged V8.

[dogball]

Oh it is, it really is. but its worth every penny.. I have both, both abfab both very different cats. Took my Arden SIII V12 down to St Moritz last summer, fuel bill would have paid to fly it there by Chinook.But my god it was great..

[deadslow]

Could not agree more. Sold 6.0L XJS last year and now looking for another. The V12 is addictive. So smooth and willing. Unique experience in my opinion.