Could we talk about the Jaguar XJS ?

Have we talk about the Jaguar XJS in the recent past? I still like the XJS lines but know next to nothing about them. How well do the hold up and when something drops out how expensive/hard are they to repair?

Thanks, Paul

From what I know, the cooling systems on the V12s are a bit finicky (along with the rest of the engine). The 6 cylinders are pretty solid.

The car definitely has some Jaguar-isms to it, but most aren't anything terrible as long as you take the time to learn the car. I can't remember if those have hydroboost brakes with the funky nitrogen accumulator like the XJ40s do. If they do, the hydroboost (and possibly the power steering, depending on year) require a special fluid, although it's not too hard to find.

I got a reasonable amount of seat time in a 1987.5 when it was fairly new - 1992 or so. It was a great GT car. Other than the ferocious fuel appetite.

At the time, I think it cost about $1k/month to keep in good shape.

The homies XJS

I actually like them better with the four round lights. I still remember the first one that I ever saw, parked in the VIP spot in front of the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City when I was about 13. That car stopped me in my tracks.

I want one, but to swap in an American V8/5-speed combo.

BMWGeoff wrote: I want one, but to swap in an American V8/5-speed combo.

I think they would be great car with a LS and a good 5 or 6 spd in them.

I regularly search Craigslist for jags under 2k.

Bad idea. Do not do it.

Robbie wrote: I regularly search Craigslist for jags under 2k. Bad idea. Do not do it.

oh good, I'm not the only one

Had a 1988 from around 1998 through 2003. It was my daily driver for most of those years. Actually ran pretty well, but I was always fiddling with something. Transmissions were pretty much bullet proof GM. The core of the V12 was solid if you kept it from overheating. And it was hard to keep it from overheating. It was all the stuff connected to it that was a problem. From the factory they had some sort of grease in the distributor that would lock it up and cause it to run hot. Once I fixed that, it only got hot when one of the 23 or 24 hoses decided to leak, like it did on my way to a friend's wedding. Rebuilding the rear brakes without a lift was a major pita. The inboard brakes meant you had to drop the rear end. The cam covers leaked horribly for awhile. It was a three day job to strip all the crap off the top of motor, replace the gaskets, and put it all back. Changing the spark plugs was an afternoon and required tools that reminded me of stuff I saw in a tray in a hospital that was to be used in a gynecological exam.

And then the engine fire. The injector hoses leaked and squirted gas into the valley where the spark from the distributor would ignite it. Had to get the hood repainted. Thankfully, I had a fire extinguisher in the garage or it would have burned to the ground.

Lotsa rubber and plastic bits under the hood perished because of the engine heat, as well, even before the fire.

It was a wonderful car to drive, though. Quiet and fast. The faster it went, the smoother it drove and the better it felt.

The later the car the fewer the problems. Rebuilding the 12 is not economically feasible, so a V8 transplant was a better choice. If I had to do it over, I might get one with the 6, but they are harder to find. But then, what other car could I ever had afforded to own that had a V12?

I couldn't find a buyer for mine when it was time to sell, so I ended up donating it the last year you could donate a car and still get any sort of a deduction.

I really miss that car, but I'm glad I don't own it any more, if you get my drift.

I always wanted one with a 6 and then add boost and a meggasquirt with MAP and EDIS.

all i know is they are gorgeous cars that are easy to drop a reliable GM v8 into, and thats all i really need to know

They seem completely pointless when converted to Chey power. IMO, the only reason to have one is for the V12.

Does anyone know if the XJ12 sedan has the same cooling issues? Given the choice between the two, I'd choose the sedan, but the XJSs are far more available.

I know at one time it held the record for the longest skid marks in history before it left the road. Something like a 1/4 mile long...I will see if I can find it later.

Not quite a quarter, but 958 feet

Why are jags so incredible and horrible at the same time? Kinda like a poor mans ferrari in that manner.

HappyAndy wrote: They seem completely pointless when converted to Chey power. IMO, the only reason to have one is for the V12. Does anyone know if the XJ12 sedan has the same cooling issues? Given the choice between the two, I'd choose the sedan, but the XJSs are far more available.

As far as I know, it does. But that would really be the only big thorn in the side of a V12 XJ40 (88-94 XJ6 / XJ12 sedan). The earlier sedans share most of the quirks with the XJ-S, while the XJ40s pretty much just have a few issues: the self-leveling rear suspension (can be deleted), brake boost accumulators eventually need replacement, HVAC controls fail occasionally and the digital dash can be finicky (88/89 only, so not applicable to the V12, which was 93/94 only). That's about all I can think of for issues with those. Oh, and XJ40s have more normal outboard brakes in the rear, so they're not a pain to work on like the earlier cars.

Searching XJS on Craigslist is an exercise is dreams meeting reality. Around here, all I get is Jeep XJs - but over in Denver, we have the Jaaaaaags.

I like this one. "XJS project car, $1900"

Was a nice running jag. Engine tranny all great along with body. Great parts will barter for bitcoins or antiques or pinball or boom boom guns or cash. Body Engine interior trunk in good condition.

So, uhh, what happened?

Also, at least two with Chevy engines - including one that runs and drives but isn't finished. Sounds like Challenge fodder to me.

Speaking of cheap Jags, I've noticed a couple of 2009 XF's for around $15k on craigslist. Whats the deal with those?

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5480832393.html http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/5504934712.html

wasn't the Vortec 4200 I6 just an updated Jag I6? (read de-Lucased and built with some consistancy.)

Happy Carmore wrote: wasn't the Vortec 4200 I6 just an updated Jag I6? (read de-Lucased and built with some consistancy.)

I don't think there's any relation. The Jag I6s are pretty solid engines though, both the earlier XK engine and the later AJ6 / AJ16 engines. The AJ16 also came in a factory supercharged form at one point

Happy Carmore wrote: wasn't the Vortec 4200 I6 just an updated Jag I6? (read de-Lucased and built with some consistancy.)

There was a certain gentlemen in here that was adamant that was the case. I don't think anyone was able to turn up any corroborating evidence.

I too am one that fell for the body style. Beautiful lines, IMO. Then found out about V12 maintenance and lost some of the attraction. I did get to spend a weekend with one. That V12 rumble is addicting. Wouldn't mind one with the Jag I6 and manual trans though.

Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote:

Happy Carmore wrote: wasn't the Vortec 4200 I6 just an updated Jag I6? (read de-Lucased and built with some consistancy.)

There was a certain gentlemen in here that was adamant that was the case. I don't think anyone was able to turn up any corroborating evidence.

A quick check of bore and stroke indicates this is not true. A google image search of the block design puts the final nails in that coffin. Other than being 4.2L inline sixes, they are otherwise not the same.

I think this will change your mind about a v8 in a jag.

https://youtu.be/OTAXykiqsGs

yupididit wrote: The homies XJS

That thing is pimp as berk. In British racing green I would rock the e36m3 outta that. I miss thin pillars.