Forget the rust, the peeling veneers and the occasionally optimistic asking prices – the XJS’s biggest problem is, surely, its successor: the better-made, better-to-drive and better-value XK8.
To resolve the debate, let’s consider the view of one XJS owner: “The XJS is like little else on the road. When you are sitting in the car, you feel like you are driving a Rolls or a Bentley. Its low, wide stance oozes sportiness, class and style. Damn, I love my XJS.”
Problem solved: the XJS it is. More specifically, in terms of this guide, the facelifted coupeà and convertible produced from 1991 to 1996, the latter being the year the model’s 21-year reign came to an end. Of course, beginning in 1991 is to ignore 16 years of XJS production, because the model was launched in 1975. The first 2+2 coupeà was powered by a 5.3-litre V12 driving the rear wheels through a manual or automatic gearbox. In 1981, the engine became the 5.3 HE, featuring combustion chambers that swirled the fuel around before ignition for greater efficiency.
And then, in 1983, the seeds of the next-generation XJS were sown with the introduction of the 3.6-litre AJ6 straight-six engine mated to a manual gearbox (an automatic followed in 1987). Also in 1983, the XJ-SC cabriolet was launched, to be replaced by the convertible in 1988.
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Today, late-1980s 3.6s and 5.3s rub shoulders with post-1991 cars, the most expensive commanding prices well into five figures. Buy one if you must but, really, your money is better lavished on a cherished, post-1991 facelifted XJS and, in particular, a 4.0 Celebration convertible.
Post-1991 XJSs are desirable, not least because they use galvanised steel body parts. However, only the major body parts that rusted to dust on the old model, such as the wings, sills and floorpan, were galvanised.
At the same time, Jaguar simplified the body’s construction, so reducing the opportunity for corrosion to break out. All that said, even with these better-protected cars, you should still check for corrosion in the cabin and boot floors, the bottoms of the wheel arches and the suspension mounts.
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Notícias do carro e todos os
Notícias do carro e todos os itens dispensados foram marcados para os indivíduos. O volume do site para preço tcc pronto para os produtos comprovados. A parte é doe para os itens medidos para os humanos.
Probably my favourite ever Jaguar bodyshape
My uncle had one many years ago and the view down the bonnet from the driver's seat is magnificent.
Jag killed off this car just as they finallygot the looks right
and did exactly the same with the XK. why do they kill the beauties?