The 6 Things I've Learned From Owning A 1980's Jaguar XJ6
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- In this video Andy talks about the 6 things that he's learned from owning a 1980's Jaguar XJ6! He breaks the video into two parts and talks about the 3 good things he's learned as well as the 3 bad things about his classic car.
He sheds some light on some of the negative aspects of Classic Jaguar ownership such as it's unreliability and its overall build quality, including the fact that it was built with both imperial and metric bolts!
Andy explains how this car makes you feel as well as how popular it is with other people. He also talks about what it's like to own and live with a on a day to day basis.
Andy also dives into the cars styling and how modern luxury cars will never match the level of luxury and beauty that classic cars have.
At the end of the video Andy gives an overall summary of Jag ownership and answers the question, Should you buy a classic British luxury car? All that and much more in this episode of Andy's Car Vlog, Enjoy!
Check Out The Luxury Car Interior Comparison Video Here:
• Old vs New Luxury Cars... - Авто та транспорт
I agree with some of what you said. If your coolant leaks, FIX THE LEAKS! You can’t blame a car for lazy maintenance. They do have electrical gremlins. It’s Lucas so I’ve had switches breaking and light issues but they’re generally easy to diagnose. They aren’t expensive to fix though, all parts are available and not too costly. They can be awkward to work on but mine has been bullet proof reliable. My mates BMW E39 has had valve trains, injectors, coil packs replaced while I give him a lift to parts stores in my Jag’ but you’re right about the feel. There’s nothing like them! That XK engine is a Le Mans and many other race winning legend!
100% man you can’t beat that classic Jag feeling! Glad yours has been reliable for you. I’m sad to say I sold Fred a little while ago 😢
I've owned a series 3 for 10yrs and its been very reliable. Keep it serviced and it shouldn't cost much to run.
To be fair all the issues I’ve had were due to lack of love from the previous owners
I agree - I've had mine (an '87) since 1998 as a daily driver. Yes it's a gas guzzler but beyond that it's been great. I think you just got a bad example, Andy
Very interesting video. I own two of these (a 79 and a 87) and if they are properly maintained they are very dependable. Your reasons for loving the car are spot on but complaining about it being unreliable is like marrying a woman that hasn’t brushed her teeth for 40 years and then complaining that she has bad teeth. Diagnosing electrical problems is a DIY job with a volt meter and 12v test light ($25 total), an electrical schematic chart (free), and a little patience.
You’re spot on, they’re awesome cars. Tbh I kinda knew what I was marrying when I bought it. A $6.5k Jag is cheap for a reason...😂
Come by and replace the rear rotors on my 1980 XJ6 if it is so easy.
A LOT of cars are very dependable if properly maintained lol this isn’t the case. It doesn’t make it a good car when you have to do extra work just to keep it from taking a shit
@@AJ-ew7krExtra is vague and subjective
Those issues you describe are maintainance issues, not reliability issues. I´ve had several eigtiees and ninetees Jaguars including ser3 as a daily drivers and propperly maintained and cared for those have all been top reliable.
Tbh that's probably most likely the case. The car hadn't been properly maintained before I bought it so that would explain a lot of the issues...
I have an 88 XJ6 Sovereign and i love that ol beast. Having issues with the clearcoat falling off it like wet toilet paper when it gets wet but other then that and a blower motor the things been bullet proof. Top gear said every gearhead must own a Jag.....and now that i do.... I totally get it lol.
for weeks i have been mulling over buying a series 2. After watching this video I'm feeling even more uncertain. No, seriously, i think i will buy it, if only for the way it makes you feel while driving it. thanks for the advice!
My 1969 Series-1 has 'analogue' SU carburettors and a simple coil ignition - no Lucas problems. Guzzles fuel but looks utterly beautiful and runs superbly - I adore it!
I have 84 jag xj12
Absolutely love it !!
Had it since 97 has 80 000 km and runs like a dream !
Wow that's awesome! There's just something about old jags that makes them feel so unique
XJ12 would be so beautiful 😍
I have put it on my channel if you care to see her !
Cool video, I had same high beam problem on my 87. Clean your in-line connections on the wires that feed headlights.I wire brushed them and put a thin coat of Vaseline and my high beams work correctly. The single wire inline connections are prone to fail . This is a common problem with lights on these cars. Also check your ground connections that bolt to the car as they also should be clean and tight. This is always a good start when shooting trouble on these jags or triumphs. Good luck and keep up your enthusiasm , it’s awesome!
Thanks Tom, appreciate the tips and glad you enjoyed the vid! 😄
I love my series 3. I must confess I have had the same issue with the headlights and the fog lights coming on. As far as I understand it the high beams “flasher” is supposed to work like that! And they only stay on in the last position. But in the previous position you should have dipped headlights. On mine they often fail to come on so i can choose between barely a candle light of position one, or blinding everybody. Haha.
Hahaha that's madness. Cool to see that you're also experiencing Jag's incredible electrical system 😂
Do you not push the stalk away from you for main beams to stay on?
I've had several of this model. One trick worth knowing is a workaround for a failed or failing starter relay. (silver one on the bulkhead just below the wipers). The car may act as if it has a flat battery, even with a fully charged one, and it may be tempting to assume it's the starter motor, however check the starter relay first. Take off the starter solenoid wire from the relay. It's the white one with the brown stripe on it, and you'll see it disappears towards the bottom of the engine on the offside. Touch this wire on the battery positive terminal and if all else is well, the engine should spin over nicely. Make sure it's not in gear because by bypassing the starter relay, the inhibitor switch won't work and stop the car running you over.
You appear to be filling the expansion tank with coolant. You should fill at the header. Also, as a precaution, replace the cap for the expansion tank for a new one with the same pressure release rating. The spring valve often jams and this increases the pressure in the system and it will find all the weak points. First sign is normally coolant being forced past the header cap (not valved), and the fan will throw it all over the engine bay.. This is a ten dollar fix.
Appreciate the tips James, I normally would fill from the header however this car requires coolant to be filled from the tank. A little odd i'm sure but that's what it says in the owners manual. The issues were mostly from aged pipes that had cracked but i've got it all sorted now. Thanks 😄
@@AndySprocket You are absolutely right. My mistake. I'm looking at my series 2 engine in my XJ coupe which has header and expansion. The only series 3 cars I've owned have been V12s. I still reckon it's worth replacing that cap, just to be on the safe side, and it's cheap. Good luck anyway. I love these cars.
By the mid 1980's car manufacturers knew very well that lead would be phased out of fuel. The US EPA had been pushing legislation since the 1970's. The USA was Jaguar's largest market at the time. A Series 3 XJ6 doesn't need leaded fuel and doesn't really need the lead replacement additive.
Buy a complete coolant hose replacement kit and replace all of them instead of trying to fix one leak at a time. Hoses deteriorate with age - happens to any car.
Most electrical problems are down to dirty and corroded connections especially ground points. Most can be fixed easily as a result.
Most of these issues were just minor but it was fun to make a video about them anyway!
Didn't know about the whole leaded fuel situation in the US, that's cool to know 😄
I have a series 2 XJ6 with a chevy engine replacement. Missing some of the charm of the original engine note, but far more reliable and cheap to maintain engine. The Series 2 are my favourite because they are a bit less ancient looking than the series 1, and they don't have the crappy black bumpers that the series 3 got.
You'll learn an awful lot owning a jag. Technically and psychologically. Have fun!
To that final point, I can say that between my modern Audi S5 and my nostalgic 1990s DC Integra, the driving experience and the way you drive them both is very different. It's not fun driving the S5 fast unless you're driving it at truly criminal speeds, but if you're driving along to the coffee shop maxing 50 MPH on city streets in the Integra you get that sensation of banging gears that you simply don't get.
Something about older cars is just more fun and I have to agree, although in the long run I still feel like if I had to sacrifice one between the two I would happily drive the Integra to the middle of a pentagram and summon the late Kiichiro Toyoda from the dead.
So true man, these new euro cars make speed feel effortless while in an older car you can really feel it!
BTW, i'll help you summon Kiichiro Toyoda 😄
@@AndySprocket dude that should be your next video LOL.
Love it bro
Thanks man! ❤️
I eventually got an XJ8 sport.
Still has dodgy electrics but other major problems don't appear to exist.
Maybe I"ve been lucky but it is always an incredible drive, even just popping to the shops.
I really like the look of those! Would love to own one someday 🔥
Jags are always an incredible drive, especially when you get a good one like yours that works 🙌
High beams are NOT supposed to work when in fog light mode. Love your Jaguar or at least get to know her maintain her she will love you for another 40 years
Amazing 🤩
Thank you! Cheers!
Great car!! Love these, had few when they were cheaper. Enjoy 👍
Well done for keeping a old classic jag on the road 👌
Thank you 😄 I wish there were more!
We owned a 1974 S2 SWB XJ6 for 30 years. S2 were supposed to be the most unreliable but ours never gave us any problems. We did regular maintenance & that paid dividends. We only recently sold it to buy a 20 year old XKR.
That seems to be the case with these old Jags, If you give them a little love they just keep on going!
XKR's are awesome too, would love to own one of those ❤️
'74 XJ6 for 30 years with never any problems? Bullshit.
Hello! Live in California and have been searching for a 1979 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 Liter engine "Radiator Cooling Fan" but haven't been able to find one. Any advise on how I can obtain a Radiator Cooling fan for a "79" Jaguar XJ6 with a 4.2 liter engine would be appreciated.
Get an X300 Series. The Electrics and Drive Train were sorted . I have a 97 Model. I almost got an 84 series 3. But Chickened Out. It was BR-GREEN 84 Model. But you get the Best of both worlds getting an X300 Series xj6 .
Those X300's look great, they're just a bit pricey for me at the moment ❤️🔥
When today's cars are thirty years old, they won't be running as they use parts and systems which will be massively expensive to replace.
The XJ6 was designed before metrication in the UK, but when the Series 3 was built metrication was taking over. It would have been prohibitively expensive to re-engineer the major mechanical parts, so they stayed Imperial.
Can you imagine when todays M3’s and AMG’s are 30 years old! They’ll be non running lumps of outdated computer junk 😂
I see the prob with head lights, it is supposed does lock when you pull it, it is supposed to toggle but ive seen alot of the toggle switches on there have those probs.
I am picking up a 1986 xj6 vanden plas. It has ariund 100k miles, and has been sitting in a a garage the last 3-4 years. It is a single owner, great maintenance, black exterior and cream interior. What should I expect from this car upon picking it up in this condition
Should find a manual with overdrive... absolutely amazing car to drive
I've bought 86 XJ6 almost a year ago. The guy died while restoring it. All parts were disassembled .A body paintwork was done . Finally engine started bu oil water leas everywhere!!! İnterior looks fine but not to my expectations or color . Should I try to sell as Spare parts? or keep restoring and sell as a whole classic?
Tbh old Jags aren't really worth anything as spare parts. Best bet is to fully restore it if you can because a complete Jag can actually fetch a bit of money 💸
Do you have any photo of your xj6?
They are also a very comfortable and they are known for whafting along in the UK !
Absolutely, there’s no denying that they’re the ultimate luxury cruiser!
Try old Moskvich 1500 also
I believe you will enjoy it
Those are awesome but I don't think we can get them over here in Aus 🇦🇺
is it still stock, or as most of these had been tempered with, does it suffer from the bad things due to the fact that people who had no clue what they were doing tried to 'fix it' in the past. I am kinda asking, as there is a guy in sweden, his channel is called 'living with a classic' and he daily drives his XJ6 mkII. but that guy is an absolute Jag witcher, he knows his way around these cars. in his vlogs he states that most of these cars are pretty reliable if serviced properly, and have not been butchered with along their 40yrs lifespan too much to the point of no return.
to be fair he rebuilt his dailies engine at some point, replaced all hoses and wiring. running it with a Lucas system and carbs. no major issues, drives it daily. BUT has a Saab 'just in case' ;)
all that said, I am grateful to you (and Adam/ living with a classic) for sharing your experience, as it makes me wanna buy a 'young' XJ6 which is my age :)
My grandad drives a s1 xj6 and has had it since basically new. New block in it (was supposed to be temporary) and the carbies are dodgy but otherwise a good all round car.
That's because the hi beams are on the floor behind the carpet it's a foot press switch just stomp about on the back of the floor by the drivers door and u will find it or pull the carpet up a bit and the back and u will find it its on the slope going up to back of dash 5 inches from the main floor
My mom had one, my dad had one, me had two jags. Jag looks like an ahlcolic sexy and gorgeous girlfriend 😂😂😂
Hahaha very true. That's awesome to hear, they're such beautiful cars 😄
Ah.. Lucas.. the Prince of Darkness... inventor of the three position switch, Dim, Flicker and Off
I actually just bought one for 800 but it needs the fuel system fixed so I'm running a fuel cell in the trunk but it reminds me of the one m grandmother had its a 87 where hers was a 85
I can't believe you found one for $800, Wow!
Keen to hear your plans for it 😄
You say you have owned the car for 2 weeks back when you did the video. How about a follow up video to see how you feel now.
Regarding the issues the only 1 I think is valid is the Lucas electronics but having said that your car is getting close to 40 years old. The other issues are probably from not being maintained properly. I'm considering a Jaguar atm and am torn between a Series 3 (Daimler) and a 420G.
I have a 85 but with an LS1 which i think is a perfect match 😁
Now that is a perfect combination 🔥
andy i am still waiting for triple f car collection review !!
I've got a lot of Vlog content planned for the moment, I might do it in the future but it'll be in a little while 😃
Looks fun🌚
I miss this car 🥲
I have to disagree with the unreliability issues. I owned 5 of the 4.2 straight 6 cyls including a 5 speed manual (2 extra gears and a clutch does make for a lot of fun) and a Daimler. they were all 12 or 15 years old and I used to drive them fairly hard. I had to do a 400 mile round trip about every 2 weeks and they all would sit at around 120 mph all day without any problems. AHHH the days before speed cameras were great) They do need looking after though. They are definitely an enthusiasts car and will repay you if you check everything often. If you drive them hard they will burn oil. If you plan on doing a 200 mile run at above 110 then carry some oil as it will need a pint if you want to come home at the same speed. I have to say that as an old biker I hate being stuck in traffic but when everyone else is in a traffic jam you are just sat in your Jag. Which is after all is said and done, the best place in the world.
dont disgrace such a beautiful car based on your experience with a poor conditioned car that you picked up. There are well maintained and fully working cars still around and they're a gem of an experience. Thy're not perect but we gotta love them for what they are..!!
I disagree with the three bad things except for the high fuel bill. Mind you, I always buy well serviced Jaguars. I have had an XJ6 S1 and currently own a S3. Never had an electrical problem or cooling problem. I think people buy badly maintained cheapies and expect no troubles.
Just bought a Jaguar xj6 but a 86 with a zz4 shortblock swapped into it
Now that's awesome! Is she fast? 🔥😄
At the time of the video he only owned it 2 weeks. The way he talks you would think he has owned it a while. I don't know if he really knows what he is talking about. He says he fixed the cooling system but I don't want to know what he thinks that means.
I owned various classics, mainly Chevrolets. Identical ”problems” if you call them problems.
Car design with true ( ie not ones with fins) aerodynamic efficiency in mind, as most are now, means body styles converge into one so from a hundred feet away a Porsche suv looks like one by Kia, Hyundai, Chevrolet, ford, Toyota, vw etc..How will anybody know how rich you are anymore?! :)
nice leather lovely good vid
I miss this car...
I think what you described about the gremlins with this old Jag is going to be common to any vehicle of this age and era. Electrical contacts and wiring increase in resistance over time which increases fire hazards in ANY old vehicle, especially from this era. The cooling system probably needs the thermostats replaced, the hoses and o-rings replaced and that radiator probably needs refurbished or replaced. Its an old car, its going to be unreliable. Unless you strip it back to its shell, re-place the wiring harnesses, overhall the engine, replace the rubber seals and replace any perishable item its going to break down or just generally be unreliable, welcome to classic car ownership 🤣.
You're too right! Classic car ownership is about constantly replacing broken parts and hoping your car is gonna work 😂
However, when it finally comes together, it's an awesome feeling 🔥
@@AndySprocket LOL well my 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with the 455 is STILL faster than my 1980 XJ6 and it only takes a couple wrenches and a screw driver and ALL of the repairs are easy and they don't have electrical problems ever so the ONLY people who say they are easy are Jaguar mechanics with a shop to do all the work.
I am glad you enjoy your Jag, However I can not agree with some of the things you said in your con comments, you do dot need premium fuel, she will run happily on 91. Yours is an early series 3 (1980) which I had one of ,it did have a few problems, however I now have a 86 series 3 and although they look the same just about everything is different but I think it is much improved. I can not agree that they are unreliable as I have had them since about 1980 and although have had some problems, I don't agree you can say they are completely unreliable. They are pretty easy to fix and parts for them are easy to obtain. At one time I had a WB Holden (which I loved ,) however after 7 years most parts were unavailable, I always thought you would get a part for a Holden at your local deli, but this was not the case, I even had contacts that worked at Holden's and the parts were not available.
Its very unfair to judge a 30 plus year old car on its consumable parts wearing out , If a fair appraisal of this model is to be done, it should be done with the car having all of its components in good serviceable order . I have wanted a series 3 since my last series 2 was sold in 1986 and have hankered after another as the Audis and the 7 series BMW's I have owned were somewhat lacking compared to the XJ and 3 months ago , I bought a 20k mile XJ12 1992 from Japan . Virtualy brand new in every detail no perished hoses or rubbers , no tired leather , just a car that even smelt new and it is a 1000 times better than anything the Germans produce . Some guy came to me yesterday with a VW Phaeton he wanted to exchange for it . I sat in the thing , saw all the digital gizmo's , noted what didnt work and had heart palpetations at loosing my beautiful Jaguar so told the owner not to bother me any more .
This video is just personal ownership experience, not professional in any way, I still love old jags! 😄
Where can I get a XJ6 (automatic) gearbox...
It's a straight 6, long wheel base (don't know if this is relevant)
Most of them were automatic, and they pop up every now and then on Gumtree, Carsales, and FB Marketplace.
Long wheel base i'm not too sure but it might depend on where you are in the world...😄
I've owned 4 xj now & currently have a low mileage x300 that only goes out on dry days in warm weather.yes they need good quality oil, plugs, fuel etc but they really aren't that unreliable.the 6 cylinder engines are bulletproof & understressed they just waft along.keep a Toyota or old merc for daily & the xj for Sunday best.bodywork is the biggest issue but if waxoyled & kept covered/off salted roads they will outlast any Tesla
wow .. eye opener ... a 40 year old car needs a new lightswitch and stalk or new lighting relay.... and it had cooant leaks that you have to fix. switched off at that point.
Thanks from Moscow man
Thanks for watching! Shout out to Russia 🇷🇺
Are you planning any mods for Fred?
Not currently, but if I see something cool then i'll probably end up doing it 😄
@@AndySprocket Ive got one of 1st XJ6 SWB..and the penultimate S2/SWB...NZ assembled...their in Wellington...and today Im aiming at a 1969-S1-SWB rolling shell...why the hell not...
It’s a proper Jaaaaag!
I see a hundred grand sports car and think: flash wa*ker.
I see a lovely old jag I think: proper chap.
Good man, couldn't agree more! There's something unique about a classic car 🧐
I have to do the mechanical work on one. I love the body style hate the rest of the car!!!
A good diagnostic will undoubtedly trace the unreliability to your naming him Fred.
As far as I know my 86 high beams push forward?
I think mine was just broken then 😂
Overheating can spell head gasket problems in the near future but having said that I once had a cheap series 2 xj that turned out to be one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Corrosion got it in the end but was without doubt the best jag I ever had despite legend being series 2's were the worst xj's made. Luck of the draw I suppose
It can be like that sometimes. I absolutely love this Jag, just a shame it's not the most reliable 😄
@@AndySprocket I've always loved them. I've had three series 1's (one a 2.8) a series 2 (3.4) and a very early series 3 ( '79 Daimler 4.2 in white). What has always amazed me about them is they were ahead of their time using old components that had been seen on previous jags for years. Would love another one but sadly they're just too expensive now for anything that won't be a bag of trouble. But good luck, I hope it gives you more pleasure than grief.
I’ve owned one, I loved it… I would never ever buy one again.
Hahaha that's so true, amazing cars but would never own again 😄
pretty sure if your car is destroying coolant, it's because it's getting into your combustion.
Best thing to do is set fire to it you can use cheap petrol then you will not have any problems.
Can someone tell me if it’s worth buying a 1990 xj6?
Never mind I think I’ve seen what I’ve needed to some from this vid
If you wanna' go fast, get a Porsche, if you wanna'a put on the dog and be a snob, get an S class Mercedes, if you want to get a pretty girl friend, get a Jag. That makes it all worth while. You forget one other good point--Jaguars make you sexy! Good luck, Christopher Charles on Facebook
Hahaha that's the greatest thing i've read all week! 😄
Very true though...
two weeks is not enough time, Fix everything, then get it serviced every 6 months
Is fred for sale
Fred has been sold unfortunately. Kind of miss him already 😥
You actually, don't deserve a true car...a ICON!
Ride a BMW M4 with exxxtra loud pipes, that's your world.
M4's are cool, but I prefer classic M cars though 🔥
A little awkward giving your car a male name and then talking about how beautiful he is.
When you're ready to sell that crappy unreliable Jag let me know
Unfortunately Fred has already been sold, was good fun though 😄
Lol mine has a small block chevy 350 5.7 in it
Change oil and coolant regulatory, and it will last forever
Bruh its a classic car what do you expect 😂 nice vid tho✌️
Thanks man! 😄 Don't worry I knew what I was in for, just like complaining about it 😂
Jaguar was not at their prime in the 80s. Get an XJ8. Some of their best work
I bet u are spending more money on the Jag than buying a new car (jk) 😂
Hahaha sometimes it seems like it! 😂
Hadda buy a complete socket set!!! OOOOOOH NOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doesn't put coolant in the car. complains about the coolant system going bad lol.
💕💕💕🌴
You wore out tires on it in two weeks? The electric sucks and you had some deferred maintenance. I kinda feel like you were taking smack for a min!.,
Did you have this impression of "youtuber" style of talking...or is it just me
It’s a 35 year old car… have you ever considered replacing the switches so the electrics work properly? Even a 35 year old Mercedes will have electrical issues. If you don’t like mixtures of imperial and metric fasteners don’t buy an American car. Actually you should probably just go buy a new Hyundai with a service plan 😉.
You are more silly than mummy bear
I learnt one thing DON'T BUY ONE EVEN A NEW ONE.
IS A WORLAS JANK YOU CAN'T .IN JOIT
Full beam, PUSH the indicator lever forward for full beam and PULL to return to dip beam and or flash other road users.
Quit moaning, if you don't like it go buy an old unreliable yanky car. Your gas (petrol here in the UK) is cheap, be glad you don't pay UK prices.
Just do proper maintenance.
Welcome to automotive lol. Most cars have many different sized nut and bolts
complete joke; maintain and fix your car dude. you can't expect a 40 year old car to be reliable without significant initial expenditure
after 7 years working on 74 Jaguar S2 SWB ive come to the conclusion Jaguars are really a piece sh*t, electrical look like they were done by a house electrician & Reinstalling the internal trim only reinforces my opinion they are a piece of sh*t
so to show how rich you are. dont get a new german car, get a jaaaaaaaaag
For the car older than you and not knowing how to fix and maintain the vehicle pls stop making videos
You know nothing about these cars
For gods sake stop moaning!
Sooo getting one for daily is a no🥲