Buying A 1985 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 For The Second Time | Classic Car Dream Or Nostalgic Nightmare?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Have you ever been tempted to buy back a classic car you've previously sold? Seller's remorse is a common problem amongst classic car enthusiasts - myself included, which is why I've bought my 1985 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 for the second time.
I first bought this Classic Jag in 2012 as a naive University student without the bank balance to look after it properly. Keeping this 4.2 litre, 1980s saloon in tip-top condition took some serious upkeep back then but I kept the car for years. Finally, I took the 'sensible' decision to sell it back in 2020 and regretted it almost immediately. When given the opportunity about 3 months ago to buy my exact car back, I simply couldn't say no.
Join me in this latest video for a look around my latest classic car purchase as I talk you through some of my favourite features, my sentimental attachment to this car, and discuss why I don't regret buying it and the plans for its future.
I'd love to hear your classic car stories too (good and bad), so please do comment below.
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/s...
License code: ISMHDLNH91XVAAGW
I have owned my Mark 2 Jaguar three times! I bought it as a 2.4 daily driver in 1986, sold it before I got married, (about two years later), then bought it back from the same chap I had sold it to seventeen years after that. After eight more years, I sold it to buy a "bucket list" car. I regretted parting with it straight away, and it took me nearly two years to get it back, at great cost. That was over ten years ago. It is now running better than ever. It is "speced-up" to near 3.8 Coombs standards and goes like a train. One day my son will have it.
The most undervalued, under appreciated, most beautiful car of all time.
They're lovely old things!
I love the Series 3 XJ, especially with the pepperpot alloys.
Pepperpots definitely suit them well :)
To me this is one of the best colour combos and with pepperpots -magnificent
Thank you
I had the same situation with my Dad. I was into classic Japanese bikes at the time. He always used to go on about an old BSA Bluestar from 1932 that he had owned. I managed to find one needing a bit of work and trailered it to his house as I knew time was short. He was amazed, and as I rebuilt it I would tell him what I had done that day, it gave us something to talk about in those difficult times. He did live to see it run and now I ride it with fond memories of him- you will get the same happy feeling I am sure. Beautiful car by the way.
What a lovely think you were able to do. It goes to show just how a car/motorbike or anything mechanical can hold the most precious of memories.
Pleasant cars to drive, I own 83 4.2 for 15 years now. It helps the family budget if you can do some of the maintenance and work yourself. Always replace all fuel hoses, there are so many in odd places. Coolant hoses are next. Watch out for rusted tanks, if they leak, the leak is above the exhaust. I could go on and on... But I still love the car 😊😊
Absolutely! I think you have to be a fairly 'hands on' or at least keen to try doing work yourself when it comes to these.
Lovely story, priceless memories, no better reason for buying it back. Enjoy your Jag.
Thank you very much! Certainly planning on doing more with it this time round.
There is nothing wrong with buying back a classic that holds memories, after all thats why most of us own them in the first place. As someone who has been in the motor trade for well over 40 years working on and buying/selling classics, I have been lucky to own many Jaguars. I have at present three Jaguars, one of those I have owned three times ! One thing with classics and this certainly applies to Jaguar/Daimler, use them Jaguars don't like standing ! Preventative maintenance, good servicing and a when parked up attach a good battery conditioner. If you follow these simply rules you will find your Jaguar/Daimler will treat you well. Great colour combo, is it Sage or Moorland cant quite tell on the video.
Absolutely! The best thing you can do with any classic car is regularly use them - something I was guilty of not doing during my first round of owning it. It's Sage Green and does look lovely when all polished up. Thank you for watching.
Such a beautiful machine.. timeless.
I love your story, I've just brought an 1998 xjr,my grandad use to take me out in his jags years ago and I've always had it in me,love to drive the old cars
I had a 1995 Ford Thunderbird when I was in college. Back then it was just a 5 year old used car I got for cheap because it had 135,000 miles on it, which I though was ridiculously high.
It turned out to be a great little car. I had it for five years and put another 100,000 miles on it. It was starting to show its age, so I ended up selling it cheap.
And I missed her ever since.
About ten years ago, in a fit of nostalgia, I was missing my little Thunderchicken, and decided to buy another one. This time, I found a 1997 in Louisiana for basically peanuts. Paint was faded, seats were torn, but it ran fine and moved under its own power. In the year I had that car, I rebuilt the brakes, replaced the alternator and the fuel pump (the fuel pump was a bear of a job) and fixed a whole host of minor issues with that car. It still looked like a beater, but I finally had it running good.
And then I crashed it driving like an idiot.
Okay, to be fair, that car was a worn out clunker when I bought it. I do not miss Thunderbird #2. But I still miss Thunderbird #1 sometimes, and I've been tempted to go track down another one to buy. Haven't yet.
But what made me click on this video to start with is the series III XJ6. I've owned several Jaguars over the years (my current every day car is a 2009 XJ8), but never a Series III, which is a car I always wanted. My next car might just be a series III instead of another Thunderchicken.
I owned a Jaguar Series 3 1986 model, I bought it in 1995 and sold it in 2004 and have regretted it ever since. It is by far the best XJ I have every driven, smooth, quiet, powerful, trouble is good ones nowadays are rocketing up in price.
Absolutely! They really are a wonderful car to drive but finding a really good one these days is becoming increasingly difficult. Thank you for watching.
You have my condolences. I'v been heart broken in the same way. I would love to be reunited with my dutches.
Yep, I bought a Saab 900 when I was 21! Loved it, never missed a beat in the 2 years I had it, sold it to my uncle who had it for a year then when he sold it on, i lost track of it for 3 or 4 years, then I saw it on eBay one night and bid! Paying more for it than I did the first time round 🤣 I then sold it on a year later, still running as well as ever.
It will always hold a special place in my heart, as when I went to collect it the first time round the dealer told me that a casting agency wanted to use it in a film, so asked if he could pass on their details, I agreed and a few weeks later was an extra driving my ‘new’ Saab in the Gurinder Chadha film Blinded By The Light, I will always love that car.
A lovely story and great that you managed to buy it back and experience the car for a second time.
For me a Series 3 is a fabulous looking car. I love the rear lights and interior. Great you bought it back and I fully appreciate how you feel Matt.
Thank you so much! I agree - think they may even be getting better with age. Hoping to feature it more on the channel as soon as the weather improves.
I have one exactly the same, 84.....sage green doeskin inside👍
The colour suits them so well doesn't it! Hope you continue to enjoy yours.
I had a series 2 which rattled its timing chain then dropped a piston. Took 10 more years then got a series 3 v12he and loved it to bits. Sold that when rust around front and rear windows kept coming back (I blamed the repairer, they blamed shitty design). Then got a super high Milage but tidy HE again and it was fantastic. Blew a water hose and overheated something orrible but new hose and it went like nothing had ever happened. Sold that 5 years later for a Ro80 (still have it, and a therapist) and still see it around and damn it turns my head
Nice video - thank you! And congrats to buy it back - good memories need to be conserved well 😊 I have owned a 5,3 Ltr Series III model from 92 myself which I have sold 10 years ago. After buying it fairly cheap in 2008 I went through the same unlucky phase and had to get fixed a whole lot of things like rear breaks, springs etc. Completely agree that this is one of the most iconic designs in car history. I actually wanted to keep it lifelong as I have never gone through such a relaxed driving experience with another car. Looking forward to see lots of nice ride videos through nice landscape - take care & best regards!
Thank you for watching and for sharing your Series 3 ownership story :). There’s nothing quite like them!
I’ve been there too with replacing the rear brakes and springs on this one - it’s a pretty involved job and one I don’t want to do again for a very long time!
Lovely cars, I have had a soft spot for these since watching Minder as a cub and see Arfur Daley balling around in his. It’s nice to have been able to make some memories with it, I got my love of cars and motor racing from my dad. I’m very lucky to still have him and get our days out at shows and race meets
Funnily enough I was only watching an episode of Minder yesterday!
Iam just about to buy one.Was in two minds then watched this.Stunning cars
I highly recommend one!
In 1988 I bought a new BMW 325 convertible. I was in my early 20s. My friends and I went all over in this car. Held so many memories for me. After 5+ years I traded it for a new BMW. I always missed that e30. In 2016 I owned a country house and wanted an old convertible to drive around wine country. I sought out and found a perfect 1988 convertible! I LOVE this car and each time I drive it, it takes me back to my early 20s and those friends and good times. It is the ultimate driving machine, tanning machine and time machine!
Absolutely love that! You have summed up exactly what classic car ownership can be about and why they are so often much more than something to get you from A to B. Enjoy your E30 :)
Would love to see it next to my 1996 x300
I've just returned by 1983 Daimler 4.2 Auto XJ6(3) to the road with new front and rear suspension and brakes. It drives superbly and is my favourite drive. Only 55K from new and solid, although usual corrosion around front and rear windows.
Wonderful! There's nothing quite like them.
What a beautiful car the Mk111 is. As a family we also had several Jaguars over the years. I distinctly remember that my Aunt had one of the last Mk3 s ever produced in white and it was also a 4.2. I remember that I was lucky enough to have her car for a whole weekend to myself whilst she was away on business with her job. I had a great time with the car wafting around like the lord of the manner. I also remember getting stopped several times by the police as they couldn't believe that a 19 years old should be driving such a car. It broke my heart giving it back on the Monday morning.
However you are correct they had their little gremlins. Even the new ones and in those days they had to be run in a term that people probably wouldn't understand today. I also remember my uncle buying a Jag XJ 12 Coupe in yellow and it had it's maiden voyage to Hexham for the September weekend. Unfortunately despite him not exceeding 50mph the car actually died on the Saturday afternoon in the middle of Hexham and it was towed to the local garage who just scratched their heads trying to see what the problem was. Unfortunately the engine had completely failed just because it could 😅. In fairness to Jaguar they uplifted the car and gave him a brand new V12 saloon to use whilst they took it back to the Jaguar workshop. They did offer him a new car or a new engine and he took the new engine. That wasn't that unusual for the day. I used to see many of them with the bonnet up and smoke or steam coming out of them. However when they were running well they were absolutely fabulous to drive. I think Jeremy Clarkson described them best when he said it was like driving a solid iron hand wrapped in a velvet glove. I think that described them personally.
Thanks for your post I really enjoyed it
Thank you for watching and sharing your Jaguar stories. I think you have summed up owning one of these incredibly well - ' when they were running well they were fabulous to drive' - I couldn't agree more! When they're working properly, there's nothing quite like them but they do take quite a bit of upkeep.
Thankyou for your video , nice story and lucky to buy it back , your car is very elegant and beautiful, nice colour combination, ive had 2 series 3's years ago one auto the other manual , the manual was very fast , wanted to keep that one but unfortunately having the gearbox rebuilt again and again it was never the same and sold it , enjoy your lovely car
Glad you enjoyed it! I've always wanted to have a go in a manual one as i'm sure it really livens them up a bit.
Beautiful condition xj - elegance personified. - great decision to buy back !
Thank you for watching. Absolutely no regrets buying it back :)
I love your jaguar. I have a jaguar xj6 1988. I love it. I know how you feel. About it... me too
I previously owned a 1979 XJ6 series II and was very happy with its performance. Currently, I have a 1987 XJ6 series III, and it is my favorite forever Jaguar.🇬🇧 🏎🍷🎶🙂
Fantastic! Enjoy :)
XJ6 is one of my favorite cars. Thank you for your story.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good video. Owned a serious 1 XJ6 and had a similar experience. Great classic cars😁👍
Beautiful car, and what a lovely sentiment buying it back, you can be proud of yourself
Thank you very much.
I remember seeing a model like this I think I liked it as 10 year old back in 80’s when I saw Edward Woodward driving one in a tv show (the equalizer) I’m certain it was a xj6 in black and looked the business
I have one almost identical to yours, mine is a sovereign, same colour, same interior, my steering wheel is slightly different, same year or maybe 86 ? I bought it a few years ago (not running) for a song, the reason was I had a 1980 series 3 which caught fire and was written off, so i bought this one which was in much better condition and with the insurance pay out I had heaps of cash left over. The problem turned out to be the fuel tanks were full of rust and dirt, after a lot of cleaning out i got it going and drove it for a little while until the head gasket gave up, after having that repaired it drives like a dream and I love it, I also have a x300 which i bought new but i really prefer the series 3.
It had rust around the front and back screens which i fixed myself and am very happy with the result. This is probably why i got it so cheap ! it scares most people away. It took a fair bit of effort to repair but it cost me almost nothing, I painted it as well, with the attitude, if i stuff it up i can always get a painter to do it , but to my surprise i got a very good result, I am in Australia and i intend to keep it until i can no longer enjoy it. When i first got it i looked at it and said to myself, "I don't care if it doesn't go, I am happy just to look at it"
Great to hear you're enjoying Series 3 ownership and it sounds as though you've addressed the common XJ6 issues that scare many away.
@fuelupclassic Yes love the look of it, a pleasure to drive, would not want to part with it.
Amazing story and not too dissimilar to mine. My dad owned a Mark IX back in the 50s in Casablanca when in the Army. I bought my first Jag in the early 90’s after Uni when living in the US (85 S3 XJ6) and now drive an 09 Convertible XK, which I’ve had since new. Jag is in the blood and I don’t think I want to drive anything else. I’m planning on pampering mine into old age (me & the car!). Thank you for a lovely video.
Thank you very much for watching.
A year after my father passed away I managed to purchase a car that he had wanted to be his next car. Unfortunately, about six months later it was written off when someone smashed into it at high speed as I was turning. Maybe it's strange to some people, but I I'd like to think we still made memories together.
Absolutely! Sad to hear the car was written off, but at least you managed to purchase and enjoy the car he wanted. No matter how short the time, making those memories is precious.
Congratulations. I just bought a Series 3 V12 out here across the pond.
I want to make some memories with it too.
Congratulations! A v12 series 3 is something really rather special. I hope you enjoy it.
It's a lovely old Jaguar in its own right, but the memories make it so much more special and I don't blame you for wanting to keep it forever. I've only once bought back a car I'd previously sold......an '84 Capri 2.8i.....sold it to a friend of a friend who only kept it for a year, and being a Capriaholic at the time, bought it back. B720TAA.....gone again, but never forgotten :)
Last summer I bought back the R129 SL I sold in 2016 and I enjoy it even more the second time around!
That's really interesting! Did you miss it and appreciate it more once you had it back, or simply enjoy it more this time around?
@@fuelupclassic thanks! I missed it for the great memories and trips to Italy with the car so when it came back for sale in the classifieds I didn’t hesitate. Thankfully it was maintained by another enthousiast in the meantime so it was if it never left 😊
A great video. Reminds me of the XJS Cabriolet I bought in my early 20s. Completely impracticable and tricky to run on a budget but so much fun. I had such an attachment to it I still have it and it shares a garage with a Leyland Princess.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and thank you for sharing your Jaguar story!
One day I swear I will own one of these again. Love these videos. Sure, the electronics and wiring were hit and miss. But by the time I sold off my '83 Vanden Plas it had hit the wall. I learned so kuch about these beauties. I had the old school books on how to repair the car yourself and did my best. The unibody eventually failed. But one day I WILL own a nice one again.
These are very unique cars with lines and a styling like no other. And the ride? Butter. To date I've yet to drive a better vehicle. Not exactly a speed demon but the top end of it's performance is pure bliss.
They’re lovely old things :)
Great story and thanks for sharing. I have an ‘86 VDP XJ 6 and love it. Every car I have owned and sold I have always asked the person I have sold it to for first right of refusal when they are ready to sell. So far, many cars I have sold are still in the possession of the person I sold them to. A few have gone overseas but I have yet to buy one of my cars back. Should the opportunity arise and the timing is right, I would!
Thank you for watching and always great to hear from a fellow Jag owner. I'm glad i'm not the only one who does that when selling a car either! This is the first car I have ever bought back and the previous owner true to his word gave me first refusal, which naturally I jumped at.
LOVELY story! I had 2 Series 3 cars and a total of 8 Jaguars. Looking for a similar model.
Thank you for watching and good luck with your search for a new Jaguar.
I managed to buy back both an MGA Coupe & a MGBGT that we reluctantly to sell.
Wonderful to hear!
Had a chance to buy back my first car a couple of years ago which was a 1959 3.4 litre Mark 1 (3076 AD) that had previously been owned by my dad and which we restored 1970's style together. Still needed a bare metal restoration so head ruled over heart and a yearish ago I got a mechanically restored 1966 3.8 S-type with excellent body condition. Not concourse but a great practical classic. It's an automatic and I do miss the overdrive, but other than that I'm pleased not to have a money pit in the garage. Nostalgia is a great motivator though and this spring I buy a 1979 BMW R80/7 which has had 2 owners and was my favourite bike he had in his stable (same colour too).
That's brilliant :) Happy motoring!
What a wonderful story.
Beautiful cars. I think the V12 version is going to become REALLY valuable, given the low production numbers. The Series 2 XJ Coupe is already insanely expensive.
They've been criminally cheap for so long, but costly maintenance and eye-watering restoration costs can put a lot of people off. Certain models do tend be climbing in value in recent years and you still get an incredible amount of car for your money.
Lovely car and history
Thank you
Lovely Jaguar! I have bought back Series 3 Land Rover's. It isn't a mistake IF the previous owner took good care of it. After all, if you owned it once, you should be able to see any decline.
Couldn't agree more! Thank you for watching.
Great car had two fantastic 😀😊
I can only echo what someone below said. Beautiful car, beautiful story.♥
Regarding the "time to wake up" aspect of your car, I do sometimes wonder if machines have "personality". I even pat my push bike after every safe and enjoyable ride. I sometimes think that English car manufacturers excelled at designing and making car interior fittings (leather, fabric, etc.) whereas for some reason the car electrical systems are often fraught with too much "personality". 😠
Thank you for watching :) They're certainly full of 'character' - which can sometimes leads to frustrations, especially with the electrics. Once you drive it though, all is usually forgiven.
Beautiful. I am looking for my first - an 87 XJ6,
Best of luck with your search, they are wonderful cars.
Lovely car lovely ownership story.
Thank you.
My Dad (now late 80s) used to work at Jag in the wider design team. I also have a big soft spot for these lovely old cats. I offered to buy my Dad a jag - he loves them - but he just prefers driving smaller cars something to do with parking and his garage but I like the idea of hiring one and taking him out for the day anywhere we wants..... maybe someone in the owner's club does a hire.@@fuelupclassic
Lovely lovely car it looks like its getting better with age its a keeper
Thank you. They certainly do seem to be ageing very well :)
Hello mate, do you live any where Gaydon? They'd be only too pleased,for you tomrock up and do a video.( they have both of the last xj series 3's, its like a religlous,experience)
I must go :)
Beautiful Bird sir, we r unlucky to own a car like this as we r living In Srilanka, we can’t import sad story brother! All the best 👍
Thank you for watching. Coincidently I am currently in Sri Lanka and learning more about the classic car scene here.
Love that colour.
A thing of beauty
Thank you, they certainly seem to be ageing well.
I have got two of them and I'm still looking for someone who knows them so he can work on it.....???
'85 gray market German market Sovereign, I gutted the barndoor flap in the LJet airbox, installed a hotwire airflow sensor, heated oxygen sensor, yanked the ECU, installed and tuned the Megasquirt injection
computer and control system with the remainder of the original Bosch sensors. 19mpg combined mileage, mid 20s on the expressway. If I can find a 4 speed and pedal set in the US I'll go for it.
Dream XJ6 would be a Series 1 LWB on Series 3 suspension with salvaged Tesla Plaid propulsion. Battery packs split between the engine compartment and fuel tanks.
Xj6 4.2.L series 2. Regency red. 5 years of pleasure. Sold it for a range rover. Then volvo. And a dozen cars later. None come close. 😢
They really do have a charm all of their own.
Owned a 79 series 2, 4.2 when it was on form it was a fabulous car, unfortunately more time was spent working on it that driving it.
I can completely relate to this! When they're all working there's nothing quite like them, but they do take quite a bit of upkeep. Thank you for watching.
Just like all Jags, they're very heavy cars.
Heavy on tires, heavy on fuel, heavy on oil, heavy on brakes 😄😄😄😄😄
@@Ozcrazy49 heavy on the wallet! 😂
Just subscribed.
Currently looking at a 1985 XJ6, would you advise I go and view it? Currently an XJ40 owner.
Thanks
Thank you :)
I’d absolutely recommend one. It’s the only car I’ve ever bought back as there’s just something very special about them. The tricky thing these days, just like with an XJ40, is finding a genuinely good one. If you can get hold a great example, they’re a wonderful thing to own and drive. Feel free to drop me a message if you would like any further information on them. Best of luck with your search.
Awesome video , don't sell it , pass it down & the appreciation for it to your offspring(s) 👍
Absolutely!
Beautiful car.
Thank you.
I am a Jaguar guy, having owned 2 Xj6s and presently a 2002 XK8. I love British brands and would like to have an Aston-Martin. The DB9 looks like my XK. When I was a kid, my father bought a new E type for $6000!. I used to steal and daily drive it to school when my parents were on vacation. I realize, though, Jaguars are expensive to maintain. My 8 is in the shop for a faulty transmission. My last XJ tried to kill me, when it took off uncontrollably in the parking garage and wouldn’t stop until I crashed into the Courthouse air handler. That was a disaster and I got rid of it and it took me 30 years before I bought another Jaguar. But 2002 was designed and built when Jaguar and Aston were owned by Ford and the motor and frame were the same as in the Ford Thunderbird.
Wonderful! The last bit about your dad's E type gave me serious 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' vibes. Happy motoring!
@@fuelupclassic I was a rotten son. My father used to make sure I knew that he was writing down the odometer number. I merely reached up under dash and unscrewed and removed the cable going into the back of speedometer.
Classic FM is all you need in a car like that
HAHA! It suits it really
Lovely motor lovel shape love a sovereign
They’re lovely old things and still drive so well. Thank you for watching.
effortless cool
I loved the jaguar except for several things….paint quality was questionable. Clear coat lifted. Back seat room is poor for a large sedan. Interior in general was cheaply built. Mine was a xj8 2001.
Interesting! I've not heard of paint quality issues on them before - do you happen to live in a hot climate? All XJ models suffer with poor leg room in the back and the only way to get round it is to go for the LWB option on the X300, X308 and X350 models, which makes a big difference.
Always loved em but never driven one , sometimes fear it might be a case of don't meet you're heroes lol , btw Harry Metcalf paid God knows what for a special Aston Martin paint to be mixed for his series 2 , metallic green but I've always thought the sage green Jag colour is perfect and I'm sure not the price he must have paid 🤑
Oh you definitely have to try one! A properly sorted one still drives incredibly well and the ride is better than most modern cars. If want to go 'big' and try a Double Six/ XJ12, it's probably still the cheapest way to get behind the wheel of a V12 too!
@@fuelupclassic I'm gonna have to deffo , such a special car I've heard the ride is still better than the modern tech satellite guided air suspension, my late Uncle had a V12 series 2 in the 70s amazing beautiful car ❤
Beeyoootiful car!
Thank you.
I will be forced to sale my 1985 Jaguar XJ6 III soon. Due to crime in my neighborhood (Wife's car needs the garage space) and moving into one house I will be forced to put her up for sale. Contact me if interested. I am in California and second owner.
🙌 Promo SM
😅