The Jaguar XJS V12 Is the Cheapest V12 Sports Car On Earth
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- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
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The Jaguar XJS V12 is the one of the cheapest V12 cars on the market. Today I'm showing you what makes the XJS V12 so cool -- and why the Jaguar XJS is the V12-powered sports car that nobody wants to own.
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It's basically James May on wheels.
and that's why it's good.
Godspeed Captain Slow !!
Maybe that's why the XJS was James May's wheels for that one Top Gear challenge, where it was just as unreliable as expected
Did you see the episode where they shoved a 200hp shot of nitrous in one?
@@driverjamescopeland They did?
"The engine successfully converts petrol into noise"... Lol
As far as i know Jeremy Clarkson came up with that joke well over a decade ago.
The Jag V12 has a quiet exhaust and just converts petrol into heat.
This assumes the exhaust hasn’t rotted/fallen off (unlikely).
I don't know why anyone would keep one, most likely it would be not running, collecting dust and never worth anything.
@@domino52o26 Not the exact same quote but close enough. To be exact it was while testing a Maserati Quattroporte GT-S and its magic Sport button that he said: "You know what that button does? I'll tell you exactly what it does: it turns carbon dioxide into noise"
"Your car is always broken!"
"It's a JAAAAG!"
"Okay. That was nice!"
Not anymore. I own 2018 XF with 43K+ miles. Just 4 oil changes, an A/C refrigerant refill & a recall to upgrade software. No breakdowns! I give that credit to Tata Motors who now owns Jaguar & Land Rover. Starting from 2009 & on are a new breed of Jags. The problematic Jags & Rovers are now a thing of the past with new ownership.
why'd i read it in Clarkson's voice tho
I own a 2011 XF that has been completely reliable.
Not even a bulb has gone.
Stop repeating I’ll informed nonsense.
It’s lazy and stupid
If you watch the Car Wizard’s videos where he talks about these, apparently it’s not uncommon to find these have been engine swapped to Chevy 350s
"It's no E-Type, but I would argue no car ever was."
Well, I would argue there was one. The Jaguar E-Type.
You don’t say
@@arion9696 well he's wrong..The series 3 V12 etype of the 70s was very different than the series 1 or 2.
This is a bit of a meme and this isn't what Doug meant but this reminds me of people saying that no car can live up to the MK4 Supra because even the MK4 Supra wasn't the car people who saw it in movies and video games tought and fantasize it was.
Overrated car
Rear seat design for children who smoke.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
@TeamUSASportsFan you are a funny guy on parties right?
Or smoking midgets....
sMokE trEEs
Mike Honcho As Doug said, it's a European car from the 80s.
The mirror in the glovebox is useful for cocaine.
gorgborg fbi opens up
Exactly baby! It was the 80's
I wonder how many lines of coke were snorted off of XJS glovebox mirrors. My guess is many multiples of thousand hahahaha. Jaguar had to have known that that's what it was going to be used for. I mean come on lol
Came to the comments for this...
The Ferrari GT/4 I drove had the same kind of thing. I think it was just something you had to give the jetset in the 70s and 80s.
I have an 86 XJS Coupe. Replaced the 3 speed with a 4 speed auto. That change made a huge difference in driving pleasure. Improved the acceleration and maintained the whisper quiet character of the car. It's truly a pleasure to drive. Love it.
Was it expensive? How do you even do it? Seems like you'd have to Change the mechanics inside completly
@@Rafael-qd3yq Expensive here is rather relative. The auto in this car would have been a GM Turbo 400 so installing a 700R4 shouldn't be that hard.
15 Grand@@Rafael-qd3yq
john's cars out of Dallas sells a kit to adapt the 700R4/4L60E to the Jaguar V12 engine
@@zach4384
Everything to this de muro guy is strange . While it's obvious and basic mechanical design. My dad was basically a mechanical designer. Me and him are similar. We build. We can design and build anything.
I've owned one for 10 years now. Amazingly, very few issues. I know how to work on it when anything comes up. You must be a do-it-yourselfer to own one of these. There's an excellent support forum and extensive experience among the members to help with anything. Mine's very dependable, starts right up. With minor exhaust mods it really purrrrrrs. Can drive it aggressively on twisty roads (which I always do), handles great and smooth at the same time. Will never sell it - it's a one-of-a-kind experience.
Exterior design: 10
Interior design: Poor
Performance: Shit
"Want" factor: YES!!!
teppolundgren exactly, I absolutely love the look... but that’s it haha
I think you need to get an eye exam. It's one of the ugliest jaguars ever made
@@nick2128 Nick the prick arrives...
@@nick2128 wat
@@gabsnandes7818 what*
That's Jag for you, they can't design a trip computer that rolls over automatically, but they made sure to put that ashtray in the back for the kids.
LMAO
Asshole
@@paulisenior love you! We're proper people!
@@mattbedford875 You would be nothing without me
@@mattbedford875There speaks the words of a person who knows nothing outside the States other than what you get fed and eat by your media. Joke. Is it a joke?????
This is hands down one of the best looking cars he's ever reviewed... Doug is smoking.
It's one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. Then again I hate most late 80s cars
@@DuckReconMajor The XJ-S bowed in 1975.
For those who don't know: They used v12s in luxury cars because they don't need to use much of the engine to go certain speeds, which causes a very smooth, quiet ride.
It's because of the refinement.
It's better balanced than a V8.
@@lewis72obviously
@@lewis72
Did they make a v 6 also ? Or a v8?
I heard a v8 mentioned. Not all
Jaguar xjs are V12? Or are they. Thank you
@@_construction_2024-
XJ-S was launched in '75 with a V12.
It additionally got a straight-6 in 1983.
Context of the times:
Performance: The Jag V12 in the S3 XKE/E-Type propelled the car to 60mph in 6.8 seconds. That was very quick in the early 1970’s. Faster than anything from Mercedes or BMW! The XJS was a little slower (early 7s) - it was a much bigger and heavier car - but still very quick for the 1970s and even the 80s, without even needing to take its’ size and weight into account. Normally-aspirated Porsche 944s didn’t break 8 secs. A big, heavy, luxury GT did 0-60 a second faster than a leading sports car with 50-50 weight distribution did up to a decade and a half after it was introduced. Hot hatchbacks didn’t break 8 secs until the late 80s using turbochargers. The reason the XJS was able to continue well into the 90s was that its’ performance was still competitive. You could still beat most sporting cars at the lights without embarrassment. Exceptions were surprisingly few.
BHP: By the time the XJS was introduced in 1975, big-block American V8s were lucky to make more than 200 Brake-hp! The Porsche 928 debuted in Europe with 240bhp and the US with 219bhp. Normally-aspirated 911s still made less than 300bhp until the 2000s. The BMW V12 in the 8-series (1990-99) made less than 300bhp, except in the 850CSi, which made a whopping 375bhp. Ferrari V12s didn't make 400hp+ until the 90s. Same for Mercedes (1991, although detuned to 389hp in 1993)! Lamborghini V12s were the only notable exception. The explosion in horsepower figures started slowly in the 90s but didn't go ballistic until the 2000s.
I humbly suggest that your perceptions have been spoiled by modern cars and a few exceptional older super cars.
Yep!
The guy has not got a bloody clue about classic cars the twat is still in diapers and learning to talk.
hmm hmm 0-60 in 8 second not 6.8 and those are the last ones with the better heads
Spot on.
Exactly my thoughts.
It also has what makes car practical/liveable - good sound deadening, a very smooth effortless engine, and a nice ride - good even by today's standards. And Doug is just adding the Chinese whisper about Jags being unreliable.
Two weeks later- HOOVIES GARAGE- I bought the cheapest Jaguar XJS in the USA sight unseen
And another 2 weeks later hoovies garage i burried mu cheap jaguar underground for a yera
And one year later tavarish should i buy hoovies jaguar xjs
Might be his best deal ever, that'd probably be a broken pile that they pay you to take away
FUC A3 ... one year after that, Samcrac: I bought a V12 Jag at Copart for $100
Gamer207 boi (
Every one who buys a a XJS loves do work on his car or is insane.
You failed to mention that the 3.6 and 4.0 liter 6 cylinder models are pretty reliable, a lot more than the V12, the last models from 1994-1996 build quality and reliability improved significantly and are very collectible!
These cars never had chrome wheels as standard. These were an after market addition. That is why the spare alloy wheel is not chrome. My uncle had one in white in the 1980s. It was originally called the ‘HE’ and then later badged as the V12.
...It stood for High Efficiency
Doug the type of guy to wait until he’s 18 to watch porn.
joe jitsu it’s 18
@TableRocked deal with it
TableRocked oH nO sOmEoNe mAdE a DiSpaRaGinG ComMeNt aBoUt My dAdDy DoUg suck it up, nobody is going to listen to you here anyways.
TableRocked fuckin James may over here needs to calm down. Let us have our fun, nobody asked you to read through this.
TableRocked well the jerk store called and they’re running out of you!
Fold out Mirror: the perfect 80's cocaine accessory.
I'm the nineteen eighties and I sell Cocaine and Cocaine accessories.
It's vertical though
I love that the car cover bag is so enormous, so the Jaguar owner can borrow things from friends.
No, doubles as a shelter for those frequent roadside stops
3:40 is it just me or does that look absolutely stunning
Until you attempt to wrench on it
Its top 5 best looking cars on this channel. IMHO
"We'll put in a V-12"
"Yes!"
"We'll put in a three speed automatic"
"Okay, so-wait what?"
Lol, but in the 70's that was quite typical. Also you could get this car with a manual, especially in the UK that was very common.
AdamG1983 Whats the problem?
Jensen Interceptors had a 3 speed auto too. Very lazy af and ruins the car imo.
@@axtra92 Turns potentially fast cars into a complete bore
I don't get it
Had one, loved it. It's a heavy car, the engine isn't about speed, it's about smooth and even delivery.
I'm a tall guy with long legs standing ag 6'5". From what I understand I won't be able to fit in this car. What do you think?
@@jusztinnemeti6380 im gonna guess you cant fit, theres another review from a guy whos 6' and he had about 2 inches of space above his head
@@jusztinnemeti6380 Yes, you will fit. Adjust the seat and you will be comfortable driving it. I sold my '85 XJ-S coupe to a University of Arizona basketball player.
@@neilalbaugh4793 I heard the older ones before the refresh had more room due to the seats having a different contour. I'll go try and sit in one and see, thank you.
@@jusztinnemeti6380 Hey , my dad has a 1991 xjs and i'm 6'6ish. I would not reccomend you get this for a daily, but I fit just fine for some weekend driving. Make sure you get the convertible though, you will absolutely not fit with the top up.
doug the type of guy to review his wifes boyfriends car
"I've borrowed this [car] from my girlfriend's boyfriend"
nah he a 7 foot man so he kick ass of anyone who gets closer than needed ❌🧢
bruhhh i didn't know this was a meme so i tried to understand why all the hate
Shit son you got burned
This joke is underrated
The seatbelt thing in the glove box was for you to stick in the lap belt recepticle so the seatbelt light would turn off. The mirror in the glove box was removable and obviously was a coke mirror since the glove box lid was a flat tray. The main "quirk" you missed was the telescopic steering where you have to twist the sleeve on the steering column to loosen or tighten it and move the wheel in and out.
People took coke in the80s who knew?
Doug the type of guy to drink a shot of whiskey with a straw
You're just making jokes about this man just to get likes
@@TellurideS13 you said that to another person to
Tyler Strubelt Then review it’s quirks and features,of the straw.
@@MackDaddy165 I freaking know that.
@@theoneandonlyrustyshaklefo6256 the straw you can suck on it with different colors the end
This is the magic of British cars of that time 60s, 70s and 80s. They might be not perfect like German but they are so classy. They took so much effort to give the posh feeling for the owner. They are like an English gentleman having his afternoon tea in a club.
Dareck I agree ... Despite being Italian I spent part of my life in Uk and always loved British cars... I think England and Italy when we talk about passion, class, elegance and engineering are second to none...
@@Ekphrasys Agreed. British cars and Italian cars may not have the best build quality but they have soul and style.
Didn’t do us any good however as we have no British owned volume car manufacturers now except the little sport car makers.
@@markcross6864 The loss of mass volume British cars is down to Phoenix and BMW. No fault of the manufacturers.
BMW bought AustinRover to asset strip it and they did. BMW took a profitable company and had it taking colossal losses within 6 years, under BMWs ownership 5 cars left production and only one new car was released. The Rover 75. It was incredibly successful and had rave reviews in every market it was sold in, it was also the only European car to be in the JD Power top 5 for dependability at the time.
The other two new cars designed by Rover were the R50 MINI (to replace the Austin Mini and Rover 25) and the Rover 35 (which became the BMW 1-Series) both cars were big sellers but BMW took both designs so Rover was left trying to sell two models from the mid '90s. While they were still better made and more refined than their competitors they were obviously dated.
BMW then refused an offer from Alchemy group for £2 billion to sell it to Phoenix for £10. Phoenix were a bit dodgy in the first place and only proved that when they pocketed every penny in the company and abandoned it. 8000 people lost their jobs over night and didnt even get a pension while the top four at Phoenix left as millionaires. The UK government at the time refused to help the company and that was that. Ford rescued Rover which became part of JLR but obviously hasn't returned the name to market as it would be directly competing with Jaguar, and the other heritage brands went to SAIC who stick the MG badge on trucks and shitty SUVs. Hopefully someone saves Austin and some of the others before they tarnish those too.
@@SpitfireFortyFour ua-cam.com/video/o9lRffhnT-Y/v-deo.html
lots of expensive 80's cars had mirrors in the glove box... to make it easier to snort your cocaine.
I love all the quirky details like the horn sound etc. It’s a real I’m depth look at all the details of a car that most of us would never see. Thanks loving it
My grandfather used to say you never own a jaguar, you just lease it from your mechanic.
bars!
S H O T S F I R E D
🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 your granddad is A class sir
That's actually a brilliant quote.
Fucked up⬆️
The glove box mirror is like a fancy cocaine holder.
@comrade doggo The glove compartment vanity mirror in my '67 Imperial automatically swings up to makes checking your coke 'stache more convenient...
@comrade doggo Ah, the good old days... My new Prius has a Zoloft dispenser where the ashtray SHOULD be.
I believe the Ferrari or Lambo had one too. In one of his vids shows this.
@@jeremystewert4303 I think it was an older Lambo. The visor mirror was just a small rectangle that could be easily removed for maximum cocaine utility
Jaguar thought of everything, in the Shaguar.
I sold Jaguars in the early 90s, and remember these V-12s for their incredible smoothness of operation. More like a motor than an engine. The other thing is the Burl Walnut veneers on the dash, far nicer than the veneers on the XJ-6 sedan. Used to love taking these out for test drives. Still remember a test drive with a local minister that drove up in an old car. Not sure if he could have afforded the XJS, but it did not matter. I just wanted him to test drive his dream car. Later that year, the manager of a hedge fund came in and purchased four XJS convertibles, at $52,000 each, as a $4,000 price increase was pending. The Sales Manager gave me the commission on one for helping with the delivery. In life, sometimes things even out.
Have always loved these, important car to me and my family. My Dad and brother have had several from our first bought in 1980, a red 1978 pre HE, through to late model Celebrations.
I hope to own one someday but they have increased hugely in value in the UK. A good one is about £10000 rising up to £35000 and even more. There is a 1 owner convertible with very low miles for £85000 for sale at a specialist dealer 😮.
There is also a company here in the UK called KWE who modernise them from fuses to suspension brakes and bodywork, become much better than new. Not cheap though!
Doug the type of guy to listen to the owner's manual as his bedtime story
LOL
@TableRocked is the type of guy who reads type of guy jokes and gets mad a type of guy joke writers....
BAM WHAT!!! LOL!!
The XJS is the holy grail of desirable but problematic cars.
Problematic when he's owner neglects it's prevent maintenance .
@Mike Smith Engine is only a small part of a giant list of unreliable parts in a XJS
Isn't a Holy Grail supposed to be rare?
Not desirable at all.
I would rate the 928 as higher, especially the later 4V versions.
Styling 6/10?! Doug you best drop the ash of whatever you're smoking into the kid's ashtray
I owned a 1982 Xjs with 22k miles, had the Lucas electronics replaced, had a stick added, had a twin turbo added, a Mondale exhaust. The car was very fun. It was my dream car. Fires that ripped throughout San Diego 2007 burnt it up. I would never buy another but I am glad that I got to enjoy her.
Same a 1982 in white...(off white when I had it)....Bought it at an auction and it didn't have reverse...after that was sorted, it drove fine for over a year with only one service. Sold it with 75,000 miles on it and bought a Porsche 928S...BOTH cars were fantastic grand tourers! Would have loved to have gone on the Autobahn with both. I drive boring reliable cars nowadays.
I felt my wallet getting empty when i read the title.
Jose Manuel U R Funny
i feel the same when i see any british car XD
Same
I want it
@Peder Hansen looks bad? Bruh it's fuckin beautiful
@@Shazzkid Yeah, I always found these things of beauty. Don't know if I'd ever want to own one though. Well not without being a millionaire and not having to depend on it.
A conversation with a BMW mechanic and a 1980's era BMW V12 car owner ;
Mechanic - "How much did you pay for it?"
BMW V12 owner - "Somebody gave it to me"
Mechanic - "You paid too much"
nazi
I owned a 1990 BMW 7 series with a v12 it's engine was 2 of BMW inline 6 motors put together to make a electrical nightmare
i used to own a 850 v12 i the early 2000s, and the engine didnt have any issues at all during my ownership, it was the electronic stuff that made the car unreliable.
We had a slant six Plymouth Duster, its engine was actually half of a V-12 that they never made a car wide enough to fit it in (lane width restrictions, natch.)
@@j_freed NO YOU DID NOT HAVE 1/2 A v12. YOU HAD A RUSSIAN LIGHT TANK MOTOR. THE RUSSIAN LIGHT TANK HAD 4 MOTORS ONE IN EACH CNR
WOW! I actually bought one exactly the same color back in 1990 at an LA police auction for $9K. It was practically brand new with only 12K miles. The rumor was it was confiscated from a big drug dealer bust. My wife and I loved to drive it from LA to Vegas once every 2 months as we drove to Vegas at midnight. It was SUPER SMOOTH, repeat SUPER SMOOTH and could effortlessly hold 100 mph forever until our Valentine Radar detector went nuts. I give full credit to Valentine radar detectors for never getting a single ticket. It was not a rocket from a dead stop, but anyone trying to out-accelerate us after 100 mph was laughable, it just MOVED with real authority leaving anything in the dust well past 140 mph.
We loved that car so much and we also knew it was notorious for problems, so we had it fully maintained every 4 months to catch any problems before they started. I eventually gave it to my mother in law who was totally in love with it.
I just recently brought one for 800 needs allot work don’t to the engine you know some company can fix it new help?
Need help
Thank you for letting us hear the horn, it was very satisfying for some reason.
You do know that glove box mirror is very easily removed. 80's hint hint wink wink lol
And much more subtle and refined than the coutach's powder mirror, imo.
@Buck Shot Hyuk, hyuk. You are such a dork. Coke is for pickle kissers.
*sniff* What were you saying? *sniff*
I was just thinking the same, practicality over common sense in this powdered era ^^ Just like the two back seats, of course they put an ashtray for the two 45kgs Stephanies you grabbed at the Malibu club.
@@riproar11 I tried snorting Coke once. I nearly drowned!.. [baDUMPbump!]
When rear seats have minimum legroom so adults cannot sit there, yet they have ashtray so your kids can smoke.
Hubert Dušák those are for candy cigarettes totally healthy
@P I had one of these, that was my exact response. Ladies love Jag's
It was a much more civilized time to be alive old chap.
My grandfather had beautiful new 1988 XJS in green. It caught on fire after just 3 years.
I walk by one parked outside every day. Next to it roughly a 67 mustang. In some ways there are very similar. Both are 2 door coups. Both are sporty. Both have surprisingly similar styling with the round headlights. The Jag is much sleeker and lower to the ground. I want it.
There can’t be a less reliable car than a Mercedes with a V12
Jaguar: Hold my beer
You obviously don’t know jack about cars. Mercedes V12s are very reliable. Most Mercedes’ are very reliable if properly cared for.
Jaguar: "Cup holder then breaks while holding beer."
Johnscars in TX is famous for supplying a reliable GM engine conversion for these cars.
@The KingDo you really think it's fair to generalize an entire country?
@The King There is one major difference you have forgotten. In ..
America - They wanted an economy car so we took a small block and removed 2 cylinders.
Europe - We designed this 2L straight six, but we also built a 2L 4 cylinder
Why having a cover on a Jaguar engine ? You Would have to remove so often...
So people could swap easier to a Chevy 350 which was common.
Good point their
I don't like a cover on any engine, makes it look shit, inconvenient to remove and you can't see leaks etc.
Good point about titties
@@dahotrod1533 I'm sure hiding leaks factored heavily into the decision. Rumor has it that Jaguar tried and failed to get their oil leaks trademarked back in the 1950 or 1960s.
The coolest and most rare thing about this car is the California sunset license plate. It was optional in CA for a few years in the mid/ late 80s and then became standard issue for a year or so in 1987/88 before being replaced by the oh so drab plain white plates that endure to the present day.
It looked way out of place on my (equally break-down prone) ‘88 Hyundai Excel, but strikes gold on the XJS!
As someone who owns and maintains several vintage Jaguars including an XJS I find it incredible that so many people hate on this car/brand. Consider the number of problems Ferraris have when parked/driven/looked at and BMW, which consistently ranks at the top of the charts for unreliability, people don't bad mouth those brands as much as Jaguar. Is it unreliable? No, at least not in my experience. My Jaguars including my XJS have never left me stranded. Is it expensive to maintain? Yes and no; it is a 30+ year old V12 luxury vehicle, so yes its operating costs will be more than say a Toyota Prius; however, regular maintenance is no more than any other luxury vehicle. I suggest you compare maintenance costs of any V12 car vs the Jaguar XJS and you will find that the XJS is far cheaper to maintain. Herein lies the the real problem - lack of maintenance. If you purchase a budget (read poorly maintained V12 XJS) and attempt 'catch-up' maintenance for 30 years of neglect... get a few band-aids as your bank account is about to bleed; however, it still pales in comparison to say an engine out service for a Ferrari. The big issue with the V12 XJS is the cooling system; it is critical that all components work like new otherwise you run the risk of valve seat drop - it is not only a question of proper temperature (as some owners state their valves dropped when the temp was normal), but more importantly flow of coolant and heat soak. While your thermostat might read normal, your flow could be poor and thus generate hot spots which lead to failure; in my opinion this situation is what gave the XJS a bad rap. Another potential issue are the fuel rails.. again poor maintenance can lead to cracked rubber which leaks petrol onto a hot metal surface causing a fire. These aforementioned problems just don't occur spontaneously, but rather they occur because of neglect. With proper supervision and maintenance they are very reliable and enjoyable to drive. Utilizing the J-shifter gives these cars a bit more pep, they're extremely quiet and their sound proofing beats many modern cars. As for the styling whether you love it or hate it there is nothing else on the road that looks similar... you certainly wont mistake a Jaguar XJS for any other vehicle. Over the past few years I've seen XJS prices increase in the United States; however, to a much lesser extent than in the UK. The myth of Jaguar unreliability needs to be squashed, comparing the XJS to the E-type needs to stop as they are not in the same class of vehicles, and people need to test drive a well-maintained XJS to see what theyre all about.
I had one for 11 years. Never let me down. I miss it.
snafujag100 I’ve had several jags 80s/90s they’ve all be super reliable.
@@chrisbaker121924 Really?! Isn't this car known to be really unreliable? Also I'm actually planning on getting a 1986 Lincoln Town Car as my first car, do you think that's a wise decision? I just absolutely love the box car shape.
Fifth Beatle they get that reputation from early model cars in the first year or two. Mine never missed a beat. Mine was a 1996. If you go post H.E. your main issue will be rust chasing. I also have an XJ 1995 and it’s been faultless. A friend of mine had a 1987 XJS and he used it daily and had no issues. It’s just my experiences with them.
I've heard they had problems overheating in the southwest of the U.S.
I don't care what anyone says, I think the XJS is a genuine thing of beauty which has aged wonderfully and I just love it.
Impressive (, the quantity of hard drugs you must be on right now, lol).
He obviously never owned one
These are great convertibles drop a 350 350 tranny really nice
I agree. I consider the XJS one of Jaguar's more attractive designs. Although they've had plenty of attractive designs. I think it's aging quite well.
No way. Keep the v12
Great review! I had one a few years back. Brought back a lot of good memories!
The flying buttress at the C-pillar was because the car was originally going to be a mid-engine car but Jaguar decided to put the engine in the front but kept the buttresses.
That's an urban myth. The XJ-S was designed from the ground up to be a front engine coupe based on the XJ platform. The buttresses (flying buttresses have cutouts - it's an architectural term) were an aerodynamic feature to control vortex shedding behind the rear window.
@@sovereignhobbies I don't know how people could see the hood of the car and think it was going to be a mid engine, but you're correct that it was for aero, I am glad someone is informed.
My dad had one of these when I was a small child and now I own one myself. A 1986 V12 coupe in black. The longer you own an xj-s the more you realize that these cars really have a personality of their own. The reputation surrounding their reliability stems mostly from ones that suffered from deferred maintenance. An xj-s will never be a "drive it and forget about it" car but they do respond very well to regular maintenance. Also, once converted to a 5 speed manual the fun and speed of this car increase dramatically! There is an extremely dedicated online community behind the xjs and many books and literature written to help new owners address the common weak points. Every outing is an adventure in my xj-s and I will absolutely never let it go. Just a warning: If you purchase one of these cats, there is a high likelihood you will get bitten and become obsessed!
Completely agreed. All Jaguars have a personality of their own.
There was a huge difference between early and late models too
Nice what 5-speed did you use?
V12…..300 HP. Engineering has come a long way.
And now V6 are producing 600 hp
@@akhu5 The Jaguar XJ220 had a V6 and it was developed in the 80s, that car could do 220 mph!
300hp today come from a 2 liter engine in a golf.
+
Juan Nunez - You can get ridiculous gains particularly out of the earlier XJ-S (pre High Efficiency) as the engines are under stressed. 400 bhp can be quite easy to get out of them without even increasing the bore and stroke. However, it is possible to increase the bore and stroke up to 8.4 litres if I remember correctly.
Lister were well known for aftermarket XJS's and were similar to what Brabus now do for Mercedes. The Lister 6.0 Litre cars had 482bhp driven through a 5 speed manual and could do 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds seconds with a top speed in excess of 180 mph. However, the 7.0 Litre twin supercharged Lister's were absolute animals with 604 bhp. The supercharged cars could do 0-60 mph in just over 4 seconds, the 1/4 mile in under 12 seconds and they had a top speed of over 200 mph. This was back in 1990.
Even with cost effective mods you can get 370 bhp out of a bog standard XJS. Coupled with a 5 speed manual and you'd see fairly swift performance with a 0-60 mph time in the mid 5's.
jaguar made a 3.5 litre engine that made 542 hp in 1992, the F40 was a 2.9 litre from 1987 over 30 years ago that made over 500hp so i don't think its changed that only to meet emissions
My mates dad had one of these as a toy. He took us out in it and I lifted the seat tilt lever, it broke in my hand and slashed my hand open. I didnt tell anybody and just hid it in my jumper. So here I was sitting in the back of this old clapped out V12, bleeding quite badly and fearing for my life since he wasn't going slow. What an experience.
I have a 1992 XJS v12 convertible. Most of what you say is true. It is very eye catching because of the rag top. Also, mine spent most of its life in Florida. Zero rust even underneath. No damage history, 61,000 miles now. Summer driving only. Inside all of the time. It purrs like a cat. Not nearly as fast as I would like but great on the highway. Average mpg 9-11.on premium fuel. My ‘79 xj6 has dual fuel tanks that I wish were on the XJS, as the single tank is small. I get a maximum of 200 miles per tank. The joke that it won’t pass a gas station is true.lol. But I love it no matter what.
I’m glad you reviewed this car Doug. You didn’t mention 2 of the coolest quirkiest features: 1) the sound of that big V12 starting up is just sublime. It doesn’t spring to life as it takes several seconds to spoil up and fire off. Almost jet engine like. 2) the knurled locking ring behind the steering wheel that you unscrew to free up the telescoping steering wheel and then lock back down. 3) this is not a car from the 80’s but the 70’s and it didn’t change much. This design was 12 years old by the time British Leyand managed to hammer this 88 model together between labor strikes. By 1976 (or even 1988) standards a 7 odd second 0-60 was pretty darn fast! As a kid I rode with my dad in one on a normally 12 hour trip from NC to FL that we covered in considerable your less time. The looks that car got wherever we stopped for fuel (frequently) I’ll always remember. I’ll bet a nice example like this one would still get parked near the front of a restaurant by a valet even today.
Atrocious reliability though. Better learn how to do DIY repairs.
Yeah, 7.4 seconds was pretty quick when most cars from that era only did 0-60 in around 10 seconds. But he always scales them with modern cars and the cutoff from a rating of 1 to 2 is at 6.9 I think...personally I think his acceleration scale should be tweaked a bit on the low end, maybe 1 should be reserved for cars who can't do 0-60 in 8.5 or 9 sec.
Still, the XJS definitely on my bucket list of cars to own...even if a previous owner swapped the V12 for a lower maintenance V-8 at some point.
Thats 3 quirks
Jeffery Smiths Tierra fertil
He forgot to mention several more interesting items of the XJS. 1.) The throttle mechanism is a flat disk which opens both throttle bodies simultaneously and must be adjusted periodically & looks cool 2.) The engine idle is so quiet you don't know the engine is running until you rev it. 3.) the rear design element is called a "flying buttress" 4.) The last variant of this car occurred when Ford owned Jaguar and made several improvements. 5.) The HE version greatly improved the mpg to about 12 mpg! 6.) The xjs received a major facelift in the mid 90s and the engine received a fuel injection overhaul and looked much prettier under the bonnet. 7.) If you really LOVE the XJS, an enthusiast wrote a 200+ book describing it in detail 8.) The V12's suffered sooo many failures (especially in Texas) that a independent shop offered GM engine replacements (also for the TR7) look up John's Cars. 9.) The rear brakes were INBOARD design and a complete nightmare to service. 10.) The 6-cylinder model was availalbe with a MANUAL transmission.
The cure for the common XJS: Porsche 928-
I purchased my '88 XJ-SC new from the dealer. I wanted a convertible but Jaguar had a backlog and there was no estimated delivery time. But, sitting in the showroom was a Black XJ-SC with a tan interior and I had to have it. I drove the car to 125k miles and had no issues with car or the V-12 engine and only did normal maintenance. While not quick off the line, once the car was moving the engine really pulled-especially above 80. Interestingly, the faster the car went, the more stable it felt. One late night on a deserted stretch of road I saw over 140 before backing off. Other than wind noise it felt rock solid, as if I was doing 50. The XJ-SC came with the T-tops plus either a half (solid) roof with a glass rear window or a convertible section that could be swapped out. The interesting thing about the convertible section is that it latched with a single latch overhead on the cross rail and could be dropped at speed-unlike any other convertible. Another thing about the XJ-SC was that the back seat was deleted and a shelf with two storage bins was in it's place. In retrospect, while the XJS was a great looking car, I always preferred the looks of my XJ-SC with the hard top on.
Robert Moore shhhh
Robert and that was/is part of the problem. This lovely car was designed as a high speed long distance European Tourer. In N. America it was always about faster 0-60. With the 55 mph speed limits there was no way for such a car to live the life it was meant to....congrats on a long and happy ownership.
@@iShxtr you dont believe roberts story either huh i hear ya every car review theirs always that one person in the comments who not only owned one but owned it new and had the rarest model their always full of shit peace
Yes Indeed Robert. I have had 3 an never gave me any trouble. As you say, they get to about 80 and then go like hell. Thank you for sticking up for a Marq that is no longer with us but lives on in my memories....
@@aceboogie8986 why would he lie. So he could get some UA-cam likes? Seems like a great reason , they are very important
Thanks, that car is in immaculate condition and a credit to the owners.
Here in the UK, used ones were very cheap because of the astronomical maintenance costs, and rust. I do think the US bumpers detract from the styling, but would love to own that particular car.
Yes Jaguars were unique to the Brits, and often unconventional, a bit like Citroen to the French.
least they were on the affordable side, compared to Astons.
I had one in the early 2000s for a couple of years. Blue arctic with cream interior, it was absolutely gorgeous. The smoothest ride ever, a silky v12 always ready to go forwards. It would easily reach 230 km/h on the highway, not bad for a grandmother. It would quickly overheat though. They were virtually giving them away in the UK back then. I paid less than 2000 usd for it. Without a doubt the most car money can buy. I still regret selling it!
although Im 19 (which might end up being a pain in the ass later on), I'm looking at a 1989 XJS V12, its being sold for 2500, I might regret it later on, but its just begging for me to buy it
These Chrome rims are custom made in the us. That spare is the original jaguar look
Gaudy as fu*k too.
Correct. Europeans never really took a liking to the cheap, nasty looking chrome wheel look. You pretty much never see them over there. They’re typical North American tat.
gregory carlson dude r u ok? Ambulance is on the way
@@pahan41k Have a nice Morning. I could care less. I unlike the moron in the video have never paid 18k in tax for a Ford. I am going to assume you have never had a stable as mine nor could afford the the tax. Take care and wipe our mouth when Doug pulls out.
@@bigdaddygreg1973 where can I look up the history about dealerships chroming the wheels in so-cal?
"I'm going to test the 0-60, so lemme start in 2nd gear"
I'm continuously surprised that Doug does this as his job.
Ian Mcdowell I definitely know there’s a gear for gear #1 because I drive one. I will always wonder why he put it into 2nd instead of putting it into 1st gear.
He literally said put it *down* into second. I have no doubt that (being a transmission programmed for comfort) it had jumped to third (probably going around 30), and he shifted down to 2nd so he didn't have to wait for a downshift. That being said, I don't know the gear ratios, so I don't know if shifting all the way down to 1st would've strung it out too much or not.
Adam Davy gear #1 is 2.62 I think. Gear #2 is 1.00. And gear #3 is 1.00
I suspect that brainfade Doug does not realise that the Jaguar V12 engine is designed to use premium fuel, then he would feel the power and acceleration.
He explains this at around the 13 minute mark
My dad had two. A 1984 that had an engine fire and a 1985. We loved that car. My dad drove it until it had 150,000 and started to leak oil everywhere. As a kid driver, I loved that car. Yes it was in for maintenance often, but that was advantageous. I was charged with going to pick it up and drive it home and my dad bought a 1989 bronco as a second car. I would love to own one today just for the memories.
Can you repair my car?
Mechanic: Yes...of course, I can. I'm a mechanic and can fix anything that has wheels.
It's the XJS on the trailer there outside.
Mechanic: I'm about to close my shop...go ask someone else.
*Jeremy Clarkson*
JAAAAAAAAAAAAAGG
it's a JAAAAAGGGG
Women: You just killed someone!
Jeremy: It's okay because i got a JAAAAAAG
I'm going to go warm up the Jaaaaag.
For 30 years, that pile of maintenance records is literally nothing.
For 52k miles, that's alot
That's an acceptable amount for a 30 year old car, particularly a high-end one (such as a Jaguar). Long-term owning a luxury brand vehicle does equate to more bills and more money -that's just the way it is. To be fair, though, long-term ownership does also mean a lot of maintenance. Here in the 'States, we have things we build to meet our gluttonous life styles, and are meant to return at the end of a lease. At the same time, most of our mass-produced vehicles are actually engineered well enough to last a good stretch of time. I, for example, had an 01 Grand Cherokee which gave me about 200,000 miles over the course of four years with only three expensive repairs. I eventually sold it to a guy with about 250 on the odometer, and he has been driving it daily for the past five years... and it's still rust free! Other than that, it really was quite decent. All of my Jeeps have gone for a long time, but they were also inline-sixes. My Ford trucks have been a mixed bag; my current two are polar opposites. The replacement for the Grand Cherokee was a 95 F-150 with 120ish on it, and still retains mostly factory parts, and is into the 200+ range. This truck is great, I've only done basic maintenance to it, and it has been probably the best vehicle I've ever had in terms of reliability and cost to maintain. Excellent machine, it really is -too bad we don't have stuff built like it anymore; the new daily driver is a headache, and has cost me thousands in parts in two years of ownership. Overall, though, my machines have a very good track record for the amount I drive, and I know the key is maintenance and usage in all things mechanical. Keep 'em running!
I thought the very same, seems fair really but i guess the devil is in the detail.
fr my truck is a 2000 and has a full binder lol
Good point urbansustainability.
My cousin had one in the 90s and to this day it's still the quietest and smoothest car I've been in.
I 100% disagree my friend has one and it is one of the roughest, loudest cars I’ve ever been in, it’s stock, the whole car buzzes, I still think it’s one of the coolest cars I’ve been in but no way the smoothest and quietest
My 89 XJS has been in my family for many years. It's traveled through the Emirati deserts, Canadian mountain ranges, American highways. I'm so happy and blessed my dad gave me that car.
I must defend my favorite car. I still own a 1990 that I purchased in 2002 from the original owner. It had just 32,000 miles and I paid $7,200. The car now has 65,000 miles and it was my DAILY DRIVER for 5 years. The car never died on me. The engine and transmission of this car was always known to be reliable by actual owners. It's the secondary features that would indeed break. The trunk latch he shows... that broke on many owners, myself included. I knew not to slam the hood shut, but I would instinctively slam the trunk. But simple things on this car cost a small fortune. $500 to fix that trunk latch. The door handles are more mechanically sophisticated than others of the time, i.e. more moving parts to break or jam. They eventually do. Mine did. $600 to fix. The A/C would die again and again. The power windows stuck or stopped working entirely--$850 to fix driver side. And struts and bearings go often and kill the smooth ride and are $1,000 to fix. You get the point. But nothing vitally important to operate the car was prone to fail. The car was so much better than it gets credit for. Its 'unreliable' status is largely perpetuated by non-owners from hearsay. This car is special in every way. It's utterly-gorgeous, too. I will agree with Doug on one point--it is not exciting to drive. It's just a big luxury cruiser, in my opinion. That's what it's for. It's not trying to be a racer.
Many, many years ago Jaguar.....not jag war.....labeled the SS Swallow as a 'sporting car' not a 'sports car' I think the XJS falls into the same designation.
Hold up...
It's nowhere near gorgeous.
That's all I'm going to argue.
@@necromax13 I'll take that argument. What's not good-lookig about it, especially on a history of cars for at least the last 40 years? Not enough scoops and ducts? They often look great and terrible. Not enough creases and curves? That changes with every trend for all cars... right now you see ridiculous extra detail in things like the Honda Civic, yet the newest Accord is very nice, yet it looks like Volvo and they have copied each other, and the Camry as well... and it will go round and round forever. Now being realistic and logical, in the days when this care just started to roll out in the 70's (!)... a shark was loose in a pool of manatees. It's SO much better-looking than nearly anything for decades, save a few super exotic super cars but you don't compare totally different classes and reasonably stay on point. The XJS has balance, it's finished on the edges smoothly and beautifully, the front and read is not too much in any way stubby or too long, overly thick or thin, the lights aren't too square or too small or big, nor are they too extreme in being futuristic or weird. The roof almost drapes into the trunk, and overall the thing is mildly pretty; not hyper cool or stately tall and snobby.... it's graceful and sexy.
@@lasvegasloner4621 it's just about as graceful as a morbidly obese woman trying to dance ballet.
It's misproportioned, sits too high while the roof is too low, the front lights and the bumpers for the gringo market are AWFUL, and that back...
It ends up too narrow and inclined backwards when it's going for a more stoic overall shape. Brake lights too funky, the trunk is oddly shaped, the back window is SO SMALL...
The lines don't even flow freely, it's awful, even for what it was back then.
A Jensen interceptor pulls it off waaaaaay better, and that was just a hunk of metal.
Also, I think you're cute, doing the all "doesn't it have enough scoops for you?"
Haha dumbo
Your take was honest and balanced.... you'll find not much of that in these comments sections. I responded to "Victor the kid" below if you want to read about my opinion on the looks of the XJS. In short, I always thought it was understated and beautiful-- it's almost as if those who don't like it compare it to the highest dollar super cars of its time, but forget the XJS is worlds better looking than the other cars of the 70's when it came out. Think of the Ford Granada, or the Mustang 2. The Mercedes of the time look like buildings (except the SL maybe-- which was nice but compared to the XJS? A boring, smoothed-over box)... and how about a Dodge Diplomat or any mid-70's Lincoln? LOL!!
I never had an XJS but drooled on a few in the 80's. I was aware of the reliability issues though lol.
I really get pissed about any reliability problems with cars, so of course I'm not exactly defending the whole model, but again that goes for pretty much most cars designed in the 70's. However, it IS a gorgeous car and most that don't understand that have the same problem Doug does above-- they grade them against all cars, of all times, no matter what. I don't pretend to understand a curve I would grade them on, but I wouldn't grade them at all if it has to be a "Doug score". He's entertaining though and I appreciate what he does mostly, but when quirks like picking on the mirror being in the glove compartment (?), when all I had to do was think for two seconds and I came up with "Well...it's better than everyone seeing you keep your face and neck cranked in the position looking in the visor above... the Jag mirror is discreet". Doug does this kind of thing all the time though, and it's sort of par for the course with pseudo-intellectuals forgetting a part of intelligence called "empathy" or the hypothetical.
Most of this stuff we read on here is bias-based and tiring, but at least it's entertaining if there's nothing to do.
We would like to see more of old and classic cars.
@GuyStuff Did you see the Motorweek retro review of the GTV6? It's a fantastic car!
Ravi Sharma I agree!
Anyone remember when Clarkson turned one of them into a train!?
Or drove one off a cliff with nitrous lol
@@DailyDriver. I think that was off an aircraft carrier.
I had a v12 jag xj c . 5.3 litre and about 285 hp. It went pretty fast in a straight line but handled a bit like a hovercraft. It had 2 ten gallon fuel tanks, one in each rear wing ( fender?) and a push button switch inside to switch tanks. There was only one fuel gauge, so if you were running low on the gauge, you pushed the button and it read full again. But not for long, as fuel economy was dreadful.
It started getting electrical and heating issues., so i sold it. I jumped at the first offer, in relief. However, the ohone kept ringing for about two weeks. Amazing. Theres always someone who will buy a jag.
Yeas! Finally an older car :) love those reviews
Grünkohlaktionär you old man
Doug, the type of guy to use an umbrella when it snows.
😂😂😂😂😂
I did exactly this this very morning.
TableRocked just shut up
@@hypergarage8595 that dude placed the same shit on my other comment.
I never thought of that. Might actually start doing that now. lmao
I own a 90s xj6 and the only problems I had with it were from the previous owners who refused to service it now I fixed most the problems and it’s my daily,super reliable
15:16 The reason steering wheels were large in the 1970's is because power steering was considered unreliable; if your engine stops, it's very difficult to steer a behemoth of a car with no more power steering, unless you have a steering wheel large enough to provide the necessary leverage.
Doug the type of guy to put a seatbelt over his McDonald's bag
How else are you going to keep the fries out of the seat cracks?
Me, the type if guy to do that too haha
@TableRocked you must be fun at parties.
@TableRocked Nice copypasta
I remember you talking about this on Matt Farah's podcast. Glad you finally got to review one! It's quirky, fun, and makes no sense. The perfect Doug DeMuro car!
Oh wait, sorry Doug. There's no CarMax extended warranty available.
You forgot the "bumper-to-bumper" part :D
Niklas Grabau No that.. that is the Carmax warranty...
Matt Farah is a stupid fat fuck.
Is this Matt Farah's Million Mile Lexus?
I wish I could prevent you from commenting. Idk why. I just hate your comments. Probably because you're just begging for attention.
Doug, the type of guy to wash his hands after taking a shower.
Lmaoo sometimes i do that ngl 😂
One night my wife dropped me off to collect my Ferrari 308 GT4 at work in her 1983 XJS HE... I was redlining the Ferrari to keep up with her on the way home... when we got there I asked "what's up Mario Andretti" she stared at me... "what do you mean?" ...Its also a car that we took on I-5 to San Diego and regularly hit 145 mph at night without her even noticing the speed due to the quiet nature of the car. Its damned quick and silent running. Not cheap to run, but don't underestimate the V12.
6:20 That brochure is surprisingly high quality for 1988!
Empire State As a kid I remember my dad coming home with an XJ40 brochure from about ‘87 or ‘88 and it was of similar quality. Jaguar always did nice brochures with beautifully lit photography
we used real paperpulp back then....trees were plenty
V12 REVIEW BUT NO EXHAUST NOTE
Maybe cause he doesn't have a microphone sensitive enough to pick up the sound? 🤔
I've driven a Jag V12 and there really isn't much noise. The one I was in was a convertible so you got to hear it more, but in the XJ-S it was supposed to be quiet and refined so barely audible.
Joakim Quensel he’s got $300k for a Ford gt and money for a new house you’d think he could afford a good mic
@@0554joe the Ford gt is not 300k
You obviously have no idea how the old v12s were.. It's not like some big block massive HP engine.
The cylinders/pistons were smaller and 12 to make the car run smoother and more balanced. Their wouldnt be a v8 sounding exhaust note but rather a quiet one.
Such a beautiful shape car, I preferred the latter face lift version. Doug under scored it for looks. Very rare these days, the reliability explains that. The British highway police used some of those.
Car Wizard accepted the challenge and conquered it! Got one of these running again after sitting for years.
My dad has one of these. He loves it to death. A 1990 V12 Convertible. Signal red. 35k miles. It’s the most reliable car he’s ever had. It’s been a year since it was serviced
Aidan Miller anyone that drives those are gay
BorbzYT calling me and my dad gay?
PC Fanboy headass
I would hope it was reliable seeing as how it's hardly driven. Averaging 1250 miles a year it shouldn't be wearing out and needing serviced often. Call us when he drives it every day and puts 10k miles a year on it.
Spare parts “Why would anyone put 10,000 miles a year on that car. It’s a weekend car. If the car isn’t used, it’s rots from the inside-out.”
The spare isn't chromed because the rims weren't chrome from the factory. The spare is correct.
Plot twist
No, the wheels came from the factory like that.
Probably a dealer option.
Agreed! The chrome wheels don't look like they belong here. Poor taste BTW.
Joakim Pekkari Kiitos, you saved me the comment. I've seen more than 10 of these through the years and never once did any of them have these wheels, and as someone else said, it's in extremely poor taste too.
my best friend had one and he always had a full tool box at all times in the boot.. It also had a habit of water flooding out of the aC vents after a hard train.. We live in Florida, so ti rains, a lot.. He also carried tons of towels..
I owned a 1976 XJ-S, when they first came out in 76 they where not XJS, it was XJ-S, it was a fun car and very reliable for a British car, nice video 👏👏👏👏👏👏
I have had two XJS v12s I bought a two year old one in 1992 I thought it was so unique people flashed their lights beeped their horrns and gave thumbs up where ever I went in it.
It had 50,000 miles on it and was the perfect example of every American joke about unreliable Jags in four years I spent $15000 in repairs It had an idle problem that would make it buck like a mustang horse and stall NO ONE could find the problem one Christmas eve driving home it literally caught fire and committed suicide.
The problem was I was hooked I bought another same year model color everything had it four years not a single problem until I was T boned at an intersection. These cars have problems usually after 70,000 miles. The kick down that Doug talked about dropping to second around 60mph hitting the gas and moving into Drive worked wonderfully for me I don't think Doug put enough umphh into the change as it could knock my head back to the head rest when I Did it. One little point about the unusual mirror in the glove compartment, Doug it's for girls it's a little make up mirror and tray my wife, daughter her friends every female that sat in the passenger seat drooled over it.
My buddy who worked at Jaguar said my first v12 was a Monday Friday car the workers don't want to be there Monday and couldn't wait to get away Friday. I presume my second was built Tue Wed Thur.
After that I bought a 1994 XJS convertible which I have had for 15 years it has been through New England winters six years with my daughter through high school and college and is now back with me as a summer car only the engine is bullet proof it still runs great with 180,000 miles on it, it has a coolant leak the AC needs fixing and the radio stopped working this year all will be restored next spring and the thumbs up admiring glances will continue.
Keep enjoying your jags but please don’t take it to a garage where the staff haven’t got a clue, their lack of knowledge killed your car, it wasn’t suicide...
2012日本語がわかりません no they didn’t.
Ok a few things to clear up here, my name is Mick I wrote the post Janis is my wife I grew up in Coventry England moved to Massachusetts where I bought the cars and still live. I took the first XJ back to the dealership 7 times R.I. has no lemon law, tried other Jaguar mechanics my guess is that the dealership knew what the problem was but knew it would be to expensive to fix it. It's ancient history now, now you know why we got all the light flashing and beeps as we were in the U.S.
To continue our much maligned love of English cars we have just bought a 1977 series 3 109 former telecommunications NATO truck from Bosnia. It has been restored in New Hampshire and features close to a ground up restoration including an engine and transmission swap from 2.25 diesel standard to a 300 TDI intercooled and auto transmission three zone heat and A.C and lots more. We are going to tour the country in it so we might do a blog. Happy motoring everyone.
2012日本語がわかりません what’s age got to do with it, do I have to be a certain age to disagree with you? The only time they had a bad image was when they first came out because they were too modern for the English taste and they were incorrectly compared to the e type. The bad image was soon put to bed, they wouldn’t have been made for twenty years if they were not selling! They certainly weren’t classed as a chip shop owners car either although one or two owners may have had one though that would have been the exception rather than the rule.
I bought a pre-owned 1985 model. A car I hated to love.
I can echo the flashing lights and beeps from oncoming drivers. It was a head turner and a babe magnet. It was the cheapest "exotic" on the planet.
I agree with you on the acceleration . . . this guy didn't know what he was doing. There is nothing like a V-12 and I remember unceasingly smooth acceleration. I agree, it didn't deliver what you get out of a V-12 & 5-speed transmission today but let's not forget the 4-speed Corvette (of that era) went 0 to 60 in 7 seconds.
We all have our repair bills that make us shake our heads. Mine was $600 . . . to replace power steering hoses . . . to fix a leak. The steering column had to be pulled to facilitate this rudimentary repair . . . damn them British mofos! But after every repair there was always that complimentary fine chocolate on the passenger seat.
My persistent problem was a fickle ignition control computer/board. In the rain, the car would be running fine and then just effing shut down at speed.
I don't remember how I stumbled across the solution but I bought what are those cigarette-lighter-powered, aftermarket, windshield defroster boxes and if I wedged it inside the trunk panel where the board was . . . and ran the power cord out the trunk along the right side of the car and into the barely opened window . . . so that I could plug it in . . . the problem was solved!
I once pushed my burgundy (claret they called it, I believe) XJS to 146 mph on the Atlantic City Expressway and held it there. Never felt so secure and stable . . . at speed . . . as I did in that car . . . Philadelphia to the AC casinos in under 30 minutes . . . with a radar detector & jammer. (One state trooper started to come after me from a dead stop but I guess he realized he didn't stand a chance . . . plus he had no radar reading). That's the least incriminating story I can share with you about my XJS escapades.
It was my primary car at the time, which was a mistake. I learned and bought a Lexus SC400 after that. I only took that to 120 mph . . . with none of the Jaguar drama.
I agree with many of the previous comments. This guy doesn't really know or understand what he's talking about. He's reviewing a 30 plus year old car in the context of a modern car. By every measure, the XJS was a ground breaking car and the fact that it was in production for 21 years says it all. I have 3 of these cars, two V12's and a V6.....there is nothing quite like an XJS, people always go on about reliability, I have an 89, a 94 and a 96, the youngest of them is already 23 years old and none of them have ever broken down or let me down. If you take care of them and maintain them properly, they are as reliable (maybe more so) as any other brand. The big attraction for me is that these are old school cars, so you can actually maintain them and not have to take them to an IT center for a service!
If you've got a V6... I'd love to see it...!
A V6 eh?
Sure about that?
TheYorkMan They never had v6 only straight 6.
b u l l s h i t d e t e c t e d
i assume it may have been a typo, the V6
anyway it does sound to me you come at this from the perspective of somewhat technically capable enthusiast...... most of us rely on mechanics making doug's opinion somewhat more valid
sure thing... classic jags are not likely the car people like us should choose!
I've probably already put this, but the wheels were chromed at a later date, which is why the spare is not done, you can tell from the photo
That seat belt is the coolest I've seen. But over complicated and don't want it for my use, but still cool
doug the type of guy to get comments about the type of guy he is.
TableRocked go cry about it you fucking baby
@TableRocked Why would Doug have alluded to the jokes in the Honda Odyssey video and in a different video's comment about hitting 1 mil. sub's if he didn't think they were funny? He isn't a curmudgeon--he has fun with his channel. Hundreds of people like the jokes on every single video. It's part of it, and everyone likes it.
Doug the type of guy to replace his headlight bulbs... before they burn out.
TableRocked you need to go cry about it
TableRocked HAHA! bro. Why are you so mad? You have no control over what someone else can comment on a video so why would you let it bother you like that? There is therapy for people like you man. Relax.
TableRocked those jokes have become a part of the community and even Doug has poked fun at them. If you want to have more enlightened vehicle discussions, I recommend checking out his column on Autotrader. There the comments are typically lengthier and more focused.
@@THECHOSENONE11000 You can also find more of his thoughts there as well.
Dig Doug
I am impressed he found a working one and how many oil paintings borrowed could fit in the trunk.
You are so funny, you make me laugh every videos and I get to learn a lot thx to you.
That emergency brake was the same kind used in the Countach, which also had a V12. What does this tell us? Absolutely nothing.
also some ferraris had it but why not worth a mention,a feature that only a few cars have. how many countaches have you seen on the road anyway
Oddly the Pontiac Fiero had the same parking brake configuration. Seems odd to have it on the left of the seat but I suspect that it makes the parking brake cable run more direct to the left side rear brake.
Both sexy cars. 1 is almost half a million the other isn't.
Also Aston Martin. The UK 924 and 944 Porches also had them on the outside except they didn't drop down so you tripped on the bloody thing every time you got out of the car !!
Pretty sure I had a C4 corvette with the same type too
Doug, the camera being that close to your face makes me deeply uncomfortable
So I took my modest 2006 Honda CR-v to my favorite mechanic (home shop) for some help before an upcoming 1500-mile trip west. Sometimes he has a loaner from his stable. He must love me, because he gave me this very '88 V12 to drive for 2-3 days. "It's been sitting, it needs some highway miles". It's at 77K original miles and pristine. I'm terrified of other drivers, but I'm in heaven on the road. I've never driven a car like this, I hate sitting so low, the controls require re-education, the mileage I'm sure is crap. But it's like a cat on the road, it glides like a canoe on a calm lake at any speed, everyone stares, it purrs like a, well, you know. I get it. I love it. It's for sale, having been well loved, but I'll be more at ease in my humble Honda. It's truly a "touring car", and I can see why they were cherished
Thanks for the review, I enjoyed very much. I have a later facelift xjs which to be fair has most of the quirks in the earlier model. Thankfully not the gauge cluster though, I never really liked the scrolling gauges temp,oil etc.
The thing that amuses me most is the lack of room in the rear. Only very small children or toddlers could ever sit in the back seats but I think its nice that Jaguar provided them with an ash tray!! All in all I wouldnt change my XJS, its a unique looker to be sure. I live less than an hours drive from Browns Lane in Coventry where they were built, yet I have to buy many spares from cousins across the pond (so I thank you guys in the US very much for that) as they are not available here in the UK. All the best Jez :)
I am surprised, I have an 86 xjs v12 coupe I have done a restomod on, fully done up, and I get majority of my parts, oem and aftermarket, from the UK. It is just very hard to find certain things that's for sure.