The story of the Jaguar XJ40 (and its successors) is one that I’ve been reluctant to take on (in depth), because I have such overwhelmingly negative feelings about its arrival and early days. The XJ40 was such a disappointment stylistically and dynamically, and on top of that I knew well two folks who bought them, to their great regret. A genuine Deadly Sin, and we’ll get to it one of these days. Wonderful interiors, especially in the Vanden Plas version, but that’s a small compensation when you’re sitting in an immobile one, again, waiting for the tow truck. But this is an XK-330, the lwb version of the XJ-300, from the period after Ford spent billions to upgrade Jaguar production facilities and quality. Did that make a big difference?
I’m not the one to ask. But I just cringe at the thought of owning one, even if Ford’s open wallet did make something of a difference. I’m sure they can be picked up for pennies on the (original) dollar nowadays. And like everything else automotive, there’s probably folks out there who have mastered their deficiencies and revel in their splendid accommodations and silky ride. Good for them.
But I’ll pass, since I spend most Sundays driving deep into the woods and mountains on remote forest roads. Of course, the back seat would be a perfect place to open the wicker hamper and have our hot tea and goodies after our hikes (seriously). But then I’d like to know it’s going to get us back home again. I’d rather look at the woods going by outside than sit stranded and look at the wood inside.
These actually came top of the JD Power satisfaction/reliability surveys for quite a few years – they’re significantly more reliable than their predecessors. However, as with any aging high-end luxury car, being bulletproof when new isn’t the same as being faultless at nearly 20 years old…
That’s why I’m such a fan of the Lexus LS series. That’s one car that lets you have your cake and eat it too.
My ’95 LS400 has 112,000 miles on it. I anticipate putting at least another 100K on it before I start thinking about replacing it.
LS400s with problems sell very very cheap here under a grand but if you cant fix it yourself its just a very expensive problem to solve and the engine will finish up doing saturday night speedway duty in a stockcar for that they are great.
Bryce, with old luxury cars of any kind, high km examples are never a good idea unless you have your own shop and all the tools you’ll need. However, you find a good Lexus, Infiniti or Acura and you get a nice ride that will run for years. Generally, in these parts, the cars are trouble free for 200,000 km. Buy one with 100,000 km on it and you have years of cheap driving.
And the repair typically reflects the original purchase price, not the present value!
Its the high mileage ones that sell cheap some with 400k plus on them very well worn and thrashed they have been cheap cars here for some time mostly used imports with dubious maintenance histories or none at all.
There is something off about the proportions on this long version. Those extra long back doors have me thinking of the stretched Crown Vics that saw taxi duty in some larger cities. I am sure that the rear seat leg room is wonderful, but the car just looks wrong. And that’s a bad thing for a car whose main reason for existing is its looks.
I have no experience with this era of Jag either, so I will leave to others any discussion on their longevity (or lack thereof). I would be interested to hear, as I have always been ever-so-slightly intrigued by these. Against my better judgment, of course.
The long doors aren’t the problem (in my opinion). In addition to a stretched wheelbase, the LWB cars have a higher roofline in the rear; it really detracts from the slinky Jaguar look.
I forgot how stretched these were. At first, I thought it was a custom stretch of an already stretched LWB model. These were just a big too long to look right. Certainly made a great car to be driven in.
But funny about the LWB Crown Vics. Not only did they make a much better taxi, I thought they finally looked well-proportioned. I always thought the green house and wheelbase were too short for the length of the car. Still too much car length to make sense in NYC; the newer cabs just seem so much more sensibly sized.
“…have mastered their deficiencies”. When I read those words, my own misplaced hubris comes to mind. Three years ago I spotted a Catera at an estate sale with one owner careful miles. It now sits in the car port – still looking cherry – while I rue the day I thought I could reverse the tide of history. Never again. What is metal bringing per ton these days?
I was at my local pick-n-pull yard a couple of months ago. There were not one but TWO Cateras in the GM section, in adjacent rows! Not a touch of body damage on either one of them either.
The things that make you go ‘hmmmm’
drop in a Buick V6 thats what GMH did and finished up with good cars, get a kiwi made speedway engine that will make it boogie you can get 500 neddies if you have the coin.
Sold as a Vauxhall Omega in the UK,still a few on the road though they were never a big seller
It is interesting how a car carries its unreliability. With an Alfa or an ‘80s Ferrari, there is a certain pride that comes with the threat of being stranded on the side of the road; it’s a story to tell. Making it to your [insert interesting activity that Italian car owners do on weekends] is like going into battle and surviving.
But, sitting on the steaming hood of a ‘90s XJ is just not a good look… Too bad. Reliability aside, I think it’s a brilliant car.
Interesting to read of the reliability issues my BIL worked in Jaguar parts when these were new and the cars generally had few problems despite being fairly complex, He did tell of having to stop Fords production line at the NZ assembly plant to have a Hood repainted correctly to satisfy a customer but daily problems were few providing the regular maintenance was carried out correctly.
I was referring to the older pre-Ford XJ40. I’m asking the question here, are these newer ones much improved? I’d still be a bit wary of owning one….
With Jags you are up against what the previous owner has had done to it and who it was done by.
Good clean well maintained cars should be fine lots of people drive them reliably every day, others results vary as we know,
I’ve always heard that the 2004 to 2009 versions are the perfection of this model. 4.2 V8 that finally got the kinks worked out and the other systems were no worse than any other aging luxury car.
Living so close to Arizona the temptations to buy an old luxury car are strong. Taking a look at Auto Trader the XJ6/8s, Infiniti Q/M sedans, Cadillac DTS, Buick Lucerne V8s, and Lexus LS models are abundant and cheap. Decade old (and newer) models that have been dealer maintained and have name brand tires and have been babied for their much less than 100,000 miles.
Many have been dumped at the dealer by the surviving children who didn’t want to deal with the estate sale or private sale of the car. All are available for pennies on the dollar. I am consistently amazed how many are listed at the $15,000 range and under.
I sometimes fantasize about a mid 2000s Jaguar XJ8 or a 2006 up DTS with the more angular styling. Do I roll the dice on a Northstar or on Jaguar’s reputation? Or will a saner head prevail and should I just grab a Lexus LS?
I must have been the only middle school kid who equally fantasized about muscle cars and tomb quiet luxury cars….
Actually, the 2004-2009 models are quite a different beast: aluminum construction (though not a space frame like the Audi A8) and different electronics. In spite of the aluminum, they have a reputation for rusting! (Only Jaguar…) Something to do with the rivets, I believe.
Having said that, I’m pretty sure you’re right about the engine.
Me I’d go with a Lexus they aren’t totally reliable but very close the ones with problems tend to be used imports with variable maintenance records good ones are great bad ones have the motors removed and installed into stockcars
I agree: I’d go with the Lexus if daily drivability is key. That said, the other choices might have more “character”, good or bad…
I’ve been buying used older luxury cars for years and it is a really cheap way of getting a good ride. The availability of cheap financing has made new cars ridiculously cheap, like $250 a month for a loaded ride. A used luxury car can easily be had for $10,000, because the number of people who have that much cashloa in their wallet is incredibly low. It means screaming deals on these cars because nobody knows what they are and think they are too hard on gas. Thing is, when you spend $10,000 on a car, if it isn’t the most economical thing to it doesn’t matter much. My 14 year old Acura has depreciated a whopping one third, or $3000, since I bought it three years ago. So what if it uses premium, it’s cheap as dirt, and very comfortable and sporty, too.
@Canucknucklehead, I agree. Stupid cheap and people do have this bias against big cars. The don’t seem to be able to understand that an old (well made and reliable) luxury car for $200 or so a month beats the pants off of their efficient little brand new economy car for $400 a month. Factor in gas and insurance and the old car has it all over the new one.
Considering the number still seen on the roads even after 15+ years, I’d say they must be much better than the XJ40.
KiwiBryce is spot on. The reliability or otherwise, especially of complex cars like these often owes little to their construction but everything to their maintenance. I’m tired of reading the oft rehashed plop about how unreliable/badly built British cars are.
I fired up my 54yrold Hillman this arvo with a flat battery one swing of the crankhandle and away it went purring like a kitten it starts as easily and reliably as my 98 diesel Citroen or my 340k km Nissan sentra, British unreliability, please.
I have heard the ’95-’97 cars are relatively reliable for a Jaguar; ’98 to ‘0(?) have the troublesome Nikasil engines and are good candidates for LSx engine swaps.
I have had Jaguar people tell me the same. The X300 incorporated many changes that the XJ40 should have had from the beginning and supposedly they are actually quite usable for a Jaguar. Earlier this year I drove a 77,000 mile 1-owner 1997 and believe it or not everything worked on it.
The V8 engine that was put in beginning in 1998 had some problems, not the least of which were the plastic timing chain tensioners. Beginning around 2002 or 2003 Jaguar began using metal parts which can (and should) be retrofitted to the older cars. It’s not really a do it yourself job since you’ve essentially got to take off the front of the engine but I’ve seen some You Tube videos by DIYers.
From what I’ve seen 6 cylinder X300’s are actually worth a little more than the early 8 cylinders.
A Jag has always been on my must have list of cars,twice I came close to buying one but chickened out and bought a Vauxhall PC Cresta and a Mk2 Ford Granada.From the front doors forward this looks nice but that stretched rear door and glass looks out of proportion with the rest of the car.
You need to meet my doctor Gem he exports old Jags to England. google Beacham independant Jaguar Hawkes Bay New Zealand.
Thanks Bryce, love the Beacham Mk2.Better start doing the lottery!
While going between my 2 jobs, I pass by a used car lot & for much of the past year, it had a 2001 Jaguar in blue like the one in the story. I had to fight off the temptation to enquire about it since I’m still very happy w/my 2005 Ford Focus. That Jag finally left the lot, only to be replaced by a newer one in silver.
It sure looks a lot better with the B pillar moved rearward (upper image).
This particular Jaguar received a pretty bad rap. Actually this model the X300, XJ6 of 1995 thru 1997, enjoys a reputation of longevity and of being quite reliable. I bought pretty much the same car a few months ago. Like any mechanical device it needs the proper maintenance and repair. Any car that is twenty years old or so probably has been the victim of lots of deferred maintenance.
It seems that many of us love our cars but are not ready to trust them on a long trip. Even some cars that have received a lot of repair, maintenance and care. I bought my car three months ago, I drove it home from LA without any problems. Since then I have proceeded to drive it every day, everywhere. I have put on 3,000 miles since purchase, taking several 300 mile round trips. The car had 143,000 miles on it when I bought. It has run very well. I attribute to the fact that it was owned by a professional mechanic with his own shop. He did not provide any kind of service history though he told me about the repairs and maintenance he had performed.
This was a spur of the moment trip to the Oregon coast, covering up to 2,000 miles and twelve days. A travelogue follows.
A couple of travel days took me from San Jose to Medford Oregon, and then on the Depot Bay. We spent four days here. Then I took US 101 north into Washington State up to the Long Beach peninsula area. We had covered almost a thousand miles at this point. We spent a couple of days in Ocean Shores then proceeded south to the city of Long Beach where we spent another three days. I really enjoyed driving the two lane roads of the coastal region. There was a lot of twisty roads and mountain driving also. Another two travel days took us through Eugene and onto Medford. Our final day was a long drive back to San Jose.
As with a pilot, the only thing that matters to the passenger is the landing. Or in this case making it home without any problems, which was thankfully the case. Total mileage after twelve days was 1,840. Fuel economy varied from 22 mpg. To the best of 25.3 mpg. on the last day on the way home..
So is there anything that I have learned from this experience? I have gotten to experience the qualities that make a Jaguar, a Jaguar even if filtered through a twenty year veil of mechanical patina. The motor ran smoothly, never got hot, did not leak any oil and idled beautifully all along. The a/c worked perfectly. The chassis felt a tiny bit loose, and there’s a bit of noise and vibration commensurate with the mileage. Still it felt completely controllable and comfortable. Part of my success was luck of course, but it also proves the adage that these cars are best when run regularly. Now I will start my own documented program of maintenance on the car.
Try the pic again.