Wife has had to drive the back-up tow beast, 2002 suburban, and she wants something smaller and more fuel efficient. I know she's thinking VW/Honda or something but I came across a 1986 XJ6 with new brakes, alternator, starter and tires. The only mechanical issue is that you ca't switch tanks. It also needs lower seat covers and a headliner. Would you DD this?
If you're willing to tinker with it fairly regularly, it can be done. IMO, the best of the Jags to DD prior to Ford starting to mess with them would be the 88-94 XJ40 XJ6. The AJ6 / AJ16 engine is solid (the older XK engine is pretty good as well) and the electronics, etc. in the XJ40 aren't as finicky. And the cars are a bit simpler (single fuel tank) and don't have the potential fire hazard in a crash of the fuel tanks in the rear fenders. Oh, and the XJ40 has fairly normal brakes in the rear, rather than the funky inboard setup of the older cars (the rest of the rear suspension is very similar).
Maybe but the XJ40 is UGLY! The whole point is the Series XJ6 is the best looking sedan ever and it drives like a sports car from that era. I love them but have no experience with them as an older car, just had friends who had them when they were relatively new. I know the later series 3 are better/much better than the earlier ones.
It might sound funny but from what I hear, I wouldn't expect fuel economy a whole lot better than that Suburban. The "dollars in maintenance per mile" calculation, OTOH, will greatly be in favor of what she has now...
It'll get better mpg than a Suburban for highway cruising. Not much better around town. And hey, the XJ40 is only ugly if it's got square lights. The round headlight versions are only slightly less attractive than a Series III, IMO. They didn't screw up the nice driving dynamics either. Rides like a well-damped couch (not floaty or bouncy), but handles surprisingly well with responsive (and very fast ratio) steering and minimal body roll.
10/10 would DD
I already did. A couple of them (both '86s).
A couple of things to make them reliable: Replace the Lucas starter with a Bosch gear reduction unit. Only way to get a new starter these days, and only way to get a reliable one. If it has the Marchal alternator, replace with a GM one. I've successfully rebuilt the Marchal unit, and you really have to make sure the wires are cleaned and connected well (my second XJ6 was bought for cheap because they couldn't keep it running off the jump box. I reached under it, cleaned the connection on the back of the alternator and drove it home.) Lastly, the emissions controlled XJ6s need a valve tappet guide stakedown kit installed if it hasn't been done. The valve tappet guides are press fit into the heads in manufacture by heating the heads to the point where the guides slip down in the head, then when the head cools off enough, they are locked in place. When the cars came to the US, the catalytic converter was mounted next to the head, heating the heads more than they were designed for, and letting the guides come loose. They then ride up and hit the cam, shattering them and sending shards of metal throughout the engine. The stakedown kit is 3 machined metal tabs that are attached to the head (by drilling, yes, it's scary) and hold the guides in place. I did it to both my cars for peace of mind.
Other areas of concern are the dual gas tank switch-over electrics and slow window regulators, both easy fixes. Also, the front brake pads are a breeze to replace. The rears not so much, and the parking brake pads are damn near impossible to reach.
But daily driving them, not a problem and they are NICE places to be in.
Very cool, Chris. Thanks! I just have been a fan. The guy is asking $900. Seems like a total bargain. NO rust and god chrome. It's blue over blue, which kinda sucks but, god are they gorgeous.
Valve tappet guide stakedown kit: finding info on installation but not on purchasing. Weird
Anyone else with imput? What would be your biggest worries
My biggest worries would be the calls I'd be getting from the missus about things breaking, acting up, getting stranded, etc.
http://xcessivemanufacturing.com/index.php/jaguar.html
Just gonna leave this here. Rich Kubhila's jag is a four seat drift car. Me likey.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2127318-OT-Figured-you-might-like-to-see-this-(Drift-Jaguar)-Built-by-Xcessive-Mfg
Trackmouse wrote: http://xcessivemanufacturing.com/index.php/jaguar.html Just gonna leave this here. Rich Kubhila's jag is a four seat drift car. Me likey. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2127318-OT-Figured-you-might-like-to-see-this-(Drift-Jaguar)-Built-by-Xcessive-Mfg
i feel confident in saying they sell what has to be the cheapest adaptor plate i've ever seen. only $56?!?! Makes me want to get an XJ6 now just to manual swap it
A buddy of mine (who wasnt mechanically inclined at all) had a 94 xj6. His never needed anything besides regular maintenance and was abused regularly. The only big issue he had was when he left the gas cap off and it rained 
that was a nightmare.
edizzle89 wrote: A buddy of mine (who wasnt mechanically inclined at all) had a 94 xj6. His never needed anything besides regular maintenance and was abused regularly. The only big issue he had was when he left the gas cap off and it rained
The Series III cars are a little more fussy than that (94 was an XJ40). But most of the Jags of that era aren't a total pain. They have certain things that are guaranteed to cause a problem at some point, but those are all a pretty known quantity. And beyond those few items, they're pretty solid cars.
I really don't understand why they are so cheap as they ate great cars and are easier to live with than a lot of their german brethren
markwemple wrote: I really don't understand why they are so cheap as they ate great cars and are easier to live with than a lot of their german brethren
Like most high end luxury cars, the value drops off a cliff once they hit a certain age. They're too old for the original owners or even the second owners to want them and an average person isn't willing to pay a lot for something that old. So they get cheap until / unless they start becoming collectible.
That part I understand. But they are cheaper than their german counterparts and are more fun to drive, apparently cheaper to maintain and so much better looking. Plus, honestly, I don't se6the German beasts becoming collectable but these certainly will.
From what I've seen of the people who want an old Jag vs an old BMW or Merc, it seems like the Jags just have a smaller market relative to their availability. Which means lower prices, which has me casually looking for one to buy. Only problem is, I specifically want an 88 XJ40 (89 added automatic seatbelts to get around the need for an airbag and 90+ had the Ford tampering and lost what I think is the best implemented digital dash I've seen, although they did get more power).
Series 1 xj6s are on the up. I don't see the xj40s ever being worth much. I think 1 problem is the perceived reliability problem. Some is deserved some is due to earlier jag issues. These are really cheap Bentleys
Yeah, the early Jags are becoming more collectible. The Series III doesn't seem to be there yet, but it'll probably happen eventually. The XJ40, less so. They just seem to lack the charm to most of the guys who collect old Jags for whatever reason.
Trackmouse wrote: http://xcessivemanufacturing.com/index.php/jaguar.html Just gonna leave this here. Rich Kubhila's jag is a four seat drift car. Me likey. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2127318-OT-Figured-you-might-like-to-see-this-(Drift-Jaguar)-Built-by-Xcessive-Mfg
Ummm. I now know what my next car is. HOLY COW!
You people are all terrible. I just responded to a CL ad for an '86 asking for pics...
Someone please tell me how terrible these things are, I have absolutely no business picking up a cheap Jag right now.
A $56 dollar 5-speed manual transmission adapter plate?
http://xcessivemanufacturing.com/index.php/jaguar/4-2l-exhaust-flange-696.html
Furious_E wrote: You people are all terrible. I just responded to a CL ad for an '86 asking for pics... Someone please tell me how terrible these things are, I have absolutely no business picking up a cheap Jag right now.
Then don't. LOL!
markwemple wrote:Furious_E wrote: You people are all terrible. I just responded to a CL ad for an '86 asking for pics... Someone please tell me how terrible these things are, I have absolutely no business picking up a cheap Jag right now.Then don't. LOL!
I mean, I could, just probably shouldn't, seeing as I'm going to be garage-less until roughly July starting this Saturday.
The one you're looking at isn't on Harrisburg Craigslist by any chance, is it?
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