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I know nothing! Hello all. I have contracted the Jag bug. I must have an xjs. My BMW lease is up in 8 months and I intend to learn all I can. For starters, --and this must be a common question-- V12 or straight 6? I live in California--will sit in traffic, but love a good whip around the hills and down the highway. Also, love a long drive. Want the coupe, and have been told the straight 6 is less trouble, but the 12 is closer to God. Any thoughts are apprecited. Also, I have no mechanical skills whatsoever!
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Absolute beginner
- Thread starter ryder
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Hey, welcome to the forum.....newbie or veteran you are equally as welcome. Undoubtedly, the V-12 is akin to a religious experience.....if you can find a car with a documented service history, frequent oil changes and checkups, then go for it. The six is indeed more reliable when compared to a twelve that has been neglected, and is easier to service, but that twelve.....Ohhhhhhh mama!! For one with no mechanical skills, the twelve should be entrusted to a professional for all but the basics.
PC
Obi Wan
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Hi Ryder, welcome to the party. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Since the mechanical thing isn't your first passion I would recommend finding a service person/shop before you even look for cars. They will become an integral (but hopefully not continuous) part of your life so choosing the right one for you is very important.
Besides making you life ever more pleasant during the inevitable maintenance episodes, they may also be helpful in locating the car that best suits you.
If you can locate any fellow Jag enthusiasts/clubs in your neighborhood they should be able to provide suggestions on who's who locally.
PC.
Since the mechanical thing isn't your first passion I would recommend finding a service person/shop before you even look for cars. They will become an integral (but hopefully not continuous) part of your life so choosing the right one for you is very important.
Besides making you life ever more pleasant during the inevitable maintenance episodes, they may also be helpful in locating the car that best suits you.
If you can locate any fellow Jag enthusiasts/clubs in your neighborhood they should be able to provide suggestions on who's who locally.
PC.
John S Farrington
Jedi Warrior
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I love our V12 convertible but I would recommend a six unless you are willing to pay for the religious experience. A V12 costs probably about twice what a six cylinder requires to maintain it properly. Without proper maintenance the V12 can become your worst dream. Go into the Jag experience conservatively and look for a six. If the six rubs you the right way then go for the awsome 12. The advice to find a competent Jag service shop before you buy one is probably sage. Have the shop check it out during the purchase ritual. Welcome to the Jaguar club, you are a man of impeccable taste.
Ryder, you realize, of course, that if you buy a V-12, you are required by law in the state of California, to sign a pre-nup with your mechanic!
One of the most pleasing sounds I ever heard was dropping one Jag V-12 into an empty dumpster, and then dropping another on top of it. Both of them ran, too.
Jeff
One of the most pleasing sounds I ever heard was dropping one Jag V-12 into an empty dumpster, and then dropping another on top of it. Both of them ran, too.
Jeff
My advice is to buy a more modern, well maintained 6 for frequent driving -- it will certainly be more reliable and cost-effective as a daily driver. If you want the religious experience, XJ12s from the 70s are available for next to nothing. One '77 XJ12 with -$12,000- in receipts from a Jag specialist sat in the collector car trader here in the Seattle area for 6 months...asking was $2,700! (I think it sold for under $2K!!!) My mechanic friend saw it and said it was perfect.
So you can have the religious experience, and if it goes south, you just take out a wrench and part out all the expensive stuff on Ebay, then toss the carcass into a landfill with your wallet still intact.
So you can have the religious experience, and if it goes south, you just take out a wrench and part out all the expensive stuff on Ebay, then toss the carcass into a landfill with your wallet still intact.
Thanks
Thanks all. Yes, my instinct is to go with the 6. I do have a good mechanic, and my father in law deals Jag parts--I'd get them at near cost! I have been told that maintenance is everything. Would anyone mind listing the general musts of a 6 cyl, say, yearly? Much thanks again. I'll pick my father in law's brain today and post his thoughts later....
Thanks all. Yes, my instinct is to go with the 6. I do have a good mechanic, and my father in law deals Jag parts--I'd get them at near cost! I have been told that maintenance is everything. Would anyone mind listing the general musts of a 6 cyl, say, yearly? Much thanks again. I'll pick my father in law's brain today and post his thoughts later....
Bruce Bowker
Obi Wan
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Re: Thanks
Drive it!!! Change oil. Drive it!!! Keep an eye it. Once they are tuned right, thye can run a long time.
Bruce
Drive it!!! Change oil. Drive it!!! Keep an eye it. Once they are tuned right, thye can run a long time.
Bruce
John S Farrington
Jedi Warrior
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Re: Thanks
The later model XJ6s require no particular maintenance with the exception of oil and filter changes. routine tune ups are almost a thing of the past. If your Jag is a 1995 or later it will tell you through "check engine" lights of any abnormality. Scans of the ECU history of fault codes will pin point required replacement or adjustment of componenets. A good guide is to follow the recommended checks and replacements of the owners maintenance manual. As a rule of thumb, I recommend that owners of cars later than 1990 XJ6s bring the car in about twice of year for oil/filter changes, inspection of brakes/suspension and top up of all fluid levels (fluid level top up is important). My clients have very little trouble with their later models. Experience has revealed rear supension and differential faults develop after 100k miles that are readily repairable. Engines and transmissions keep on going with no major maintenance before 200K miles.
The later model XJ6s require no particular maintenance with the exception of oil and filter changes. routine tune ups are almost a thing of the past. If your Jag is a 1995 or later it will tell you through "check engine" lights of any abnormality. Scans of the ECU history of fault codes will pin point required replacement or adjustment of componenets. A good guide is to follow the recommended checks and replacements of the owners maintenance manual. As a rule of thumb, I recommend that owners of cars later than 1990 XJ6s bring the car in about twice of year for oil/filter changes, inspection of brakes/suspension and top up of all fluid levels (fluid level top up is important). My clients have very little trouble with their later models. Experience has revealed rear supension and differential faults develop after 100k miles that are readily repairable. Engines and transmissions keep on going with no major maintenance before 200K miles.
V
vagt6
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Re: Thanks
Ryder, welcome to this excellent Jag forum.
May I humbly suggest a couple of items to you in your quest for the Jag? Before you begin, please develop some kind of budget for your project. Do your homework and get a good idea of maintenence and repair costs for the car.
Then, when you encounter a nice example, PAY someone who really knows these cars to carefully inspect the car you intend to purchase. This may save a lot of headaches (and budget busters!) in your future. It will also ensure that your Jaguar experience is a happy and postitive one.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your search!
Ryder, welcome to this excellent Jag forum.
May I humbly suggest a couple of items to you in your quest for the Jag? Before you begin, please develop some kind of budget for your project. Do your homework and get a good idea of maintenence and repair costs for the car.
Then, when you encounter a nice example, PAY someone who really knows these cars to carefully inspect the car you intend to purchase. This may save a lot of headaches (and budget busters!) in your future. It will also ensure that your Jaguar experience is a happy and postitive one.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your search!
Thanks more!
You guys are great. I am closing in on a '95 XJS coupe, racing green on tan. The gent is willing to have an authorized dealer do a full look-over, and fax me that paperwork. It almost seems too good to be true that I could pay 12k or so for such a stunning car. Very, very tempting, to go fly to Texas, where the car is waiting....
You guys are great. I am closing in on a '95 XJS coupe, racing green on tan. The gent is willing to have an authorized dealer do a full look-over, and fax me that paperwork. It almost seems too good to be true that I could pay 12k or so for such a stunning car. Very, very tempting, to go fly to Texas, where the car is waiting....
racing girl
Jedi Knight
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Re: Thanks more!
[ QUOTE ]
Very, very tempting, to go fly to Texas, where the car is waiting....
[/ QUOTE ]
Ryder, go for it! If the paperwork and inspection is OK, why not fly to Texas and drive your new baby home????
RG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
[ QUOTE ]
Very, very tempting, to go fly to Texas, where the car is waiting....
[/ QUOTE ]
Ryder, go for it! If the paperwork and inspection is OK, why not fly to Texas and drive your new baby home????
RG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
