Jaguar XJ-S - Jaguar's Best Car...Nearly. (1994 XJS 4.0 Coupe Road Test)
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- čas přidán 3. 11. 2020
- Taking over from the E-Type was always going to be difficult and many argue the XJ-S failed to live up to its predecessor. It may be flawed, but Phil thinks it remains a deeply likeable car and a classic in its own right.
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I've recently bought one of these, a 4.0 from 1993. It has a slightly above average finish with an original spoiler and some after market chrome wheels. The response I get when driving it is absolutely staggering. You literally can't even take it out to put fuel in without expecting to have 2-3 conversations with strangers who fell in love with it as kids.
When people see a new ferrari or lamborghini they try not to look, because they know the driver bought it to be looked it, but in an old XJS, people point and smile. If I ever need cheering up, taking it out and putting a smile on a few old fellas faces always does the trick.
If you have been thinking of getting one of these then go for it, they only keep going up in price!
That is so true Sam. I"ve had mine eighteen years now and still some will drive next to me, looking and smiling. I smile and wave.
The only car featured in Classic Car magazine while still in production
Just before I retired from work I decided to treat myself and bought a1992 4.0litre XJS in diamond blue absolutely loved it, spent most of the next 7years living in my garage only coming out to get pampered and the occasional drive when it was dry,done all the servicing myself, never had a single fault in all that time but as with most things you move on and I sold it, worst decision I ever made, then a couple of years later I saw it advertised on a dealers website i thought I’m going to buy it back,didn’t tell the dealer i used to own it but when I saw it I could have cried it had scratches, dents, curbed wheels it just wasn’t the same car, needless to say I just walked away, I blamed myself shouldn’t have sold it.
It’s true what they say “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone “.
Was the work hard to service under the hood I want one
@@OnlyRollingRed84 No harder than any other car, service kits may be a bit dearer that’s because it’s Jaguar, if in doubt check out CZcams
I hope you get one.
Best trip of my life was driving an xjs from Los Angeles to Pennsylvania in November 1980. 120 mph most of the way. The 8 track player only had a Helen Reddy tape and I wasn't going to by any newer ones. I enjoyed the ride so much, I wrote short stories in my mind or just relaxed. That was, until I roared past a radar cop and out raced them to the second exit!
ha ha great story, glad you outran them
Oh dear! Lol.
i want to feel that whenever im
done with my xjs project
@@shifty_s197 0 to 60 is good. But my mother's v8 1971 Oldsmobile station wagon was a match to 60. 60 to 120 is where you feel all twelve cylinders
Like fine wine, the XJ-S gets better and better the older it gets. Absolutely stunning vehicle. To look at anyway.
I have a "92 and it's red. Identical to this one. I Love it! Bought it in 2003. It glides down the road.
I was fortunate to own a 1986 V12 model in fire engine red and had it for 17 years. It won our (Australia) premier car race in 86 and 87. Just a pleasure to drive but always had my credit card handy to top up the tank ! Everyone should have a luxury in their lifetime.
Born in ‘75 too, so I grew up with this car and it’s many changes. I loved them. Seeing the white one every week in The Return of the Saint, watching Walkinshaw et al blasting them around circuits. A neighbour had an early car and took me out for a run in 1991. I was blown away by the refinement and what felt like relentless pace at the time, certainly compared to the Civic and Fiesta my folks were rocking at the time.
Then in ‘93 I got a lift in a XJR-S. Oh my word. Must have an XJS one day.
When a younger man I did bonded car delivery, a "side gig" as is popular vernacular now. One trip was in an XJ-S, the year betrays me, in a deep forest green with beautiful saddle leather upholstery that needed to be in Nashville, from Los Angeles. As marvelous a journey as one could wish.
These, and the Porsche 928, are vastly misunderstood cars. Comfy, long legged GT cars for covering miles quickly.
For me it's one of the most iconic and beautiful Jaguar models. Especially the late one's.
We'd agree! So elegant!
Probably my favourite Jaguar - in, its not as beautiful as the MkII, E-type or original XJ series, but it does have a charm all of its own. Personally I love the early models - probably due to it featuring in Return of the Saint. I’d love an early V12 on the GKN wheels........but I’d need big pockets to run it!
I had this car in British green. My ex took my new jeep and bought this jaguar and switched my name to his. Very sturdy car it saved my life!!! I was sandwich in between a van then a sedan. I was only out for three hours. When I woke back up in the ER. I would love someday if he would give me back my disability settlement and 6yrs of retroactive pay. He set himself up great. I am disabled with no money house or car. Pray for him please.
Great car. Great ride. It's got racing pedigree. 2x Trans Am Champion, European Touring Car Champion, 24 Hours Spa, Bathurst winner. XJS rules
My grandad when I was young had an XJS 4.0 92 , I used to love going out in it. The real reason I'm a petrol head today
Just, look, at, it!! I'm a proud owner of a 2007 X150 XKR convertible. I think they are both in the top 5 of the most beautiful Jags ever designed.
My dad has just bought one, a 1993 with the 6.0 V12, in the same colour as the one in the video, glorious cars
The 4.0 AJ6 is such a great engine
I always loved the XJS, especially the later face lifted model as shown in the video. It's a style of car I'd love to see Jaguar revisited again, an uncompromised GT (apart from the tiny interior), it just oozes effortless style. Very unique, very special. Really nice vid xD
Great video, my son had choice of any car on his 16 birthday, he chose to restore our 86 V-12 XJS.. we have custom chromed the engine, completely new and different interior, Original TWR kit, 18×8.5 20 spoke tire package, and completely blacked out paint job! (Satin black with black chrome accent).. Or as my son would say, "murdered out".. not happy !! We will be going complete aftermarket standalone ECM the end of the year, also first of its kind suicide doors , and shaved handles, with remote.. sand blasted and powder coated everything that is metal.. all fasteners are replaced with stainless steel.. and the best of all my son and I work on this every night and day.. that is worth more than all the new cars I could of bought him..
These XJS are very easy to work on, once you start working on them..lol Mind you it does help to be a mechanic..lol.
There quite a few companies that sell aftermarket products for these cars..
Certainly an underappreciated car, as mentioned. Let's keep it that way until I buy one! ssshhhhh
If its a dream you can meet soon I would, value has gone up from 4k ish to over 10/15k since 2013
This particular one is absolutely bloody gorgeous! I'm so covetous!
my uncle had one of these in the same color, he was always having problems with it. Then replaced it with another one in white. Had the same issues with it so he sold it and got a BMW. I have fond memories of being shoved in the back seat...lol.
I have owned 3 of these fantastic cars. Two 5.3s and a 3.6. So under rated.
I have owned 3 XJ V12s. Miss them.
Such a beautifully simple body. And interior is like nothing made today for a mid luxurious car.
Lovely car. Good presentation; informative, relaxed, and a pleasure to watch.
Thanks for a well-balenced and short review.with adequate coverage of the 6's.
First one: 1977 XJS: Put to pasture first in a 'total' against a guard rail, then from 300,000 miles old age. So in 1986 completely restored with body work, paint, interior, and engine (conversion). Won several awards at shows and got bored. Tore her back down completely and rebuilt her to GT-1 specs (400 lbs to 2600 lbs). Won two Mid Am Championships and three runner ups with her. Was the a pain in the ass? Absolutely. Was she difficult to sort out? Hello! Was she the most fun I've ever had with a lady? Absolutely. I now drive a 2000 XKR Convertible with 51,500 miles on her. Enuf said.
Such a beautiful car
The Jaguar XJS is one of the best cars ever made with one of the best engines which is a V12 putting out 301 Horsepower. It is one of the iconic cars ever made after the famous Jaguar E Type. The car is so nimble and agile. If you have seen Jeremy Clarkson driving the Jaguar XJS in the Top Gear India Special, you will have a wide smile on your face when you hear the mighty old V12.
I was 18 when they first came out, and had dreams of owning an E type , and i did not like the xjs then, but i bought a xjs 3.6 two years ago and love it ! funny how things change , great video thanks.
Thanks Brian, congratulations on a fantastic car!
Agreed. Always loved this car. I think everyone thinks it looks odd but also loves it at the same time.
Brilliant video, personally love the XJS as there's two in the family! 5.3L V12s one in the same gorgeous red.
Oof fantastic!
Nice video! I've had my 87 V-12 for about five years now. Really enjoy the smooth ride, effortless cruising and good handling. I'm a keen DIYer and stay on top of the regular maintenance and its been very reliable. I'm absolutely biased - but I think these are great cars!!
Good on you, Dave! We’d agree!
I’ve dealt with Chiltern Jaguar, great company to buy from and have looking after your car
Fabulous car. Still looks great.
It does!
This car is beautiful.
I agree with what you say about the later ones, they've still got the best of the 70s charm, but it's shaken off the greyness of British Leyland and it's got a bit of 90s optimism about it too.
Drive one in a city and you're going to have a bad time. The turning circle is a joke and you can't see out of turnings because of how far back you sit. It craves for open roads. Once you get it to one, it's like nothing else. It's the best long distance car I've ever driven. The V12 is never wanting for power even with just 3 gears. Hills? What are they? It sounds beefy but without being loud and showy. It puts all modern cars to shame in terms of ride quality, and the interior just feels so special and right even if you can pick flaws in it all day long.
The fact Jaguar could never afford to reinvent the wheel with their suspensions and used the same system on all their cars for decades is an excellent thing today, it makes getting parts much easier for all models because there is so little unique to any particular one. Often even what is unique to one model can be found on other non-jaguar cars sometimes.
I've owned my 1989 3.6 str XJ-S for 30 yrs, It as never been a garage queen and as always been my daily driver although in recent years due to Covid it as been used very little. The major problem for these Jaguars is rust and they will rust everywhere. Ignoring doors bonnet and boot lid check closely the main body shell and front subframe that carries the engine and front suspension. The latter is a £2k repair. front wings bubbling at he base, rear wheel arches, below the rear window, rear wheel arches. walk away it's fit for parts only. What you see is only on the surface because like an iceberg the damage goes much deeper into the structure. Believe me, I;ve virtually written the book on XJS body repair bills and parts. mechanically they are very sound except the rear axle can get noisy with high mileage. providing they have been regularly serviced they will do starship mileage. Mine own car as just turned 80k miles and I still thoroughly enjoy it every time I go out in it. Only buy the best your pocket can afford and avoid those that are cheap and have no history.
Interesting point on the buttresses on the facelift. Almost every body panel is different on a facelift, and even the rear window is in a different place slightly further back and more raked.
This is my dream car I hope I could still be able to get it by next year
Selling a 95 4.0 6cyl . 2 owner California car. Garaged kept and very clean. I haven't listed the car yet but once weather permits I will get her out of the garage and have a photo shoot.
Nice lovely drive through Christmas Common with a pristine XJS facelift
Thats a really stunning car
I think this is one of the best looking road cars ever made. It doesn't look like anything else that I'm aware of. They're starting to creep up in price a little bit but they're still underappreciated. It's a V12 coupe with a totally unique look, and one of the few cars I've ever seen with the "flying buttress" thing going on, and one of the very few that is affordable.
XJ-S is a beauty, forever! A great car.
I like the British racing green it's gorgeous !
The Saint MK2 (Iain Ogilvy) had a white one, was first time i ever saw one as a kid ,but later remember seeing one blasting up the motorway slip road whilst in dads fiat 132 in the 80`s went like a rocket in my eyes then lol :)
Yeah the saints one quality
I own a white pre HE the same as the Saints. Mine looks a bit of a wreck at the moment but drives likes a dream.
Great channel
I love this car,always wanted one ,
The fat cat,
It's a very cool ride.
This was 1 on the best models of Jaguar
We’d agree!
My dad bought one of these back in the 90’s pretty much identical to the one in the film. He loved that car. People would stop him in the street. One guy asked him what the mpg was and my dad said he ‘didn’t care’😀. He only sold it because I had kids and he couldn’t get baby seats in the back easily (or get the kids in and out of them). He really regretted it though. For what he got trade in he could have kept it. He bought a LWB XJ8. Again a lovely car but nowhere near as attention grabbing as the XJ-S! Nice film, good memories!! 👍🏼
I had one, 1996 celebration, could never get the steering to feel right on it and inside the windscreen felt like you were wearing it. Other than that it was lovely.
Still remember being absolutely gob-smacked by the looks of the XJ-S when the new Saint tv series made it state-side when I was a kid [must have been '76 or '77?] Don't get me wrong, the E-type was always a lovely car, but it never measured up to the legendary XKSS, and most Jags seen on US roads at that time (& pretty rarely even at that) were the XJ-6 sedans. The XJS was utter sex on wheels [says the man who's best friend's family right across the street had a Porsche 911 in the driveway...] It's still a lovely car, all these decades later. Just wish you didn't have to be shipping magnate to afford keep one running... X-D
I'd say you nailed it. Although I hadn't thought of it that way. Lol.❤
as soon as I get a proper garage I'm buying one
Such a beautiful colour it makes me think why people pick drab colours for cars , silver , black ,white , grey , boring.
Always liked them.. When I was a kid I used to call them a Flat Jag 😊
Great car but recall when that version came out and it was not hard to imagine 2 year old, it looked dated, unlike say the 928 GTS which was hard to imagine it was from the 70s as it had plastic bumper and raked windscreen. Even Clarksons 91 review he compares it to an old manner house
What is it about older jaguars and sagging headlinings? Very nice car regardless.
alternatively, jaguar could have iteratively developed the e the same way porsche did with the 911. where each company is now says it all.
I agree, the XJS was a hideous mess, and for good reasons is by far the cheapest V12 powered car you can find nowadays. The XJ12 at least had the grace, pace and space going for it (as it is stunningly beautiful, and was the fastest 4door car in the world at the time it was sold new, which were two good reasons to forgive the questionable reliability), but especially given that the XJ12 was just as fast as the XJS (I think the XJS was about 0.2 seconds faster than the XJ12, which is utterly negligable), the XJS was an utterly pointless car (it would've made sense if it had half it's actual weight, but it didn't). It was basically an XJ12 without the style and comfort, which is why the XJS is the only pre-1992 Jaguar that hasn't started to appreciate in value.
10 years ago, a friend of mine purchased a 1984 XJ12 for about 3000 bucks, and the mechanic he took it to (a guy who specialized in Jags & similar cars) said it was one of the nicest he had seen in a while (as the car had spent it's early years in California) - whereas today, you would be lucky to find an XJ12 in decent shape under 10k.
Facelift version is nice but still like the look of the original
The car is wonderful specially with the quadri headlights. But I love the car with the old wood steering wheel & the old wheels.
Thanks, an enjoyable review but why no mention of the transmission options? The manual cars with the lighter straight six engines provide a very different driving experience to the automatic V12s.
That GM Turbo 400 is a beast. The one(XJ-S) I had occasion in was thus equipped. Even in the "twisties" you could put it in 2nd and all that torque was just there. You must confess a devilish mountain is not the vehicle's chosen home, but fun none the less. I don't understand the need for a gear box in a comfy GT car. Just like the Ferrari 400i-12, etc... misunderstood and better suited to long bendy desert roads than up above the treeline.
@@hugh-johnfleming289 The gearbox is only there to make up for the torque deficiency of the engine its paired with. When you've got the right engine, three gears is more than enough.
When Porsche made the 911 people liked it and kept making it and it’s still popular. Jaguar should have evolved the e type and built on the success. They could still have made this car.
Lovely car.
I've always liked straight six Jags, very smooth, yet rapid enough for decent progress.
I'm pondering what they're like for a driver over 5' 11, with that fairly big steering wheel 🤔
I wonder if an XJS is easier to live with than an XK (I like both tbh😊💜👍✌️)🤔🤔
I think the emphasis on the E Type is way overated. The XJS is a incredibly unique design. There's nothing else like it.
Reminds me of 'The Saint'
I think the D-type was the most beautiful slightly edging out the E. That said the XJ-S has aged quite well. No fan of the V12 at all.
Yes, All Wonderful Comments. But Does Anyone Remember The XJRS?
We do! 😍
The E-Type was only recognised as something special in it's early years of the S1 3.8/4.2. As it aged it started to look ugly. It did not age well. They had a lot of trouble selling the E-Type towards the end. A 3.8 fixed head in golden sands was the best in my view. 🤩
I went on the factory course when the first facelift was launched in the early eighties after production had been halted I think for nine months and the future of the XJS was very much in the balance and the guy taking the course said that the rear end styling and specifically the buttresses are there for straight line stability at high speed. As you so rightly say in your narrative the theories about mid engined cars is rubbish.
Why does the thumbnail show a UK car?
The best xjs you can buy is anyone you can find with a manual box.
You cant use the V12 because the valve seats fall into the Engineering
Misunderstood car.I love the looks of them.Walnut and Leather just cant be bettered.They dont make them like that anymore....
It was misunderstood because BL marketed it as a direct E-type replacement which as stated in the video it was not but I remember customers expectations were that it was and they were disappointed with the new cars. Poor marketing coupled with the oil crisis and poor reliability ruined the reputation of the car to the point where they almost stopped production in the early eighties.
Throw an LS V8 in it with a new painless wiring harness and it becomes a very fun car to drive!
I didn't like the car at the time, but is was ubiquitous, there was alot of them of the road for a while and seemed popular with women execs and footballer wives. Not that it was that perception that put me off, just didn't like the styling which has since grown on me such that prefer it to the bar of soap sport car clones they churn out now, one thing I like is the higher tyre wall proportions which appeal to my sence of function. Where today's short suspension big wheel look is overcooked and you know mechanically compremise for the look.
The final XJS were a treat but the BL’s 😫🤯
Did you have one.????
the pre facelift looks better
Odd statement!... Each generation of car is an improvement on the previous model.The XJS was never a replacement for the E Type. from customer response Jaguar changed direction and plumbed for a Grand tourer which the XJS came up in trumps, gone was the large overhanging bodywork... now they had a sleek fast car that could whisk you to the South of France perhaps in style. This new car at the time was more aerodynamic than the E Type, sporting Air-conditioning, Electric windows etc and the larger profile tyres fitting the wheel arches perfectly. Each car is of it's time and things move on.
Why is he driving on the wrong side of the road
Despite their undeniable beauty, no normal person, with a wife, can afford the maintenance bills on a V-12. The wife will always put a stop to the endless bills.🤐
This kind of creature that jaguar should make. Not a fat luxo car. Jaguar was known make sleek sporty gorgeous sedan.. Please back to the rail.
xjs ran 22 years not 21. 1975-1996. Common math difficulty, many people think this is 21 years but it's 22.
The XJ-S premiered in September 1975 for the 1976 model year. The last XJ-S rolled off the line at the end of the 1996 model year in April 1996. So...21 model years were produced over the course of 20 years and 8 months.
Looks good but for every day use I would not put any money down on a JAG, the best and most reliable one i have been in had a large chevvy engine, and all the Lucas electrics replaced, by Bosch. Many others i have seen in barns etc. are really best if they are turned into razor blades. The magic that company had at one time yes they always had oi; leaks , but they are a money pit.
what absolute rubbish
I owned a Jaaaag once and on one occasion was driving through a little village. Suddenly a cat ran out in front of me and i could not avoid it, happened 2 quick. Anyway, it was killed. Such a sad sad situation it was, i was so upset and emotional, I couldn’t sleep for weeks after. Oh no, not bout the cat. The fact that the stupid thing blooded my wheel and bumper 😱. I know i know, your all horrified and in total sympathy for me right 😀. Well thanks 👍🤜. Omg immediately after i took the car to a full valet. But it still haunts me 2 this dy. My lovely Jaaaag with cat guts on the bumper and wheels. People, i just hope it does not happen 2 u 🙏. 😂😂😀👍👍
I had one ,,, and the transmission problems were horrible . Nice to drive but full of problems . Even the inboard computer system was full of worms .
First loser (and dreamer) in the comments section. Are you a yank by any chance.???
You mean the American auto box?
Er - NO! I’ve had an ’88 V12 since ’94 and an ’03 4 litre since 2000. Not a single hiccup from either auto box.
The only computer problems were when the. batteries failed. So there!
@@paulfitzgerald7513 GM400. Same box that Rolls Royce used.
@@Hattonbank Still an American box...
My Dad had an XJS V-12 and it taught me one thing. ONLY A FOOL AND HIS MONEY EVER BUY A JAGUAR.
Mainly rusty, fuel guzzling and unreliable. I will leave the rose tinted glasses people to their fantasies.