1988 Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign review from UK and Ireland

Cruise control not working.

Air conditioning not fully effective.

Trip computer and Vehicle Control Monitor can give inaccurate readings (electrics do have a mind of their own on these cars!).

Both near-side doors jammed-only open from inside.

Fuel filler won't open, you need to use the emergency release in the boot.

Driver's seat fairly worn. Although this is to be expected with mileage.

The car only cost £995 and is a complete bargain! You just get so much for your money!

The interior is beautiful and well equipped, the much-hyped 'gentlemen's club' ambience is certainly true. The seats adjust every which way electrically, it's effortlessly comfortable, a real joy to be driven in and drive. The 1980s LED dashboard is frequently criticised, but I quite like it! It makes for an eventful drive at night, and impresses old people! The obsession with computerization did go a little far though, the indicator stalk is annoying, especially on roundabouts.

For a five-metre long, two tonne car, it just handles beautifully. There's hardly a chirp from the tyres as you corner at a near ludicrous pace. It's far better than other cars I've driven, which are both far smaller. Can get twitchy in the wet if you're not careful though!

Performance-wise, the car is pretty good. Once above forty it starts to fly. A bit sluggish off the line though, being a heavy automatic.

The car looks magnificent, mine is in medium metallic grey and looks very understated, I still can't believe it cost under a grand!

Fuel-wise, it's not brilliant. Drive around town and you're unlikely to better 17-18mpg. Careful motorway driving can yield 30mpg if you're very, very careful! I seem to average around 20-21mpg, mainly because the purr of that straight six motor is just too good to keep a secret!