1986 Jaguar XJS Coupe review from North America

The illnesses of my Big Cat were few and far between. I converted the alternator over to a GM kit once the $500 Lucas one failed, other than that I don't remember replacing any other critical components. An older fellow at an import parts store once told me to drive it daily or the seals would harden up. He was correct. When I sold the car there was a slight leak from the rear main that is typical of the 5.3 liter V-12.

Admittedly, I need to be a charter member of British Cars Anonymous. But this Jaguar was very special indeed.

Like most English car addicts, I have always aspired to own a Lotus Esprit or Jaguar XKE. You can't run with that crowd for $6900 which is exactly what I paid for my XJS.

Yes, I had read Jaguar horror stories and I had certain fears going into the purchase. However, for the price I could have replaced a lot of parts before I would have arrived at what the actual book value of the car was. Jaguars tend to be over valued on paper compared to the real marketplace.

This car ran like a dream. It was actually too quite for my liking. I always thought the V-12 'S' was a sports car, but it is truly a touring car. It was quick AND it was fast, but in all honesty my rough riding 1971 MGB was much more enjoyable to drive.

At 100 mph the XJS sounded like most cars to at 50. The engine purred and the outside noise was slight. It was easy to speed in the car even unintentionally.

If I could change anything about the 'S', I would have a manual transmission. Some of the very first XJS units arrived on American shores with 4-speed manual transmission left over from Jaguars XKEs. At 150 mph this car didn't run out of engine, it ran out of gears. A convertible 'S' would also be much more pleasurable to drive.

When I was doing my initial investigation on Jaguars I was given good advice by a certified Jaguar mechanic. He told me to avoid any Jaguar built between 1971 - 1984. He told me anything before then was all right and that V-12s built after 1984 weren't bad. He told me to avoid later model six-cylinder Jags altogether.

I've owned both a six and a twelve and I think the mechanic was correct. It is hard to beat the look, performance, and satisfaction of owning a Big Cat, but there certainly are less refined sports coupes out there and most addicts are not refined.

My quest for the XKE and Esprit continues.