1988 Jaguar XJS 3.6 review from UK and Ireland

Air conditioning system - new compressor, evaporator, condenser...

Doors and lower rear quarters rusting fast.

Speedometer transducer failed.

Headlamp wiring breaking up.

Intermittent mis-fire.

Central locking comes and goes, as does the passenger electric window.

It's a super car. More than fast enough - 120mph comes up quite quickly, and more is availble if you are determined enough! I've seen 135mph and it was still accelerating. Handling is beautifully balanced, and it doesn't betray it's weight, even on a race track. The ride, though, is a lot less comfortable than older Jags.

It's very comfortable, though the back seats are useless - more so on the later cars which have 'fatter' seats!

It still causes comment. Several people have stopped me to say what a beautiful car it is.

Sadly, the number of seemingly incurable faults is driving me mad. I have no idea what to replace it with. I've run a Mercedes 500SEC, Range Rovers, several Jaguar saloons, even a Rolls. The XJ-S is a superb design - but even when maintained 'regardless of cost' they still suffer unreliability. I've covered over 20,000 miles in the last year, and spent perhaps £4,000. And still the air conditioning is broken...