1995 Jaguar XJS from North America - Comments

All the comments are very interesting, it just go to show that people either love them or hate them. I have a 1999 Sovereign and yes it's expensive getting it properly serviced, but that's just peace of mind.

The car is used as my work vehicle, I put 50,000 kms on in the first 12 months, without a problem.

Lots of people make comments from admiration to offering to set it on fire for me, but I carry many passengers and its usually an appraising glance and a respectful silence. And I know that driving home in that Ford or GMH, GM, GMT it will feel like a truck!

So now I am looking for an XJS convertible, as a second car for my wife. I will do my homework, check the car has been serviced regularly and has had all the service upgrades done and haggle until I see blood.

These are not just cars, each drive is an event and they really are the mistress your wife or girlfriend will be jealous of unless she gets the bug too!

And it's true, God does drive a Jaguar! I'm a believer!

I recently purchased a 1994 XJS V12 convertible from a local individual (British Racing Green with white interior and tan top). Even though I have been a life-long car nut, and have known about the XJS since its 1975 launch, I had never really fallen for the XJS in any way, shape or form.

Perhaps I'm going through a "mid-life crisis", but all of a sudden I recently decided that I "had to" have a convertible (even though the winter is just now coming). My list of needs were just 5-fold... the car had to be: 1) fun to drive 2). abundantly powerful 3) able to hold more than just two people, 4) able to be purchased for less than $20,000 US, and 5) it had to be mostly dependable.

After looking at every convertible that held two or more passengers, a light bulb went off... why had I never seriously considered an XJS?? (My first car was a 1967 Sunbeam Tiger 260, and I really am attracted to British sports cars). So I set my sights on the only car that TRULY answered all of my criteria... the XJS V12 convertible, post 1993 (for the 2+2 version).

My only regret is that I went for more that 20 years before discovering these magnificent automobiles! I bought mine for $11,500 (!!! BARGAIN!) with only 45,000 miles on the clock, and the history of service was very well documented. I have owned it now for one month, and I am absolutely in love with this car! Effortless acceleration, hill climbing and passing; smooth, quiet and immensely comfortable; handling just shy of sportscar territory; and with the top down I feel 30 years younger (I just turned 52)!!

Each drive is an exhilarating experience, whether it is to the hardware store for some screws or to work or on a two hour drive on Saturday mornings. The car drives and feels like it is an extension of my body, and it fits me like a glove. I feel like a king driving it, and BOY! do people gawk and lavish praise on this car! I have owned over 20 cars and trucks over the past 35 years of driving (including a 1999 XJR), and NOTHING has gotten to me the way that this car has... it just does everything so well! My wife of 29 years (who is not the least bit into cars) has never expressed ANY interest in ANY of my previous vehicles (including the XJR), but when she saw the XJS for the first time, she immediately gushed all over it with praise about its beauty... when she drove it for the first time, she emerged with a tremendous smile on her face and actually carried on a long conversation with me about the car... the first such conversation ever with her since I met her in 1973! She now always suggests that we take the XJS when we go out shopping or to dinner.

I am so glad that I bought this great vehicle... I have finally found my mechanical "kindred spirit"!

Yes, I feel the XJS is the sexiest car on the road - - - not many of them on the road lately.

Jaguar was certainly very ahead in their design work considering the albatross back window. However, the back lighting systems are what make that car really catch my eye.

Too bad Jaguar changed-out the back lighting systems (I think in 90-91) for a design that looks like a 1994 Buick Century.

Love my 1989 Saphire Blue XJS!! When I see 1990 or newer XJS with the funny looking rear lighting systems I begin to wonder how those back lights could be converted to pre-1990-91.

Great to hear from other XJS folks!

I am eighteen years old and am looking for a first car. I am a die-hard car enthusiast and cannot settle for a Honda Civic (which is still a good car, but...). I have always been drawn to the Jaguar XJS and am now considering the purchase of a late model (1995-96) 4.0L 6 cyl. convertible. The car would most likely be stored during the winter and would be driven daily during the driving seasons. I am aware of Jaguar's reputation regarding their cars' build quality and reliability. I am also aware that maintenance can be very expensive. On the other hand, I read comments like the ones above that explain how the cars are quite reliable and have very few problems mechanically and otherwise. I would be prepared for small issues, but I am still hesitant. Could someone please give their opinion on whether or not they think this car would be reasonable for me or if it is going to drive me to the poorhouse. Keep in mind that I am not a normal teenager who will want to put big shiny rims on the car and do burnouts.

Well, my news is that I'm inheriting a 1995 Jaguar XJS convertible. It is off white with tan top/interior and has 30,000 miles on it. The family member I'm getting it from garaged it for about 10 months out of the year.

I'm thinking of keeping it pure stock except for a few minor additions. Actually, the owner already replaced the hood medallion with a leaping jaguar.

I am thinking of adding the trunk spoiler like on the coupe. Any good places to get parts? I've tried googling, but no luck.

Thanks!

My wife and I own a 95 XJS convertible with the 4.0 6 cylinder... we have owned the vehicle for approximately 3 years and have put 13,000 miles on it in that time. The only problem we have is an ABS light on... it has been diagnosed as the control module, but when trying to order one from a Jaguar salvage yard they sent me the wrong unit and would not take it back. The dealer had told me initially the incorrect location of this control module in the rear of the vehicle when it is in fact part of the ABS unit under the hood and is approximately $1200.00 as a complete unit. We have yet to resolve this issue. Also there is a slight exhaust leak from the exhaust manifold. Other than normal maintenance the vehicle has been great. It drives like a dream. It is a beautiful red color with tan top/interior and currently has 80K on it. We are thinking of getting another one.

After looking for more than two years I broke down and finally acquired the '95 V12 convertible XJS of my dreams a couple of years ago. The good news is that although relatively rare, many existed as rarely driven Palm Beach toys of the rich and still come onto the market with exceptionally low mileage.

Although we own a number of "practical" cars, having a car with the timeless look and wonderful feel of the 6L XJS simply can't be beat.

I concur with the comments about dependability of the later models. As long as the car was properly serviced before you bought it, and assuming you keep up with periodic maintenance after you buy it, you'll be fine.

I'm 6' 4" and live in Phoenix, so the cabin size isn't a problem. Life here is strictly "top down".

I have a Triple Black 1995 XJS Convertible. I bought it mint in '05 with 46k on it. At 50k it had had problems with the driver side window mechanism. The engine rattles when it starts (timing chain). The air went out at 63K. The tranny cooler hoses burst at 63K. There is a broken trans. mount. The power steering res. leaks a bit. It idles rough sometimes but passed smog at 73K. The taillights went out at 73K. The driver's seat always flattens out.

The good is... it is very fast, it get looks from everyone. It's very fun to drive, 22mpg. The sound system is very good and I will keep it till I die. Coolest car at every intersection. Upstages all Corvettes, Mustangs, or Japanese anything, and when an old Benz or BMW convertible or a Miata is near they keep away as they disappear when I am close by.