Daily driver with some style

XJ6 no question! My second choice would be the BiTurbo though...For some reason I just dont like the old Quattroportes...I think the interior kills it for me.

 

96-97 XJ6, you can find them for around 8,000-13,000 based on color, location, condition, and mileage.

Incredibly reliable, sexy shape, 4 doors with decent room in the back. If this is a priority, there is an L version with an extra 5 inches in the back for $500-1,000 extra but still within that range. They can be driven 20-25k/year without any major issues. The block is bulletproof, its the extras that get weak overtime. Exhaust manifolds (cast iron), control arm bushings, sunroof, and sometimes cylinder coil packs are weak spots on the car. Throttle body does get sticky over time and it has 4 cats, 2 upstream/2 downstream, 4 O2 sensors, again 2 upstream/2 downstream which can be a PITA to work out emissions probs. ODB2 compliant. Interior is made of connolly, something you will not find on anything else in the price range, a/c strong, heat strong, wood, cruise, hurst shifter in a J configuration (J-gate). Classic Jaguar design. City cruising 17mpg/21-24mpg highway depending on your speed. Squeaks and rattles are minor, coming from the roof eyeglass case and center console but very minor.

I can provide whatever info you require.

Edit: I have 103k extremely abusive miles on mine with less than $1,500 repairs by dealership or specialist. Thats very impressive. Care for it and it will take care of you to 200k+.

Sunny

 

What Sunny so casually forgot to mention is that the XJ6 is damn fast! Ive been just over 140 in his XJ6 before.

However, Im sure the car can do better than that...especially in the hands of a capable driver like Mr. Garofalo

 

For me, nothing says style more than a set of wire wheels. (If they were period to the car, of course). A nice set of Borranis.... yeah...

I like the XJ Jags with wires. Those are nice.

Just my $ .02

 

If you go for something a little less pricy, a late model Series 3 ('86-'87) or late model XJ40 ('92-'94) will be the most reliable. The Series 3 can be found for $5-7k and the XJ40 for $7-10k. The 6.0L V12 found on the '95-'96 are the most reliable of the Jaguar V12's, only regular servicing with addl fluids and checks are the major differences in maintenance. Since you are doing this yourself, negligible.

For the '97, 0-60mph low-mid 7s, trap 87mph, top speed 142mph. The engine runs "hot" at 2,900 rpms at 85mph on the highway due to a lack of a 5th gear. No rear sway bars for the XJ6. 53" ride height which is nice. Put on some Bilsteins and lower springs and it will increase its road holding by .10G. and increase slalom speed by several seconds/several mph.

Sunny

 

Whatever you do, run screaming like a madman away from a BiTurbo. There's a reason why Maserati went under, and this car is it.

 

Of that list, the XJ6 would be the nicest choice. XJ virtually defines classic styling.

 

I don´t exactly know US-prices but I would look for a E32 BMW 740i/iL or a 750i/iL. These are really cheap here in Europe and are far superior and much classier than the older 745 IMO.

I would also look for a Mercedes 560 SEL or a SEC.

 

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!

Ok, have been looking to dump my Honda Del Sol for a nice, resonably priced lux box and i must say, the Jag looks mighty, MIGHTY tempting. Never though of Jag due to their past reliability issues.

So you guys are saying it IS reliable? 1997 is the year to get for sure??? i could buy it TODAY no problem. It does look nice and just want to be sure.

MANY thanks!!!!!!!!!! ALL help is ALWAYS apprecaited.

Enjoy the Drive,

Steven R. Rochlin

PS: Does this mean i have to call it a jag-oooo-waaar?

 

I love my 6er!

I am now on my second and I just love the car to death! Not to mention I get 27 mpg while maintaining spirited driving (mostly)....which is far better then any of my other cars.

 

i have plenty of suggestions but they don't fit into that 'under $5000' limit. if this is not the most important thing, then i would go for a merc E320 from the mid 90's, or a bmw 535 from the same period. have had one of each and they are vault-like. great cars, little worry and they still look good.
my father had an xj6 vanden plas and hated every second of owning it. went back to mercs straighty away.

 

My family had a 560 SEL for 4 yrs and it was an ok car. I liked it more then anyone else in the family do to relability issues. It was pretty fast I was bearly beat by an AMG ML55(?) the Merc SUV... I think thats what it is called. It would do 140 also, though I could never find extensive specs on the thing. What I did find was it'll do about 140-145 and 0-62 in about 7 sec-ish.

As far as reliability goes we bought it with 68000 miles aqnd sold it with 102000 and it needed some engine work. We already had to fix an exhaust leak and the air conditioning/heating broke (while we were moving to KC in the winter... thats why my dad finally said we are getting grid of this bloody car!) The leather was fine and the Ming finish was JUST starting to be a bear. I loved it though, not a bad deal if you ask me.

I would look out for the reliability things though... with that said it would be a 15 year old car that cost 100k new. You can't expect it, with all of its period new technology, to run perfect after over a decade of hard use. Take that into consideration and its another possibility for around 10kish. Good luck on your purchase!

 

I would go with an xjs convt. or a mercedes 560sl. I drove an 560sl for 2 years, put 10k miles on it and had almost no problems. Very classy, fun and it has that wonderful classic appeal.
Stay away from those BiTurbo's though..talk about a bad dream.

 

If you want something classy, different, and reliable, how about an Alfa 164.

In the US, 1991 came in 3 flavors, the Base, L, and S. You should be able to get a Base or L version for under $5000, but not sure about an S.

I have a 1991 164S which I use as a daily driver, and it is an amazing car. Very reliable, decently quick (the S version had 200 HP, the B and L had ~180 HP). It is a very classy Pinninfarina design, that will most certainly complement any ferrari that it shares the stable with.

Dom
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I'm in the same boat. Looking for a CHEAP DD with some style. I was about to pounce on this:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=153240459&dealer_id=&car_year=1987&make=AUDI&distance=50&max_price=4000&model=&advcd_on=n&end_year=2005&min_price=&certified=n&address=30030&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&color=&cardist=7

But someone beat me to it by a matter of hours!!

Luke.

 

>>My short list so far:
>>Jaguar XJ-6
Plenty of cheap parts, not bad overall. Kind of fun driver but also not real unique.

>>Maserati Quatroportte
Many cows gave their lives... Great cars, the only issue can be passing SMOG. Depends on what state you live in. Solid 10 MPG

>>Maserati BiTurbo
A later model car 89 - 90 would be great. They are quite solid, fun and will blow the doors off all the other cars mentioned. But are you really ready for the "Stigma" of BiTurbo Ownership

>>BMW 635i
Good friend had one very nice cars. Parts are a little pricy. And of course there is the issue of Bosch being German for Lucas

>>BMW 745i
Again great cars

Good Luck

Rodney

 

I'll add my .02 on the Jag. I traded my 95 XJ6 last summer for an 02 XJ Sport. I liked the 95 so much, I bought another Jag. I drove it 60k miles and never had a mechanical problem with it, it ALWAYS ran. I did have to replace the suspension bushings as Sunny outlined below, and there were some other niggling problems along the way, but it was a great car. If you're Jag hunting, start here first:

www.texas-cars.com

They sell them wholesale all day long and buying from them is a piece of cake. One price shopping, no haggle.

 

Jimpo1,

MANY thanks. Looks like there may a new (to me) car in the driveway soon


Enjoy the Drive,

Steven R. Rochlin

 

Steve,

I love the avatar!

 

Steve,

PM me if you want more info. Yes, they are incredibly reliable. Keep in mind that in 2003, Jaguar ranks behind Lexus, Acura, Cadillac, and Lincoln. Behind Jaguar are BMW and these manufacturers are above the industry average for reliability, competing with the econo cars like Honda, Toyota, etc. Below industry average and noticibly below Jaguar and BMW are Audi and MB. There are "older" models that are bulletproof, like the older 500 cars, like my car.

As with a volume manufacturer, your dollar goes farther with the higher end models. The S-Type and the X-Type are garbage compared to the stalwartness of the XJ and XK range, just like the baby Benz's and baby Audi's affect their overall manufacturer rating.

You would not believe the abuse I and my friends put their XJ's through. Quite honestly, I won't give up Jaguar because of that reliability. I can't drive my Ferrari like I drive my Jaguar. That says a LOT.

The '96-'97 are the most reliable post 1990 Jaguar that has ever been released. Actually, its the most reliable XJ ever made.

The XJS will add a $3-5k premium onto your budget for a '96-'97. The '95-'96 XJS if you can find one for sale are the best of the modern lot. The XJS has been in production for over 20 years, there are good and bad years, you would have to go here to find out, www.jag-lovers.org a forum like this 20,000 strong that has no off topic sections. Its strictly tech and general discussion.

Sunny

 

JaguarXJ6,

MANY thanks for the kind offer and great info/resource. This will be my very first 4-seater. Still have no real need for 4 as 2 is perfect, but i guess the ability to carry more is not THAT bad.

As for reliability, the 308 here has been PERFECT (knocking wood), but not sure it would be good for snow days during these longish NH winters. So enter a new lux box (Jag-ooo-waaar). The Honda Del Sol is getting old and time for a change anyway. Have over EIGHT open offers to buy the Honda (seriously) yet i keep telling these guys it is NOT for sale. Time to start taking bids on her i guess

Enjoy the Drive,

Steven R. Rochlin

 

1971-1974 Alfa Romeo GTV. The best one will probably cost you less than $12k. I am looking for one as we speak.

 

Call me Sunny

I've tracked it 3 times
I put 15,000+ miles of canyon driving between 3,500-5,000 rpm (redline 5,500rpm) since I owned it
I bought it when it was 3 years x months old for 1/2 MSRP new, now they sell for $15k or less
It has 102k flawless miles
I red line it daily
Its on the road 340-350 days/year and has never failed, never sat for more than a 3 day weekend
Less than $1,500 in actual repairs since new, not including fluids, tires, lube, etc of course

Anyone in the So Cal section on here or NSX Prime can testify how much I abuse my car. XJ's are not "supposed" to be treated this way.

The biggest secret is, yes, they are. Under the opulence, its a sports sedan, treat it as such.

Sunny

 

A friend had a Benz 300ce four seater coupe, I believe around a 1990 that still looks good today. Don't see too many around. A little more modern looking than a 560 sec.