1990 Jaguar XJS V12

Summary:

The best car value in the Grand Touring segment

Faults:

Window switches, steering rack bushings, catalytic converter, fuel rail hoses, lower radiator hose, air conditioning, cruise control.

General Comments:

I have owned this car for nearly 18 years. It is the best riding, most enjoyable, and nearly the most reliable car I have ever owned.

I regularly have people comment on the car. Yesterday, a guy in a new Lexus at a stoplight motioned for me to roll down my window, so he could tell me what a beautiful car I had.

Do the maintenance. All will be well, and you will just have a blast.

Now I am not advocating this, but there is a thing called the 621/2 shift, that only Jag owners know about. Try it once if the car is in top shape. Good luck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2013

9th Feb 2013, 07:26

I own an XJS and have never heard of a 621/2 shift and am intrigued...

Do tell?

10th Feb 2013, 01:10

I agree, this "621/2 shift" sounds interesting....

I've searched Google and found nothing.

24th Apr 2015, 17:43

Is this 621\2 shift thing for real? Can't find anything on it.

30th Mar 2016, 12:58

I know I am late to this discussion, but I am entertaining the idea of picking up a '90 XJS so I am looking through reviews. If you guys haven't found any answers yet or have stopped looking, the 621/2 shift may be referring to the fault code for the solenoid, "P0781-62: 1-2 Shift". I did a little research and it seems these cars may develop a hard shift between certain gears if the solenoid is having issues. The 62 1-2 is the solenoid between first and second. You're right that there isn't much info out there, but I would venture a guess that this means you could really gas it in first and when it changes to second it would really slam in there. Just a thought.

1990 Jaguar XJS V12

Summary:

One of the best cars ever built for the GT enthusiast!

Faults:

Steering bushings, fuel hoses, cooling hoses, window switches, cruise control, air conditioning.

General Comments:

Mine is silver/blue, absolutely beautiful with chrome spoke wheels.

Drives like a dream, I have never experienced a better ride quality, even in a Rolls!

I have owned the car for 17 years, and love it now like I did on the first day. It has been very reliable.

Now, do not skimp on the service. When it says "renew and replace" in the manual, they mean it. Don't EVER let it overheat! Anything having to do with fuel flow, hoses, etc., keep them in top condition. It's an awesome car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2012

3rd Oct 2015, 02:03

I think the reviews were awesome. I have a 1990 XJS that I'm having refurbished and I can't wait to get behind the wheel. Thank you for the very good advice.

Frank De Marco... a Jag lover.

1990 Jaguar XJS Coupe 5.3L

Summary:

Glorious, but with a caveat..

Faults:

To own the XJS, one must be a tinkerer and be adept with mechanics. I think a lot of negative connotations are due to owner neglect, and/or lack of knowledgeable maintenance.

This lack of maintenance causes bigger problems that are common; clogged heater cores after 20 plus years, clogged radiators, which cause overheating and dropped valves, fuel lines not being replaced, causing engine fires, Marelli fires from distributor, rotor etc etc.

This car requires constant attention and it will reward you greatly. This car is finicky in every way, and parts that should work don't, and parts you order will not fit, even though it is supposed to. For example, ignition coils, there are 2, have one plug that does not fit the spark plug inlet, and yet all aftermarket parts have this feature.

Fuel pumps that are for this car won't work, as they don't generate the psi required, so the car won't start... and the list goes on.

You must have patience with the car. I am not trying to dissuade anyone from buying one, but when you do, you must know what the previous owner has done to the car and what he hasn't. There inevitably will be a lot of "catch up" mechanical costs that you must budget for. I would conservatively budget $5k + for parts alone. If you hire a shop, then you are talking $10k, $15k or more. So be prepared for costs upfront on this car.

General Comments:

This car is wonderful, but you need to be a tinkerer, and be patient to track down and diagnose things that go wrong and fix it. Electrical issues are particularly hard to diagnose...

Need to be adept at these things, or you will need to be shuttling back to the shop constantly for every thing that arises, and assuredly the gremlins will arise...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th December, 2011