1990 Jaguar XJS 5.3 V12 Auto Convertible

Summary:

A super luxurious fast convertible from the past

Faults:

Air conditioning heater valve blocked up after some regular use. A/C system seals and modern gas conversion carried out at the same time.

Lower radiator hose split, luckily only yards from my house so turned engine off immediately.

Replaced all hoses as a precaution.

General Comments:

A beautiful super cat car in red, looks elegant with hood up or down.

How many other convertible cars in 1990 had air conditioning, a heated glass rear window and a power hood, and a V12 super smooth engine?

Interior seats very comfortable cabin oozes with leather, wood and class.

Car best performs with optional front cross brace fitted to reduce scuttle shake in the original design.

This is the only convertible I have been in where I can't hear the engine with the hood up or down. Just bags of super smooth torque is what its all about.

A future classic in the making like the XJS coupe.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th April, 2006

1990 Jaguar XJS Coupe 3.6

Summary:

A fantastic, but sometimes grumpy cat

Faults:

Passenger electric window wouldn't go up.

Air con doesn't blow out very cold air.

Headlining stained and rotten.

Elm dash and ski slope are badly faded with some cracking.

Front shock absorber bushes shot.

Bonnet piston stays didn't work.

Front nearside wheel bearing suspect.

Has a penchant for blowing bulbs, a seemingly never ending chase around the car replacing them and the causes.

General Comments:

Parts aren't as expensive as I first thought, 2 new shocks and new bonnet piston stays came in at under £100.

This has to be the most comfortable car I've ever been in, makes motorways effortless.

The car is deceptively quick and quiet, check your speedometer if you value your license.

Rear seats are all, but useless for putting people in.

Steering is very direct, very little wheel turn lock to lock. It's still a big car though.

Not too many of them on the road anymore so some exclusivity.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2005

24th Nov 2006, 07:27

In response to the person indicating that their XJS has a tendency for blown exterior lamps, I suggest the following:

If you leave car outdoors in damp weather consistently, which I did for a number of years, it's a good idea to remove all lamps, use 220 grit sand paper and lightly etch-out (clean) existing rust, and, or, staining you might discover at both poles. Never had chronically blown lamps again in my 1989 XJS.

1990 Jaguar XJS 3.6

Summary:

Fantastic, one of the most fun cars I have ever owned

Faults:

The central locking mechanism was sticking and would not lock the boot or fully open the driver's door. A little spray grease quickly rectified this at no cost.

The driver's door sealing rubber has torn. It will cost £90 for a new one, but is easy to fit.

The heated rear window does work. Need to get this looked at, no idea of cost.

The driver's door hinges have dropped slightly. having car resprayed a different color and they will change the hinges at the time for no extra cost.

The polish finish to the alloy wheels has started to peel. Not expensive to have repolished and lacquered.

General Comments:

This car is fantastic, great fun to drive, goes like a rocket, its comfortable and its only downside is the fuel it uses. Driven hard I get about 20 to the gallon from it, but with the wife on board and driving sensibly it manages about 26 to the gallon.

The car suffers from a bad image problem which is unfair. People attempted to put me off buying it, suggesting other models had a better image, but when I bought it and they sat in it, or better still drove it, they are as hooked as I am and are looking for one themselves.

I still have a new Merc E240 estate and a new CLK 230 that my wife drives, but these are both mundane in comparison and have just become the everyday cars. The Jag is special.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th February, 2003

30th Jun 2004, 06:58

I own an XJS, 1990. I bought it two years ago with 21000 miles on it. I am astonished to read that anyone could get 20 to 26 miles per gallon from this car. Unless, of course, there is a small engine fitted. I believe the v-12 is in most of these cars, as in mine. Initially, I got 9 mpg. Now, having changed the wiring harness and plugs, all belts and the radiator, water pump, a/c compressor and the bushings and shocks, I get average 13.5 mpg, premium U.S. gallons. J. Pasternack, Albany, New York.

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