Faults:
One of the electric windows is temperamental - opens but will only close on the central locking (not on the switch)
One of the outside door handles is broken - the others are getting stiff.
Front wheel bearings needed servicing.
Output shafts worn - needed replacing.
Headliner sagging in the back.
Fuel filler gaiter split, leaking water into the boot.
Torn power steering boot discovered at service.
Central locking starting to "play up" - occasionally doesn't lock or unlock all the doors.
Fuel filler won't open - requires you to use "Emergency Release" in boot.
Rust in the usual places - front wings, boot lid, door bottoms, wheel arches.
Rear A-frame bushes need replacing.
Replaced crappy metric tyres and alloys with imperial tyres / alloys.
General Comments:
With a list of faults like the one above, you'd think this review was going to be negative, but it's most definitely not. I bought the car as a student runabout (I wanted something more outgoing than the usual Vauxhall Nova or Nissan Micra) and I paid £675 for it. For that price I got a car that had no service history and had obviously been neglected a bit.
Yet, despite its faults, it has never left me stranded my the roadside or refused to start in the morning. The engine is practically bullet-proof if serviced regularly (which I've had done) and provides enough power (even when dropped into a 2 ton car) to embarrass boy racers at the traffic lights.
Apart from the headlining sagging, the interior is in fantastic condition - the wood and leather look almost immaculate. Comfort rating is only let down by the lack of air conditioning. Can you believe that 15 years ago £30,000+ luxury cars were offered WITHOUT aircon?
The electrical gremlins are niggling, but I can live with them. If you have the time (and one of these days I will!) they're pretty easy to fix with the aid of the trusty Haynes Manual. I have not experienced most of the major "gremlins" (ie spurious bulb failures, digital dash failure).
The exterior is showing its age, with rust in the usual places, although for the time being at least, it's sound - nothing rotten, although I am resigned to it eventually getting this way.
As with any car of 150k miles plus, there are wear issues with the transmission and suspension. I've had the output shafts replaced to repair a leaky differential, but still need the rear A-frame bushings replaced to completely quiet it. The steering is not as tight or precise as later models - a bit wallowy - but again, this is probably just age related.
On running costs: I average about 22-24mpg combined urban/motorway and can get 30+ mpg on a run. Avoid main dealers like the plague - they are not interested in cars over 5 years old and are only too happy to demonstrate this (ie quoting £750 for a 6-monthly service, not being able to book you in for 6 weeks). There are many independent Jag specialists around (in the UK at least) who will do a routine service for less than £200. Buy reconditioned or scrap parts where possible - these are in plentiful supply.
Sum up: I have found my XJ6 to be reliable, comfortable and a fantastic performer. Sure it has its faults - there's always something that needs doing - but most of them are bearable and to be expected of a 15 year old, 150k+ miles car. At the prices they're going for in the UK at the moment, they're a steal. Don't make the mistake I did - buy one with a full service history for peace of mind!
I liked it so much I've just bought a 1993 XJ6 3.2S in fantastic condition with FSH. Sure, it's a great car and has more features and less niggling faults, but I don't get the satisfaction of knowing that I paid so little money for so much car.
24th Oct 2001, 04:38
Hmmm, considering this is a review done by someone who obviously hates the XJ40, I am surprised there has not been more controversy by fellow Jaguar lovers.
NG.