Faults:

Not much yet, but I anticipate a few gotchas in my future.

Clock - dead. R.I.P.

Fog (?) lights iffy…

Key fob (fixed the lil' devil!!).

Noisy (but new) tires.

Electric antennae - to be replaced.

Having owned these before, I "get it". With the correct maintenance they are a great car. You just have to love them and excuse their "issues".

Preventative maintenance is everything.

General Comments:

Smooth, quiet-ish and deceptively quick.

I bought this from a guy that had looked at 6+ XJ6s before parting with cash.

I have had a few Jaguars being English and now living in Florida since 1993.

This car is quick but you do not know it. In "sport mode" it makes some noise, but delivers the goods and that 8+ 0-60 is sufficient.

My clock is useless, but that is all. It has 95,000 but it does not bother me. An XJ8 with 95,000 however would. I looked at many Jaguars and I kept gravitating back to the XJ6. I am not on a race track, not a rally course, so 8-ish seconds 0-60 ain't that bad!

It stands out in a parking lot as being low and sleek. *Really Low* - It has an aftermarket Sony radio the last owner installed costing $600. Dark Side Of The Moon sounds incredible as does Guns & Roses and Led Zeppelin. Being 62 years old going on 27, I enjoy the subtle acceleration. It also cruises smoothly at 80mph with no drama. 80-100+ is effortless.

The Good Year Eagle (?) tires are noisy on all but the smoothest surfaces and would not have been my first choice, but they are new, so I'll live with them.

The electric antennae struggles so it will get replaced. I dismantled the key fob and cleaned the contacts and put a spacer inside so it now works. $336 for a new one from Jaguar? Get real!

It has style and presence and holds its own amongst the many new cars in Boca Raton, Florida where Botox and desperate gold diggers abound. It blends in wherever it is parked and still looks good and it cost me $3500.00. I intend to spend another $1500 - $2000 getting everything up to snuff, and I will have a Jaguar anybody would be proud of.

On the highway is is faultless. Another 100 HP would be nice, but my hooligan days are behind me, and besides, I ride a Buell motorcycle when the mood kicks in (I was pulled over last year for speeding and the cop said; "I thought you'd be younger". He let me off and talked endlessly about Buells. I was quite lucky I met a fan of Buells!)

Look long and hard when buying one and choose wisely. Mechanically they can be fixed easier and cheaper than doing bodywork and interior. They are simple and reliable. Just treat them with the respect they deserve.

Learn the car, pay attention and an XJ6 will sell itself to you. You will not buy "it". They really have character.

Every success.

Faults:

The rear bushes needed replacing from the knocking sound, which is said to be common on this model after around 80-100k km. Approx 400 USD.

Motor for radio aerial - 40 USD.

No real issues.

Generally very reliable; remember this car is nearly 20 years old.

General Comments:

Now in 2012, they just don't make cars like this anymore.

X300's (95-97) are actually very reliable Jaguars. Under the ownership of Ford, they injected 500 million. Designed by the same man who penned the XJ220 and S-Type.

In my opinion, it has better quality than the previous model XJ40, and has less of a chance to have any serious issues than the later XJ8 with the V8 engine.

One of the last 'real' Jags of that era.

Depreciation has hit this car hard, but believe me, the money buys you a lot of car for the quality you get, as long as you get one that has been looked after. My mechanic and a few in the know have told me I've picked up a good buy.

My 3.2 Sport in dark blue has had one caring owner since new. Looking at the near brand new looking, tinted walnut / cream leather with slight wear on the driver's seat, you know the owner was a good lad. The exterior has a few door pings and still wears its coach lines, so it's still original Jag paint.

The straight six engine, if looked after, will see past 200k km with no problems. Mine is still responsive at this age, and has an urgency and a nice growl when you hit higher RPM.

Fuel consumption is expected from a car of this size. In town, yes a bit thirsty, but predictable. On the highway you can get good mileage.

Interior. The best looking is definitely the Sport and XJR trim; the wood looks great when tinted and the steering wheel is black. Electric seats and even electric headrests. It feels special.

The straight 6 won't let you down. There's a reason why many reviews state the car will have no problems across Europe etc. I drive around in Hong Kong and the gas prices are extortionate, but for me, this is a weekend car - so I don't mind paying a few bucks to take care of my cat and have a run in town.

You can expect a few minor problems with electrics if you're unlucky, but as a running car, it's very good if you maintain it properly.

Parts aren't too dear; find an honest independent mechanic if your local is too expensive.

Inevitably owing to its age, it's not easy to find one that is in mint condition. One that has been looked after is definitely worth it. And this car deserves to be looked after! It is a future classic in the making without a doubt.