1996 Jaguar XJ6 Gasoline from North America

Summary:

Impossibly inexpensive used car

Faults:

I purchased the car with a perfect service history and a few cosmetic issues. The cupholder is broken, the center vent in front and vent in back needs replaced, the headliner sags in the back, the clock needs replaced, and the antenna needs replaced due to an ill advised run through a car wash. All told about 800 bucks in repairs that I could ignore but probably won't given the cheap purchase price.

General Comments:

I purchased the car and promptly put it on the road for a 700 mile round trip. It performed flawlessly and was comfortable and fantastic. It returned around 25 mpg on the hwy and has done about 23 overall on the first 1000 miles. The 1995 E320 Benz I'm replacing did about the same on mileage but handled better and felt much faster off the line. This car is a great ride and draws more attention than the Benz but does not feel as eager as other cars I've driven.

Overall I'm very happy with my purchase. It is now August 2008 and I paid $3750 for the car, two owners - full history on service. I was thinking about much newer E350's but decided why not. I can always do a newer car if this one craps out. So far so good.

This thing and other Jag sedans are pure lux car value. Grab one with some service history and drive it like you stole it and you probably won't be sorry.

Small interior things are broken but will cost less than $1000 US to fix. For far less than $5000 (including the cost of the car) I'll have a perfect 1996 XJ6 Jag. I love it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th August, 2008

17th Dec 2008, 22:10

I'm the original reviewer and have had this car now for about 5 months and am still quite pleased with it. It continues to return about 25 mpg on the highway and around 20 around town. It now has around 129,000 miles on it and it runs great. Two issues have come up that haven't troubled me enough to address though. One is a clunking sound from the right rear when I go over rough roads, and the other is it is hard to start when it is above 45 degrees.

Some of the things I particularly like about the car include the very smooth way it eats up the miles on long trips and the quality of the sound system. This isn't much of a car for very spirited driving, however. While the engine has more than adequate power for most any situation, the suspension gives up fairly quickly. My 1995 e320 was much better suited to high speeds and curvy roads. The Jag is more sedate, but provides more interior space and a more interesting engine note, and much more luxurious accommodations.

For the price paid and the overall quality of the car, I could not be happier. The engine is strong and the transmission shifts smoothly. I would definitely make this purchase again. Still love the car.

7th Oct 2011, 04:01

I would like to know where you got the repairs for these prices. I need same repairs for my Jag and have gotten much higher quotes... moorelolo72@yahoo.com

1996 Jaguar XJ6 4.0 from North America

Summary:

Timeless style, reliability, and luxury; everything a man needs!

Faults:

The A/C Compressor went out at 109,000. But eventually they all go out...

General Comments:

I wasn't sure what to expect from this car. I only purchased it because I bought it from a friend of a friend at a great deal. I must say I have been pleasantly surprised. The straight six is reliable and gives enough kick, especially when you switch from normal to sport. I thought parts would be expensive, but as I researched I found them to be less expensive then my wife's Isuzu. Over all I am happy with this purchase and if you are looking to purchase one as well make sure it is a 1996 XJ6...After 96' Ford began putting their engines in. The 96' is the last year of the true Jaguar engine. The Ford V-6 and V-8 have a bad reputation in these cars...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th April, 2007

18th Apr 2008, 19:14

I guess anyone with enough money can buy a Jaguar...

'95 '96 '97 are all the same car, there was no engine change for '97. I would suggest the '96 & '97 are the better builds.

'98 was first year for XJ8 and they did have engine problems related to the cylinder bores. One should stay away from the early XJ8 unless you can confirm that the engine has been replaced/sleeved. Not sure if this was a Fordism, I believe the V8 was a Jag engine brought to fruition with Ford money.

In my opinion the '95-'97 XJ6 are the best Jaguars ever, period.

13th Nov 2009, 10:33

The previous poster is right about the engine history - the AJ-V8 is all Jaguar, and in fact went the other way, being put into Land Rovers by Ford in a slightly detuned and modified form when Ford also owned that brand. Note that BMW amongst others used Nikasil bore linings in this period and had similar problems - but got less adverse publicity about it.

Still, the X300 series Jaguar XJ6 with the AJ16 straight six, the later the year the better both for reliability and equipment reasons (here in Australia only the 1997 model year cars got a 3-point seat belt in the middle rear seat position, for example) I think have to be seen as the final chapter in the "true" Jaguar XJ story. Interestingly, a 1997 XJ6 is already worth slightly more here than its 1997 XJ8 successor.

Driven and maintained properly they are a very good long-term bet.