So, this is my car.

sogood

Just a thought for a new thread, an extension of "Post a pic" if you like. Tell us about your car, some specs, any mods, running costs, what you like/dislike about it, common issues etc. It might help prospective buyers to gather some info on a particular make or model. And don't forget the pics!

So, mine is a 1996 Jaguar XJ6, 4.0 litre Sovereign. The model number is X300 and the XJ6 designation tells that it's a straight six cylinder. Being a Sovereign gives it a top end spec and so it has, air con, cruise control, electric leather seats, with memory, as do the mirrors and steering wheel. Some extra chrome bling around the doors and windows also. The half wood steering wheel and drivers seat retract fully when you remove the key from the ignition, to allow easier entry and exit. They then return to your pre set memory position, once you insert the key. It also has a handy under bonnet tool kit, including spare bulbs and fuses.

6 CD disc changer in the boot, with an adequate sound system, but with a radio that has a tendency to die and usually needs to be replaced. Awkward as the mounting plate/ facia is curved and getting a neat fit is difficult. Another problem is a recurring ABS light warning, usually caused by dry solder joints in the ABS module. Another DIY fix, but a bit fiddly to get the module out.

Not a lot of leg room in the back, but I sit up front! This is overcome with the "L" version, usually US models, giving an extra 4" legroom.

Clunky rear shocks are common, caused by worn bushes. Replacing rear shocks is a big enough job, requiring removal of the rear "A Frame" and then some! A DIY job for some but not a walk in the park.

The 4.0 litre model has the Sport Mode switch, which gives it lots more oomph, but you pay for it in MPG's. I average about 28MPG, which I'm happy with.

Some of the switchgear is laid out on a drab plastic box, that looks like a bit of an afterthought, and is obstructed somewhat by the steering wheel. A saggy headliner is also common and is a DIY job which entails removing the old headliner board, stripping and cleaning and the recovering. It's a tight fit getting it in and out and needs bravery to bend it, but it goes back into shape. I recovered mine and it was great until the spray on adhesive gave up! I should have used a heavier duty spray, with a better heat resistance, so, that's on the to do list.

Rust on the rear wheel arches can be an issues, but mine is clean thankfully. Regarding the finish, peeling top coat can be an issue and is difficult to rectify, without stripping and re doing properly. The boot is large enough but is a bit shallow, so anything too bulky might be an issue.

Due to the miles of wiring, multitude of relays, plethora of sensors etc. electrical gremlins can be common and often difficult to diagnose or track down, but for the most part, many spares are very reasonably priced, compared to other cars.

I like it for its' calm, effortless driving, with poke when needed, thanks to the kick down on the gearbox. It's very comfortable, safe and solid.

If you are handy with spanners and enjoy tinkering, you will keep a Jag on the road without too much effort. The engine and gearbox are, as they say, bullet proof and an 18 year old daily driver is something to be happy about.

Of course, the biggest fly in the ointment is the tax, at €1,800 per annum it's a pita, but that's a matter of choice. Roll on 2026!

And some pics.

JC01

Very very cool car and a lovely change from everybody harping on about poxy "loooooow taaaaaax" dishwashers.

Iv never drivin one of these and always wondered are they actually fast in the conventional sense? Obviously speed isnt what there built for but that's a healthy sized stove thrown under the bonnet so I can't imagine it's boring?

Zcott

Very nice indeed. Although I'm not a fan of wooden dashes, the outside and the internals more than make up for it.

sogood

JC01 wrote: »

Very very cool car and a lovely change from everybody harping on about poxy "loooooow taaaaaax" dishwashers.

Iv never drivin one of these and always wondered are they actually fast in the conventional sense? Obviously speed isnt what there built for but that's a healthy sized stove thrown under the bonnet so I can't imagine it's boring?

When needed it is quite/very fast, especially when overtaking. Hit the "Sport Mode" floor it and it drops a gear, or two and takes off, with a lovely growl. For a car that weighs in at 2 tons, give or take, it is surprising. I promise you a spin if I ever make it to one of the meets!!

Barr

Really like those Jags - a class act. Impressed by 28mpg for a 4.0 auto

jimgoose

sogood wrote: »

When needed it is quite/very fast, especially when overtaking. Hit the "Sport Mode" floor it and it drops a gear, or two and takes off, with a lovely growl. For a car that weighs in at 2 tons, give or take, it is surprising. I promise you a spin if I ever make it to one of the meets!!

Do you ever use the semi-auto "leg" of the J-Gate shifter? I drove an automatic S-Type for a week a few years ago and didn't care for it. That would have been the Ford 5R55N 'box.

jimgoose

1999 Jaguar S-Type here. See this post:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=85756473&postcount=6854

The wheel-house view is here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=89524324&postcount=207


145,000 miles on her, doing 24MPG and purring like a cat. The 3l AJ-V6 engine is based on an American Ford block (it's a Duratec 30 with one-piece forged camshafts and variable cam-timing) and belts out about 240 HP. It pulls like a train from bugger-all revs, but really comes on-cam at about 3,500 due to the VCT, and howls and rasps in a very pleasing - and rapid - manner indeed. It burns a litre of Castrol 5W-30 semi-synth about every 2,000 miles, which I don't begrudge it.

Equipment is decent - no leather seats, I don't like them - with air-con, electric everything, cruise control, ABS and traction control, courtesy lights everywhere, six-way CD changer in the glove-box and automatic dual-zone climate control. And, it's a five-speed manual, which is most unusual. I love it - it means I get to actually drive the car.

She's fairly reliable, built like a bulldozer and you can waft along all day and all night and hop out of it like you've just had a good night's sleep. Like all Jags, a decent battery is essential lest ye fall victim to the dreaded electrical poltergeists. I use a Yuasa/Bosch Silver HSB019, and it is the bog's dollocks.

Bad bits: She's hard on the suspension gubbins, being a lardy old Mildred, and this generally costs a few hundred every couple of years. Motor-tax is fairly horrific at €1,494. Go around with the boot down and the back tyres in particular don't so much wear out as unroll. Due to the styling harking back to the old 1960s S-Type, headroom in the back is a little restricted, but not too bad. Like the XJs, the boot is a bit on the shallow side because of the huge diff.

Known issues: the ignition coil-over units fail occasionally on them. The three on the left cylinder bank are easy, the other three are buried under the throttle-body gubbins and are a bit of a dose. The five-way motorised valve for the climate control has been known to pack up as well. Jaguar want around €300 for these, but a Motorcraft Bosch unit from the Ford parts-bin is exactly the same thing and can be had for €100. Yays! Wheel-speed sensors pop now and then, but they're not expensive. Cracked coolant overflow tanks are not unheard-of, these should be sorted by a recall at this stage.

Kaiser D

My car is a 1996 Honda Legend KA9. It's got a 3.5 V6 petrol engine and a 4 speed automatic gearbox. It produces 212 BHP, which isn't a whole lot for a car that weighs almost 2 tonnes. If you want a fast car, it probably isn't the car for you.

Being a JDM spec car, it is better spec'ed than most Irish and UK cars. Its trim level is known as "Exclusive" compared to "Euro" for European spec cars. It has 100% wool moquette carpet, leather seats that are heated and electric. The front seats have a massage function and the rears can recline, not by a whole lot mind, and they're also heated. Radio controls can also be found in the rear arm rest. It has many interesting gizmos up front, such as a parking pole, Honda Navigation system which is also a TV, a Luxman premium sound system (which I'm told is rare) and a 6 CD changer. Also, like sogood's XJ, the steering column and seat will retract fully when the key is removed and go into place when its in the ignition. Also, a fun fact: The wood trim used was more upscale for the Exclusive model with a lower grade wood used on the Euro. Everything is really easy to use and everything is within reaching distance of the driver on the center console.

There is ample room front and rear. Even when the rear seats are fully reclined your knees won't touch the back of the front seats. Wheelbase is a bit longer than the Lexus LS (2850mm vs 2910mm)

A knocking noise from the front is likely due to a worn bearing in the upper suspension arm(s). This is the only problem I've had with the car (bar a gearbox which is currently being rectified). It has been utterly reliable for the most part.

The down side is of course the high tax and poor fuel consumption. Tax is €1,809 per anum, theres not much I can do about that so I just bare it and pay up. Fuel consumption is poor. I rarely see anything above early 20s, but my driving is mainly within the city.

On the plus side I have noticed a few people admire the car, and I have had some nice comments. I like that.

dmc17

sogood wrote: »

4.0 litre

jimgoose wrote: »

3l AJ-V6

Kaiser D wrote: »

3.5 V6

Nice trend developing here.....