Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible Review

[@8000Christopher]

I bought a pre owned 1988 Jag XJS V12, black coupe a few years ago. Lovely car to drive, very comfortable and handles well, especially considering it weighs near 4000 pounds. Mileage is about 18-19 mpg. I only wish the little vent windows operated, would be nice to have a bit of ventilation that way. Also, a four or five speed automatic transmission would have improved performance nicely. Thanks for your reviews, I enjoy them.

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

8000Christopher Hey, great insight into XJS ownership, oh and thanks for the positive feedback. 😀

[@Schlipperschlopper]

too slow too slow!!!!

[@notgonnatakeit1]

I think you've nailed the spirit of the intention of this vehicle. Stately and refined, no matter how you want to drive it. A pleasant sound you hear just enough of, smooth handling and suspension with still enough road feel, and very fast highway speed acceleration and top end but without losing any composure whatsoever. When I had mine sometimes Id realize a was driving 110+ mph without realizing it! I'm also 6'2 and could completely outstretch my legs. So unfair when people compare to an E type, It's a whole other thing, especially the angular styling which is gorgeous to me. I was also always intrigued by the little side spoilers, behind the back windows on the coupe. It looks so much better with the double round headlights and before the "facelift model"

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

Thank you kindly. Matt.

[@ramble-on-overland]

Reminders of wonderful childhood memories with such classic cars.

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

David Oliver Thanks and welcome on board, glad it worked for you. Bringing back memories is mostly what we're trying to do. Matt.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

You cant drive Jag V12 fast because the valve seats become loose and fall into the engine.....NEVER DRIVE A Jag V12 fast like a Ferrari!

[@Bikergal800]

Nice review on this classic convertible, with great views and roads, I wish I could do a nice piece on my modern celica convertible small with great notes to it

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

Nicola Robynson Thanks Nicola, massively appreciated. Matt.

[@Haffschlappe]

You cant use the V12 HE Version they drop valve seats the pre HE V12 is better and had british Made heads and valves not the Made in India ones that came from 1981

[@BunbSims-et5op]

I was wondering where the latch or button to open the trunk is located at? Can you show or tell me where? Thanks

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

Hoping someone else can help....

[@willmill409]

What years was jaguar having lots of issues with electronics failing??

[@Lavaman3682]

any years described in Arabic numerals :-)

[@LaDivinaLover]

From the beginning of inception until 1991 when they started using Ford engines and electrics. Ford ended up buying Jaguar in 1999 and Land Rover in 2000. The worst as far as reliability were the ones in the late 1970s through the 1980s.

[@malcolmgay2967]

Thanks for another great review. In the late 1990 business was good and I was working hard and I started looking at one of these (second hand - business wasn't that good). In the end the MB 500SL (1992) was the choice (in Australia, the landed models were fully loaded except lumbar support Nd headlight wipers) and I had it for 16 years. Any chance you can source one of these for a review? If you do one thing I found worthwhile is using the shifter to decide when the gears change.

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

Thanks Malcolm. I have had a similar thought and so will keep an eye out for a 500SL.

[@AndieBlack13]

At 2:03 there is a flashing yellow warning light going off on the dash...typical, getting everything trying to work right on an XJS.

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

My fault for letting it get too low, it's the fuel light. Matt.

[@justinsalsberg3870]

@@ClassicCarsDriven The irony is that when the shot of the blinking fuel light comes-up, you're talking about the fuel crisis and a "thirsty v-12"

[@MrKmorg]

Malcolm Sayer - not Michael - None the less, a very nice car and an honest review

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

I knew I was going to get that wrong. Malcolm Sayer and Michael May. Doh! Matt.

[@lewis72]

+ClassicCarsDriven He went to the school where my dad taught. Great Yarmouth Grammar/High School. There is a plaque there commemorating him there.

[@maxustaxus]

A very interesting review, you have gone to a lot of trouble over this. Thanks.

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

maxustaxus Thank you. Very much appreciated. Matt.

[@wreckthings]

You sir, should apply for top gear presenter.

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

Luke Wood Too kind. Thanks Luke. Matt.

[@k.e.leutzinger3118]

Would you recommend getting the v6 version of the xjs convertible?

[@ClassicCarsDriven]

Kyle Leutzinger Yes always, nearly all the performance but with less weight and better mpg. I also rate Jaguar's straight six as has plenty of character. Matt.

[@coldhell3580]

If you can afford the extra maintenance cost get the V12. It’s smoother and faster. As for MPG, well a 6 pot averages about 23, the V12 HE averages about 18. By the way it’s a straight six, not a V6. Granted, the 6 is good, but the creaminess of the V12 is worth the extra expense.

[@robbrown6495]

Not so much a review as a history lesson

[@v10cylinder]

It's a beautiful car. However, the 2nd facelift model 1992-1996 looks simply terrible, with those Japanese tail lights and those pimped-up bumpers. They destroyed the car's refined, classic look it had until 1991. I had a 1991 XJ-S V12 convertible just like this one presented in the video, traded it 4 years after I bought it for a DB7 V12 coupe with stick shift... The DB7 is great but I still miss my XJ-S. I think I will buy another one soon...

[@winkyboy97]

Why release the XJS when they could have released the F type S? Much better car.