MG RV8 vs Jaguar XJS - British Bruiser Battle! (1995 MG/1994 XJS 4.0 Celebration Convertible Driven)

[@MrRicardo11]

Both great cars. I have lots of memories of the RV8. I worked for Rover when they came out and I had an RV8. It leaked like a siv when it was raining and tried to kill you on every corner, but when it was dry it was just brilliant to drive. Fast loud and wild. I remember driving one sideways about 250 yards up a road and I couldn't stop smiling. Brilliant car

[@leerose9436]

I own a NightFire Red MGRV8 and absolutely ❤️ it !

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

We're very jealous, fantastic car!

[@tcollins4574]

Bought a white '94 XJSC with a factory 5 speed last fall - one of the few manual transmission covertibles to make it to the US. Waiting for the warm weather so I can finally take her out with the top down!!

[@matty6848]

Manuel cars alone are rare in America never lone a manual Jaguar. Or “jag warr” as Americans say😂🙂

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

The Jaguar is absolutely gorgeous

[@alabamastate5480]

What a coincidence of an article!! I bought my XJ-SC from Arun Motors in 1993, having wanted a sports car but couldn’t justify using a true sports with two young children so took the next best thing a GT. The XJS cabrio, where a rear seat could be installed, unlike the late 80’s convertibles with space absorbing rear glass screen was the answer. Also have the rear hardtop so makes for a very rare looking sleek (buttress-less) saloon as well as an unusual Targa in open form. With only 5000 (3800 V12’s) built, it’s fair to say it is rare car. However, much as I love the driving experience of the most famous British built V12 powered car, its auto gearbox and the cars size never gave me the true experience of a “sports car”. So in 2016 and the “brats” all grown, I thought I could spoil myself with a true two seater. The answer was to find another rare car,…… with an equally famous engine, so with only 1900 built and powered by the Rover V8, the MGR (as I call it), easily fitted the bill. I am therefore the proud owner of both cars, hence the first line of my comment, (albeit cabrio not convertible “S”). My preference? like my kids, I couldn’t possibly say!

[@garethshaw4634]

The older I get the more and more I want an XJS❤️

[@dhdove]

We’ve had five XJ-S’s and XJS’s over the years, from V12 to AJ16, loved them all. It’s a no brainer really.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

These 2 are fantastic classics. Gorgeous Jaguar.

[@stratac30]

The big thing is that the RV8 will cost you today what it cost new, where as the XJS convertible is a fraction of its original sale price, so based on that the RV8 is a more sort after car. Both very good cars and the RV8 is so much better built than the original MGB ever was, even if the underpinnings were very much MGB, Rover produced very good quality cars once it was taken over by British Aerospace and the RV8 was a very good exercise in reinventing the Marque as a sports car. The XJS is a much more a refined car. They should have compared the RV8 against a TVR.

[@ridders1991]

RV8 for me. My dad has one and has done for a few years and got it from a classic car aucttion for £15k and it came from a museum. That V8 is just so great to listen to

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

We'd agree, a lovely rumble!

[@haveric24]

I love my MG R V8 bought it instaed of replica AC cobra..... 4 years on and still loving it

[@stevengodfrey891]

I’ve owned both of these cars... The MGRV8 has a great engine, heavy steering, cramped interior and offset steering wheel which is a pain. The XJS (mine was a V12) is smooth, slow acceleration, heavy handling but a much more comfortable cruiser. Suffice it to say, I sold both and bought something else.

[@TheMileswin]

Great video. I own a 1993 6 litre convertible in red which is a beautiful car but I have a soft spot for the RV8. Had I bought a night fire red RV8 instead, I would be equally satisfied.

[@spikemark1731]

While shopping for an old 911 Turbo, I somehow ended up with a 95 XJS like the one in the video. It’s by no means spry, but oh so pleasurable to drive while not the least bit show-off-y (IMO). Can’t believe I love this car. Cheap, too.

[@LoudModeOn]

That XJS is a stunner! I had the coupe and I miss it a lot, so I'd definitely take that one home!

[@matty6848]

Would you ever consider buying another XJS? I can imagine their a bit of a money pit?

[@LoudModeOn]

@@matty6848 I'd definitely consider buying another one. I had a 3.6 and that engine was pretty solid. General corrosion was the bigger issue. If you can get one that's been garaged and looked after, with low miles and some service history, shouldn't be too expensive to maintain. If you buy the wrong one then for sure it could be a bit of a money pit. Had a couple of early XJ40s that were exactly that!

[@peterwerner2174]

Had my 88 XJS since 1992. Love it still, but there have been moments....Good looks, great driving and nothing else like it.

[@philipwright5294]

I have a 91 XJS 5.3l V12 convertible. Stunning car, beautiful to drive and a real head Turner. Always wanted one and got it a few years back. Unfortunately, it's time to move on and sell her (Don't get enough sun in the North east), but at least I can say I had the pleasure of driving her😁

[@jimd385]

The XJS is awesome. But I’d prefer a hard top, and have the whole thing in white, because I’m immature and I want to drive around like I’m Simon Templar.

[@jimd385]

@Hector awesome

[@SabotsLibres]

Funny how almost everyone remarks how the MG badge later came to be applied to sporty saloons...It seems that there is is big hole in the collective memory regarding MG - Cecil Kimber turned Morris cars into more sporting versions - and ALSO used Morris components to build sports cars (TC, TD, TF etc). In the late fifties and the sixties, MG was ALWAYS the sporting variant of the bread and butter (Austin/)Morris - with variations on 11/1300 and the Farina bodies Cambridge/Oxford cars.

[@cartagenapirate]

I just bought an 1989 XJ-S convertible black with bordeaux red interior for 11.000 USD and shipped it to Germany. Although it is a classic from a far-away era it is absolutely usable as an everyday car. The only problem with this: every short trip to the supermarket takes me hours to get home since I take every detour imaginable to spend more time cruising in it

[@rross47]

I’d have to have the MG had a very flawed 1972 MGB for years. But loved it. Jag just too big and I still want a manual.

[@70053morayfirth]

I've done some driving in both these cars. Your assessment of the MG is spot on. The XJ-S always seemed so dreadfully old fashioned, with very little space inside for such a huge car. No wonder the Mercedes continually brushed it aside in sales terms, even after all its improvements. Both would now make lovely classics to run for fun.

[@DennisFang1]

The rv8 has always been one of my dream cars, but I fear I like the idea of them much more than I would actually owning one

[@jasonjudd8656]

XJS please definitely would have . I am huge fan of Jaguar

[@YllaStar95970]

Drove my first XJS (V12), in '89.....Never looked back.

[@rossilake218]

I have a 1989 Jaguar XJS with the GM Th400 manual trans. What were they thinking. Ahh, the market.I would love a 5-6 speed trans. I collect bits to get to my final destination, some day. Lol

[@simonjohnson1]

I had a 4.0 litre XJS convertible for ten years. The best car I've ever owned. Loads better than the much newer 5.0 litre XK (which I sold back to the dealer after just four weeks). Nothing went wrong with the XJS except a cracked exhaust manifold the whole time I owned it. I shouldn't have sold it! Glorious engine noise with the hood down and foot to the floor. Best driven with the gearbox in standard mode not sport mode because then you can keep your foot to the floor until it changes up without feeling guilty about red-lining the engine every time. Newer cars just don't ride as well.

[@maxnicholls7254]

agree. Got a 4L convertible. Done 140K miles in comfort; one of the most reliable cars I've ever had Think you should have red lined it more; sounds awesome and doesn't seem to have harmed mine. The difference between sport and normal mode is incredible; like two different cars

[@sidhawkwind8179]

As a 96 i6 XJS convertible owner I have to be bias for the Jag on looks as I've never driven the MG but I also love MG I just love old British cars..if that makes sense

[@marcelbeaty8671]

My uncle Ron beaty developed the lister engine for the xjs. He tuned my late father's xk120 in the early 70,s descending on the farm in a panther with a v12 jag engine installed . I love jags and grew up with them but own an Oxford blue rv8 that I'm getting refurbished. 28000 miles with a new old stock dash going in . Hens teeth to find one . I think the jag is the cruiser and the rv8 is the bruiser . Country pub rv8 . South of France xjs. Rv8 I think due to rarity possibly wins but both are good value which is due to rise I think...

[@kevinlillywhite9549]

biggest mistake i ever made was selling my RV8 (divorce) once the suspension was sorted (the front bump stops were practically non existent) and the dampers sorted ( they were adjustable koni's but all the re-imports from japan were on the softest setting which was a bit of a faff as you had to take them off to adjust put them back on then do it all again until it was right) they handled really well. also the exhaust was strangled to get through sound regs it went from 2 x 2" exhaust pipes down to 2 x 1" exits on the back box, so new back box better pull and much more of that v8 burble or howl if you boot it. what a brilliant car PS i own a jag now XF as well as an MG TF so i'm not biased

[@davidhynd4435]

I just did a quick search online. There are at least three RV8s for sale in Australia at present (I did only check one site). They are priced at $45,000, $47,250 and $50,000 respectively. The car might make me smile. The cost of obtaining one certainly wouldn't.

[@issabendeck1135]

Jaguar xjs one of my dream cars in my list its a one of the best looking cars i ha ever seen

[@jamesgraham6122]

I bought a 1994 4.0 XJS Convertible shortly before lockdown last year.. absolutely immaculate..then moved home. Since then, not having a suitable garage now, it's been in a specialist classic car storage facility 100 miles away. Watching this with the sun coming through the window I'm at the stage where I could eat my way through a wall to get at it. The XJS was initially a disappointment to Jaguar lovers, the E-Type being an impossible act to follow. The mistake they make is that the E-Type is primarily a sports car, I owned two back in the 70s, 3.8, then the 4.2.. great for thrashing along the A34. The XJS is not an out and out sports car, it's the epitome of a true GT.. a Grand Touring car that will take all the luggage you need and cruise effortlessly to the South of France at 100 mph in regal comfort, and that's how it should be judged..

[@asdreww]

XJS for me. I think it's really come of age recently. It looks more sleek, distinctive & better than it ever has. Has to be the V12 though for the full experience. The perfect antidote to a modern diesel 4 cylinder crossover/SUV thing.

[@Vince_uk]

Love them both and I have a great weakness for a convertible. The Jag wins by a whisker though.

[@alimorrison8731]

Have both, love them both, for completely different reasons.......... obviously 👌

[@MrJezza31]

That XJS has got to be a winner, by the time the choice was either the 4.0 six or 6.0 V12 you were assured a much more reliable and well rounded car than five years earlier!

[@richardlowe4954]

Jag all day long - it’s a beautiful big British GT car ...

[@simonhodgetts6530]

XJS coupe - early pre-HE V12 for me please (and bottomless pockets to buy fuel)

[@neilgent1595]

Another fantastic video chaps.

[@deanprosser5224]

Hmmm, both nice cars but the V8 MG just pips the XJS to the post for me.

[@juststuff5216]

I always loved this version of the MG. Does that make me a charlatan in the eyes of MG fans? I also loved the Ford 1990+ XJS, with it revised design!

[@The9meister]

I remember driving a xjs he V12 in the 90's, you could see the fuel gauge dropping as you drove it.

[@herseem]

If you reconfigure the torque converter for the lowest possible stall speed, you'll probably find you'll recoup the cost of having the torque converter fixed within days. It won't be as speedy with your foot to the floor at the lights, but you'll enjoy it driving through London much better, and it will save you money all the time it's not in torque converter lock-up

[@Dunstire]

I would kill for an RV8.The one and only MG i've ever really liked

[@matty6848]

Yeh same here Andy. MGs never really did it for me but the RV8 just did. Ok the jag is probably the better engineered car but I would choose the MG any day.

[@swainkirk2292]

So few people even know of the RV8 due to its very limited production run. I'd enjoy both but for different reasons. I own a MG RV8 and enjoy its quirkiness and the lovely sound of the V8. It is a throwback and probably only appeals to a segment of the market while the XJS is far better known and obviously, due to investment, a far better car. It would have to be a RV8 with top down and an XJS coupe for me.

[@marka5102]

Enjoyed this thanks. Jag for me personally. Just a suggestion, think you can drop the background music next time (bit distracting)

[@andrewmarsden1970]

XJS for me. But not the convertible.

[@jeffreyabrams9297]

Absolutely, it's not an XJS without the buttresses

[@andybroer651]

I'm biased as the MG was not sold in the US. However, I have had (2) XJS - a 5.3 coupé HE model and a later 6.0 V12 convertible in the same red over parchment. I loved them both, sadly lost the 6.0 in a 5 car pile up (I was in the very middle) and lost it to salvage but walked away unharmed. It was a lovely car.

[@matty6848]

The main thing is Andy you was Ok. Although you must of been gutted when your XJS got crushed☹️

[@andybroer651]

@@matty6848 Yes the 6.0 liter car was glorious... and sadly missed... loved it... Thanks!

[@FeelTheDrive]

Time to get the XJS out our shed then! Great video as usual

[@MH30R]

I would grab a trailer and hook it up to the XJS and then take both home!

[@kenbradley5035]

A fair conclusion... both cars have their merits but this celebration series of Jaguar will go on the be a true classic - a true grand tourer... a class of car that will disappear in the future, from the days of driving just for pleasure.... I'm already searching for one.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Probably the XJS for its sheer class and luxury, but wouldn't be unhappy with the MG with that glorious V8 burble.

[@stephenwilletts2293]

I love both cars, they are very different machines yes the xjs is the Prestige model to have whereas the mg really is for people who want an mgb roadster updated. The mg is a weekend blast about the xjs is a weekend cruiser give me either.

[@paulmanning8897]

BOTH!!! YUMMY!!!

[@RickCT2000]

RV8 for me!

[@jamiesut5866]

I love both! Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have either for a day and go for a blast around the countryside. But when I think about parting with say £18-20k of my own hard earned cash to live with one, it would be without any hesitation the Jag. If those MG’s were £10k then fine... but no, no way would I pay £18-20k!

[@orwellknew9112]

No wonder the Japanese loved it. I don’t get all the negative comments about the car. It looks fantastic, inside and out. The little V8 sounds fabulous and it seems to drive very smoothly. What’s not to like?

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

I wish someone would make a Singer like modification of the MG. Not to make it super, fast but to engineer it to a higher level and add a dash of style and looks to it. Oh… And I wish they are not going to charge Singer style prices!

[@pennyveale5241]

Frontline Developments do exactly that with a 300hp Mazda engine.

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

@@pennyveale5241 Thank you for the reply. Must admit I have never heard of them, but you are so right. Seemingly wonderful products at a not inexpensive but fair price.

[@35geordielad]

RV8 for me I always wanted to own one ❤

[@glennoc8585]

I had an RV8 in the late 90s only a few thousand on it. Looked nice but handled like a bag.

[@ianmcass]

The Jag is undoubtedly the better car, however I'd prefer the RV8. It's got so much more character!

[@cmcb7230]

I always thought someone could’ve continued MGB production into the 80’s and beyond. If Porsche was able to continue the basic 911 all the way to the 993 era why couldn’t MG keep the MGB going? I know crash standards emissions etc. But the MG RV8 proves it could’ve been done.

[@iantelford3930]

Being cready can i have them both probably have the jaguar as you can really hear the suspension bushes need to be sorted and dash needed tightening on the MG you can really hear it in the video

[@pieterk4960]

The Jag needs some adjustment in the boot lid.. at 7:35 it clearly shows indifferent fit. Nice cars though

[@predragbalorda]

Wonder if the lattice wheels off the rv8 would fit the xjs? What's the pcd and et on those?

[@lewis72]

I think the RV8 was for the person that wanted a newly-built classic car... as with the XJS, I suppose.

[@wibblywobbly1234]

Didn't hear the engines :(

[@colinhoward74]

If you look at the reality , Jag is always going to be a superior piece of engineering , having had to step out of the Etype's shadow , and to do that it had to start off as right as possible where the MG was always a bread and butter , low end (in power stakes too) sports car . In those days of the MG , you would find halfwits sticking Ford Essex V6es into Anglias , and , truth be known , thats really what MG did here , twice , once in the 70s where the car was plauged by overheating issues and braking issues , then this one , it did not overheat and it stopped ok but its really a bit of a back yard job as a car . I would rather have a well built 427cid Cobra replica than that . The XJS is a car you could and can always live with . One was a factory cross continent cruiser of a sports car , the other a hacked up 1.8 litre ashmatic sports car that got a v8 stuffed under the bonnet and a set of brakes that worked .

[@alterra9774]

The two cars I want to own

[@crissysgarage]

A comparison of two great british classic cars, that none of the two can win, because they represent different Philosophies. Buy one of them, and you will be happy, no matter your decision. In my case, it was the MG, ten years ago.

[@davidwatson4728]

Greet video. Never a fan of background music though. Detracts from the video content.

[@TG-pd3ft]

If only the XJS wasn't such a big old boat...

[@andyhilton3359]

MG RV8 every time because its bonkers! -0cx 0

[@J.K.Barrik]

Comparing a crusty MG RV8 to a Jag XJS ??? Not comparing like for like, Jag is in a class of its own

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Was the XJS 4.0 too early to get the compressor-4.0 as seen in the XJ-R?

[@blxtothis]

Funny how time mellows one’s taste! I was not a fan of the MGB when it was launched, too conservative and safe in it’s engineering, admittedly a looker but too much a child of the 50s to make me salivate. When it became the staple for the executive class ‘sports car man’ and was seen in every corner of the island I berated it’s adherence to past times and lack of development. The MGC came along and certainly offered more grunt but with an ancient engine weighing as much as the Ark Royal and so it went on, through the 70s and up to the end of production, bearing the horrid off-road look and plastic US bumpers. The Costello V8 showed BL what could be done but their response far too late. That last gasp V8 engined version, rarer than hens’ teeth was something else though. Nowadays I look at all the versions with a sense of nostalgia and wouldn’t say no!

[@ceedoubleyou]

some 20yrs ago I saw a Japanese freshly imported RV8 for NZ$25k, it was some NZ$5k out of my budget.

[@allanjenkins4461]

RV8 for me every time

[@Lot76CARS]

Excellent

[@andybowie8590]

Great comparison but it would have been good to talk about their current values. I had a v12 XJS about 20 years ago and I paid less than 2 grand for it. Something tells me they're worth a bit more now though.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

As it happens, these two exact cars are for sale at the same price at Arun Cars! Interesting to note that XJS values have climbed of late, whereas RV8 prices never really dipped...

[@gemdriving]

Give me the RV8 any day, the Jag isn’t in the same league.

[@enigmatwist6548]

Rather have a frontline v8 convertible

[@leeallen7491]

XJS for me having owned a few old Jags

[@paulgabolinscy2502]

Jag every time

[@theostickley6492]

Jaaaaaag though the MG does look cool

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Definitely distinctive, isn't it?

[@dcanmore]

RV8 was nothing more than a relaunch of MG as a sports car brand hence limited production number and a parts bin budget. Nothing wrong with the idea but it was just a warm up for the media and the market until the launch of the MG F in 1995.

[@chriswright4252]

XJS all day long

[@rogerpayne5336]

I'd take the jag but a Lister version or even a Lister Le Mans and be done with it.

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

I will take a white xjs with a stick man drawn on the bonnet.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

The RV8 is an interesting car. But the XJS is a timeless classic.

[@jeffbeilman4723]

This comment might be unpopular but to me the RV8 is far superior to the MGF….at least in looks….and it’s not even close.

[@darrenhalsall2838]

I wood take the xjs becos I had 3.6 copay in the Same read but she wos a mumuel geboxt car sadly I hato let har go cos ove fust ishus

[@jamesstaggs4160]

Stop talking about the XJS before I buy one. You're making them expensive.