The Jaguar XJS is Probably a Better Car Than it Gets Credit For

Review and test drive of the increasingly collectible Jaguar XJ-S Gran Tourer.
1991 Jaguar XJ-S Coupe reviewed by Bill of Curious Cars.
Vehicle is for sale at Autohaus of Naples, at [phone] or www.AutohausNaples.com
Videos referenced:
1986 Jaguar XJ6:
• Driving The Last Real ...
1971 Jaguar E-Type:
• Driving the Most Beaut...

[@tikibeach]

Owned three of these in the mid 80's. I was the first to get the actually convertable. I mean electric hood not the drop top. It was a master peice at the time in 1987. Bought for £36,000 sold it back to the dealer 8 months later for the same £36,000! The smooth brillant V12 was absoltely fantastic. 140mph on the autobanhn was so easy. Brillant car. Classic now.

[@be5952]

These must have been such a pleasure when new. My experience has always been with used, and have enjoyed them for what they are at that point. But new---all tight and perfect, unworn leather and perfectly tuned engine right from the factory....what a treat!

[@tikibeach]

@@be5952 It was but I felt far too opulent at the time. kept it for Sunday drives and did a trip around Europe (Alps, Sof France, through the Black Forest) Then the dealer approached me as there was a wait time for them & he gave me my money back. How could I refuse!

[@michaelbishop5819]

Tfff,😢😢 😅b😊😊😊

[@bobjohnson1587]

@@tikibeach He made you a deal you couldn't refuse! lol

[@slytherben]

I could say a lot, but you're right about high speeds. 100mph was not noticeable in any capacity. I had a coupe and the cabin was indescribably quiet - at any speed.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Hey Bill, thanks for including the final minutes of this video, I was dying to know how the Canadians were going to fare in the back seat!!! Enjoy your weekend & make sure you keep up with your coronavirus whiskey!!! 🥃

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

What's with his silly comments on Canadians in the back seat? I love it BTW.

[@420031]

Story about Canadian snowbirds buying cars in Florida trying to cram all of their visiting friends and family in the car. He explained this in one episode....hilarious as always, and as a Canadian, I appreciate the mention regularly 😂

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

@@420031 Which one is that?

[@420031]

@@MichaelOKeefe2009 Sorry, I do not remember.

[@patrickflohe7427]

@@MichaelOKeefe2009 It’s about visiting Canadians, packing into the car….every seat full / occupied.

[@randolfo1265]

I like the sealed beam headlights with the chrome bezels better than the Euro lamps too. They just look better

[@777jones]

Good comment. Agree with you.

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

Only true fans know this video was 26 minutes long with no interior review.

[@racekorthings7165]

The parking brake cliffhanger will be something of legend.

[@EndeavorsDnB]

@@racekorthings7165 very sad I missed whatever this was 😋

[@rovervitesse1985]

The words ‘only’ and ‘fans’ in the same sentence in a comment below a video from Bill nearly gave me a heart attack 😅😂

[@LPCContentManager]

@@rovervitesse1985 you beat me to saying it! 😂

[@franzvanjulio5523]

I love the 700 minute videos. I love the XJS. If I had the extra cash I’d totally buy it. I’ve been stalking it on the website for a couple of weeks. Thanks for your videos, Bill. You’ve brought out interest in cars I’ve either long forgotten or have largely disregarded in my youth. Keep up the good work and take care of yourself. Best regards from Arizona.

[@psjasker]

Whatever you are using for audio, it ALWAYS sounds fantastic! Do not change microphones

[@williamburroughs2273]

Those headlights remind me of a 50's Corvette, I'm coming to appreciate the understated elegance of Jags more.

[@JohnGorny]

Man, what a gorgeous car. my first car was a jaguar and although it was a heap of garbage due to the lucas electronics, it was the most beautiful paperwaight I have ever owned. This thing weighs the same as my XC70 T6 wagon, and its got a perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

[@donjones6325]

Bill, another awesome video! I graduated from high school in 1989. My Dad had a 1984 Black XJ-S with biscuit interior. I loved that car! I would wash and wax it all the time. He would let me drive it around the neighborhood with my friends. It was so smooth, quiet, and powerful. I bought a 1989 black XJ-S with Mulberry interior a little over a year ago to recapture my youth. The XJ-S is an unapologetically high maintenance car, but worth it! Thanks for the video!

[@Mike81111]

Styling on this Jag is just amazing. I have soft spot for these large 2-door cruisers. Same goes to the US "personal luxury" cars from the 70's. Just pure love from me.

[@richardelson3261]

I'm a Jag fan.. from Coventry too - my Dad worked there for a while in Design - but that engine bay is insane and scary.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

I like the AJ6 3.6 and 4.0-litre engines better

[@be5952]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. I agree about liking the 6 cylinder ones better. I had an opportunity to work for a car restorer / technician who specialized in Jaguars (though I have no mechanical aptitude) and if one is at all concerned with gas mileage, a twelve cylinder car is just *__* while idling at a stop light. Better, almost 'civilized' fuel economy on the highway at modest speeds, though. But for easier servicing, less expensive servicing, and the (to me) all important decent gas mileage, I really like the sixes.

[@thegearknob7161]

It's not too bad when you learn what it all does. At least it's all accessible and anything that can be made out of metal is. I prefer working on it to more modern high end cars. The mixture of metric and imperial bolts is a nuisance you don't have to deal with on other cars though. They should have gone all metric when they had the chance.

[@MrRonnmaui]

I bought one a couple years old. Gorgeous inside and out! Poor electronics for sure. The dealer had a black box in the trunk that closed out half the cylinders to pass the smoke test in Calif. Sold it soon.

[@patrickflohe7427]

BAHAHAHA Smoke, or smog?

[@JohnSurf5]

I absolutely love when a new Curious Cars hits my feed. I think this is an iconic car and I remember when they were new. And nothing looks like Jaguar when it was Jaguar. They were absolutely beautiful. This is such a beautiful example. I know the wheel arch trim is not the same that you get at the car wash gift shop but I just have a hard time looking past it. I’m not sure why people felt the need to improve something that was perfectly beautiful. When you buy a beautifully designed V-12 car you don’t need to put your two cents in. It’s amazing how absolutely beautiful designs from the past stand out now more than they did when they were new because everything now looks cloned.

[@joycerichardson1810]

Electric, plastic shitboxes!!!

[@joycerichardson1810]

When Jaguar was Jaguar!

[@HomesByPatrick]

Bill, you sir are a real gem. You know the product, you are uncut and uncensored and call it as you see it. Cheers and God Bless Ya. Can't wait to see more videos.

[@michaelredmond8173]

Bill, you have mastered the art of the review. Entertainment and information, which you have flawlessly brought together. Im a sucker for Jaaaaags and I could watch this all day.

[@jamesh7571]

Hmmmm? Okay well....

[@CaptainInsano-go6vo]

Bill 3 years ago my dad bought a beautiful 1 owner 1997 Jaguar XJ6 for $400! 142K miles needed a few things the last year you could get the 4.0 Inline 6 cylinder. 1998-2003 the last year of production were only available in V8 form. We also have a 1998 XJ8R and a 1990 and 1996 Infiniti Q45 G50 chassis. Bought the 1990 Q for $750 and the 1996 Q had 153K miles MINT for $575! Original owner passed away. Absolute cream puff. In 2018-2019 at auctions in Santa Barbara County. 1st and last years you should review a 1st Gen Q45 one of these days Bill

[@tomrichardson6525]

Well said. The XJ-S was indeed the red headed stepchild of the impossibly perfect XK-E. It was truly the right car at the right time though.

[@DJCooper501]

Even though his videos are sometimes very long I do appreciate these videos because I am disabled and I'm not ashamed to say l love cars I can't drive and strangely enough his videos help me with my depression I always look forward to Bill and his videos he makes me laugh

[@jaylexwhy4529]

Bless you

[@mopartony7953]

Wow. Have not seen one in awhile. Styling is timeless and excellent.

[@johnmills2134]

When it comes to another Bill video I am ready for " Time Stand Still ". One beautiful, curious car, indeed. I can't break with my 91 Prelude, but the the thing you just presented would make my place more better than it is.

[@adamenroute3800]

A 91 prelude checks a lot of boxes!

[@a.s.4914]

Hey Bill, thanks, nice Jag. Well in the Midwest here it's been monsoon rains, tornado watches and warnings earlier today and now into this evening. Be good!

[@frazzleface753]

Never been this early. I feel like a Bill groupie.

[@RussellNorris-jo7bi]

This was another beautiful car not made anymore like so many cars over the decades. It truly is nice to see these old cars in showroom shape with Bill narrating priceless!!😅

[@studebricker2845]

As a kid, I had never even heard of a V12, so I always found them to be cool for an "adult" car.

[@sepposinerva]

You are absolutely right, the round headlights make the car look much more credible. The European ones actually are quite naiive. Your Jag is really good in black. Nice to know that the 1990s ones are reliable - I didn't know that.

[@rogerpritchard]

My father Dennis Pritchard in the RAF and a pilot, in England bought one 25 years ago and now I have it asleep in a Sussex barn. Brilliant car, smooth, quiet, and probably the most reliable and bullet proof V12 engine ever made. Not for the fuel conscious amongst us. Effortless power. Buy one with proper history and service records. I prefer the euro style lights, and I would certainly lose the wheel arch covers. HE stood for High Efficiency (May cylinder heads) not high energy, but who cares, Great video Bill.🎉

[@thegearknob7161]

Maintenance is everything with these. The only real problems I've had with my XJS are things we discovered had been either bodged in the past, or severely neglected.

[@Rene67]

Thank you very much Mr. Bill, always looking forward to your videos!

[@dgmcbride]

Old Jaguar deserves some old Jaguar jokes: 1. Why doesn’t Jaguar make computers? They can’t figure out how to make them leak oil. 2. What are the headlight settings on a Jaguar? “Off” and “flicker.” 3. What’s the motto of Lucas Electrics? “Be home by dark.”

[@eddstarr2185]

Hey Bill, as I recall the Jaguar XJS got a lucky break being introduced after the 1975 rollout of the Rolls Royce Camargue. Every Jaguar fan could hold a photo of the XJS next to a picture of the Camargue - and the win goes to Jaguar! Time has benefitted the XJS as the design has matured quite well, in my opinion. Thank you for another excellent automobile review.

[@KoldingDenmark]

Unlike with most other European in the US, I follow you with your view on the US headlights and bumpers on this car. It looks good on this car. I also agree with you that the wheel well crome is too much. Gosh, I haven't seen an e-brake between the seat and the door since my parents' 1955 Vauxhall Wyvern.

[@fb3824]

Like the way the trees reflect off the paint driving down the road. A cool black cat!

[@gtjgtj8334]

Great review Bill thanks for everything

[@commandertopgun]

Man,as usual Bill,a fantastic video & content, ❤ this Jag, very beautiful, Stunning, incredibly condition too, well done, I am so looking forward to meeting you Bill, Listening to you & watching every video of your car reviews as often or as soon as they are uploaded..also starting from mid summer 2023, I would be purchasing cars from you..( I am from the Caribbean ) but I'll be in Toronto my both sons live there, I hope it's no sweat getting the cars transported to Toronto, have a fantastic weekend brother.

[@corefreeman5804]

Great video Bill. Always thanks for the history and for the great dry humor....I would be scared to own it though

[@sneakerfreak2002]

Perfect timing. Just cracked a beer

[@ronmccullock1407]

Thanks for the remaining part of the video Bill

[@michaelr4063]

Lol…., “People are surprised it’s even running.” Perfect, funny, classic Bill.

[@brucebelitz3451]

Thanks Bill, always love the Jags!

[@slyguyaction]

The snide comments about the weather followed by one grossly inappropriate sexual comment after another was awe-inspiring, heinous, shocking and vulgar. Hell man, you're on a roll! Keep it up!!!

[@craigadams4143]

You ALWAYS know a Jag when you see one on the road. The look is unmistakable...❤

[@josephvaldora49]

I do recall when these cars were new. They were almost universally derided for their styling. After a while, they grew on you, like mold. Awfully unreliable, super expensive to maintain and quite thirsty as well. But what we wouldn’t do for that HJ from a beautiful woman! Another home run, Bill!

[@bobjohnson1587]

That you hardly know! lol

[@janvanderflier1723]

"People smiling because it is runnuing" ..you can't beat that one! My '82 still running.

[@goodredman]

What a classic! Friends of mine Living out on Longboat Key had six cylinder late 80s model that was very nice to ride in. Do recall seeing some of these an auto trader with engine swapped for 350 Chevy. Thanks for the review of this Jaguar. HJs 😮

[@BaritoneOneFive]

Gorgeous car! Always loved the styling on the XJS.

[@sporkfindus4777]

I think the US safety additions add some glamour, especially with those plates. I always think of that XJS convertible in Speed.

[@carcrazy9530]

TWR was the company that raced them with significant success winning the European Touring Car Championship in 1984 and Bathurst 1000 in 1985. They also produced the body kit version under the JaguarSport company that was a 50/50 partnership between Jaguar and TWR

[@ToesInTheSand2769]

Thanks again for the shoutout Bill 💜💯

[@erinfreize4717]

My friend's dad had one from the 70's or 80's. It was grey and menacing. There were rumors he was a pimp at one point, but we all knew he sold weed and raced motorcycles when he lived in Pittsburgh.

[@dandvorak9760]

Bill, great content as always! Totally agree with you on the Chrome wheel well accents - need to go! You mentioned “hand shaker trannies (no apologies! We were using the term WAY before the PC police said it wasn’t acceptable) on some early V12s; wasn’t aware of that. I believe that when the 6 cylinders were offered, your could get a manual.

[@eerovalkonen]

A great history lesson - again - thank You.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks Bill, Central California watching

[@mikemoxley9477]

Great camera action!!

[@doctorzaius4084]

I'm not quite as old as the XJS, and when I was a kid I thought they were easily one of the coolest, best looking cars on the road. Was shocked to learn later on that, as Bill mentions, they got a fairly cold reception back in the 70s. The E-Type is in a league of its own, of course, but damn... I guess you had to be there. Still looks great to my eyes - and the flying buttress roof is crucial. IMO the drop top doesn't look nearly as good.

[@btolley100]

Love the way they embraced the American standard bumpers. They look like they belong there. I was a kid when this came out and I was enamored, I think i might have been the only one.

[@juliuscaesar2792]

Good job, Bill. 👏

[@jeffreywolf5235]

My mother just pick me up in your 96 xjs that thing is so nice seeing as how I just got out of back surgery.

[@geoffreystearns1690]

I had a '92 XJS-V12 and had a Tremec 6-speed manual put in it by Keisler Engineering (in Tennessee). It made a whole new car out of it. I did most of my own work on it and enjoyed it for 50,000 plus miles. Great car! Wish I still had it.

[@Tonyk24]

Oh baby 10 extra minutes in heaven wit Bill

[@DonaldJodouin]

I have an 1987 xjs with the v 12 for the last 17 years don"t drive in winter really nice to drive,very smooth not any problems, only wear and tear ,i like it pretty underated .

[@roadreapervideos7001]

I just bought am 87 XJS. Lovely car. I can't wait to put some miles on it this summer.

[@DailyDriver.]

I love these. Always have. Such a cool looking thing.

[@tcib]

OMG Bill. You mention the Iraqis and made me think how awesome it would be for you to get an early 80’s ‘Iraqi Taxi’ 3 speed mailbu. That is a great story and better told by you.

[@markwoodley712]

Compared to Land Rover the Jaguars were almost reliable, we owned both marques and when the Land Rover was on a monthly service rotation, the Jag was still running smoothly, especially due to diligently maintaining the one we owned.

[@pablocespedes5880]

TWR = Tom Wilkinshaw Racing, also, the XJS were tunned by Lister versions that apparently were wild! nice car and nice summary of its history! thanks from Costa Rica!

[@mikedempsey7804]

Bill, another GREAT review on a rare classic. Watched many other reviews on classic vehicles, too much fluff or just making up the history, you make it real! They just don't make luxury cars the way they used to, the seats have that old world plushness, and things peculiar to the vintage like the hood release and parking brake are unique. I remember the first time I heard a Jaguar XJS start up, I was in Palm Springs walking down the sidewalk...one hot chica came out of the restaurant, climbed in her Jag (probably with the hand job thing going on in her mind), and started that BEAUTIFUL 12 cylinder. Purred like a calico cat after stalking Bill for 20 minutes and finding him! It's too bad Ford didn't keep the heritage correct, and just make the engine without all the hoses and radiator caps, and get the electrical wiring thing reliable. But, those Ivy League educated CEO's know what they are doing, right?

[@donaldclary846]

I had a 1989 V12 Coupe and currently have a 1994 V12 6.0 Coupe and 1994 V12 6.0 Convertible. Fabulous vehicles.

[@JonDingle]

I have had two V12 XJS's, a truly magnificent car!

[@markwilliams2620]

07:03. 66 degrees. 86% humidity. Just north of Naples. Bill's gonna be bitchin.

[@williamscoggin1509]

When these came out with the side-by-side headlights, left me and a lot of other people saying "what were they thinking"? But sense then I have grown to love the look and can picture myself driving up in one of these no matter where I was headed. 🥰

[@byteme9718]

It was a US requirement.

[@sparky6086]

I remember people would drop in a Chevrolet 350 into the XJS, sometimes when it was new, because otherwise it spent more time in the shop than on the road.

[@darylkik6204]

I laughed at the end from your movie quote. Crazy People was that film. I know it by heart. Thanks

[@billgorman481]

Sounds great!

[@c0jonz]

In the early 80s, my English teacher (Mrs Riehl) drove an XJS with 6 cylinder & 5-speed. Her husband was a Jaguar distributor or something.

[@RustyZipper]

Happy Friday Bill 🥃

[@michaelpelletier3443]

I see you have GoPro’s. You should get a head rig and free your hands up when you are opening the cars doors, hood, and driving. Love your video’s. Keep them coming

[@LongIslandMopars]

My cousin had a Hess & Eisenhardt convertible conversion (no back seat) for a while before selling it. Now he has an 84 with 53k miles. All I have is the Hot Wheels version from back in that day.

[@jonboy9912]

Just referring to the Jaguar advert of the past, can you imagine such advertising today? What have we lost?!!!!! Glad I lived through those times full of freedoms we can only dream about today!!!

[@lexuslife9751]

Great video

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Oh for the love of God Bill, this hot sticky shìtty weather, I have comment again.

[@rancon265]

I warned you, but did you listen to me? Oh, no, you knew it all, didn't you? Oh, it's just a harmless little bunny,

[@nolarobert]

Does Bill keep a Holy Hand Grenade for such occasions?

[@franzvanjulio5523]

Bill, I almost forgot to add that I think you’ve had a hand in influencing my 5 year old sons preferences. He used to refer to old cars as “Old junk cars” and that label would be applied very widely. He fawns over Hellcats, C8 Corvette and Mustangs. However, this last week he started showing love for cars of the 50s, 60s and 70s. He’s referred to GTOs, the C2 Corvette you featured (gold or tan one which I just saw this week and showed him the video), and Mustang GT 350s as “gorgeous” and “beautiful” and looked just as befuddled looking at hot rods from 30s and 40s Fords as you were in one video of yours I saw recently when you saw a “rollerblader” in the ‘89 Crown Victoria video. I’ll tell you, that C2 Corvette was gorgeous, right up there with Sophia Loren, as some of the most beautiful and captivating entities I’ve laid my eyes on. Before I digress any further, there is apparently hope in the youngest generations, apparently. I’ll also admit that I’m not the source of tremendous adulation of cars from the 50s, 60s and 70s, so he’s not just copying me, either. That said, you’ve also helped open a new appreciation for me, as well, which I’m thankful for. Anyhow, I hope you read this and remember that petrol heads Are still born even in this age of Teslas, automaton, cars used for data mining and infotainment screens seemingly reigning over everything else holy.

[@curiouscars9282]

I love hearing this! Thank you for sharing. Doing these videos has expanded my love for stuff I didn’t appreciate before, as well.

[@volvof12able]

Loved that thank you 👍

[@robertvance1873]

Beautiful Car, I miss the highway part of the test drive

[@markstott8864]

I love these like people loved the e type in their day. Think your headlights are even better than the European ones. Thanks again Bill. More jags if you can please.

[@johnplovanich9564]

Love Bill and love this car.

[@antonpandoursky9790]

You're so funny!You should move maybe to Alaska, so don't have to complain about the soggy and warm weather 😂Love your sense of humor!😁Very informative video!

[@christianobrien4465]

“ oh, look at him, he must be on his way to tea with the queen”… no ma’am I’m on my way to get an HJ

[@matthewholt5477]

My day is now complete. Bill's short 30 minute vid on a Jaaaaaaaaaaag

[@rickmarin1265]

Always loved the looks , would never have bought one cause I couldn't afford 2 while the other was being repaired lol

[@club_rock]

BILL IS BACK The return of the best car seller in the U.S. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@carlorizzo5308]

When I purchased my 1984 Jaguar xjs v12 first thing I wanted was a coupe and not a convertible. Second thing I wanted was the upgraded wire wheels. Yes my car needs Total Restoration but if I wanted to just run it as a daily driver it would be absolutely fine.

[@rockmann88]

Thanks, this Jag is really is a unique looking, elegant timeless classy automobile. The buttresses came back on the Ford GT, eventually. it would be a great cross country touring car, with that big smooth V12.

[@pattschetter]

The buttresses at the rear window remind me of the '71-'73 Cougar and Mustang (other than the convertibles and the fastback Mustang of course)

[@42luke93]

The first time I saw this was in the movie Speed where the guy crashes it into the yellow highway water barriers!

[@snartzzb983]

A wonderful car. A handful to take care of. But isn't that the way? I love them.

[@paulm6481]

It is a good looking car, particularly in British racing green. Yeah buyer beware of all the engine and electronics issues, still gorgeous.

[@johnfrei9057]

I’m still worried about that menacing bunny at the beginning of this video. Check your 6 my friend.

[@davidgarris2513]

I bought a new 1994 XJS V12 Coupe . British Racing Green with Barley Hides and Green Piping. $74K MSRP. One of the coolest cars I've ever owned. 🐾🐶🐕.... Sidenote: I didn't buy this for fuel economy. And neither did anyone else that could afford this. Also, not being an old man like you, I never thought anything special about the over-rated XKE.

[@jimsteele2072]

Looks like a fox body mustang hatchback in the rear hooked up to a corvair in front.

[@DocPortland]

Bill needs to write a book about cars, and do his own audiobook.