The 6 Things I've Learned From Owning A 1980's Jaguar XJ6

In this video Andy talks about the 6 things that he's learned from owning a 1980's Jaguar XJ6! He breaks the video into two parts and talks about the 3 good things he's learned as well as the 3 bad things about his classic car.

He sheds some light on some of the negative aspects of Classic Jaguar ownership such as it's unreliability and its overall build quality, including the fact that it was built with both imperial and metric bolts!

Andy explains how this car makes you feel as well as how popular it is with other people. He also talks about what it's like to own and live with a on a day to day basis.

Andy also dives into the cars styling and how modern luxury cars will never match the level of luxury and beauty that classic cars have.

At the end of the video Andy gives an overall summary of Jag ownership and answers the question, Should you buy a classic British luxury car? All that and much more in this episode of Andy's Car Vlog, Enjoy!

Check Out The Luxury Car Interior Comparison Video Here:

[davidwhitty]

I agree with some of what you said. If your coolant leaks, FIX THE LEAKS! You can’t blame a car for lazy maintenance. They do have electrical gremlins. It’s Lucas so I’ve had switches breaking and light issues but they’re generally easy to diagnose. They aren’t expensive to fix though, all parts are available and not too costly. They can be awkward to work on but mine has been bullet proof reliable. My mates BMW E39 has had valve trains, injectors, coil packs replaced while I give him a lift to parts stores in my Jag’ but you’re right about the feel. There’s nothing like them! That XK engine is a Le Mans and many other race winning legend!

[THEDERBYRAM]

I've owned a series 3 for 10yrs and its been very reliable. Keep it serviced and it shouldn't cost much to run.

[utubejeff]

Very interesting video. I own two of these (a 79 and a 87) and if they are properly maintained they are very dependable. Your reasons for loving the car are spot on but complaining about it being unreliable is like marrying a woman that hasn’t brushed her teeth for 40 years and then complaining that she has bad teeth. Diagnosing electrical problems is a DIY job with a volt meter and 12v test light ($25 total), an electrical schematic chart (free), and a little patience.

[ingvargissurarson]

Those issues you describe are maintainance issues, not reliability issues. I´ve had several eigtiees and ninetees Jaguars including ser3 as a daily drivers and propperly maintained and cared for those have all been top reliable.

[docsgearheadgaming]

I have an 88 XJ6 Sovereign and i love that ol beast. Having issues with the clearcoat falling off it like wet toilet paper when it gets wet but other then that and a blower motor the things been bullet proof. Top gear said every gearhead must own a now that i do.... I totally get it lol.

[kingmike]

I have 84 jag xj12
Absolutely love it !!
Had it since 97 has 80 000 km and runs like a dream !

[keanwong]

for weeks i have been mulling over buying a series 2. After watching this video I'm feeling even more uncertain. No, seriously, i think i will buy it, if only for the way it makes you feel while driving it. thanks for the advice!

[tomnumb]

Cool video, I had same high beam problem on my 87. Clean your in-line connections on the wires that feed headlights.I wire brushed them and put a thin coat of Vaseline and my high beams work correctly. The single wire inline connections are prone to fail . This is a common problem with lights on these cars. Also check your ground connections that bolt to the car as they also should be clean and tight. This is always a good start when shooting trouble on these jags or triumphs. Good luck and keep up your enthusiasm, it’s awesome!

[RobinHill]

My 1969 Series-1 has 'analogue' SU carburettors and a simple coil ignition - no Lucas problems. Guzzles fuel but looks utterly beautiful and runs superbly - I adore it!

[James-gfjl]

You appear to be filling the expansion tank with coolant. You should fill at the header. Also, as a precaution, replace the cap for the expansion tank for a new one with the same pressure release rating. The spring valve often jams and this increases the pressure in the system and it will find all the weak points. First sign is normally coolant being forced past the header cap (not valved), and the fan will throw it all over the engine bay.. This is a ten dollar fix.

[trevorstevens]

A little awkward giving your car a male name and then talking about how beautiful he is.

[serdargegin]

I've bought 86 XJ6 almost a year ago. The guy died while restoring it. All parts were disassembled .A body paintwork was done . Finally engine started bu oil water leas everywhere!!! İnterior looks fine but not to my expectations or color . Should I try to sell as Spare parts? or keep restoring and sell as a whole classic?

[evanwhiteside]

I have a series 2 XJ6 with a chevy engine replacement. Missing some of the charm of the original engine note, but far more reliable and cheap to maintain engine. The Series 2 are my favourite because they are a bit less ancient looking than the series 1, and they don't have the crappy black bumpers that the series 3 got.
You'll learn an awful lot owning a jag. Technically and psychologically. Have fun!

[f]

By the mid 1980's car manufacturers knew very well that lead would be phased out of fuel. The US EPA had been pushing legislation since the 1970's. The USA was Jaguar's largest market at the time. A Series 3 XJ6 doesn't need leaded fuel and doesn't really need the lead replacement additive.
Buy a complete coolant hose replacement kit and replace all of them instead of trying to fix one leak at a time. Hoses deteriorate with age - happens to any car.
Most electrical problems are down to dirty and corroded connections especially ground points. Most can be fixed easily as a result.

[richarddiddler]

I eventually got an XJ8 sport.
Still has dodgy electrics but other major problems don't appear to exist.
Maybe I"ve been lucky but it is always an incredible drive, even just popping to the shops.

[anthonychua]

To that final point, I can say that between my modern Audi S5 and my nostalgic 1990s DC Integra, the driving experience and the way you drive them both is very different. It's not fun driving the S5 fast unless you're driving it at truly criminal speeds, but if you're driving along to the coffee shop maxing 50 MPH on city streets in the Integra you get that sensation of banging gears that you simply don't get.

Something about older cars is just more fun and I have to agree, although in the long run I still feel like if I had to sacrifice one between the two I would happily drive the Integra to the middle of a pentagram and summon the late Kiichiro Toyoda from the dead.

[jedw]

I love my series 3. I must confess I have had the same issue with the headlights and the fog lights coming on. As far as I understand it the high beams “flasher” is supposed to work like that! And they only stay on in the last position. But in the previous position you should have dipped headlights. On mine they often fail to come on so i can choose between barely a candle light of position one, or blinding everybody. Haha.

[Whereswheezy]

I am picking up a 1986 xj6 vanden plas. It has ariund 100k miles, and has been sitting in a a garage the last 3-4 years. It is a single owner, great maintenance, black exterior and cream interior. What should I expect from this car upon picking it up in this condition

[TheLeedsAppreciationSociety]

I've had several of this model. One trick worth knowing is a workaround for a failed or failing starter relay. (silver one on the bulkhead just below the wipers). The car may act as if it has a flat battery, even with a fully charged one, and it may be tempting to assume it's the starter motor, however check the starter relay first. Take off the starter solenoid wire from the relay. It's the white one with the brown stripe on it, and you'll see it disappears towards the bottom of the engine on the offside. Touch this wire on the battery positive terminal and if all else is well, the engine should spin over nicely. Make sure it's not in gear because by bypassing the starter relay, the inhibitor switch won't work and stop the car running you over.

[yasminamackenzie]

Fred is absolutely gorgeous. I just bought a 1987 Jaguar XJ6 today! My inside voice was screaming, don’t do it… but it’s so beautiful, I could not resist its classic charm and elegance. My dad had two XJ12 Vanden Plas editions and my memories of him and his cars overrode hesitation concerning my purchase. I Love this car❤. I pick it up tomorrow.
Thank you for posting the three good reasons 😊 these reasons are why I purchased the car, no buyers remorse. As for the Gremlins…my expectations are realistic and hopefully, I won’t get stranded too often. Fingers crossed…