1996 Jaguar XJ6 consumer reviews

Best car I have ever owned and driven. 286 k miles and still going. Replaced water pump after 5 years of driving, otherwise no problem.

I presently own three of these magnificent X300 cars, two 4.0 Sovereigns 1994 and 1996 and a 1995 3.2 XJ6. I have also owned a 1995 XJR in the past. If you want power then the XJR is for you but I personally find the normally aspirated engines to be more than adequate. The 3.2 being a square (bore and stroke) engine is the smoothest (probably the smoothest straight six cylinder engine Jaguar ever produced) and ideal for long distance cruising. The 4.0 being a longer stroke has a pronounced growl on acceleration which might suit most owners. Given that these cars are now approaching 30 years old my advice for prospective buyers would be the 3.2 model. The gearbox is purely mechanical with no possible electronic issues although fluid and filter changes should be done. I undertake all servicing and mechanical repairs myself, parts are readily available and not overly expensive. The Jaguar X300 is not difficult to work on and there is plenty of advice available on the internet if you come across an issue you cannot resolve. I owned a 4.0 XJ40 previous to the X300 and it was a fine car, Ford however improved on it and gave us the X300, Jaguars finest.

it is smooth,very smooth.Low,quite aerodynamic,a bit challenging to get in and out.Once you shut the door the silence takes over.and its all yours.You got to reach 4000 rpm to start having a little fun.Excellent cornering and good pot hole absorber. It is not a sport car.It is the most comfortable ride i ever had.Maintenance is demanding.Surprisingly good on gas,not much electrical problem as long as you can provide a decent shelter,this car does not like moisture at all. Very cheap second hand because used Jaguar have a terrible wrap .If you stay on top with the maintenance you got it but don't try to go with the cheapest oil on the shelf or feed her the wrong type of octane in the fuel because she would retaliate and open the door to your worst nightmare,the 4300 pounds kind.

I loved this car so much I am trying to replicate the interior feel for my luxury van conversion. The leather and wood inserts really give this car a classy feel and sporty, but elegant look.

It’s got award winning good looks - excellent proportions. It’s got a sumptuous interior, designed with the “Holy Trinity” of interior materials in mind - Leather, Wood and Metal. It drives very well given it’s size, age, and weight. It’s truly a British Classic, but is minus any of the reliability woes that have beset British cars of the past. I purchased my 1996 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas from its original owner, who took very good care of it. I’ve owned it for a few years now, and I’ve maintained it well, keeping regular with the fluids it needs, and recently changed the spark plugs. I did have to clean out the throttle body, but it’s a very easy and cheap DIY job and personally I view it as just maintenance of a 20+ year old car. For anyone wondering about buying one, the 4.0L straight six is a great engine, really reliable and easy to maintain. The critical issue, however, is how it was treated by its previous owner. If it was well taken care of, you’ll likely have a really good and enjoyable car - the XJR or Vanden Plas trimmed cars will likely go onto be collector classics - XJR’s for their performance, Vanden Plas’ for their opulent levels of luxury (real wood timber picnic tables and Rolls Royce quality leather do make it a very lovely place to be). It’s more charming than an comparable S-Class, as fun as a 7-Series, far better looking than any A-8, and it’s got more soul and presence than the Lexus LS. Some people may find that it personally doesn’t suit their style, and that’s fine. But this car does make its driver appear heroic and dashing, or rakish and debonair - in short, other motorists will let you in while driving through heavy traffic. Pedestrians crossing the road will look and smile at you in your car, nodding approvingly. The only problem you’ll find is that you’ll park the car as far as you can away from other cars in parking lots, and when you come back from doing your business, you’ll find that someone has annoyingly parked beside you, despite many other empty and more convenient parking spaces. It’s also a good car to store in a private garage, unless you live in the country somewhere, because, as it is a beautiful car, it does attract some attention, and that attention can result in scratches, which is annoying. Other than that, get the best taken care of one you can afford, and you’ll enjoy it. You’ll even find it’s more fuel efficient than you think - personally I found that on a good quiet highway run, I was getting 30 mpg and higher, which is excellent given the age and weight of the car. Finally, if you buy your Jag, and you don’t take care of it, be forewarned, it will bite you and it will bite you hard. But, if you take good care of your Jag, then it will take very good care of you, and will purr like a kitten.

I was looking for a Roadster when I ran across this Jaguar and, on a whim, took it for a ride. Twenty minutes and one speeding ticket later, I knew I had to have it. It's low to the ground and narrow build make it feel very sporty to drive. The 95, 96 and 97 XJ6s get high marks due to improvements made by Ford. Very few problems for a car of this vintage. Also, lots of enthusiasts online to help with any questions.

I really miss my 1996 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas! I owned the car for about 10 years. I bought it to replace a 1992 XJ6 Soverign that was totaled in an accident. The 1992 was a good car, but the 1996 is a much, much better car. The 1996 XJ6 came with a huge (physical size) straight 6 cylinder motor at 4.0L in displacement. The traditional J Gate Shifter, Walnut trim, supple leather (all over the interior), curvy body with four round headlights, excellent sounding stereo system, steel sunroof, sporty yet comfortable ride, plenty of power and one of the nicest places to sit! As heavy as these cars are, we had a set of Toyo tires last 70,000+ miles. I replaced the brakes one time in 80,000+ miles. Regular oil changes at 5K mile intervals. The right front wheel bearing failed - damaged the spindle and rotor. The rear view mirror self dimmer failed. The memory in the drivers seat also failed. The wood on the steering wheel cracked, so we covered it with a nice leather steering wheel cover. Seats were phenomenal and didn't crack or dry out. Though I regularly used Pinnacle on them. Luxurious, thick floor mats - The nicest I've ever seen! The "Grey Poupon" tray in the back seats - and yes, it's made out of Walnut with these beautiful chrome hinges! The back seat is the most comfortable of any car I've ever been in. And spacious!!! The suspension is very smooth, but it has a sporty side and I've thrown it around corners many times. The motor is HUGE! It looks like one of those old airplane motors! The transmission - we did nothing, not even change the oil. No problems! Ditto for the motor. A 1996 car is now 23 years old. With the age comes deterioration of the materials and I am doubtful I could find a good replacement, so it was a great car for the time I owned it.

I drive my Jaguar only in the summer. A very under-rated car. The fuel economy is absolutely awesome for such a big car and maintenance is easy. I've had my car for about 12 years and I expect to leave it for my children after I'm gone.

I have 3 X300's 210K 195K and 60K. 97 and 2x 96 Vanden Plas. I've owned them most of their lives. 23 years and going strong. I've owned Many cars that come and go including all the major european brands. These cars are the most reliable and cheapest to maintain of all of them. The drive train is a tank. They never fail to start and The only problems I've had are regular maint. and a few interior issues like cup holders and radios which are bound to have problems after 20 years. The headliners do fall down but that's a cheap repair and you only do it one time. Safe solid car and turns heads everywhere. Great bargin.

How many cars can say that?? Everyone loves to ride in it and arrive in it. I hate the thought of not having it some day. Got lucky with this one because it was enhanced when Ford owned them. Very few problems. Most are sensor replacements - though watch out for dealerships, they will tell you it is a catalytic converter though that is the most rare of circumstance for this car. Difference in 3K and a 100 dollar part. A dream car.