Jaguar 1981 XJS
  • Economy

    Value

    5 out of 5 5.0

    You don't get more car for less cash.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Who cares? It's better on the juice than my old 535i. Parts aren't bad (don't go to Jag if you can avoid it) and it's pretty simple. You don't buy a car like this and whine about costs.

  • On the road

    Driving

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Smooth, taught, responsive, light in town, good in traffic.

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Won't set you hair on fire but more than enough to have fun. Handles fantastic for its size and great on motorways too. S switch does leave a lot of boy racers with egg on their faces.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Keep on top of it and drive it right and it won't let you down.

    Image

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Maybe not as pretty as an Italian or as fast as a Yank and it will never handle like it came from Japan - but cooler than the lot. Not designed to replace the E, so dump your preconceptions and buy a true Brit and the best GT on the road for the money.

    Comfort

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Don't sit in the back and you'll be as comfortable as you ever need to be in a car. I'm well over 6ft and don't have a problem. For people that way inclined, there are more than enough gadgets but this is a fantastic GT so just turn the keyand enjoy.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    5 out of 5 5.0

    No worse than anything else as long as it's parked sensibly. If they want it they'll have it regardless of how much you spend on protection. By the way - always take up two parking bays - the beast is more than seven ft wide - and beware of trolleys.

    Service

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Never needed to use it much.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    A hose perished once - no problem.

    Other

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes