Jaguar XJS 5.3 V12 HE Sports 2d Auto (1981/W) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
150mph Secret Supercar. Now a classic.
Costs
Get a good one. £2K is safe money, £300 isn't... Big car. Big bills. Brace yourself. 18.2mpg. Not a daily driver.
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On the road
Driving
Effortless grand touring. Big Cat. A driving experience par exellance. No overstatement.
Performance
Warp Drive. 300bhp and instant acceleration. (0-60 6.5secs). Recalibrate your senses, this is no adrenilin rush. It is the smoothest power you'll ever get to use. Great in it's day, great now.
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Living with it
Reliability
Models before 1991 are from the BL Dynasty. Horrible build quality. Electrics fail, body rots, engines die. Can be depressingly expensive. Not a DIY car.
Image
Improving daily. Can be tacky. Keep it original. Not an E-Type, but still turns heads.
Comfort
Leather, air, cruise. Capable of crossing continents, if you can handle 18.2mpg. It's only a 2+2. Just.
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Security and Service
Security
Don't leave it anywhere too long. It will disappear. No security.
Service
Use a specialist.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
New radiator, ignition and 12 spark plugs!
Other
Steering, all electrics, interior, suspension.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes