Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar, was involved with every Jaguar built from the SS series, through the XK120 and the E-Type. What was the last Jaguar design he had anything to do with?
The correct answer is the XJ40 version of the XJ6, such as the Pick of the Day, a 1991 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign sedan.
The XJ40 model was the much-needed update of the venerable Jaguar sports sedan. The British car was the most-modern car Jaguar had built, combining modern features and the new AJ6 Jaguar 4.0-liter inline-6 engine with new bodywork and suspension. Unlike earlier updated versions of the XJ6, this was a clean-slate rework of the car.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan, dealer advertising the XJ6 on ClassicCars.com describes it as well-cared for and with relatively low-mileage, pointing out that the white paint shows high luster with an absence of sun fading or dulling from improper care, and the chrome is shiny, although there is a slight haze in the headlight lenses.
The tan-leather upholstery and rich burled wood trim are in excellent condition, the dealer notes, and the doors close with a satisfying thunk. All of the car’s original equipment is present and functional, including the factory audio system, sunroof and automatic shoulder belts, the ad says.
The car includes its original manuals, leather case and recent maintenance records.
For years, this fourth generation of the XJ6 was overlooked by many due to its more squared-off European look. It did not help that the next-generation XJ6 returned to the traditional XK6 headlight treatment.
Interestingly, though, in the past few years, these cars have started to gather a more serious following. Due to their being among the least expensive older Jaguar models, many have been driven into the ground, making finding one this nice quite difficult.
There is also the fact that these were some of the best put-together Jaguars in the history of the company, and did much to improve Jaguar’s reputation for reliability.
The asking price of this nice example is an incredibly reasonable $13,500, or less than any current compact sedan costs new.
So, the questions is: would you rather pay $10,000 more to drive a new Hyundai or would you rather sit behind the wheel of this Jaguar? I know which I would choose.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
This Jaguar is a car for poor people which want to make impression in the area and neighborhoot.
But this people cannot hold the cost of Gasolin and reparations of such a exclusive car.
For a set of tires you have to pay 1000,-+(special size)
Not all new parts are available …
Wish you success and happiness…..stay healthy.
Better to buy a Hyundai for 10t…..better for the pocket and soul…..Cordial regards from Vienna.
I am with Mr. Reid on this one.
This JagWAR (sic) has a very tidy shape; has low miles and is excellently priced.
Far better than anything available from Asia in my mind.
Depends if your best friend is a JAG mechanic ?
I’d drive this over a Kia any day.
The Jag over a Hyundai? hmmm /
Wait until you get your first repair bill on the Jag, and there will most certainly be many, and that repair cost almost as much as a Hyundai. You’ll wish for the later.
Ask me how I know?
But it will look nice sitting in your driveway while you save enough to get it repaired.
Current Hyundai owner.
Mine was an ’87. This is a great car, but only with a good mechanic as repairing it is quirky.
(Present Jaguar is an XJS. Same comment.)
Remember my stepdad giving up on Jags in the early ’70’s (he had more than enough money, but no time for a Rodney Dangerfield car: more miles vertically than horizontally, always up ‘n’ down on lifts). Not a fanboy, just liked luxury sedans, went with Caddy Eldorados til GM stopped making them. Kept his Spitfire til death (his, the Spit did well at the estate auction), but wouldn’t have bought another Jag at gunpoint.
How a ’74 Triumph Spitfire could be more reliable than any mid ’60’s-early ’70’s Jag, at less than one third the cost I dunno. But I grew up with it, and would swear in court. Spit started on subzero days (unheated garage, never driven in snow) after sitting for two/three weeks no trickle charger ‘cuz they weren’t all that common for storage, idled normally, all electrics worked, then put back to sleep for 2-3 more weeks. Different Jag sedans sat in the next stall, same garage, and would die overnight. Jumping could, and sometimes did, cause electronic catastrophe, and even if they started you didn’t really want to trust them to go anywhere; death in the garage is annoying, but being winter stranded miles from home? Yeah. ‘Cuz you never knew just why…
This would be a great promo car for a Jag dealer, or a hobby for a Jag mechanic… but like any Euro semi-exotic it’s a hot steaming ball of frustration and hyper expensive parts/maintenance for the average owner.
Who ya gonna call? And how much?
Survey says: “No.”
XJ40s are really nice cars and have started appreciating in recent years. A rare site on UK roads now, most were lost to rust.
I had an XJ40 in 96. I found it to be a lovely car. It went very well and was extremely comfortable with every luxury offered. At the time not many liked the modern square headlights, I thought they were perfect, gave the XJ40 a graceful look which no other car had. Nowadays the square lights are preferred.
My XJ40 I believe is gone now. Its reg became A20 KBN but I’ve not seen it for sale online since and no mot data is available for it.
Shame as it really was a pleasure to own and drive and was fitted with XJR seats and trim.