There are a lot of used XJs around, and none are advertised for very much money. Any takers at £1300? This is because it's probably a bad time to be buying a 3.2-litre, six-cylinder luxury car, especially one that is expensive to service. But buyers who grow weary of used hatchbacks and ex-company saloons may wish to consider the Anglo-centric and aristocratic Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Jaguar XJ6 Design Details
There are touches of sublime genius with this car that are simply unexpected on something costing so little; the golden jaguar’s head on the steering wheel somehow manages to not look terrible; the boot has a large footprint but no real height, so it looks as though it will accommodate one suitcase and nothing more (perfect for your Grand Touring fantasy). Eqipment levels are generally very high.
3.2-Litre Jaguar Engine
The ancient-looking straight-six engine rocker cover is lettered in British Racing Green, and every time the need arises to top up the oil, the driver will be reminded of 1960’s Le Mans Speedsters from a bygone age. This is a charming carriage, and time spent with it will transform a hesitant purchase from being a nonsensical, left-field whim into a truly rewarding partnership.
Jaguar XJ6 Ride Comfort
Since 1968 when it was first introduced, there has never been much to touch an XJ for ride quality (Johnathon Wood, "Jaguar The Legend"). Indeed, on its launch, it was a significantly better riding car than the contemporary Rolls Royce. There is a surfeit of grip, and a brilliant weight to the reactions of the wheel. It feels stable, effortless and involving. The driver may leave one arm on the armrest and simply forget they are piloting a car at all, or grip it more firmly and revel in it’s nicely articulated feedback.
XJ6 Relaxing Ride
Passengers are sufficiently insulated from the road surface to give the XJ it’s magic carpet feel, yet the interaction between driver and driving is still reasonably detailed and conspicuous. It’s a large car, but it seems to shrink around the pilot. It is more driver-orientated than anticipated, and the classy bonnet view and silky straight-six conspire to make the journey an adventure. This is a hugely relaxing car to drive, yet somehow it still manages to be fun.
High Mileage Jags
The test example has done 130,000 miles, yet the interior ambience is more worn-in than worn-out. It is finished in a gallant ‘Chalcedony’ blue, and is in excellent shape mechanically. TheJaguar is a tough old bird, and even after this vintage, it feels engineered and true. The brakes on the test example do not pull up the XJ quite squarely, but this is a simple fix, and a glaring blot on an otherwise impressively virginal copy book.
Jaguar 3.2 Litre Engine Character
Potential buyers half-expect that big 3.2 litre engine to be the dominant feature, but it is so serene. It’s in-gear punch is not as ruthless as it’s figures may suggest; 232lbs (Source: Auto Trader) of twist is not enough to punch the driver in the ribs, but it instils the XJ with a lovely, never-ending surge of increasing velocity, as would befit it’s tweedy breed.
Performance Driving in the XJ
Wanabee Racers after significant midrange wallop might consider the Jaguar to be slightly deficient, as the kick-down prefers to hold a gear, and when it does resort to a lower cog, there is a good “one-one-thousand-two...” before it gives in and reluctantly slams the next gear home. Once there, the six wakes up, sniffs the downwind and goes some, though it’s clearly not an out-and-out Sportster.
Jaguar XJ Impracticality
The XJ remains a truly selfish purchase. The bonnet is huge, meaning there is unnecessary unused space around the engine block. Likewise, the boot seems extraordinarily long but offers no real space or function. This is a vehicle that has been designed around feeding the personal gratification of its owner without having to make any excuses.
Jaguar XJ Ownership Experience
Should the owner not feel well and need to be cosseted, it will do the wafting "limo-with-a-velvet-ride" thing. Perhaps they are in a bad mood and need to ride off some steam, in which case it will throw drivers down a country lane like a ragged little French hot hatch. It is a car for all reasons, and the biggest reason is that it raises a smile on each and every drive.
