The Jaguar XJS V12 Is the Cheapest V12 Sports Car On Earth
video description
Date: 2019-10-25
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Justin is
Bear in mind - what we have here is a bastardised Jaguar - in that it's an American spec UK vehicle. So, BHP will be lower because of US emission regulations of the day, which Jaguar never designed into their models, but rather considered only as an afterthought for export. So too goes for many of the horrid functioning controls on the dash board, crazy seat belts, as well as exterior trim i. e fat bumpers etc, all after thoughts and not a part of the original design brief. The UK model is far more elegant in this respect. The later engines also had more stock power, around 340 HP. The car Doug is reviewing should also have a 'kick-down' facility built into the gearbox, that when you floor the accelerator, it will drop a gear and allow you to push the engine harder, so he appears not to be taking advantage of that - or it's not functioning ( it's cable operated. Handling is also very good - smooth but firm, so I suspect this vehicle has worn dampers. Anyway, no - it was not Jaguars best ever effort, but a very respectable GT car non the less, and not a sports car, so this was never intended as a Ferrari or Lamborghini contestant, its a luxury touring car, with a top speed of around 150 or so for the model reviewed, given that it is in a good state of tune. Smooth luxurious and high touring speeds, all of which it did very well. The E-type which it replaced, was really considered a sports car in it's day, so is a bad comparison. Also it should be put in context of what was around at the time it was conceived and built. BTW, you only 'slam' bonnets and boots on badly made cars with ill fitting panels: )Europeans are also on average a lot smaller than the lofty Doug we see here: ) I'm surprised he even managed to shoe horn yourself into it. Fun review though - Doug is an odd ball.
reply
Bear in mind - what we have here is a bastardised Jaguar - in that it's an American spec UK vehicle. So, BHP will be lower because of US emission regulations of the day, which Jaguar never designed into their models, but rather considered only as an afterthought for export. So too goes for many of the horrid functioning controls on the dash board, crazy seat belts, as well as exterior trim i. e fat bumpers etc, all after thoughts and not a part of the original design brief. The UK model is far more elegant in this respect. The later engines also had more stock power, around 340 HP. The car Doug is reviewing should also have a 'kick-down' facility built into the gearbox, that when you floor the accelerator, it will drop a gear and allow you to push the engine harder, so he appears not to be taking advantage of that - or it's not functioning ( it's cable operated. Handling is also very good - smooth but firm, so I suspect this vehicle has worn dampers. Anyway, no - it was not Jaguars best ever effort, but a very respectable GT car non the less, and not a sports car, so this was never intended as a Ferrari or Lamborghini contestant, its a luxury touring car, with a top speed of around 150 or so for the model reviewed, given that it is in a good state of tune. Smooth luxurious and high touring speeds, all of which it did very well. The E-type which it replaced, was really considered a sports car in it's day, so is a bad comparison. Also it should be put in context of what was around at the time it was conceived and built. BTW, you only 'slam' bonnets and boots on badly made cars with ill fitting panels: )Europeans are also on average a lot smaller than the lofty Doug we see here: ) I'm surprised he even managed to shoe horn yourself into it. Fun review though - Doug is an odd ball.
reply
Steven S Means
Thanks Doug, I value your comments. It is difficult indeed to review a single car, especially when the model was produced for 21 years. I've owned a 1990 Classic Collection XJ-S for over twenty years (now is 2019. My vehicle addresses several of the issues you correctly raise. General handling, steering, ride, cornering can be greatly improved by replacing the factory rubber bushings with synthetic. The US version comes detuned, since it will mostly cruise under severe speed limits and on roads not designed for grand touring. For those in the west, a refreshed engine, a few better parts and hot tuned will improve the 265 HP to well over 300. It is a very strong engine and pulls hard, especially from 60 mph to 120 mph. Take it to a track if you really want to feel what that means. This car is a head turner. It is also very comfortable and pleasant to drive, to be in. The Classic Collection means that owners voted their favorite features and parts and design elements over the first 15 years of the model and then kept those. You don't really need to keep an XJ-S holstered in a garage with a protective mindset. It is a car designed for day trips. The trunk is very big, so it goes well for overnight for two. There are only two seats. There are compartments in the second row. very convenient, they lock when the car is left open top. Oh, Doug, there is a handy lever that moves the steering wheel up out of the way and then makes it easily adjustable for any new driver. I am big, a heavy weight and I fit in nicely.
reply
Thanks Doug, I value your comments. It is difficult indeed to review a single car, especially when the model was produced for 21 years. I've owned a 1990 Classic Collection XJ-S for over twenty years (now is 2019. My vehicle addresses several of the issues you correctly raise. General handling, steering, ride, cornering can be greatly improved by replacing the factory rubber bushings with synthetic. The US version comes detuned, since it will mostly cruise under severe speed limits and on roads not designed for grand touring. For those in the west, a refreshed engine, a few better parts and hot tuned will improve the 265 HP to well over 300. It is a very strong engine and pulls hard, especially from 60 mph to 120 mph. Take it to a track if you really want to feel what that means. This car is a head turner. It is also very comfortable and pleasant to drive, to be in. The Classic Collection means that owners voted their favorite features and parts and design elements over the first 15 years of the model and then kept those. You don't really need to keep an XJ-S holstered in a garage with a protective mindset. It is a car designed for day trips. The trunk is very big, so it goes well for overnight for two. There are only two seats. There are compartments in the second row. very convenient, they lock when the car is left open top. Oh, Doug, there is a handy lever that moves the steering wheel up out of the way and then makes it easily adjustable for any new driver. I am big, a heavy weight and I fit in nicely.
reply
barry rudge
The reason is that they average US mechanic doesn't know how to look after them. (Jay Leno's words not mine) The same vehicle in the UK with the same mileage and history would bring considerable more money. It did not replace the XKE you need to check your Jaguar history. US law was under considerable change in the 60's, Jaguar were reducing their stable to just two models and believed the sports car in the USA was about to be outlawed particularly against convertibles. Their biggest Market as always been the USA so at the time decided to drop sports cars all together. The XJ-S is a GT not a sports car so please please please check you facts before hand instead of making a big tit of yourself. As usual if it isn't made in America and got a big old fashioned V8 you slag them off. You need to do a lot more research in your subject because all your video's up to date I've never watched until the end because of your lack of correct knowledge and presentation of your subject.
reply
The reason is that they average US mechanic doesn't know how to look after them. (Jay Leno's words not mine) The same vehicle in the UK with the same mileage and history would bring considerable more money. It did not replace the XKE you need to check your Jaguar history. US law was under considerable change in the 60's, Jaguar were reducing their stable to just two models and believed the sports car in the USA was about to be outlawed particularly against convertibles. Their biggest Market as always been the USA so at the time decided to drop sports cars all together. The XJ-S is a GT not a sports car so please please please check you facts before hand instead of making a big tit of yourself. As usual if it isn't made in America and got a big old fashioned V8 you slag them off. You need to do a lot more research in your subject because all your video's up to date I've never watched until the end because of your lack of correct knowledge and presentation of your subject.
reply
Jason Maxwell
A knew alot of people that had these when I was younger. Mostly my friends parents. One of my friends father's had a special one from Europe with 318hp and 365 fpt. It was super fast at the time with all that torque, he used to get it serviced at the Ferrari dealer. Everyone loved the look of these back then, they were pretty cars. Most people would pull out the troublesome V12s and put in Chevy 350s. I even knew one guy who put in a 454 big block. There is a lot of room under that long hood. They make kits for the Chevy conversion to the ZF transmission. There are some missed facts about this car. First off there were two models for the V12. The standard V12 that had about 270hp 315fpt and and the V12 HE. (High Efficiency) they will say HE on the back. These were the 300hp cars. With about 345fpt. Also the gear box was a ZF 4 speed that could be manually shifted. It was like Jaguar's first J shift, without the J
reply
A knew alot of people that had these when I was younger. Mostly my friends parents. One of my friends father's had a special one from Europe with 318hp and 365 fpt. It was super fast at the time with all that torque, he used to get it serviced at the Ferrari dealer. Everyone loved the look of these back then, they were pretty cars. Most people would pull out the troublesome V12s and put in Chevy 350s. I even knew one guy who put in a 454 big block. There is a lot of room under that long hood. They make kits for the Chevy conversion to the ZF transmission. There are some missed facts about this car. First off there were two models for the V12. The standard V12 that had about 270hp 315fpt and and the V12 HE. (High Efficiency) they will say HE on the back. These were the 300hp cars. With about 345fpt. Also the gear box was a ZF 4 speed that could be manually shifted. It was like Jaguar's first J shift, without the J
reply
David Skulstad
This guys voice is the most condescending, annoying, inane voice I have heard in a long time. He is critical of things that were normal for the time in most cars. The govt wanted the seat belts to not be an option for passengers to put on or not. also, there were no cars in the mid 80's that had air bags. There were other cars with even dumber designs for seat belts. I wish someone one tell him to just shut up He is snootier than the wealthy who would own this car could possibly sound. The car was not designed for acceleration and any fool knows that the rate of speed gain is dependent on gearing as much as horsepower. He keeps on calling it a sports car, which it is not. I give him, Dougie, a score of 1 or 0. Get another job.
reply
This guys voice is the most condescending, annoying, inane voice I have heard in a long time. He is critical of things that were normal for the time in most cars. The govt wanted the seat belts to not be an option for passengers to put on or not. also, there were no cars in the mid 80's that had air bags. There were other cars with even dumber designs for seat belts. I wish someone one tell him to just shut up He is snootier than the wealthy who would own this car could possibly sound. The car was not designed for acceleration and any fool knows that the rate of speed gain is dependent on gearing as much as horsepower. He keeps on calling it a sports car, which it is not. I give him, Dougie, a score of 1 or 0. Get another job.
reply
Ken Dees
I've had two, one of which was a convertible with genuine jag wire wheels. gorgeous cars both of them. all I'm gong to say is you play hot potato with these things. own it for awhile and cross your fingers, then sell it once you think you must. trust your gut instinct. They're incredibly smooth and if you keep your foot to the floor make sure you have a lot of road in front of you. Another interesting thing, I remember driving the convertible in a rain storm and never getting a drop on my head at 80+. no buffetting or other noise you get with other convertibles. I'd buy another one if I can find a woman-owned one owner
reply
I've had two, one of which was a convertible with genuine jag wire wheels. gorgeous cars both of them. all I'm gong to say is you play hot potato with these things. own it for awhile and cross your fingers, then sell it once you think you must. trust your gut instinct. They're incredibly smooth and if you keep your foot to the floor make sure you have a lot of road in front of you. Another interesting thing, I remember driving the convertible in a rain storm and never getting a drop on my head at 80+. no buffetting or other noise you get with other convertibles. I'd buy another one if I can find a woman-owned one owner
reply
brit bazza2
What the hell is that hashup of the three point seat belts for? In the UK you just got hold of the belt and pulled it across you from the b pillar and clicked it into position if you bothered to wear one. As for handling a uk car is very tight when cornering at fast speeds I took one on a UK road up to 150 mph and it was very tight at handling so the guy talking about I hasn't got a clue or the USA cars are were designed like all USA made and designed cars and was designed for your style of lazy driving and to handle like a land boat
reply
What the hell is that hashup of the three point seat belts for? In the UK you just got hold of the belt and pulled it across you from the b pillar and clicked it into position if you bothered to wear one. As for handling a uk car is very tight when cornering at fast speeds I took one on a UK road up to 150 mph and it was very tight at handling so the guy talking about I hasn't got a clue or the USA cars are were designed like all USA made and designed cars and was designed for your style of lazy driving and to handle like a land boat
reply
Kamal Alyousef
Doug, there's one detail you've missed; the thick ring around the steering column is for adjusting wheel telescope movement. You loosen it to move the wheel and tighten to lock. I owned a (non-US-spec) XJ-S back in 1983. Thankfully, it didn't have the passive seatbelt but nor it did it have seat lumbar and heating fatures and instead of the trip computer there was an analog clock. But I'll take Euro headlights and turn signal repeaters over sealed beams and side markers any day.
reply
Doug, there's one detail you've missed; the thick ring around the steering column is for adjusting wheel telescope movement. You loosen it to move the wheel and tighten to lock. I owned a (non-US-spec) XJ-S back in 1983. Thankfully, it didn't have the passive seatbelt but nor it did it have seat lumbar and heating fatures and instead of the trip computer there was an analog clock. But I'll take Euro headlights and turn signal repeaters over sealed beams and side markers any day.
reply
Edelralph
I enjoy your videos but I am not sure that Jaguar ever had chrome rims as an option on the XJS. If an after-market item, that would explain why the spare had a painted rim. The chrome ones look rather pimpish to me but Jaguar might have had it as an option if it increased their profits. The shift lever definitely came straight from the XJ-6 parts bin. I owned a number of them and it is very familiar.
reply
I enjoy your videos but I am not sure that Jaguar ever had chrome rims as an option on the XJS. If an after-market item, that would explain why the spare had a painted rim. The chrome ones look rather pimpish to me but Jaguar might have had it as an option if it increased their profits. The shift lever definitely came straight from the XJ-6 parts bin. I owned a number of them and it is very familiar.
reply
MrCapacitator
Should be remembered that the XJS came out in 1975 so probably the design would have started late 60's or early 70's so a bit unfair to compare against 80's cars, the 3 speed automatic was crazy, you could get to 110 MPH in 2nd but that wasn't Jaguars fault it was just where auto's where at when this car was designed. I would love to see what one of these would be like with a modern box.
reply
Should be remembered that the XJS came out in 1975 so probably the design would have started late 60's or early 70's so a bit unfair to compare against 80's cars, the 3 speed automatic was crazy, you could get to 110 MPH in 2nd but that wasn't Jaguars fault it was just where auto's where at when this car was designed. I would love to see what one of these would be like with a modern box.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
