Jaguar 1981 XJ Saloon
  • Economy

    Value

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Because of steep depreciation the secondhand value is very attractive. You will get a lot of car for the money. Best buys are the post 1989 4.0L with the 1992-94 being the best equipped of the range.

    Costs

    3 out of 5 3.0

    There are a lot of secondhand parts dealers around now so maintenance is no where near as bad as it used to be. Main Dealer Servicing is extortionate so try and find a specialist garage for servicing. You will half the price, at least.

  • On the road

    Driving

    5 out of 5 5.0

    It is just an effortless yet exciting drive. Precise steering and effortless acceleration. Because it is relatively low and quite wide cornering is superb with very little roll. There is plenty of seat adjustments to allow for good a driving positions.

    Performance

    5 out of 5 5.0

    My car has cover 190,000 miles and still goes from 0-60 in just over 8 secs. Just switch to sports mode and feel that almost limitless power. Seamless gear changing.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    5 out of 5 5.0

    A lot of people say that the are prone to being unreliable. I think that there may be some truth in the rumour on the early models but not on the later ones. I have had 12 of these over the last 35 years with no major problems on any of them.

    Image

    1 out of 5 1.0

    And enthusiast car really, although I still get a turned head or two on occasions.

    Comfort

    5 out of 5 5.0

    The comfort in these cars are really second to none both for the passengers and the driver.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Not that brilliant. Probably best to add your own security. Having said that the only people who own these now are enthusiasts. No one else really wants them so you should not have any problems with them being stolen.

    Service

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Very Expensive when using the Main Dealers.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    None.

    Other

    None.

    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