Every once in a while I come across a relatively cheap Jaguar with a V12 (about $10,000 or so), and the thought crosses my mind of checking it out. I never actually get to the "Maybe I'll buy it" stage, but I'm curious - has anyone on the board actually owned one, driven one, worked on one, etc.? What are the 12s like? Reliable? Durable? Torquey? Etc.?

Any input is appreciated. I know Jaguar parts are famously hard to get, and expensive when you can get them... but this is more a preliminary survey than any kind of decision-making answer.

 

Uh, depends. If it's anything before 1995, don't buy it, and even then you're going to be paying through the asshole for repair costs if it does have some sort of catastrophic failure.

I'd be wary of any Jaguar V-12 actually. Their AJ V8, however, in newer Jags, is rock solid. But then again that's not a V-12. Oh well.

 

V12's in general have a high cost of maintanance. and the rarity of the engine will add to cost of repairs

 

More cylinders = more problems.

Jaguar's reliability record before Ford took over isn't the greatest in the world either. h:

 

jaguar is like the number 1 car that breaks down. its worser than hyundai's reputation

 

V12's were mainly used in those cars for the smoothness. dont buy it if you want to get a gob load of power. you can do just as good with an engine with less cylinders and displacement

 

I'd personally look into one of the straight 6 XJs. Turning circle is a bit big. h:

There's also the famed Chevy small-block conversion route...that'd be fun..:driving:

Oh, and AVOID THE JAGUAR SOVERIGN AT ALL COST. It is an absolute basketcase. The entire multiplexed wiring system is a disaster. If you are given one, then only consider it as a candidate for a SBC conversion, done in concert with a complete re-wiring of the vehicle, aftermarket fuel management, the works.

 

Parts are easy to get, The Jaguar V12 once over heated one time will run like shit the rest of its days, V12 are famous for overheating, leaking valley covers, oil leaks, fuel leaks. I speak from exp the XJS is a major pile of shit in a V12 in later years they came with a 4.0 straight six which was alot more reliable. The V12 is eats up some money the rest of the car is a piece of shit also the rear brakes are a major PITA to replace the rotors and calipiers. The coolant tanks rots out like every 2 years the steering racks last about 2 years also. Transmissions are dead by about 70k unless well kept up. Front suspension parts are all shot by 50k. Lets not forget electical problems that never end. Window regulators are made of pasta and seemed with some customers would break yearly. Save your money and buy an old BMW 6 series if you want a huge coupe.

Thomas former Rolls Royce and Jaguar mechanic

 

:werd: I've seen their wiring before. Even though I didn't know what the hell I was looking at, deep down inside, I knew it sucked. :thumbup:

 

http://www.johnscars.com/default.htm

Here's a good site for a Texas-based conversion firm that handles SBC / SBF conversions for Jaguars.