There are some car enthusiasts who will only buy a car if it has three pedals, and I used to be part of this contingent. Over the years, however, I have softened on this a bit, learning to love certain models that either only came with an automatic or that were equipped with excellent auto ‘boxes. However, there are some cars that I feel would be far more engaging to drive if they featured a row-it-yourself option, and the Jaguar XJS coupe is certainly one of those cars. This example listed is one of a handful of cars shipped to the U.S. for Jaguar executives to use and featured a Getrag 5-speed. Find it here on eBay selling with no reserve.
As we all know, the Jaguar XJ was a handsome grand touring coupe let down by notoriously bad reliability. However, this may be a case where the reputation is driven more by neglectful owners than significant issues with the car itself. Reality is likely stuck somewhere in between, but in the case of the six-cylinder cars, I suspect they are a hair easier to live with than their V12 siblings. Moreover, the 5-speed and six-cylinder combination make for ideal dance partners, as the manual addresses one of the bigger disappointments with the V12: extremely lazy gearing, so much so that it absolutely kills some of the kick-back-in-your-seat experience one might expect with 12 cylinders.
The 3.6L inline-six made a respectable 225 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Combine that with the lower curb weight (by about 200 pounds) compared to the V12 and the better gearing of the manual and you have a car that is likely transformed compared to a V12 automatic. The Getrag cars also returned better fuel mileage, if that’s a consideration. The seller’s car is said to run and drive well, even though he has driven it sparingly in his 18 years of ownership. The body also appears to be in good shape with no apparent signs of rust, but it is in New York and likely spent time in New Jersey near the corporate headquarters when it was imported.
The pewter body is the epitome of understated, but an owner along the way has thankfully upgraded to the European-spec headlights. I’m actually surprised to see this car bid so cheaply at the moment, as it certainly deserves some more love for its rarity alone, not to mention that the cosmetics appear sound for an unrestored car. This is a model I’d love to experience as the XJS remains an extremely pretty design let down by an uninspiring and finicky drivetrain. Have you ever driven a manual Jaguar XJS coupe? Let us know in the comments below.
We have a brave young engineer at the office who drives a XJS V12 in this color as his daily driver. Not all electric features work at the same time, but in general he does not have any major problems.
As he says: “I’m young and stupid. In a few years, only the stupidity will remain!”
the headlights – pretty, but at $500 each not all that welcome. We had a hail storm here last year that broke the chrome trim bezel and lens (both plastic) on my 95. Can’t find them apart from the rest of the light. US Seal beam? $10. Fancy Euro lens? $500 tough decision…. I am considering converting mine to older style US seal beams…
Love it. I didn’t know a 6 plus a 5 speed was offered in a XJS.
offered….just not over here. Parts are prevalent in the UK to convert one over here for about $750-$1,000 plus gearbox. Full kits available from various places. Just goggle it
To start off the cabin space or should I say lack there of is tight and cramped. Climbing into these cars takes limberness and flexibility. Now that you have accomplished that task the footwells are the next challenge. If you have big extra wide feet your right foot is going to overlap between accelerator and brake. Three pedals? Big feet? Entertaining to see.
Try driving a Lotus Elan S4 -(68-72)! The first time I drove one, I got in with
my wide foot and my shoe covered the gas and brake pedal completely. I actually had to take off my shoe!! I bought the car and learned literally how to drive ‘heel and toe’! Tiny pedals!!
Sold!! US $4,551.00
29 bids auction ended.
If as described, that’s no money. What a deal!
I love is writeup: “I’m 87 years old and my wife just told me I won’t be able to take any of these to the other world! Who would have thunk it?” :-)
Oh man, I see an LS and a TKO 6-speed in this car’s future for that price!
Have a client with a 92 4.0 5spd convertible…was so looking forward to driving it. And then I did, very underwhelming. Mediocre power, rubbery shift, overly soft suspension. Was def better after an AJ6 Engineering intake, exhaust, reprogrammed ecu along with some suspension work.
No sports car, but passable.
Honestly an auto V12 with a shorter final drive is a more exciting car to drive.
I’m one of those older guys who wants three pedals in my classics (and in my daily drivers). This Jag is up my alley as a driver. I drive an older Toyota Highlander as my work vehicle and it functions better for my than a pickup truck. It was only offered in an automatic but if it had a stick trans, I would want one. It is such a good vehicle for work with incredible reliability that I can live with the automatic! Jaguars with automatics don’t do much for me. This one is a ‘thumbs up’!!
I’m seeing so many people guys especially enamored with stand shifting cars. You might think differently with bad knees in heavy rush hour traffic.
The one place I drove in the US with a stick for about a week was in Pacific Heights, San Francisco! If I lived there, I would drive an automatic! You are never off the clutch!! Other than that…. my knees are still good and I no longer live in a state that has rush hour traffic, Vermont. I came from NJ and I know what rush hour traffic is!!!
Now what do you suppose those “Pep Boys” are gonna say when I walk in and ask if they have any “Get-Rag” 5 speeds?
Welcome to your $4551 nightmare.
I’m one of those people you speak of, if it doesn’t have a manual, I’m not interested. This car could be fun.
Cheap shot …third pedal comes in handy when rolling the car into position while waiting for the flatbed to pick it up.
👍👍👍
Back when cars were driven, or maybe better, operated. The person behind the wheel had to take an interest in how the vehicle worked in order to get the most out of it. That may be the same today except for all of the nanny devices required to allow the operator to appear to have the skills once required to drive at the vehicle’s full potential. This may not be as fast but it can be driven flat out.
I’m just disappointed it didn’t show up in my feed until today. It was sold yesterday. Honestly I would have bought it.