Gentlemen and Ladies,
Well, after 5 years of wonderful driving (5.5 years of ownership ), I
regrettably traded my 97 XJ yesterday (112,000 miles). I LOVED this car and
will deeply miss it (esp. when I valet park or as I no longer feel smug when
I see Lexus, Mercedes or BMW et al drive by ). However, in the last
several months just about every “little” (and one major…read that as a
rebuilt transmission) annoying failure I have read on this list has reared
their ugly heads. Even though I feel I took VERY good care of the car it
had gotten to the point that I was dreading driving her due to worry on what
would break next. Most, taken on their own would not have been a big issue,
however, cumulatively, it was causing much grief and concern over what would
be next and what if this time it was something that would make the car a
paperweight that looked good in the driveway.
To really give y’all something to flame me on, I traded it for a diesel VW
Jetta, nice, solid feeling car with about 41 mpg. But in no way compares to
the Jag. I am just in a different place now (read that as self
justification) BTW, I could only squeeze $4000.00 in trade in value for the
Jag.
Y’all have been great and down the road, I would not be shocked with a
purchase of another XJ (pre-2004 probably since I am not a big fan of the
new XJ body lines, maybe it will grow on me…maybe an XK). Thank you for
your help and courtesy.
STOP READING if reading non-pointed rants bugs you as from this point on I
am venting. Your flames may go unread as I just unsubscribed…sorry ;-).
A partial list of problems follows, some fixed, some not. PLEASE don’t get
me wrong, I love the car, I don’t mean this to be a complaint just an
awareness/observation. I do consider this a reliable car…just, for mine,
getting a little long in the tooth. Sadly.
Most XJ’s I feel would only experience one or two of these…the luck of the
draw, had mine fall victim to several. Just to share, here is a list of
those that pop to mind.
transmission failed completely (now rebuilt).
Anthracite paint fading in a two spots on roof (bad wax??? donno)
clock light out
radio button lighting out
headlight switch “light indicator cover” broke (fell into console)
cup holder broke (doh, knew better and still placed a bit too much body
shift weight on it after years of being, uh, “careful”.)
auto antenna motor stopped working
rear view mirror started leaking.
radiator fill sensor would not stay in place.
both visor clips broke (really cheap fix though)
headliner falling in rear, for a while, and now at visors.
shocks need replacing (yeah, normal wear item…just wish it were easier
and/or cheaper to do)
replaced two smashed headlights (yeah, just bad luck, both occurred at
different times in a two week period. doh! Dang, they are expensive…thank
gawd for e-bay. I only pay $6.00 for my 'ol Mustang headlights…for entire
assembly, not just a lense, whew.)
notable increase in overall rattles
cracked wood on drivers door.
cracked wood on transmission shift knob.
drivers seat leather wear (probably just normal wear)
notable decrease in mpg (from about 24 in mixed driving to work to 21, but
it is time for a tune up)
sunroof trim failing
cracked interior trim at drivers A-pillar
center brake light falling off rear window.
Oh well, like I said, I still love the look and drive of this car, but with
all issues put together, it was time to move on. Thanks again.
All the best,
Christopher Barber
Houston, Texas
former '97 XJ-6 (black on black) owner 
'65 Mustang Convertible (red on white)
'06 VeeDub Jetta TDI (Diesel)…it is black on black though.
and for those who really feel compelled to flame me
@Christopher_Barber or
CBarber@BellairePolice.com
www.TexasAttorney.net
www.LoneStarVelocity.com
