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Consumer Reviews

1997 Jaguar XJ Consumer Reviews

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4.7
(119 reviews)
1997 Jaguar XJ
5
82%
4
12%
3
5%
2
2%
1
0%
95%
Recommend this vehicle
Value
4.7
Performance
4.8
Quality
4.8
Comfort
4.8
Reliability
4.7
Styling
4.9
1997 XJ Overview
Among the 119 owners who provided feedback on the 1997 Jaguar XJ for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with 95% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's styling and comfort to be its strongest features and value to be its weakest. 97 out of 119 of owners (82% of them) rank the 1997 XJ five out of five stars. Overall, consumers seem aligned in their opinions of the 1997 Jaguar XJ. Is it the right vehicle for for you? Check out Kelley Blue Book's consumer reviews and see for yourself.
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Most Helpful Reviews

Positive Review

"Of many fine cars I've owned this is the best"

Second owner of a '95 VDP with 84,000 miles. Original owner was a well-known set designer for movie studios, kept it garaged and dealer maintained. Virtually perfect in nearly every manner: exterior, interior and drive train. This car still turns heads and often gets a "thumbs-up" from other motorists. It's pleasing when I valet it and come back an hour later to see they've not garaged it, instead left it curbside in a driveway to show it off. I'm 67 years old and think this will be the last motorcar I will ever own. If my Estate can afford it, I plan to be buried in it.


VS

Critical Review

"my car is great and very reliable never had a prob"

very good reliable take it anywhere the car has new tires it needs a paint job the color is fading from the sun

1997 XJ Reviews

In our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive assessment of the vehicle possible, KBB.com widens the scope of our reviews to include all pertinent model years.
ex. Dependable

Showing 8 of 119 reviews.


Alex
8/28/2024
Man I miss this car
Pros

Nearly everything. Just felt "special"

Cons

Electrical issues if left to sit for too long

I watched top gear as a kid, and I remember Jeremy and Richard talking about how great these cars were but they depreciated really quickly. I was 16 and started searching online to see how much. I think my dad paid $3400 for a 60k mile cranberry red car. I drove it all through high school and a couple years of college as "the kid with a Jaaaag". I loved that car, and if I could find it and buy it back I would. Once I bought another car, it sat outside at my parents house through winters and started developing electrical issues the longer it sat. It really just needed to be driven. The 2006 S-type I replaced it with just wasn't the same. Its probably nostalgia, but I really miss this car.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
3.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
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1
0

Ccc
12/8/2021
Best Looking Car I,ve ever owned
Pros

fun to drive, smooth, great for cruising

Cons

needs paint/dings, driver side seat PS leak, AC

Lots of power, Classic looks in in Flamenco Red w/beige leather int., new Michelin tires on 5 clean Jag wire wheels, Cat back custom exhaust and air intake system, HK Sound system with

Value
4.0
Performance
4.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
4.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
0
0

Phawk
7/21/2021
A delight to drive!
Pros

A delight to drive. Comfortable and classy.

Cons

None

This car handles like a nimble sports car and yet offers maximum comfort. The seats are very comfortable and the noise from the road is minimal. The six in line engine is smooth and moves the car very swiftly with a reasonable economy for a car this size. The repairs cost can be reasonable for the DIY owner and any more complicated maintenance can be handled by regular care shops.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
4.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
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2
0

Enthusiast
5/13/2021
Dependable car
Pros

Dependable inline 6 cylinder engine

Cons

Bad bushings on suspension and sub frame

This car is a work horse. I have been using mine since College, my only car for 14 years now, every day Monday- Sunday and my car clocked 300,000 original miles. It still runs strong, compression still holds up to specs on all cylinders giving the high mileage. Pros: Dependable inline 6 cylinder engine, ZF transmission, Differential Cons: Due to age and road abuse ( bad bushings on suspension and sub frame, door lock mechanisms, and door seals, and bearings) To look for: bad MAF sensor, bad TPS sensor, bad Oil Pressure Sensor, poor quality after marker ignition coils, blown relays and fuses, and - all due to age and poor quality after market parts if the car had multiple owners). I still highly recommend this car as a daily driver as long as the owner has enough mechanical knowledge to maintain it by himself if he has the time. Poor maintenance on these cars if they had multiple owners who often neglected the vehicle can become a money pit for the unexperienced owner who just needs a toy. These cars are not toys. They are dependable in the right hands.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
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3
0

Maserati Guy
4/16/2021
I love this car
Pros

Style, Comfort

Cons

Rear trunk space for such a long car

I bought my 96 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas from an estate auction. The car has classic lines but the modern reliability from one of the best inline 6 motors ever created. From 1995-1997 they produced this engine and it is amazing. Very easy to work on and run. If you want a stress free Jag ownership experience I would recommend this car. Nothing else on the road looks like this car. Even the newer Jags look too German. There is no better sedan in the world that mixes luxury, class, and sportiness quite like the XJ6 Vanden Plas. Everything on the interior is covered in Connolly leather and it smells amazing. I have a Maserati and I have had a Rolls Royce but for the money, you cannot beat this car.

Value
5.0
Performance
4.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
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4
1

Wally
4/21/2020
total CLASS
Pros

not much to say ,just a CLASS vehicle. love it!

Cons

n/a

i have dreamt about owning a xj6 from i was a small boy ,had one with my job in 1976 then my first ownership was a 1997 xj6sport i now have a 1995 xj6 , i think everyone should have one of these during their driving career . engine and gearbox totally bullet proof this car is just soooo BEAUTIFUL i could live in it a little expensive to run, but only ever in garage for service which is pretty cheap as a DIY person could do almost anything she needs styling comfort handling lively class car!!!

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
1
0

Wally
4/21/2020
total CLASS
Pros

not much to say ,just a CLASS vehicle. love it!

Cons

n/a

i have dreamt about owning a xj6 from i was a small boy ,had one with my job in 1976 then my first ownership was a 1997 xj6sport i now have a 1995 xj6 , i think everyone should have one of these during their driving career . engine and gearbox totally bullet proof this car is just soooo BEAUTIFUL i could live in it a little expensive to run, but only ever in garage for service which is pretty cheap as a DIY person could do almost anything she needs styling comfort handling lively class car!!!

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
7
0

Rob
11/24/2019
Smooth ride. Classic ride
Pros

Extremely fun to drive

Cons

Ok in snow due to RWD

Feels very safe to drive. Looks amazing and has that classic gentlemen look. Really gets attention and turns heads. For its last year off the line 1997 it’s a great vehicle.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
5
0

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