The Cheapest Manual V12 You Can Buy? 1990 Jaguar XJS HE Review 

As we've probably all seen from Harry Metcalfe's manual converted XJC, V12 Jags with a manual box are some of the absolute coolest cars on the roads. Nothing but love for this car too.

I ran a V12 XJS, 1990 model in the early 1990's as my everyday car. I travelled 96,000 miles in it all over the country on business in all weathers. It never missed a beat. I was a three speed auto and did 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec, 0 to 100 in about 18 sec. Top speed was 157 mph, and would cruise all day at 100 on the motorway, pre speed camera's (there was a time, and £1.60 per gallon petrol!) I did 700 miles in one day on a house hunting trip home to the Lake District from Cambridge with ease. All you had to do to get this performance, reliability and incredible refinement was have it serviced at a main dealer on the button. A brilliant car. The only other car that came close was the 928S but more costly to run except for fuel, and with more road noise, or more accurately some road noise. The XJS new is whisper quiet. Personally I think the automatic suits it better but they did offer a four speed manual in 1976. You could pull away in fourth gear and go all the way to 150, such was the tractability of the V12. My car had 320 BHP and 318 LBFT and was fully equipped with heated seats, cruise control, lumber support etc. The brakes and handbrake were good on a new car and remained so if properly serviced. Very good review but a tip top version would give an even better impression. TWR and Lynx used to make manual versions, some with 7 litre V12 engines.

“Trained engineers” -cuts to shot of wiring resting on clutch pedal 😂

As a 10 year-old in1975 The XJS will always be my favourite jaguar.

aside from 1st gen XK, the XJS also morphed into Aston Martin DB7. It did go round quite a bit LOL

Damn that sounds good! and loving the fact the owner isnt scared of sending it for the drive by's!

My father and I had an XJS HE last year, completely standard, a little shagged, and we used to regularly return 16-19 MPG, and I think the highest we ever got was 25MPG on a long motorway run at 60mph, and the was an auto. People don't give them enough credit

I've owned two of these in the past and you're spot on with most of that. However I love the looks of them and I found them very reliable. Fuel consumption is a killer though. I used to get about 12mpg about town but on a continental trip to Rome and back I averaged 20mpg. (Got married while there so ended up an expensive trip 😁)

I’ve gone through phases of wanting one of these since I was about 18, now watching this ... 18 years later ... you’ve made me want one again.

The XJS has a way of charming the pants off of everyone. Whenever I take mine out, everyone smiles and waves. They just love seeing this gorgeous unique thing out on the road.

Imagine a 6 litre one with a manual gearbox. They do look tidier under the bonnet as well.

Based on the 4 speed Jaguar gearbox found as an option for the 12 months after the Turbo Hydra matic 400 only 1975 cars, the car felt as if it had 48 extra horsepower. In its old pre HE headed 286 hp form, 15.1 second quarter miles, 149 mph at MIRA to 155 mph claimed, but it fell to 16.1 to 16.6 seconds with the THM 400, and lost 15 mph top speed, 134 to 140 mph. And that is exactly what a chassis dynometer shows on manual verses 3 speed auto cars throughout the world. Figures like a 50 % or 1.5 factor loss for 3 speeds, but only 25% or approx 1.25 loss factor for a manual gearbox are common debits for flywheel DIN net hp to Rear wheel horsepower. As a passion killer fir a road car, nought better than a GM Turbo Hydramatic. Unless it has a trans brake and shift kit and it's strapped to a drag racing chassis. Then 326 cubic inches of 5.3 litre Vee formation engine with a Yankee auto...really struts it's stuff! The traction losses and gear ratios aren't an issue, and even GM two Speed PowerGlides regularly show stick shift manual cars a clean set of heals from as little as 270 hp to over 2500 hp. Some great observations in this video. Thesr in my opinion should be most positively attributed to Wiliam Lyons and Malcolm Sayers XJ-S, the Godfathers of its GT credentials as a mass produced V12 sports GT also eligible for Group A racing were it eventually excelled. The legacy of true British dynamic excellence in steering, brakes, Independent Rear Suspension and aerodynamics. GREAT VIDEO!

This Jag screams of old money being a V12, what a classic beauty.

My dad has the facelift 6.0 and it’s just such a lovely car, they’re so underrated, also, the 5.3 and the 3.6 were replaced with the 6.0 and 4.0 with the facelift

I love the old XJS regardless of its many faults. Thank you for reviewing this magnificent car.

The car squats nicely when you floor it. Such a great car and the engine is one of the best ever made. They sound ferocious with a straight through exhaust.

The biggest compliment to this car is that he just wanted to keep driving and waffling 👍🏻

OMG, James is always endearing, but never as much as when behind the wheel of an XJS it seems. I laughed out loud a few times (hair gel in eyebrows), and generally enjoyed this video even more than the usual. Loved the XJS, looked properly 70’s pure-class, accelerating down the road and really suited James (and the shirt)!

If you like these, do watch Harry Metcalfe’s review of his (now sold) V12 XJS, on a trip to Europe.

I drove a 3.6 auto for 6 yrs and loved it. More than adequate . Better check your petrol level...those gauges all look flat...

Enjoyed this video more than most, James seems to be really relaxed and having a great time in this car 👍👍

I just watched this in 2024. I had a 1983 XJS HE that was so subtle and sneaky fast! 145 mph on California's I-5 North years ago in the dark. Glorious car. We also owned a 6.0 V12 convertible 1994 XJS, such a sweet GT. Both were pricey to own, but I have no regrets. Great cars.

I purchased a 1990 BRG v12, 5 years ago, sight unseen. It had sat inside for years and everything was wrong with it apart from the body and engine. 5 years later it is all pretty much sorted and now that problem areas are addressed it is very reliable. I have also converted it to a 5 speed manual, the same as this car, and on a long run, (when I can keep my foot off the loud pedal) I can get 28-30 MPG with the original 2.88 diff ratio, which makes it quite high geared. I have also warmed over the V12 to gain a few extra horses and sorted the suspension steering and brakes. It is a pleasure to drive and proper quick. In fact watching this, has made me want to go take it for a drive, I'm off

I worked for Istel (Redditch) for a few years. It’s almost unbelievable to think this now; (30 years later ) but they actually gave them out as company cars . You didn’t have to be “director” level either ! Quite a few software developers and mid-level managers had them.

Back in the day, when you could buy one of these for less than £2000, I use to joke whilst down the pub about getting one. I should have got one. Fantastic cars.

I'm rewatching this about a year after the first time. This is probably my favorite car review on the site.

Agree on the look. Much prefer the XJS to the E Type which looks too pinched and needs widening along the flanks. An ex girl friends dad had one with the optional mushroom farm growing away in the boot. Literal mushrooms like this 🍄. There was room in the back for 2 as long as we adopted a certain position 😉

Brings back memories of my Dads XJS V12....which slowly decayed away...once when it wasn't working he went out and bought a six cylinder model from a neighbour who was selling it....bonkers.....nice to know you've discovered the delights of the XJS

My Dad had quite a few of these and I always loved them. In the 1980’s he did a journey from Cardiff to Norwich and averaged 83mph... Allegedly.

Stunning! Brings back happy memories of my father's V12 XJS in Dorchester Grey.

Literally , my dream car . I love these things so much and thats the exact mods I would want done to it

My first experience of an XJS V12 was about 35 years ago... Sheds were available even (especially?) back then and my employer, at the time, bought one. It drank like Ollie Reed, the under-bonnet experience was a plumber's nightmare, rust-wise you could probably mine the thing for iron ore.... But it rode beautifully, was a joy to press on and was so, so comfortable. We ended up at a house party with some very questionable people... but that's another story. Safe to say the XJS got us safely back home again.

I'm so glad you enjoyed driving this - and that you have so many positive things to say about the manual conversion. I have a TWR version which I have been considering having converted for a long time, but I've never quite been able to bring myself to sacrifice the originality to get the job done. Hearing that engine put through its paces without the 3 speed slushbox getting in the way has made my mind up for me... It's on! And you are absolutely on the money as always. They are old, crap and British - but they are completely magnificent things to own and enjoy. I have considered parting with mine a few times over the years, then I will drive it and once again vow it will be mine until the day I die! Great video, really enjoyed it! Cheers!

Strangely this car looks better and better every year as the time passes by. These old cars have much more character and personality than the new ones. Like Jeremy Clarkson said about the new cars: "It's like sitting in a laptop". XJS is a future classic for sure and the prices are not going down ever again.

I had a few very enjoyable years running a manual 3.6 XJS. A set of adjustable shock absorbers and new bushes tidied up the handling a treat

Another epic review of an underappreciated car, love it!

Like this chap, he enunciates distinctly, is clearly interested and knows his cars. We need more of him. Thank you.

It maybe old and crap but you will forgive it that every time you see it drive it and smell it there is something alluring about an old jag absolutely love them one of my very favourite brands 👌

I love how the boot is just the right size to borrow some oil paintings

My prayers have been heard! Finally a XJS V12 review! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Another great video! And what a heroic blast by the camera right at the end there!

That p**** in the S2000.....you're readiness to lampoon yourself adds to the charm of your channel...just brilliant.

We already have an 84 Series 3 Jaguar XJ6. And wow!!! I keep falling more and more in love with the XJS’s. Need to pick one up this summer!

That's an absurdly awesome car. Kind of reminds me of Metcalfe's XJ hot rod project. And as far as I'm concerned, it has the loveliest sound ever. Thanks for these videos.

Love a Jaaag. Hats off to the owner for that gearbox conversion , Looks and sounds like you enjoyed that one .

JayEmm: "The speedo doesn't work hahahaha!". Traffic cop: "George, get the radar gun".

Yes, a really cool car, and you did a great job with the test drive and the introduction. Thank you!

Man that exhaust note is heavenly. Shame they didn’t offer a clutch pedal on this side of the pond, even in the straight 6 😕 I’d be looking for one to swap

Tom Walkinshaw brought these to Oz to challenge the Fords & Holdens @ Bathurst in the mid 80s. I was there to experience and hear them scream like eagles up Hill Straight. They did very well although had a tendency to suddenly implode on the track...!

To quote Jeremy Clarkson from a random TG episode...."and because their Smiths gauges they don't wuuurk!"

On Top Gear James May had one that had gone through an independent engineering firm that nut and bolted it, completely rewired it and got an extra 50bhp from the V12. The cost was either £20,000 or £30,000 I can't remember but for a car that was basically fully restored and guaranteed to work for years that's not such a bad price.

"Where do you start with a car like this. Well the interior....." No JayEMM. NO YOU DON't. You talk about the finest internal combustion engine of its day, mated to a fantastic manual gearbox, and how that is so wonderful in this car that every classic enthusiast should have a go at one. A Jaguar XJS V12 Manual is not about the f**king seats !!

Another excellent video, kudos to you Jay!

I had this model in 2004 with the auto box. Driving to work in it each day from cold, I never got more than 9mpg, so you are right. I always thought it looked better than it drove.

I have a 1992 XJS and Love it! It's in beautiful shape and classic.

A great video and as always an honest review. Keep up the good work.

Excellent, nice to see the wintery grey skies of Northants/Bucks while watching here in Texas (former Buckinghamshire resident)

It was a treat to see this being filmed

Superb drive. Really enjoyed your video and comments. 😁 The XJS Is one my Favourite Jags in spite of all the Negativity about it. Cheers TC 👍

Great episode and lots of laughs. Jag looked quicker than the 718 cayman you tested

Definitely think a new channel is needed, jayemm on jags, it would be wonderful.

Great to see 1 still driving

Seems like you were having more fun in this episode, nice video

Arguably the best production engine of all time. CAR magazine took an early HE 1981 around Euro trip averaging 70MPH and 21MPG. The advert can be found on ebay.

"I maybe old crap and british" Love it 😆 I would dearly love to buy my dad an XJS as a project. They stopped manufacturing them in my early teens, but I've always had a desire to own one. Proper old school Jaaaaaaag. I used to lust after an XJRS, rare beastie.

One of the best car reviewers ever, love your vids! Only one problem though, you often subconsciously push me to part with my money 🤣

I had my 92 XJS V12 converted to a Tremec 6-speed by Keisler engineering and it absolutely transformed the car, unleashing that engine. Wish I still had it.

Your videos are great, really interesting cars. Thanks for the entertainment 👍

I'd have one in my dream garage in a heartbeat. This and Harry Metcalf's xj coupe.

I saw one of these in Harrogate yesterday. If the better half was at all interested in cars, I'm sure she would've appreciated it as much as I did.

Everybody needs a V12 & these still represent spectacular value IMO. You just have to go through the complete car nose to tail as soon as you get it, fixing all the little things that have been neglected over the years (& several that Jaguar got wrong from new...) & you will end up with a genuinely reliable car that's a good drive & looks like nothing else.

Slight correction Jay, the 5.3 was replaced by the 6.0 before the end of production. I owned a 1993 6.0. model virtually from new, had it over 10 years when I foolishly chopped it in for an XJR...a decision which haunts by petrol head to this day.

I also had the optional 30% stiffer dampers which transform the handling by significantly reducing the tendency to dip in to corners.

Great Video. One of your best. I burst out laughing at "nest of snakes" quip.

Good review, I had an XJ12 TWR with a ZF 5 speed manual transmission. It had lots of tasty options from new. The suspension and steering completed the transformation.... It was a very very special car.. I should never of sold it, I got 25 to the gallon on the motorway doing motorway speeds... From a tuned 6.0 V12 that's not bad at all. If you used it's power then it dropped to single figures.... By all accounts there is a handling pack from XJ restoration that does the job and KWE do something similar.... Keep up the good work!

Totally agree about preferring the xjs looks to the e type I always wanted one and should have done it when they were dirt cheap

The V12 is gloriously smooth. When accelerating, from a stop , it just effortlessly pulls and pulls up to highway speeds and beyond. The front end does seem a bit heavy in tight curves so, in that regard, I preferred the lighter 6-clyender version. The 6 cylinder just felt more nimble.

Even if I don't like the car, which is not the case, always here lo leave my thumbs up 😁

I had an XJS when you could buy a good one for less money, I fitted a manual shift kit to the auto box and a Hurst shifter, and manages nearly 30mpg on a run. FYI those wipers should park off screen.

Nice work, thanks for sharing.

This is like a Land Rover defender it's quite rough in places but when it's in element it's fun

Love the XJS absolutely beautiful.... Although Iam not sure how you emerge out of a narrow street onto a main road in one of those things as the front bumper must be on the white centre line before you can see if it's safe to pull out 😊 scary man... Great review 👍

"There's a trip computer down there"...."Fuel average...nought"! So that works! Brilliant.

Great overview of the XJS, what a beauty with the manual transmission. As a teenager in the 1980's, this was the car of that era. The XJS was just so much more masculine then the XKE, which was not all that cool for a teenager of the 80's. Not sure this is a 1990 though- maybe was not the same for the US market. The steering wheel shown is not stock, as the nearly all 1990 XJS's were sold with the bloated airbag steering wheel. Take the four catalytic converters off the US XJS and she is a beast. Most 30 year old cars also should get the six shocks replaced, which will make a huge difference with the suspension and handling.

Manual V12- the car Jaguar should have built in the first instance! Great review of an interesting motor. I think you are missing a trick re 'refinement.' Older cars are far more engaging to drive than contemporary metal now. Modern cars are refined to the point of being utterly sterile and dull to drive. Older cars require more input from a driver I think, which makes them more interesting and enjoyable to drive. I own two classics- a very interesting Capri 2.8i which punts out 280 Bhp and 300 lbs ft of torque, and a Rover P6 3500. Both are more rewarding to drive than my daily driver- a throwaway BMW 3 Series. When I want to have serious fun, I take the Capri out, when I go on a touring holiday, I take the P6- the BWM sits at home on the drive. I would far sooner own this V12 XJS, than a modern Jag. It's interesting to note that classic car ownership in the UK has soared by *40%* (Yes! you did read that correctly!) in a mere five years. I think that figure speaks VOLUMES about the cars which are on offer today, which to my eyes at least, are mostly dull, anodyne, soulless machines.

I've spoken to Jaguar XJS Owners Club people at car shows and they say the six-cylinder engine is the better option, latterly in 4.0 litre mode where the power output is similar and much less thirsty. I think with any vintage Jaguar, you need to put it on a ramp first to check the extent of the rust damage, it's usually everywhere. The only XJS I would consider buying is the end of the line 'Celebration' model, but these are appreciating quite rapidly.

Beautiful cat! See if you can get a go of the incredible Lister Le Man's take on the XJS. It runs a 7 litre version of the engine with 500+bhp! 0 to 60 in around 4 seconds and a top end of 200+mph!

I wonder if the owner is aware of a recent kit you can get from the US that converts this Jag V12 to carbs (and takes out the Lucas stuff). The Car Wizard did a video on it and he loved it.

I have fitted a GM T700R4 4 speed auto with its overdrive and lock up converter into my pre HE car and it has made a huge difference to its fuel economy, now around 20mpg. It also cruises a lot better with much lower RPMs, now around 1700rpm at 60 mph. I have owned my car for 36 years and apart from the Opus ignition which I have now replaced with a Pertronix ignition system it has been a very reliable car.

Back in the 90s I owned a 5.3 TWR version which was said to have 330-350 bhp but still with the auto box! It did have a much more “vocal” and free flowing 4 pipe exhaust system that would howl gloriously when under power! TWR did produce various versions from just body kits up to manual 6.0 versions with up to 485 bhp with the option of 5 speed manual gear box which was said to eat clutches! I looked for mine for months, wanting a 6.0 manual but settled for the 5.3 as none seemed available only to see a 6.0 manual for sale a few weeks after I purchased mine! It’s always the way I suppose! From info I was able to find and from my own tests it ran 0-60 in around 6 seconds, not being particularly quick from 0-30 but pulling like a train from there to 140+! (At which point the fuel computer would read 4 mpg!) With the larger Speedline wheels and tyres it would tramline at lower speeds feeling very much like a dog sniffing the road but would seem to “hunker down” as speed increased, feeling very stable! The TWR version came with Bilstein dampers and lower, up rated springs and a body kit that was wind tunnel designed for the racing version which actually worked and was said to be good for an extra 4 mph on its own! Never maxed the car out but hit around 150 on many occasions and backed off even though it felt like it had quite a bit more! The things to watch out for on those V12’s is low oil pressure which can be a problem and overheating, never under any circumstances let them overheat, stop at once or you will end up with a V12 paper weight! Water ingress and rust are other problems which plague the XJS in general together with exorbitant maintenance costs! If planning on owning one it is essential that you find a Jaguar Specialist (NOT dealer) to maintain it and he is likely to become your best friend! I loved mine (just not the maintenance costs) and would love to get my hands on a 7.0 supercharged Lister version which was a “true” Supercar!

The E-Type has never done it for me either. The XJ-S on the other hand is a car I've loved ever since I got a red Corgi toy in 1979.

I have an 1986 XJSC V12 Auto RHD and I love it. A great touring car. However, it does like a drink due to the early engine management system. I have been quoted AUS$6000 to replace the engine management with a modern system that will drop the fuel consumption down from 21 litres / 100 to 12 litres/ 100.

Cracking video, always loved the XJS, they look so much better with the twin US spec headlights, absolutely hate that steering wheel though, belongs in an MGB (which it would look great in), the standard wheel in these cars is so nice, i know it's personal choice but i don't know why you'd want to change it.

Everytime i look at my S80 Turbo,s rear fenders and its rear lights i get reminded of the XJS. Yeah, it was the same designer.

Talking of manual V12’s when are we getting a Classiche update?😃

I went to the circus in the back of one of these in the mid 90s when i was about 7... My head was bent sideways on a right angle to fit in

Nice cars. Underrated 'cause people compared them to the E type. Love the idea of a manual version, very cool indeed.

I’m almost finished restoring an almost.....believe it......rust free 3 speed auto 1992 XJS then I see and hear a manual gear box. Damn Damn Damn. Now looking for a 5 speed manual. Damn Damn Damn.

Had one in 1990. Absolutely loved it. Unfortunately it was designed by engineers and put together with parts bought by accountants. Was never out the workshop. It was majestic when running though.

In 1989 I was going to buy a Pegasus kit car based on the V12. The performance was epic. And used the 5 speed manual. But being fibre glass and no weight Bloody hell it went. I did 175-80 on my test pilot....run upto the Humber Bridge. I so wish I’d bought it. 20mpg too