Used Car of the Day: 1996 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Scanning the used-car forums today, I saw several of the usual Volkswagen offerings -- and then I found this 1996 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas.


It seems to have a few flaws -- a non-running sunroof motor, worn interior leather, and a currently non-functioning radio. Oh, and a dent on the rear.

The car is factory with new tires and new lighting, and if you can get that radio working, it's Harman Kardon. The battery is also new, and the seller says the A/C blows cold.

So here we have a Jaguar from the 1990s that's aged well, is apparently in good condition and needs only a few things, and hasn't been modified.

If this tickles your fancy, the seller wants $5,900.

[Images: Seller]

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Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Aug 28, 2023

    I really fancy a '95-97 X300, just not this example (also possibly a post-Nikasil MY02-03 X308).

  • Lorenzo Lorenzo on Aug 28, 2023

    Such beautiful cars. Such testy mechanicals and electricals. I'm surprised someone didn't work out a drive train/wiring harness swap to make them more reliable in their post-warranty years.


    • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Aug 29, 2023

      The MY95-97 X300 with AJ16 and X308s built after July 25th, 2000 to 2003 are the most reliable as they get in this period. Supposedly the MY05+ 4.2 V8 (AJ34) X350s and X150s are pretty solid.


  • AZFelix The last time I missed the Malibu was when one swerved into my lane and I had to brake hard to avoid a collision. 1 out of 5⭐️. Do not recommend.
  • 2ACL I won't miss it; it was decent at launch, but in addition to the bad packaging, GM did little to keep it relevant in the segment. I'd prefer that another domestic automaker doesn't just give up on the mainstream sedan, but unlike some of Ford's swan songs, the Malibu made an indifferent case for why they should live.
  • ToolGuy TG grows weary of purchasing gasoline. I don't care so much how or why, I am just tired of it. I still buy petroleum products, not 'boycotting oil,' but backing away from gasoline where I can. Sample size = 1.
  • Probert Maybe it's not too late for the Dodge Neon I've always dreamed of!!! To the keyboard Robin!
  • Akear The malibu still outsells all GM EVs combinedMalibu -150,000GM EV's - 75,000Maybe this represents how execrable GM EVs really are. Barra should have resigned years ago,
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