Not The Drivetrains You’re Looking For: 1995 Jaguar XJS vs 2001 Porsche Boxster

Sbsd 7 2 2024
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Good morning! Today we’re looking at two fancy-pants convertibles – only they’re not quite what you might be expecting. One doesn’t have enough cylinders, and the other doesn’t have enough pedals.

It sounds like yesterday’s bad ideas were a little traumatizing for a lot of you, casting votes under duress for a Land Rover with a terrible reputation. But hey, sometimes there just aren’t any good choices, and you have to choose the lesser of two evils. And I agree: a straight, running, drivable car with the potential for trouble down the road is a better option than a wreck that may or may not be repairable.

And actually, I like that Freelander. It’s like an upscale Geo Tracker. It’s too bad we didn’t get the four-cylinder/manual combination here in the US; apparently that was the one to get.

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Speaking of powertrain options: I’m afraid today’s cars might disappoint. Did you ever go see a band that you love, and you wait all evening for them to play that one song, the one that was never a hit, but it spoke to you and helped you through a really rough time, but they never play it? Or have you ever waited ages for a reservation at a fancy restaurant known for one signature dish, and on the night of your reservation, something happens and it’s not on the menu? I mean, it’s still a good meal, or a good show, it’s just that it could have been so much better, if only that one thing were different. Yeah. These are kind of like that.

1995 Jaguar XJS Convertible – $4,999

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Engine/drivetrain: 4.0 liter dual overhead cam inline 6, four-speed automatic, RWD

Location: Conway, SC

Odometer reading: 155,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

Jaguar’s E-Type was a tough act to follow. Love it or hate it, you couldn’t ignore it. And while it went on too long and lost the plot towards the end, its successor was bound to be a bit of a letdown by comparison. The XJS, like the last few years of the E-Type, hit the streets with a 5.3 liter V12. A few years later, Jaguar offered a six-cylinder version as well, but it was an also-ran; the XJS had a V12. Everyone knew that.

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We didn’t get the six-cylinder version here in the US until the second series, and we never did get the five-speed manual version. Jaguar’s AJ inline six is a damn fine engine, no doubt – but it’s not a V12. It runs and drives just fine, the seller says, and it “handles beautifully.”

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A hundred and fifty thousand miles is a lot for a Jaguar, but this one wears them well. The paint is nice and shiny, and the interior looks decent as well. The seller says it needs a new top, but looking at the photos, it looks fine to me – unless these are old photos. The car has California license plates in the photos, and some of the scenery looks very California-like too. Add to that the paragraph copied and pasted from Wikipedia, and I think this seller’s got some ‘splainin to do.

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If it all checks out, it looks like a halfway decent car. It’s just sort of a bummer it doesn’t have the V12. It feels sort of incomplete with the six. Could be worse, I suppose – it could have a Chevy V8.

2001 Porsche Boxster – $5,000

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Engine/drivetrain: 2.7 liter dual overhead cam flat 6, five-speed automatic, RWD

Location: Galena, IL

Odometer reading: 112,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

Quick – what’s the fastest way to ruin a small sporty convertible? If you’re thinking “install an automatic transmission,” then we’re on the same page. Miatas, MGBs, Fiats, and even Alfa Romeos have, at various times, been subjected to this indignity. Add to that list the Porsche Boxster, which has offered an automatic from the start.

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The Boxster’s automatic is a five-speeder, with Porsche’s “Tiptronic” manual shifting capability, basically the Autotune of vehicular transmissions. It looks like you’re doing it yourself, but really, the car is doing it for you. Apparently this car pre-dates the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel; gears are changed via little up-down buttons on the steering wheel spokes. You can also pretend to shift by moving the lever side-to-side if you’d rather.

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It runs and drives well, and has new tires, so there’s that. Cosmetically, it looks all right, but it does have the seat-cover mystery: What’s under there? The covers could be there because the seats are trashed, or they could be like the plastic on your grandma’s couch when you were a kid. I’d hope for the latter, but the crap on the floor makes me suspect the former.

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A more important mystery that needs to be answered is the condition of the notorious intermediate shaft bearing, Porsche’s old nemesis. There is an upgrade kit available, and if this one hasn’t had it installed, it it probably should be done right away. Use it as a negotiating tool, along with the missing third pedal.

Really, there’s nothing wrong with how either of these cars are spec’d. I’m sure they’re both lovely to drive; they’re just not what you’d expect in either case. But really, Jaguar’s V12 was never much more than bragging rights, and the Porsche-with-an-automatic ship sailed long ago, back in the 924 and 928 days. What we’re really talking about here are two pretty cool $5,000 convertibles, regardless of drivetrain options. Which is the one for you?

(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)

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81 thoughts on “Not The Drivetrains You’re Looking For: 1995 Jaguar XJS vs 2001 Porsche Boxster

  1. For the sake of this exercise I am going to assume the Jag ad isn’t total bullshit and choose it. But it’s probably bullshit.

  2. I’ll take the Boxster- I like the design better and I’ll just put a manual in it.
    A Porsche and a JAAAAAAAAAAG?
    I thought this was “Shitbox” Showdown

  3. A watch out for the Jag is that being of that vintage from Conway, SC it may have been subject to storm related flooding…more than once.

  4. My best college friend drives a Boxster automatic and loves it. Despite his testimonial, we’ll take the XJ; I’d rather not try to feed a V12 on a regular basis anyway.

  5. The Jag is old enough that it is starting to be desirable as a collector car these days. And I think if I am correct, the trans is a GM bolt pattern, so if the old inline gives up the ghost, the ubiquitous Vortec 350, or better yet an LM7 5.3 should munt up and without a carb fit under the hood and make that Jaaag a screamer.

  6. Always wanted one of these Jags (not a huge fan of red, but I’ll take it). Enormous trunk, long hood, room for two people and a poodle (cause let’s be real, no adult will fit or sit in those back seats)…it’s lovely. The Porsche, you’d buy for the sportiness, but then since it has an auto, you lose a good deal of the sportiness.

  7. After learning more about jags since I picked up my XJ6…. I might piss some people off, but Jag inline 6s are better than the V12s. Sure, the v12 makes more power, and V12 sounds neat, but.. it’s a shittier experience overall. It doesn’t make THAT much more power, and the tradeoffs are not worth it. The wiring harness is in the valley, which means htey get fried/crispy/unreliable, service is a lot worse due to cramped engine compartment, etc etc etc.

    Jag made awesome inline 6s, and while they made a V12, it wasn’t a GOOD v12

    1. their inline sixes were considerably more reliable. the 12 was neat when not overheating and or missing, but in the long run Jaguar lived and in many peoples minds died on a straight six.

  8. I had a boss who had the six and then later ‘upgraded’ to the twelve. He regretted it. I got to drive both and agree. The only slightly lighter six still felt sportier. A better dancer.

  9. What’s the old adage? If you can’t afford a new German car, you can’t afford a used German car? (And this coming from a guy named Schneider.)

    Last week my brother sent me a Facebook Marketplace link to a used Z4. It looked like a good deal, until I pointed out it was probably due for a ton of (very expensive) maintenance, given the mileage.

    Jag it is.

  10. Speaking as a the owner of an older Jag with an inline-six, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and in fact it’s a lot more reliable (yes, I said it) than the V-12. I won’t deny the sexiness of the 12, but for a weekend cruiser the six will more than do the job and will be a lot less likely to break you financially. Now, truth be known I think if one were going to engage in this lunacy that finding a better example would be in order, even if it was slightly more expensive.

    I am much less fanatical about the manual vs. auto debate than most devotees of the row it yourself brigade, but there is simply no way I’d ever consider owning a Boxster with an autotragic (I should note from that era; I might be swayed by a modern PDK). Also IMS from that era?

  11. I kinda wanted to vote for the Jag, but the ad has a funny flipper feel to it. If it were legit, I’d probably go for it, but today it’s the cheap Porsche that needs some TLC.

  12. The Jag fits the purpose better. A nostalgic, quite elegant cruiser, not a hot rod, and I guess the I-6 is more livable in a semi daily situation. I have hearing loss, so I’d be missing the main point of a V12 anyway.
    I find no reason for a slush Porsche (unless you have some other disability).

        1. Years ago I had a customer with a very ratty E-type. Had a stroker V8 in it with matching 5-speed: “I got tired of all the problems the 12 had. Screw the purists: they can drive their own cars!”

          I respected him: that car was not a garage queen

  13. In terms of engine balance an I6 is as good as a V12, so I don’t see that as an issue.

    An automatic Porsche with a fragile engine give me the fear more than a Jag. But it’s close, because JLR reliability would also be a constant worry, and I’ve had two French cars and a pair of Lotuseses.

  14. Kind of tough – I like both of these and they’re right in my price range. That Jaaaaag was my initial first pick as I already have a couple of XJ6’s along with an XK8, and this would be a fun addition to that collection.

    But, the Porsche is much closer to where I live, has less miles, appears to be in better overall condition, includes less sketch in the add, and would make a wonderful and long-overdue replacement for my wife’s ’95 Escort.

    Reluctant vote for the Boxster.

  15. I’m going with the Porsche, though I can’t fault anyone wanting the Jag. Not being a convertible guy, the knowledge that I can find a hardtop for the Boxster pushes me towards it – plus I can be an irritant to the 911 owners in my local Porsche club (my neighbor with a 996.2 complains about the Boxster owners constantly, so I wouldn’t mind contributing to that). Were the XJS a hardtop it would get my vote, though I have to admit I like the pre-1991 (or ’92, I can’t remember) cars that still had framed side windows, as I just think it fits the overall ’70s design better than the smoothed windows.

  16. I really want to go with the Jag, but I want to know what it looks like now that it’s in South Carolina rather than what it looked like when it was in California. Those photos show California scenery, California plates, and a California Fast Pass doohickey. Too sketchy, so I’ll vote Boxster and look for twisty roads.

  17. Welp, I like the 4 speed auto in my K2500 well enough, and seeing as its the same trans as the Jag, I’ll take the Jag! I also adore the styling of the XJS. I’ve worked on two of the v12 cars, for me the 6 would be the preferred motivator.
    EDIT: The 6 cylinder cars don’t come with the 4l80E. ZF makes a pretty good transmission though, so I’ll still vote jag.

    1. Yeah, the ZF 4HP isn’t as tough as the 4L80E, but it is a smoother operator and has better gear ratios for a car. The 4L80E worked behind the V12s because the V12’s powerband allowed it to, but the 4L80E behind the I6 wouldn’t have made for a very fun or sporty driving experience.

  18. I voted Boxter because it would be a fun summer car to scoot around in, without making a huge statement. Yes, I’d prefer the manual, but that would likely take it to a price above what I’d be comfortable spending on a toy. The auto lowers the stakes, and would keep me from becoming too protective of it, lol.

    I grew up on the edge of a semi-affluent area. I remember these original Boxsters being very popular with yuppie doctors and lawyers.
    These were the archetypical ‘nice sports car’ when I was a kid, it makes me feel old and a bit sad seeing that once-new hotness reach true beater status. What do you mean a $5000 Porsche is no longer a 924?

    The Jaaag is realistically a much cooler vehicle, all about the flamboyant image. IMO the 6 vs 12cyl doesn’t really register for the beauties who might want to live out their neo-retro swimsuit dreams. The 6 probably makes it a lot easier to own. Ballin’ on a budget. Not my style, but it’s a fun ride.

    But for the love of god- (and I’m not religious) when a seller goes out of their way to mention a component is worn out and needs to or replaced, BELIEVE THEM. Hand-waving an expensive issue (the top) due to enthusiastic rose coloured glasses is naive used-car buying, 101!

  19. I’ll take the Boxster. I don’t like the auto and currently have a Boxster S with the 6 spd. But the main reason is that there are some shenanigans’ going on with the Jaguar. Those photos look a lot like Northern California. The ad says the mileage is 155k and the photo of the odometer shows 151,783. Also, it has no sound system and the seller copied straight from Wikipedia. I hate dealing with sketchy sellers.

    1. Been through South Carolina too many times and those photos are definitely not anywhere with a few hundred miles of Conway. Conway is near Myrtle Beach. As for the CAR itself, I want the Jag but yeah, sketchy seller.

      1. I’ve only spent time near Mt Pleasant and near Clemson. My wife’s got family out there. And I’ve only been to Myrtle Beach once. It wasn’t what I expected at all. If the seller had some good answers, I’d probably take the Jag. If it’s registered in California, it would actually make like easier for me and the straight six had a lot less issues than the V12. I would rather have it in green though, which is strange because I kind of enjoy a red convertible.

        1. We vacation on Hilton Head each winter if we can. Myrtle and the locale is … interesting … Much prefer the Wilmington NC area beaches. My company has a number of manufacturing facilities inland in NC, SC and GA that I make my rounds to.

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