I actually had an 88, but the car was missing from the list, 1990 was the closest.

The car in and of itself is beautiful. The lines are great, a definite improvement from the 1987.
The acceleration is a little lacking, It could have used a V8. The 1988 was one of the Last Models before Ford Purchased it - and now sold it to Tata (ewww - have you seen the new Tata cars??? yuck! - but i digress). THe braking and handling and ride were second to none. The car was SOLID and very safe.

Electonics were a mess, there was ALWAYS a bulb failure, and something somewhere was frying. Changing a headlight was also a 2 hour chore. YOu gotta remove part of the grill... Really???  But then 80s european cars were not highly noted for having good electronic systems in them.

Anytime you had to repair something, you were looking at spending an arm and a leg on the parts alone. Case in point new rear suspension $2000 if you kept the automatic ride leveling system or $750 if you removed it.

Would I ever get this car again... absolutely!

This Classic has won Best in Class 3 years in a row at the Jaguar Club of Houston Annual concours

The 4ltrs-engine is not the most powerful way to drive a jag, but enough to make relaxed 200km/h without overusing the engine. Anyway the XJ will never be a sportscar... but an eye-catcher! You don't drive, you glide! Girls will always love it.. if it's a new one or an old one... it is a Jag and you will never be judged as snobby, but as classy! The daimler-interiour is just great with the wooden tables in the back, all the lights etc. Handle engine careful if cold.

I like it

This is a rare V12 with 300 horse power.  It is a 1988 Series III V12 Vanden Plas imported from Canada -- one of the last of the Series III XJ's before they changed the body style. It has an incredible ride and effortless power.  Not a dragster by any means but cruises along the highway with ablomp.  It has beautiful wood trim, Connelly leather, and lambswool rugs.