XJS - Which one?
Discussion
Hi all, I am looking for some help with a potential purchase. I have always yearned for a XJS, & now my age is clocking up (58 same as my partner), we would like a useable classic for weekend runs, shows & events, & see it as a perfect time to try these beautiful cars. I have owned 3 Jags in the past, a Series 11 4.2 XJ6 about 30 years ago, a XJR about 8 years ago & a S Type 3.0 manual about 5 years ago, & have to confess to loving the bones of them (should that be chassis)?
We have an Astra van for mundane duties, a MR2 Roadster that is an everyday car for nipping around, & feel that the time is right to experience & hopefully keep one of these cars for a long time.
We have no interest in the soft top or cabriolet, much preferring the coupe, but have no idea whether to look at older cars or the newer 4 litre/6 litre jobbies. Left to my own devices I would no doubt go for a V12, but I understand that might not be the most sensible of moves. If it comes down to early cars we prefer the lighter colours, I think the back lights look more elegant than the later back light treatment that stretches right across the rear, but then again that arrangement works better with darker colours.
Does anyone have any pointers to offer, i.e. what to look for, best engine, is a manual box totally no cricket old boy, common problems, are they all ruinous etc?
Budget will be from say 8k to a max of 11k, are they all rotten at this price point?
I can do some spannering myself, but I also have a good independent guy who has looked after a lot of my cars with jobs I can't handle & I trust his work & his ability to not rape my wallet!
If anyone has any info I would be very grateful.
Brook.
We have an Astra van for mundane duties, a MR2 Roadster that is an everyday car for nipping around, & feel that the time is right to experience & hopefully keep one of these cars for a long time.
We have no interest in the soft top or cabriolet, much preferring the coupe, but have no idea whether to look at older cars or the newer 4 litre/6 litre jobbies. Left to my own devices I would no doubt go for a V12, but I understand that might not be the most sensible of moves. If it comes down to early cars we prefer the lighter colours, I think the back lights look more elegant than the later back light treatment that stretches right across the rear, but then again that arrangement works better with darker colours.
Does anyone have any pointers to offer, i.e. what to look for, best engine, is a manual box totally no cricket old boy, common problems, are they all ruinous etc?
Budget will be from say 8k to a max of 11k, are they all rotten at this price point?
I can do some spannering myself, but I also have a good independent guy who has looked after a lot of my cars with jobs I can't handle & I trust his work & his ability to not rape my wallet!
If anyone has any info I would be very grateful.
Brook.
tortop45 said:
Which one.
One with the least amount of rust as possible.Pre HE manual........
Yes, indeedy, but are there any left? If you can find a really good, worthwhile example, it will be mega money. One with the least amount of rust as possible.Pre HE manual........I agree that is definitely the ultimate XJS, in its purest form, but a very late (obviously manual gearbox) example is still not really regarded as a valuable "classic" and there are one or two about and still very good value.
Speedracer, it's probably not really what you're looking for but I will be selling my XJ-S very shortly, it's a 1987 V12 HE coupe, 85k on the clock and rust free. I've done a huge amount of work to it and though it's not perfect, it really is a nice example compared to the vast majority out there. At the Jaguar Sunday Service I was amazed how much better it was than the other examples there. I'll be looking for around 5k. Don't listen to all the doom and gloom stories, they were and still are a fantastic car and it's been a pleasure to own.
Certainly, here we are:
I have an enormous stack of invoices and history from previous owners, everything is there. In my ownership I've done many bits and pieces to it including:
New front shocks.
Full new stainless exhaust system including Y pipes.
Some welding on OSR sill and arch to tidy up a crusty patch that was developing.
New fuel filter and pump.
New headlining and a good leather clean and condition inside. It doesn't have the usual tatty torn seat bolster etc.
Engine service including those dreaded spark plugs and leads!
New front discs and pads.
New front polybushed ARB drop links.
New gearbox mounting bush and spring.
Complete rear IRS refurbishment to as new standard, refurbished and plated callipers including new pistons, new brakes and lines, trunnion bearings, refurbished hubs, radius arms, and rubber V mounts. As I'm sure you can imagine this ended up costing me a small fortune.
Whilst I was under there doing the work I stripped back all of the old underseal and applied lashings of fresh waxoyl, cleaning and painting the floor/boot heat shield.
Let me know your thoughts, it's been cared for unlike many others. My apologies for hijacking the thread to some degree!
I have an enormous stack of invoices and history from previous owners, everything is there. In my ownership I've done many bits and pieces to it including:
New front shocks.
Full new stainless exhaust system including Y pipes.
Some welding on OSR sill and arch to tidy up a crusty patch that was developing.
New fuel filter and pump.
New headlining and a good leather clean and condition inside. It doesn't have the usual tatty torn seat bolster etc.
Engine service including those dreaded spark plugs and leads!
New front discs and pads.
New front polybushed ARB drop links.
New gearbox mounting bush and spring.
Complete rear IRS refurbishment to as new standard, refurbished and plated callipers including new pistons, new brakes and lines, trunnion bearings, refurbished hubs, radius arms, and rubber V mounts. As I'm sure you can imagine this ended up costing me a small fortune.
Whilst I was under there doing the work I stripped back all of the old underseal and applied lashings of fresh waxoyl, cleaning and painting the floor/boot heat shield.
Let me know your thoughts, it's been cared for unlike many others. My apologies for hijacking the thread to some degree!
Hi LewG, looking at your pictures it certainly is interesting, do you have any interior pictures please?
When you say shortly when do you think you will be ready to sell?
I was probably looking to buy in 6 or 8 weeks or so rather than now as my partner is moving in with me & we have a lot to do, selling her house which is over an hour from me & decorating and the like, so would that timeline fit in with your thinking?
When you say shortly when do you think you will be ready to sell?
I was probably looking to buy in 6 or 8 weeks or so rather than now as my partner is moving in with me & we have a lot to do, selling her house which is over an hour from me & decorating and the like, so would that timeline fit in with your thinking?
That would be perfect timing, I'm in no rush and really going to struggle to see it go but new toys and all that!
Here's a few I have to hand, not the best but I can get more if need be:
As you can see it's tidy underneath and the exhaust looks rather lovely now it's gained a bit of colour!
Here's a few I have to hand, not the best but I can get more if need be:
As you can see it's tidy underneath and the exhaust looks rather lovely now it's gained a bit of colour!
Thanks for the pictures, it certainly does look like a good one. I went to look at 3 yesterday that are in a local auction later this month & from what I can see yours knocks them for 6.
If you prefer we can talk privately about this but I am very serious about this & even though I can't buy right this minute I would like to view the car any weekend to suit you & if a sale suits us both then perhaps a gentlemans agreement & a deposit could reserve the car until we are both ready?
Brook.
If you prefer we can talk privately about this but I am very serious about this & even though I can't buy right this minute I would like to view the car any weekend to suit you & if a sale suits us both then perhaps a gentlemans agreement & a deposit could reserve the car until we are both ready?
Brook.
At this point a lot of the "Crap" ones have gone to the scrap yard in the Sky. 3.6 manual is a completely different car to the 6.0l but a good one is great fun.
If you can get one like Lew's then you are half way there as good XJS owners look after their cars.
Dealers are now starting to chance their arm with prices in excess of £20k.
The later models have the outboard brakes which are a little easier to maintain and some improvements to rust prevention etc but there is a different feel to the later "Ford" improved cars and personally although I have had a car made as late as June 96 I prefer the older ones.
If you can get one like Lew's then you are half way there as good XJS owners look after their cars.
Dealers are now starting to chance their arm with prices in excess of £20k.
The later models have the outboard brakes which are a little easier to maintain and some improvements to rust prevention etc but there is a different feel to the later "Ford" improved cars and personally although I have had a car made as late as June 96 I prefer the older ones.
Edited by johnxjsc1985 on Tuesday 14th April 21:38
That sounds good to me Brook, just let me know when you have a free day and I'll be around. There are a few last niggly little jobs I'd like to sort on it so your timescale sounds super as it means there's no hurry.
Hooli you're too kind! As John quite rightly says you need to find one that's had TLC right the way through its life. The second owner of mine from 1990-99 was the managing director of Rolls Royce diesel engines, he obviously lavished a lot of money on it in his ownership and I doubt it'd be in as good condition today if it wasn't for him.
Hooli you're too kind! As John quite rightly says you need to find one that's had TLC right the way through its life. The second owner of mine from 1990-99 was the managing director of Rolls Royce diesel engines, he obviously lavished a lot of money on it in his ownership and I doubt it'd be in as good condition today if it wasn't for him.
What a lovely thread! Isn't it nice when thing work out? With all the usual PH piss-taking and bo||ox that seems to be regarded now as the "norm", here is a thread started by an enthusiast, replied to by enthusiasts, and (hopefully) with a result that will keep both enthusiasts, err.., enthusiastic!
What a breath of fresh air. This is the real PH!
What a breath of fresh air. This is the real PH!
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