Reasons why I should get an XJS?
Discussion
OK, so I have joined the JEC and have decided that for £5k I can do a lot worse than a facelift XJS.
Now my 5 year plan is to get a DB9 but in the interim I want a car that will not depreciate massively and should, in the ordinary course, cost more that £1500 per year to maintain.
So, can anyone give me good reasons to buy or should I just heed the warnings of the masses and run?
Adrian
Now my 5 year plan is to get a DB9 but in the interim I want a car that will not depreciate massively and should, in the ordinary course, cost more that £1500 per year to maintain.
So, can anyone give me good reasons to buy or should I just heed the warnings of the masses and run?
Adrian
A nice XJS is lovely but be warned, any old Jaguar can be a real money pit.
Not only that, but it can fall well short of the Grace Pace and Space you'd expect - even if you throw hundreds of pounds at it.
Suggest you look within the JEC classifieds, check out the forums and take your time finding a good one, and if you're not sure what you're doing try to find a local specalist to have a look at it for you.
A good one will value well and there seems to be a good market for them. The AJ6 and AJ16 engines are durable, as are the V12s but they must be properly maintained - which costs and is often neglected.
Expect problems with rust, electrics, water leaks and worn suspension with higher mileages, altghough the facelift models are considerably better made and more reliable
Even if it drives well and seems OK you could still find yourself spending a fortune on it at the next service or MOT.
The JEC has technicial experts who would offer advice on potential purchases too.
If you find a good one and take care of it you shouldn't loose much money when you sell it later on
Not only that, but it can fall well short of the Grace Pace and Space you'd expect - even if you throw hundreds of pounds at it.
Suggest you look within the JEC classifieds, check out the forums and take your time finding a good one, and if you're not sure what you're doing try to find a local specalist to have a look at it for you.
A good one will value well and there seems to be a good market for them. The AJ6 and AJ16 engines are durable, as are the V12s but they must be properly maintained - which costs and is often neglected.
Expect problems with rust, electrics, water leaks and worn suspension with higher mileages, altghough the facelift models are considerably better made and more reliable
Even if it drives well and seems OK you could still find yourself spending a fortune on it at the next service or MOT.
The JEC has technicial experts who would offer advice on potential purchases too.
If you find a good one and take care of it you shouldn't loose much money when you sell it later on
Triple7 said:
Jaguar steve said:
If you find a good one and take care of it you shouldn't loose much money when you sell it later on
It does seem a false economy to buy a car which won't depreciate much, but that you have to spend a small fortune on to keep running?G
said when I re-explained old Jaguarnomics to her half way through the second bottle of Merlot.Jaguar steve said:
Triple7 said:
Jaguar steve said:
If you find a good one and take care of it you shouldn't loose much money when you sell it later on
It does seem a false economy to buy a car which won't depreciate much, but that you have to spend a small fortune on to keep running?G
said when I re-explained old Jaguarnomics to her half way through the second bottle of Merlot.
G
Well now. I spent £3,800 on an XJS and just sold it for £500 (sob).
You can keep a good one going for under £1,000 a year easy if you use a decent independant specialist - I paid under £400 for a full servide with all the bits and bobs.
All the suspention joints will need attention sooner or later, so if it ain't been done yet...
Some parts are expensive which can turn a small prang into a wallet-crusher - lights and bumpers!
Light steering takes away a bit of the driving fun unless you like the 'waftiness'.
If water gets in then don't buy it - unless it is from the door seals or AC unit (usually just blocked drain tubes). If it is getting in throught the ventillation grill under the windscreen then that is a huge job the fix. The facelift ones are generally fairly rust-proof though.
As with all older posh cars there is the lottery risk that something horribly expensive will go wrong (arrrrgh, sob again). There are too many about for it to hold its money nicely, maybe in 10 years when all the badly maintained ones have died and people realise what a truly beautiful car it is.
You can keep a good one going for under £1,000 a year easy if you use a decent independant specialist - I paid under £400 for a full servide with all the bits and bobs.
All the suspention joints will need attention sooner or later, so if it ain't been done yet...
Some parts are expensive which can turn a small prang into a wallet-crusher - lights and bumpers!
Light steering takes away a bit of the driving fun unless you like the 'waftiness'.
If water gets in then don't buy it - unless it is from the door seals or AC unit (usually just blocked drain tubes). If it is getting in throught the ventillation grill under the windscreen then that is a huge job the fix. The facelift ones are generally fairly rust-proof though.
As with all older posh cars there is the lottery risk that something horribly expensive will go wrong (arrrrgh, sob again). There are too many about for it to hold its money nicely, maybe in 10 years when all the badly maintained ones have died and people realise what a truly beautiful car it is.
Edited by cml on Wednesday 23 January 21:56
Triple7 said:
Jaguar steve said:
Triple7 said:
Jaguar steve said:
If you find a good one and take care of it you shouldn't loose much money when you sell it later on
It does seem a false economy to buy a car which won't depreciate much, but that you have to spend a small fortune on to keep running?G
said when I re-explained old Jaguarnomics to her half way through the second bottle of Merlot.G
I did massive research (sound like somebody we know?) on XJS models before my purchase. It is true that the models from 1993 and on are miles ahead in quality and reliability as Ford paid to sort some recurring problems. My 1995 has the AJ16 and rustproofing. She is purring along just fine! 
Ahh Adrian old chum, sounds to me like you are looking for a Le Mans mobile
Have always had a bit of soft spot for the XJS, however never quite bitten the bullet, mainly for fear that I would actually end up hating them after having owned one. Hand on heart whilst I would love to say you should jump in, I suspect there are more fun cars out there to be had and that will also offer less potential for heartache.
Have always had a bit of soft spot for the XJS, however never quite bitten the bullet, mainly for fear that I would actually end up hating them after having owned one. Hand on heart whilst I would love to say you should jump in, I suspect there are more fun cars out there to be had and that will also offer less potential for heartache.
touching cloth said:
Ahh Adrian old chum, sounds to me like you are looking for a Le Mans mobile
Have always had a bit of soft spot for the XJS, however never quite bitten the bullet, mainly for fear that I would actually end up hating them after having owned one. Hand on heart whilst I would love to say you should jump in, I suspect there are more fun cars out there to be had and that will also offer less potential for heartache.
True TC but I am a glutton for punishment!Have always had a bit of soft spot for the XJS, however never quite bitten the bullet, mainly for fear that I would actually end up hating them after having owned one. Hand on heart whilst I would love to say you should jump in, I suspect there are more fun cars out there to be had and that will also offer less potential for heartache.
Ok, slight change of heart and I know say go for it...well maybe go for it. Just seen that in the classifieds and I have to say it looks effing cool, bang on budget too 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/337532.htm
One other thing I did come up with last night was a 928. Looky here
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/341472.htm
It ain't gonna be cheap to run either though
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/337532.htm
One other thing I did come up with last night was a 928. Looky here
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/341472.htm
It ain't gonna be cheap to run either though
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