Am I mad? Considering a Jaguar XJS..........
Discussion
Since way back when I was a lad I've always wanted an XJS but never taken the plunge.
I'm considering a 1991 facelift 4.0 coupe, 85k on clock and in great condition, lovely colour combination of Kingfisher blue with magnolia hide.
Have done my research and the price is right for the car.
It would be used mainly as a weekend car.
Am I mad to consider a 20 year old possible money pit?
I'm considering a 1991 facelift 4.0 coupe, 85k on clock and in great condition, lovely colour combination of Kingfisher blue with magnolia hide.
Have done my research and the price is right for the car.
It would be used mainly as a weekend car.
Am I mad to consider a 20 year old possible money pit?
Ade07 said:
Since way back when I was a lad I've always wanted an XJS but never taken the plunge.
I'm considering a 1991 facelift 4.0 coupe, 85k on clock and in great condition, lovely colour combination of Kingfisher blue with magnolia hide.
Have done my research and the price is right for the car.
It would be used mainly as a weekend car.
Am I mad to consider a 20 year old possible money pit?
Not at all. If it is in good condition, there is no reason why it should be a money pit. The 4 litre engine is tremendously strong, as is the transmision. 85,000 miles is not a problem for them mechanically, it should have many years left in it. The 4 litre is far more economical than the V12; I average 22-23 ish running round in my XJ40, I don't see why an XJ-S should be different.I'm considering a 1991 facelift 4.0 coupe, 85k on clock and in great condition, lovely colour combination of Kingfisher blue with magnolia hide.
Have done my research and the price is right for the car.
It would be used mainly as a weekend car.
Am I mad to consider a 20 year old possible money pit?
My knowledge is of the XJ40 rather than the XJ-S, but I would have thought the main problem to look out for on them is rust. The XJ-S can rust terribly badly. If you have found a rust free one, I say buy it!! They're lovely cars.
This one appears to be a reoccurring theme on this forum. Go for it - you only live... etc etc
Text from my profile on my old car:
A late 4.0 manual. It has taken 20 years for the design to mature, but now I think it looks fabulous.
Good
Wooosh! It sweeps along nicely.
Looks cool and classy.
Leather and wood.
You don't have to change down for hills.
You get let out of junctions.
Eats long journeys.
I feel like a gentleman in it.
Bad
Light steering lacks feel.
Drinks a lot of petrol.
Sticks out of parking bays.
If she starts to spin, she probably will.
The clutch is pretty heavy.
Rust where you can't fix it cheaply!
Update
A snapped oil pump chain sends it to the scrapyard in the sky (sob).
Text from my profile on my old car:
A late 4.0 manual. It has taken 20 years for the design to mature, but now I think it looks fabulous.
Good
Wooosh! It sweeps along nicely.
Looks cool and classy.
Leather and wood.
You don't have to change down for hills.
You get let out of junctions.
Eats long journeys.
I feel like a gentleman in it.
Bad
Light steering lacks feel.
Drinks a lot of petrol.
Sticks out of parking bays.
If she starts to spin, she probably will.
The clutch is pretty heavy.
Rust where you can't fix it cheaply!
Update
A snapped oil pump chain sends it to the scrapyard in the sky (sob).
I'd love to have one of these. My passion for Jaguars started with the XJS. I love the blue with magnolia hide and blue piping. hmmmmmmmm 
I too wondered about getting one of these until a friend who ran them said, they are true 'grand tourers', in that every time he went out in his it cost him a grand.
Go for it.
I too wondered about getting one of these until a friend who ran them said, they are true 'grand tourers', in that every time he went out in his it cost him a grand.
Go for it.
I loved my late 4.0 (Celebration) coupe. Admittedly things have moved on a bit in the intervening years, but it was a great car back then. No-one could compare it to current models on most dynamic metrics because that would be totally unfair, as with any older car, but I loved the interior and exterior styling, good performance and very respectable economy for what it was. It was better in every respect than the 3.6 coupe I had previously. I'm probably biased but both of mine were blue with magnolia/blue piping, and it really suits the car.
The only caveat as with any older car is to buy wisely. That usually means paying top dollar for a car you know is A1, or buying at the cheap end in the knowledge that it will need money spending, but you will know afterwards everything is sorted. As I discovered with my '65 Mustang it's very easy to spend a lot more than the car is worth, but if you love the car, that's not so hard to justify. The danger with buying in the middle of the price range is that you could get lucky or unlucky with what needs doing, as you can't know everything about the condition. On the other hand, I'm sure there are still plenty of sound cherished examples out there to be found, maybe the one you are looking at is one of them.
The only caveat as with any older car is to buy wisely. That usually means paying top dollar for a car you know is A1, or buying at the cheap end in the knowledge that it will need money spending, but you will know afterwards everything is sorted. As I discovered with my '65 Mustang it's very easy to spend a lot more than the car is worth, but if you love the car, that's not so hard to justify. The danger with buying in the middle of the price range is that you could get lucky or unlucky with what needs doing, as you can't know everything about the condition. On the other hand, I'm sure there are still plenty of sound cherished examples out there to be found, maybe the one you are looking at is one of them.
Saw a lovely later XJS convertible in the Warwick Services on the M40 on Sunday lunch timeish. Reminded me how badly I want one. The Mrs was cooing over it too, only she thinks I should sell the XK150 to before I buy one.
Why doesn't she understand I have NAJS (Need Another Jaguar Syndrome), I can't see its really any different to her regularly needing another handbag.
Why doesn't she understand I have NAJS (Need Another Jaguar Syndrome), I can't see its really any different to her regularly needing another handbag.
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...
I know she has expensive tastes in handbags but I don't think she'll wear that argument.
Yes I know there are cheaper ones around, but decent Celebration Convertibles seem to be at least 15K.
I know she has expensive tastes in handbags but I don't think she'll wear that argument.
Yes I know there are cheaper ones around, but decent Celebration Convertibles seem to be at least 15K.
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