buying an XJS ... stupid idea?
Discussion
Am on the lookout for a new motor. I'd initially been thinking of something fairly modern. But got thinking yesterday about whether a modern-classic might be fun for a change. Perhaps an old Mercedes SL...or a Jag XJS.
The XJS has never had the best of reputations as far as reliability is concerned, with the newest ones getting on for 20yrs old, I fear owning one of these has the potential to be real headache.
I was wondering if anyone has first hand experience of running one of these over recent years, and if so what was their experience. Is it a car you're going to have to get wax-oiled every year and constantly take for fettling at the local specialist?
While I like the idea of a modern classic, I don't really want to be driving around waiting/expecting something to break and leave me standed!
If I were to go down the XJS route, it'd probably be a 4.0 Celebration 1995/96 model.
Thanks in advance for any help. All best
The XJS has never had the best of reputations as far as reliability is concerned, with the newest ones getting on for 20yrs old, I fear owning one of these has the potential to be real headache.
I was wondering if anyone has first hand experience of running one of these over recent years, and if so what was their experience. Is it a car you're going to have to get wax-oiled every year and constantly take for fettling at the local specialist?
While I like the idea of a modern classic, I don't really want to be driving around waiting/expecting something to break and leave me standed!
If I were to go down the XJS route, it'd probably be a 4.0 Celebration 1995/96 model.
Thanks in advance for any help. All best
No first hand experience, but I did do some research a while ago on these and it suggested the later ones were a petty good buy. Obviously, you would need to do the usual checks for rust etc, but the 4 litre unit is very robust. If I was in the market for one of these, I would go for a superb well looked after example with a good dealer/Indy service history. They still look fantastic these days though.
Without wishing to hijack the thread and sorry if it breaks forum rules but I've just posted mine for sale on PH classifieds, it's the red one in Kent. Even if this one's not for you I'd be happy to show you round it and share my experiences on looking for one and what to look out for. I was considering XJS/928/SL/6 series so probably in a similar situation to you. As mentioned, and as with any 20 year old car, rust can be the killer as at current prices they can be uneconomical to repair if rotten. I would also recommend getting a specialist to look over any potential purchase. If you go to Clarkes XJS website they have a buyers guide and more detail on what to look for, I looked at quite a few before deciding to buy one from Clarkes, it was a bit more than others but I had reassurance there were no nasties on the immediate horizon. I think that any 20 year old car is going to require a bit of attention every now and then compared to a new car whatever you decide to go for.
Cheers, Kitsell
Cheers, Kitsell
I've had mine 5 months and done about 1200 miles in it. It's always started first time and hasn't let me down, I use it mainly as a weekend car to visit family or for the odd drive without the kids (isofix chairs don't fit in the back). I check the fluids regularly but it hasn't used any oil in the time I've had it. I've just ordered a sun visor clip as one has broken (£5) but other than that it hasn't cost me a penny other than fuel (I am now touching lots of wood). The ride is vey comfy, particularly compared to more modern cars with big wheels, low profile tyres etc and you tend to take it easy and float along. Whilst you can get it to move quite quickly I don't think it suits the car, it's far more a GT than a sports car. I think it's a grower, the looks get better, it's comfortable, it's got a surprisingly big boot. The AJ16 engine was used in the X300 XJ6 for years and has proved reliable in the main. I would change the stereo if I was keeping it though, although it has the factory fit Alpine unit, it's frankly not all that. It's a lovely 'modern classic' that gets loads of positive comments.
I'm selling this and my other toy (Merc S211 E55k) to help fund a house purchase and child care costs, both that I knew were coming but wasn't expecting the house until late next year but Mrs K has changed the schedule and I know better than to argue so the toys have to go.
I'm selling this and my other toy (Merc S211 E55k) to help fund a house purchase and child care costs, both that I knew were coming but wasn't expecting the house until late next year but Mrs K has changed the schedule and I know better than to argue so the toys have to go.
Edited by kitsell on Tuesday 11th March 22:59
mdowning said:
Why did you not pursue in the end Pete?
I agree with your comment about getting one checked out. Are there recommended XJS pre-purchase inspection specialists? I've done a bit of google searching, and other than Les Paul, can't see many.
I was looking for a while for a good late model, but they were going for silly money at the time. In the end I bought a tidy X300. I rid take a nice 3.6 XJS for a test drive and it went really well, but the guy wouldn't budge on the price. The X300 was a great car though.I agree with your comment about getting one checked out. Are there recommended XJS pre-purchase inspection specialists? I've done a bit of google searching, and other than Les Paul, can't see many.
I have a 1990 6.0 V12 model which I've owned for around 4 years. It has never broken down or failed to start - in fact there have been a number of occasions where I ran it as a daily car because my modern, sensible reliable everyday car had broken down (again). It gets well looked after, the two key things being keeping on top of preventative maintenance and making sure the car gets regular use. They don't take well to sitting idle. Luckily parts aren't stupid prices and are readily available, with a good network of new and used part suppliers in the UK.
I've no real rocket science revelations to share, just buy the best you can afford, and definitely get it checked prior to purchase. A good one is a delight, a bad one is ruinous! It would be a good idea to find a good Jag indy garage in your area first, pop by and speak to them. They may know of a customer who is selling (and they'll likely have a good idea of if the car is any good or not), and if you get them involved from the start by getting them to do the inspection on any car you might find, if they find any minor faults they can advise what repairs will cost so you have that info when negotiating the price of the car.
Where abouts are you living?
I've no real rocket science revelations to share, just buy the best you can afford, and definitely get it checked prior to purchase. A good one is a delight, a bad one is ruinous! It would be a good idea to find a good Jag indy garage in your area first, pop by and speak to them. They may know of a customer who is selling (and they'll likely have a good idea of if the car is any good or not), and if you get them involved from the start by getting them to do the inspection on any car you might find, if they find any minor faults they can advise what repairs will cost so you have that info when negotiating the price of the car.
Where abouts are you living?
I see a G reg XJS in our village quite a bit, seems to be a weekend toy. Gets parked outside during the week (albeit usually blocked in by a hatchback type thing), and when I saw it on the street looked in pretty good condition.
I suspect that if you find one where the owner has put money into preventative maintenance, e.g. waxoyled on a regular basis, serviced at a sensible interval, and generally looked underneath reasonably often it will be fine.
Course, find one that they've ignored it and where the rust has got a good grip, and you're going to be looking at a proper wallet-f
ker.
I suspect that if you find one where the owner has put money into preventative maintenance, e.g. waxoyled on a regular basis, serviced at a sensible interval, and generally looked underneath reasonably often it will be fine.
Course, find one that they've ignored it and where the rust has got a good grip, and you're going to be looking at a proper wallet-f
ker.I did something very similar a couple of years ago. I bought one of the last 4.0 Celebrations with 50K miles on the clock. Has been a great buy, very reliable. Bought it from Racing Green near Aldershot who regularly have examples for sale. Have had all the suspension bushes replaced (essential you look after these) Have also changed the shock absorbers to Koni, fitted a rear anti roll bar, replaced the wheel bearing, brake discs and calipers. Also fitted a new headlining unit as this is one of the first things to fail. Swapped the radio for an Alpine unit with built in phone and facility. Company called KWE just outside Newbury specialises in carrying out complete refurbishments of XJS's and also have various upgrade options. As long as you keep on top of any maintenance item this is a great car and very comfortable. Can easily cruise at 3 figure numbers.
As has been said before, buy the best you can afford. Mine is a pre-facelift 5.3 and so far mechanically it's been perfect. They are a lovely car to waft about in and can more than stretch their legs when needed. Don't expect a sports car because that it really isn't. The straight six models are definitely the more sensible choice, in particular the later 4.0s.
Had mine for three years now and it's been a joy. She's a facelifted 4.0 - a wafter rather than a charger but it's an absolutely splendid place to be.
Running costs aren't too bad - it's averaging just over 20MPG and I don't do more than about 5-6k miles per year. Service parts are easy to find and not too expensive. It's an old car though so some body parts are hard to find and keeping on top of rust is an absolute must. Mine had a partial strip back and respray earlier this year - find a local specialist who knows the cars is the best advice I can give. The worst that has occurred on mine (and the reason for the strip and spray) is rust around the windscreen that meant it was permanently damp inside - welding and a replacement screen rubber did the trick. She lived outside for a while under a Stormforce cover but I now rent a garage ... a must really.
As above buy the best you can and get it checked out in advance and you should be fine. They are still relatively cheap so set yourself a budget that gets you a good one and leaves you enough for ongoing maintenance.
Classis insurance is reasonable as well.
Running costs aren't too bad - it's averaging just over 20MPG and I don't do more than about 5-6k miles per year. Service parts are easy to find and not too expensive. It's an old car though so some body parts are hard to find and keeping on top of rust is an absolute must. Mine had a partial strip back and respray earlier this year - find a local specialist who knows the cars is the best advice I can give. The worst that has occurred on mine (and the reason for the strip and spray) is rust around the windscreen that meant it was permanently damp inside - welding and a replacement screen rubber did the trick. She lived outside for a while under a Stormforce cover but I now rent a garage ... a must really.
As above buy the best you can and get it checked out in advance and you should be fine. They are still relatively cheap so set yourself a budget that gets you a good one and leaves you enough for ongoing maintenance.
Classis insurance is reasonable as well.
Had mine for three years now and it's been a joy. She's a facelifted 4.0 - a wafter rather than a charger but it's an absolutely splendid place to be.
Running costs aren't too bad - it's averaging just over 20MPG and I don't do more than about 5-6k miles per year. Service parts are easy to find and not too expensive. It's an old car though so some body parts are hard to find and keeping on top of rust is an absolute must. Mine had a partial strip back and respray earlier this year - find a local specialist who knows the cars is the best advice I can give. The worst that has occurred on mine (and the reason for the strip and spray) is rust around the windscreen that meant it was permanently damp inside - welding and a replacement screen rubber did the trick. She lived outside for a while under a Stormforce cover but I now rent a garage ... a must really.
As above buy the best you can and get it checked out in advance and you should be fine. They are still relatively cheap so set yourself a budget that gets you a good one and leaves you enough for ongoing maintenance.
Classis insurance is reasonable as well.
Running costs aren't too bad - it's averaging just over 20MPG and I don't do more than about 5-6k miles per year. Service parts are easy to find and not too expensive. It's an old car though so some body parts are hard to find and keeping on top of rust is an absolute must. Mine had a partial strip back and respray earlier this year - find a local specialist who knows the cars is the best advice I can give. The worst that has occurred on mine (and the reason for the strip and spray) is rust around the windscreen that meant it was permanently damp inside - welding and a replacement screen rubber did the trick. She lived outside for a while under a Stormforce cover but I now rent a garage ... a must really.
As above buy the best you can and get it checked out in advance and you should be fine. They are still relatively cheap so set yourself a budget that gets you a good one and leaves you enough for ongoing maintenance.
Classis insurance is reasonable as well.
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