RE: Shed Of The Week

Friday 22nd February 2008

SOTW: Jag XJS V12

V12 for under £1000? You'd better keep your fingers crossed.


If you know anyone who used to sell cars, they always have a story to tell about any car you care to name. Sadly I’m no exception.

When I worked at a Mercedes dealer in the mid 90s, my Dealer Principle used to buy in various cars from trader mates to put on the forecourt. We had 928s, 308s and the odd Volvo T5 (and even a flood damaged Probe at one point), but the best one was a burgundy XJS V12.

I had always loved these cars, but had never even sat in one, let alone driven one so Ieagerly jumped in when it arrived to take it round to the valeting bay- via the dual carriageway. I was instantly surprised with how small it was inside, and how the car felt like it was from a different era, although at that time it was still a fairly new car. I loved it regardless, and rushed outside to greet any potential punter in the hope I could sell it.

One bloke, a doctor from Peterborough, took it out for a test drive on a wet Saturday afternoon and as it needed some fuel we went to the local petrol station. On the way out he was waiting to turn right, spotted a gap in the traffic and booted it on full right hand lock, we spun round 180 degrees and blocked the road. He didn't buy it, and I got told off by my DP for not controlling the test drive. In fact, we actually ended up trading the car out again as we couldn’t sell it.

Have a look at this example I found on Auto Trader, yes you would need to have lady luck on your side if you were to buy this car, coupled with deep pockets, but can you feel the urge to buy? I can- especially as it reminds me so vividly of the story above.

£999 for 12 cylinders and 5.3 litres? It doesn’t get better than that does it? It may need 'some tlc' but I would be happy to fettle this over a few months to get it up and running again. Take a look at the engine bay - there isn't space left for anything else in there - can you imagine trying to diagnose any faults?

That’s where my dream bubble bursts. I imagine myself sitting in a warm garage cleaning a bit here, replacing a part there and then firing it up and burbling down the road. In reality, I don’t have the skills, nor the aforementioned deep pockets needed to complete this job, and it would slowly rust away outside my house.

Someone who has the skills should snap this one up though, it doesn't look too bad and it may be a simple enough job to complete. Yes there are cheaper cars out there, but I think this one still has some life left in it. If you do take the plunge, please let me know and I’ll pop round and help you put it back on the road.

Advert says: 1986 Jaguar XJS 5.3 V12 HE, Automatic, 84,495 miles, burgundy red with doeskin leather interior, Mot Oct 2008, e/sunroof, p/windows, repainted alloys and nearly new tyres, twin h/light conversion, excellent running condition, appreciating classic, enthusiast owned and maintained, partial running restoration carried out, see pictures, present owner 4 years, needs some tlc hence low price. £999









 

Author
Discussion

Steameh

Original Poster:

3,155 posts

209 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
Blimey, someones up early.

Nothing says opulence more than a big old jag. Saw one earlier parked up near the university, and out of a carpark full of new BMW's, Mercs and the odd Evo the only car that drew the attention of everyone I was with was the jag.


hardcorehobbit

1,103 posts

194 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
Such a gorgeous car. Makes me sad that I'm younger than that, and nothing the same will ever be made again. I'd love to keep something like that on the road, but I wouldn't have the first clue where to start.

And with the current insurance climate, it would cost me about 4 million pounds to drive every foot.


Someone buy it.

Gretchen

18,998 posts

215 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
Ad said:
Nearly new tyres
On just the two present wheels?

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
I'm stting myself of the bills just looking at the photots

lovely cars but a money pit one and all

Sciroccology

29,908 posts

229 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
Would really, really love one, but couldn't afford one.

When I was working as a lowly van driver/storeman for a software company in Hemel in the early '90s, the MD had one of these in BRG. I was given the "chore" of taking it to the Jag dealer (Merritts in Amersham, IIRC). Wow, what a drive. Very "snug" inside though.


Saw an old Top Gear recently where Mr May was driving an updated XJS, with new electricals, suspension etc. Done by some company in the West Country, I think. Not cheap though.

mikeyjag

2 posts

193 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
you are all wrong with respect, I only work on the underground rail and I own a 1990 he v12 and a 1988 v12 convertible, if you do your homework as with any car you wont end up with a dog, h.e cost £1200 60k miles gorgeous insur 6k per annum = £200, same for convert.independent garage service is £350, run the h.e weekly 20 to the gallon but not around town 16 then, had it a year not cost a penny yet, the convertible cost £4000 spent £700 to get minor work done, buy one, but go with someone who knows them inside out

mrobin33

930 posts

223 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
I bought one on impulse on ebay last year for £1600 and scrapped it for £600 within a month. Garage said it looked like it had been parked in the sea for a while judging by the rot in the subframes etc which cost a lot to replace. My fault, let heart rule the head. Wife highly amused as you can imagine. Will go back for more at a future date - but will check it out first and spend a more to get a good example. Still one of the best cars you can get in my view.

MitchT

15,789 posts

208 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
I've always wanted one of those... but the mere thought of the running costs makes my wallet shudder! It's a shame 'cause I could easily afford the price of a stunner, but I just daren't do it. In fact, I'd love an XK8, but they scare me too!

markh1

2,845 posts

208 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
My friend is completely rebuilding a 3.6 straight six into a track day car....cage stripped out, buckets etc etc It is going to be painted in the silk cut colours should be good when up and running but it has taken a lot of work replacing head gasket, rebuilding the sub frames etc

fatboy b

9,492 posts

215 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
Inboard rear discs. You need a hell of a sense of humour to work on those!

NiallOswald

326 posts

205 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
A girl (!) turned up to one of my exams last year in an XJS. Cool, cool car.

hirsty27

506 posts

197 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
I was really interested in this story until I heard the word 'Automatic'......byebye



Edited by hirsty27 on Friday 22 February 08:56

hellrot_e34

348 posts

225 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
money pit.

Muzzer

3,814 posts

220 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
My Dad had a red XJS V12 in the late 80's/early 90's. Fabulous car but his was a little in need of TLC.

The guy he bought it off had some cash - the private plate on it was worth more than the car - but my lasting memories are of sitting in cracked leather seats willing my Dad to give it berries and drop that cigar shaped gear lever...

He flogged it in the end because it dropped a valve. He was a pro mechanic and owned a petrol station (hence the V12 hehe) but even he opened the bonnet and thought "S0d that.."

AlexKP

16,484 posts

243 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
I currently drive a Jag. I loves Jags.

My father bought an XJS new in the late 1980's. Lovely car, now very retro cool indeed.

It was a nightmare though - even from new, and Jag had had more than a decade to get the car sorted by then, it was unreliable at best. Mostly the problems were electrics - aircon, fuel pump, windows etc etc.

That said, I would love an XJS now - but it would have to be a pristine example that has had all the work done and all the faults corrected over the years, otherwise it would be an absolute millstone.

£999 for one is so tempting, but I suspect you could easily spend 5-10k on that in the first year.

hirsty27

506 posts

197 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
NiallOswald said:
A girl (!) turned up to one of my exams last year in an XJS. Cool, cool car.
I once saw a very cute young girl driving an MG MGF with the top down on a lovely summers day, I fell in love instantly..spin....silly.......cloud9

RUSSELLM

6,000 posts

246 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
My dad's got one tucked away somewhere....on the down side, what always surprises me is the lack of leg room for the front passenger. You are quite low in the seat, but the leg room isn't long, so it feels like you need to look between your knees to see out of the windscreen.

It's got less miles than that one and I've been offered it pretty cheap, but they don't do a lot for me.

On the plus side, the fuel economy isn't as bad as I'd expected.

Anyone remember "The Saint" ? (not the one who used to do the sport with Greavsie) smile

Edited by RUSSELLM on Friday 22 February 09:04

The Hypno-Toad

12,251 posts

204 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
When I was selling Saabs I had a gentleman who wanted to buy my 900 Turbo demo and he had XJS as part ex. It was one of those TWR 6.0(?) models with dished alloys and looked alrightish from a distance. But then you got up close........yikes
It was supposed to be red but parts of it had gone almost pink. 190k. No service history. Hardly any MOT. 8 owners yikes. It had the sills done and some reinforcement added into the now carpet-less boot but it looked like the welding had been done by a blind leper on day release. The footwells were leaking and hardly any of the electrics worked. (nothing new there then.)
Bloke said he bought it on the way back from the pub one Sunday lunchtime a month ago. He saw it on the forecourt fell in love and paid £1995.00 for it. He now knew it was mistake.
I told him it must have been a very good lunch and told him it was basically worth the private number plate (as above) and the fuel that was in the tank. Guess what? He didn't buy my demo.

Then when I worked for Jag I took a beauty convertible in as p/x against an XK. Dark blue, light grey leather, dropped the roof down and drove it to the storage compound feeling like a movie star.

Morale: If its a good one its brillant. If its a bad one you might as well just use all your money as kindling to money your house down.

AstonV12

5,305 posts

207 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
hellrot_e34 said:
money pit.
The infamous words: "Do you have a credit or debit card?"

hirsty27

506 posts

197 months

Friday 22nd February 2008
quotequote all
RUSSELLM said:
My dad's got one tucked away somewhere....on the down side, what always surprises me is the lack of leg room for the front passenger. You are quite low in the seat, but the leg room isn't long, so it feels like you need to look between your knees to see out of the windscreen.

It's got less miles than that one and I've been offered it pretty cheap, but they don't do a lot for me.

On the plus side, the fuel economy isn't as bad as I'd expected.

Anyone remember "The Saint" ? (not the one who used to do the sport with Greavsie) smile

Edited by RUSSELLM on Friday 22 February 09:04
Was'nt the car in The Saint a Volvo?