I am considering a STR with 168K, It's cheap and in good nick. Could this car with such a lot of miles be a candidate for a pulley/exhaust/intake upgrade? Need more info? Just ask.

 

FYI this won't be a daily. I'll be driving it as a club car.

 

Can you DIY all or most of the servicing and at least simple repairs? Could be costly if no.

Has the trans fluid been replaced (hopefully twice)? (Expect it hasn't but is very very overdue.)

 

yes I can do repairs. need to buy an fault code reader as most all of my hobby cars have been pre-ecu. been missing a jag since i sold this one 4 years ago. drove a couple of str cars and liked it much.


my '75 xj12c 4 spd w/laycock od

 

one of the owners of the cars i looked at said the the engine internals are forged and these engines can do 200K if looked after and the Z six spd tranny is not subject to the same faults as other s type trannys. T or F?

 

elm327 is a great and cheap tool. Get the variant for whatever fone/PC/laptop/tablet/OS you have.

ZF is OK but needs fluids+filter+sleeve changed.

 

The lure of the STR can be just as powerful as that SC V8. Finding such an exotic supercar that is (simultaneously) -

• old - average ages are now 12-15yo - any car that age is wearing out, some parts faster than others;
• well used - 168K is not a deal-breaker, but raises how those miles were spent? who by? only on Sundays at the local drag strip?;
• of uncertain history or maintenance - note each advice you should know and now need R&R all fluids and lubricants and full service;
• "cheap" - my contention being that the only "cheap" Jaguar is the best example you can find and afford;
• "in good nick" - can't argue with this, coz I have no idea of your criteria, but keep in mind a replacement ZF will cost US$3-7K;
• destined for pulley and intake upgrade - not unreasonable, but you are adding even further stress to the powertrain.

If all this sounds like Pandora's Box . . . too good to be true . . . it probably is. Sorry to sound a wet blanket, especially when immersed under an XJ-S missing its floors . . . but, ask yourself why so many of these well used cars are offered as potential "projects". That said, if you are fully prepared to invest the time and effort to master the steep learning curve, then get a 4.2L post facelift STR and go for it.

You may find some expensive surprises, but it will never be boring!
Best wishes,

Ken