Hi guys. You've always helped me in the past so I'm coming to you again with any recommendations you may have.
I'm looking to take my 1995 jaguar X JS off the road for winter so that I can do some underbody repairs. The winters here are recently mild but we are expected to have a harsh winter this coming season over here in Toronto.

I am looking at a 1995 XJR super charged with an in-line six. The paint is completely horrible, it's peeling everywhere but as it will just be a winter car and I have several gallons of matte black plasti dip, the paint is not an issue.
The car needs new brakes for safety which I estimate at about $300-$400 Canadian to replace all four rotors with pads. My concern is that it has extremely high mileage with 260,000 km on the existing motor. But the upside is that it is a steal at $1200 Canadian.
At that price would any of you consider purchasing this car as a "winter beater"?

 

I don't think the mileage is all that high, but if it were me I would feel more comfortable with a NA engine. Is the suspension sound and is there any indication of leakage from the differential?

 

Just a few more K than my VDP's AJ6 (which runs like a top BTW).

The engine should be the least of your concerns, mine would be bushes/steering and electrical issues.

Larry

 

I'm at 155000 miles in my 1996 XJR, which is about 250000 kilometres. Pulls like a train, and i would expect it to be good for at least another 100k. As Larry says, you want to be thinking about bushes and electrics rather than the engine. Not that the bushes and the electrics are inherently unreliable, but you need to keep on top of them. It is one heck of a car, and at $1200 not a lot at stake.... Go on, you know you want to!

 

Is that the dark blue one in Guelph that's on kijiji? I went to look at it in person, the rust at the dogleg on the left rear is pretty serious. Not sure what else you might find for corrosion once you start digging.


cheers
Ed

 

Go ahead and jump in while the water is warm! I have the same car in about the same shape. Not worth what it would cost to make pristine again but.... Through in a roll cage and some racing seats, get an extra set of wheels and turn it into a track day car. Keep it street legal for your everyday running around and have fun with it!