Hi Folks,

How do you think conversion from automatic to manual transmission would affect the resale of an X300 XJR? And how about an X300 XJ12?

I really want to own one, but I can't bring myself to drive an automatic and these cars were never sold in Australia with manual transmission. Would I be destroying the resale by converting?

 

Here in the States, at least, resale value couldn't possibly be any lower on X300s so it hardly matters what you do to the car. In another year or two people will be using them to haul chickens or perhaps construction materials

Anyhow, I think the issue would be marketability rather than dollar value. *Most* potential buyers wouldn't want a manual X300 at any price. Your market will be pared down to a *few* enthusiast types.

An enthusiast type might find a manual trans car very attractive, especially the XJR. You might get a premium price if the conversion was 100% sanitary.

Cheers
DD

 

That's true, they are not expensive now so I probably shouldn't be too concerned about it. I agree that the manual transmission would be more fitting with the XJR image rather than an XJ12.

 

My feelings on resale values are that I don't care what they are. These cars are worth way more than kbb or whoever says they are. having said that, I just love the car and I will continue to dump money into it as long as I have breath in my lungs. I've not found an all-around everyday vehicle that makes me as happy to drive as this one....and thats all that matters, right?

 

A manual conversion will be easier to perform on an XJR6 because these cars were built in production, even if not sold in Australia. So all the parts exist. Converting an XJ12 to manual is possible, but will require aftermarket conversion parts which will be much more rare than those for a manual AJ16 engine X300.

 

I WISH my XJR was a standard. I imagine you'd open up to a new market, and the car would be worth more.

 

I plan to use the Dellow Automotive bell housing adapter, which puts a Supra 5 speed behind either the AJ16 or the V12. The genuine manual transmission seems too expensive and difficult to find in Australia. But definitely I am leaning towards the XJR.

 

A properly done manual XJR6 conversion would command a higher price in Oz than a factory auto, in my eyes anyhow. There just aren't any here.

A manual XJ12? no thanks...