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Hi! I've been lurking here while looking for my Jaguar for a couple of years now, and I'd like y'all's opinion on the one I looked at today. (I spent a couple of hours online going over what to look for.) US spec 1987 SIII XJ6, shows a little over 78k miles. No rust, period, anywhere, but needs paint. Glass all good, one small tear on the shoulder of the driver's seat and headliner removed because it was sagging, wood in need of lacquer. Very small linear dent (about 6-8 inches long) on driver's side front wing which broke the marker light lens. Starts and idles smoothly, no tapping from the valvetrain (no tappet stakedowns installed), oil pressure 40 at idle, about 75ish on the road; temperature stayed at about 85 degrees C. Engine compartment clean for a 28yr old car, no oil drips underneath and no seeping at either front or rear of engine, or at the diff. Steering good, ride smooth, acceleration smooth, tires and brakes good; seller said suspension bushings and shocks front and rear had been replaced within the last 2yrs. Needs an AC/heat control module, demister vents, marker light lens. No service records, his dad (he's a college student) did all the work. He's asking $1000.
I'm sorely tempted, and have the wife primed, but wanted to get some "expert" opinions from folks who actually own one. What do y'all think?
What's your goal here? If a really, really sharp Jag is your end goal then keep in mind that a top grade repaint will be thousands of dollars. Then there's the wood and headliner as well...although they're not all that expensive.
Thanks for responding Doug. My goal is to take my time and do it right the same way I've been doing my '74 F250. I'm not worried about turning it into a show-stopper right away, just to have a good presentable Jaguar to drive while I'm getting it there.
Thanks for responding Doug. My goal is to take my time and do it right the same way I've been doing my '74 F250. I'm not worried about turning it into a show-stopper right away, just to have a good presentable Jaguar to drive while I'm getting it there.
In that case it sounds pretty good, IMHO.
There's a buyers guide in one of the sticky threads at the top of this section. Might wanna take a peek just for the heck of it.
Sounds good for the price. David Boger at everydayxj.com is a great resource for various parts at a good price probably including an ac amplifier if that's what you need.
As I understand it, by 1987 Jaguar had ditched the thermoplastic paint that tended to craze/crack resulting in the need to go to bare metal for a good respray. By 1987 it was clear over base, so that's a positive.
Thanks for the input guys! I crawled all up under the car, checked everywhere I could either see or stick my fingers, and came away with no rust so I'm feeling good about that. I guess I'm just worried because if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fortunately, I've done well choosing cars since I got married so the wife trusts my judgement...apparently more than I do!
I went ahead and called the guy and told him to consider it sold, and will pick it up Friday morning. Can't wait!
Well, I picked her up on Friday, and Saturday we took her for a road trip up to the mountains for the day. Such a smooth ride, no problems whatsoever. My wife enjoys the ride....though she did say that she has the feeling that the car just tolerates her riding along, but will never let her drive. A jealous mistress, but as I told her, better a car than another woman!
On Sunday, however, she decided to let me know that love has a price! I went to start her up, and the ignition key went a half-turn without turning on anything....yep, the ignition/steering lock switch broke. I've been online looking for a replacement, but haven't found one; any site that actually had it in their catalog show it as being out of stock. I've sent enquiries to Everyday XJ and Jaguar Heaven to see if they might have it and am awaiting a reply.
Preparing for the worst case, if I can't find the assembly, do y'all think it'd be very difficult to wire up a master power/accessories switch and a starter button?
Just finished an R&R of the one in my car. Replacement, a nice unit from David Boger.
Mine was just plumb wore out and it's delivery of juice was random.
Tis the teeniest screw I've ever seen that hold the electrics to the lock section.
Tis said it can be removed and replaced in situ. Not by me, though.
In he unlikely event that David can't come up with one. Shop the local wrecker and Ebay.
If the 'busted switch will energize the run position, it isn't hard to jump the crank circuit under the bonnet.
Yeah, most any car that runs and drives is worth the grand. I'd say you did more than all right!
From the way it acted I'm pretty sure it's the mechanical part just because there was no resistance at all when I turned it. Regardless, I just heard back from David at Everyday XJ, he has the complete assembly with key so I went ahead and ordered it. I figure that even if it is just the switch, I'll have the part on hand if (when?) the rest of it needs to be replaced.
Good plan. I've a tin of leftover switch parts. Why, I haven't the slightest!!
Removing the trim to get at the switch is fiddly. I busted the plastic on the part under the steering wheel. Fixed with some fiddling. I replace two long slot headed screws w
with Allen headed equivalents. I don't like slot head screws.
The breakaway fasteners that secure the lock for theft security are "weird". and that is the gentlest term I can use. I found a wire twist cap just right to get a bite on the head and extract them. The front one is easlily accessed, the rear is more "touchy feely"!!! I subbed on with an Allen headed fastener. Although, replacement breakaways are available.
Once connected, my car was world's better... Key slop gone. Dash electrics better than ever. Lost circuits back.
I did take mine down to the local locksmith and had a spare key made. Easy with he switch out. Tested to work smoothly. He even gave it a shot of cleaner.
I am more than pleased. An impossible superlative????
Seriously tempting, what do y'all think?
Get some pictures up when you've got it 
