Hi there folks I have decided to take my x300 xjr off the road after christmas to fix all the little bugs and started looking for another chariot to use while i do so. I have been offered a 1989 v12 xjs for £900 with t&t and I am off to see it tonight. I know its very cheap so are there any reasons for or against buying i should look for. It only needs to run me about for 3 months and then i can give it the same treatment as the xjr. Any thoughts would be good. cheers

 

It could be the best decision or the worst decision of your life!

If it really only needs to last you for 3 months over winter, the main thing to check is that it's not overheating. There are a thousand other things to check on an XJS, but they all tend to fall into the annoying category, rather than the car doesn't actually run category.

Be warned though...... XJSes get under your skin and lead you to become attached to them and spend far too much money on a ragged car getting it in to shape (don't ask me how I know that)

 

Bargain basement XJSs often don't survive the drive home after handing over your money, much less going for a full 3 months! I'd be very worried about ending up with to cars that need sorting out.

There's an XJS buyers guide in one of the sticky threads at the top of this section that covers some high points

Cheers
DD

 

personally, if the paint was decent and it ran, and it wasnt a total rust bucket, i would be all over it.

most important things with an XJS in this order.
does it run?
has it been converted into iron oxide?

 

Go on, give a kitty a home for Christmas.

 

Cheers guys. I have had a look and the body seems a bit too perfect condition for the price. got a one of the guys going over today as a prospective buyer with a magnet to check for filler/ paper mache . It runs fine and started first turn but very little history. Going to wait and see what my mech mate thinks and maybe make an offer if it is ok.

 

And you're going to take it for a nice hard drive, then let it sit with the A/C running to make sure it doesn't overheat also...... :-)

 

heck, i want it now!

 

Recently a friend of mine had a NICE 89 red XJS coupe at his garage for sale for a friend......75K, real,real nice body/paint/interior. Asking was $4500, took $1500...I was BUMMED when I found out and didn't make a low offer (not in my nature) but hey they are out there in this economy and people are somewhat scared of the Jaguar/V-12 thing so it forces some to put the prices low.

 

Take it for a good 30 minute drive, then let it idle in the parking lot for another 10 minutes to make sure that temp gauge stays put!

Check all the electrical functions.

Pop the hood and check for leaks / listen for any noises.

If all that checks out, pay a local (JAGUAR) mechanic $100 for a PPI.

Drive it like you stole it?? And yes, tons of bargains to be found. These cars are not fashionable. Timeless, yes.

 

Well folks its a no go. The body was in such good nick as it was primarily filler and had been resprayed. Apparently most of the bodywork below the windscreen was non magnetic so it looks like thats been made to look nice for selling. Also my mate says it drives as if its on the crab so could of been hit very hard at some point and badly repaired. The engine and box are good so i am now toying with the idea of making a low offer knowing what i now know and just pull the engine and box out for a refurb and maybe swap them into cheap xj40 or something of that ilk. The thing is that between 3 kids 2 jobs 2 bands and a big cat that requires attention i dont know if i have the time. hmmmm

 

RUN, do not walk, AWAY.

 

Aw, c'mon; at least filler doesn't rust!

 

LOL @ steve M.