There were problems on the older ones but my '93 and '95 were ice cold. The '90 had a leak and most of the older ones had issues with the evaporator, a very expensive fix. Make sure it works and don't let anyone tell you it just needs freon.

They didn't have a manual in '96. Only '93 and '94 and I wish I could have found a '94 just for the outboard brakes but I do love my car. I had my '95 and my '93 at the same time and I raced them with a friend driving my '95 automatic. At the end of the quarter mile my 5 speed car was about 8-10 car lengths ahead. The automatic had more of a highway gear and would go faster on top end. About 142. The manual would go about 135. I now have a 425 HP Chevy engine and a 6 speed. It is crazy fast now.

Good luck with your search and hold off until you get what you want at the price you want. It may not be there right now, but it's out there.

 

Has anyone done a LSx/ 6 speed conversion?
CHECK OUT THIS e TYPE:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

 

There is an LSX motor mount kit now but you would have to fab the trans crossmember like I did on mine.

 

The transs mounts seem to be a weak link. I can hear a thud on a hard shift in both cars. Also Corvette wheels of almost ervery year will fit XJSs with clearance mods. I saw a Jagrolet with 84-96 wheels in Tucson. This was on an early HE xj-s. The rubber really fills the wheel wells and gives these cars a wider, lower stance.
http://bernardembden.com/xjs/rims/index.htm

 

I put 245/45/17's on mine but I had to take my sawzall and trim the inner part of the wheel lip for clearance. It's very close but I never hit any more. The first set of tires, Michelin Pilot Sports, were more squared off as opposed to the Sumitomo HTZR2's I have now that are rounded off on the outside edges and much more traction.