Hi Everyone,
I have come across a 1989 XJS convertible V12 at a used car dealer. They were asking about $3,950. and a few days ago dropped to $1,000. Now I know that sends out all kinds of alarms and red flags especially since it is a Jaguar and an XJS, but I am attracted much like the moth to the flame. The body looks good; white, with a few runs down low on the right fender, but the panel sounds like it is metal and not bondo. I looked underneath as much as I could, which wasn't much and it seemed undercoated and I did not see any rust through. The top is pretty good. The interior seats are trashed and the wood dash is faded, but intact. It had been sitting in one place and a couple of days ago was moved to another. Checked both places and did not see any leak stains. For the price it looks great, but I've seen this dealer buy a car from a pawn shop, with over 200,000 miles and mark it up over $1,200 or more and stick it on his lot. So, I'm real skeptical. As far as I can see the odometer reads 08,000 miles. So I figure at least over 100,000 miles. They were closed today, but I am going to go there tomorrow and check it out. What I could use are things I should look for given its present not bad looking condition. What will it sound like if it dropped a valve due to overheating? What kinds of transmission (automatic) problems should I look for. Or should I stay far away from this one. I know they are expensive to repair. I can do the work, for the most part, but even the parts alone are quite pricey. This could be the XJS that was sitting in a driveway for some time and then was sold. Looks like same one. Could it be 8,000 miles, if so I know that is a money pit waiting for someone to fall in. Your wise advice is appreciated. Thanks, George

 

Have you got any Photo's?

For $1,000 buy it for a Parts Car (offer $500) Then look for a better one which is up and running.

A Bad one is a 'Money Pit' but worth its weight in Gold just for Spare Parts.

 

Like Orange Blossom said, You could recoup your investment just parting it out. If it starts up and runs smoothly and quietly, test drive it, see if the transmission shifts smoothly. Look for rust spots around window edges, door sills and etc. See if it has any maintenance records with it. Check the wiring harnesses to see if they look to have been modified. Does it have any petroleum odors in trunk? 1000.00 in my area is about normal for older Jaguars running or not. I always try to go by intuition, "If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't" Good Luck

 

Wow, almost anything that runs and drives is worth a grand.


Good thing it is across the continent, the temptation thing!!!


Speedo at 8K???


Carl

 

Dropped valve? Clackety clack....


If so, Lump candidate or fix????


Carl

 

How's the title? Definitely run the VIN through Carfax. I've also found this site to be pretty good to check for Rebuilt or Salvage titles: https://www.vehiclehistory.com/ Just have to wade through the advertisements.

Padre

 

The cheapest thing about buying a Jag is buying the Jag. . It's all uphill from there $$$

 

The paint runs and undercoating are red flags.

It's hiding something.

That said, it depends what you want from it. It could be a good parts car. It could be a 'drive it until dies, heck it was only a grand' car.

If you want it to be the basis of properly sorted XJS that is worth holding on to... highly unlikely (slim to none).

Proceed with caution, and good luck.

 

I bought a 89 convertible. A real POS. I never drove it farther than I could afford to tow it. What I learned fixing that thing was priceless. It had terminal rust so I bought another. I kept a lot of parts and sold a lot. The sum of the parts exceeds the cost of the car.