Please need opionion on value 1988 Jag XJS Convertible
 

Gawd, this is complicated. I am trying to help my son sell the Jag he inherited from his father four years ago and we have no clue what to sell it for. Its a gold 1988 Jaguar XJS convertible. Here is its history.

His dad bought it from a dealer in Santa Clara CA for $4500 in Dec. of 06. In Jan. of 07 he paid an Import Service a little over $2000 to work on it (have description of exact work but as you read on do not think it matters). In March 2007 the engine blew.

He then paid same import service $8,938.66 to install "rebuilt factory Chevy 350 (5.7L) Engine" - the following is a breakdown of the work done:

"Job 1 Engine" - Parts totalled $4592.75 (have 3 page itemized list - engine itself was $1949.30) Labor $3500.
"Job 2 Radiator" - Radiator rod out and custom install custom built inlet tube (sublet to a radiator service) $245.00
"Job 3 Exhaust" - Fabricate front exhaust pipes (sublet to a muffler service) $120.00
"Job 4 Guarantee" - Engine guaranteed 12 mos or 12K miles

The job took about 7 months and was completed 10/07. On 12/07 he paid another $442.59 for install of new wiper motor. Also have a large envelope stuffed with receipts labeled "Jag receipts" but almost all are on that paper that fades but also think the Jag has new tires and new sound system.

A month later (Jan/08) my ex-husband passed away and my son inherited the Jag. My son, who lives in Spokane WA, went down to CA, drove the car twice in town (it ran beautifully) and then parked it in his uncle's carport where its sat for 4 years.

He did go back down to CA about a year ago intending to tow it up to Spokane but the thing wouldn't start (my son knows nothing about cars).

This car was his Dad's pride and joy and though my son would love to keep it he has no choice but to sell it as quickly as possible. Its located in Pleasant Hill CA.

What's it worth?

Hi and welcome to the site!
Sadly, I'm afraid it probably isn't worth nearly as much as you are hoping for. Prices vary a bit from place to place, but even so, with a Chevy engine in it the value has dropped because a collector or enthusiast will want the Jag engine in it.
If I had to guess, as long as the body is in superb condition and you had the engine that is in it running, is that it's worth probably in the $3500-4500 range. (At least in my area)
Others will chime in I'm sure with prices that may reflect better in your area.

Unfortunately it's a non-running Chevy engine. I don't think you can reasonably expect more than $2500 regardless of how good the body is.

Non-running, been sitting for 4 years... I'm thinking $2k tops. It probably wouldn't cost too much to get it running (flush the old fuel from tank & lines, maybe 4 used tires if they are flat-spotted).

Then detail it inside and out, and list it.

That said, if your son isn't in desperate need of $2k, have him mothball it in covered storage for a few years until he's in a position to restore it.

I would at least check into what it needs to be running again. It doesn't make sense to me to offer the severe ($2k or so) price reduction necessary when selling a non-running car as opposed to one that runs when the parts/labor to get it running again could only add up to a few hundred.

That said, it's true that for SOME the swap of a Chevy motor will negatively impact the value, but then there are folks like me. When I searched for my XJ-S, I specifically looked for one that HAD received the swap, since I didn't want to endure the complication and expense of the V12, and intended to use mine as a daily-driver. The important thing for me was finding one with a 5.7L 350 Chevy engine (as opposed to a 5.0L engine), one that had been done as recently as possible (I found one that had just been completed), and one that had been done by a competent mechanic (mine was done by an ASE-certified mechanic with all receipts present). With those criteria met, I had found what I wanted, and they will affect the value of your conversion in a similar way.

I'm going to float this out there...since the car is obviously not worth what you thought it was, not knowing your situation and not wanting to because it's none of my business, maybe your son would prefer to hold on to the car that his dad put so much work into. It will be a sad day when he realizes he could have held on to it as a memory rather than let it go for next to nothing.

Again none of my business but that's one of those situations that could hurt for a long time after. He may realize more value in learning how to get the car running again and enjoy it occasionally.

D

I agree.

Thank you all so much for the input. And yes, he desperately needs the money but because he does feel sentimental about the Jag, he has decided to put other valuables up for sale instead. He hopes to be back on his feet in another six months or so and wants to go down to California to see if he can get the thing running again. He's a darn good computer tech but he's clueless about auto mechanics (though he does want to learn) so hopefully he can find someone to help him!

Again, thank you all for the valuable input - it truly helped us to rethink this thing!

Post again when he's ready to make the trip. There may be a lister nearby who's willing to help.

Cheers

May I suggest he also join this forum? There are many competent and helpful mechanics among us who are willing to assist anyone needing a hand.