I have found a few XJS v-12's to look at here in Texas next week. Does anybody have a short list or suggested items to look for or any problem areas for me to consider when looking at this car? All 3 cars have document histories and look nice on pics.... but im not that dumb! lol
Tks for any help....

 

Go to the 'sticky threads' at the top of this section. One of them has an XJS Buyers guide. You'll see it....it isn't deeply buried.

Read the guide for the basics then post back if any gaps need to be filled.

Cheers
DD

 

Condition of the cooling system
Condition of the cooling system
Condition of the cooling system

 

Doug, i tried to go into the sticky for the XJS section but i didnt see it. i saw many of your post to read the guide and saw a post to look under the FAQ, when i searched it no results came up. Im sure its there but im not that good on computers and i dont understand how to navigate to this tread.... can you be more specific? tks

 

If you click here I think you'll be able to see it


https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...k-links-20089/


Cheers
DD

 

I just read Dougs buyers guide for the first time. Good advice! Just remember that more than likely, the least expensive thing about owning a Jag is its purchase price. (I'm on my 6th XJS, and have owned two XKEs.) After that, if you work on it yourself, these cars really aren't that expensive to own, unless like Doug says, you start replacing interior and having the car painted properly. If you have to take it to a mechanic, faghetaboutit.......I bought a lower mileage 89 convertible a few months ago for 2100.00...Not running. After maybe 100+ hours, I have a pretty nice car for less than 4K total, but am about to tackle my first convertible top replacement on a XJS. Doing it myself, I figure I am easily going to spend 800-1000 dollars to do it right. My car has the dreaded inboard brakes. It had a stuck caliper. The radius arm bolts both broke when I tried to remove them. Long story short, 30 hours total in rear brake caliper, rotors, seals, pads, and brake pads. While at it, I'm replacing ALL the rubber lines. Wait till you price the one under the hood that sends fluid to the rear brakes from the ABS pump. Anyway, maybe 500? total dollars spent, and hopefully will never have to be done to this extent again. But like Doug says, these cars are ALL old now. But the joy of owning, driving a Jag, to me, is worth every penny, hour spent.

Low mileage doesn't always mean best car. A Jag that has been sitting too much is possibly loaded with problems. A well kept, higher mileage Jag to me, is almost preferred over a car like the one I recently purchased. But, as usual, I allowed price, and enthusiastic optimism get hold of my better judgement.

 

Thanks Doug.... this will help me have a good idea what to look for and some reminders.
jake

 

tks superchargedtr6.... That is some great advice to keep in mind.. I have had a lucky life so far at the age of 43 to pick out some great used cars for awesome prices over the years. I grew up around Jags my whole life and always loved them. I bought my first jag 6 months ago. a 1997 XJ6 VP Long anthracite with spoked wheels... after 20 hours or so for tune up stuff and new rubber..i just love it. So i want an XJS V-12 to work on and spend my extra time working on all my cars.. The XJS is second to none except to the Etype...lol I have found a few to look at... but i will post more later if i find the right car for me. I might get back with ya if i have any more questions about XJS's if you have time...thk jake

 

Wow Jakeperigo - we're not far apart on a few fronts there. I grew up among Jags, now 45 and got my first one a year and a half ago and next on the list is an XJS too.

Cheers

 

Hello Jakeperigo, I just purchased my first Jag, a 1985 XJS HE at 77,800 miles and I have to agree with Supercharged tr6, low miles is not always good. The car I purchased is a Colorado car and the body and interior is very clean except for the rear deck lid on the passengers side, the underside has rust and I think it is due to battery acid fumes. If there is a mechanic around that you know and has a lift, get each car your thinking of buying up and check the brakes and the parking brake as well. I have just begun to sort out the issues with mine but this site has been huge. Good luck and happy motoring.

 

Probably one of the few cars that is better of in the hands of enthusiasts than main dealers. I would take all that impressive looking history with a large pinch of salt and have a good look around yourself. As others have said the only thing that can even remotely knock the V12 off its stride is overheating - you will drop a valve seat which will clatter like a bucket of bolts and require a head off rebuild.


Run it, hard and make sure that needle does not budge above middle of the N, if it does a bit be prepared for a rad out, re-hose, reverse flush and filter install. If it moves over the top of the N by even a hairs breathed I would walk away. Its likely been cooking itself to death for a while (temp will spike even higher after shut down) and if the movies are anything to go by the weather in texas is as hot as a rattler's crack. Being from England all I ever see is rain.

 

Feel free to contact me if I can help. The car I recently purchased is a Marelli ignition car. It was taken to a shop due to not running (according to the shop). They worked on it, threw money at it, (dumb), and then tried to get the owner to cough up 7K, even though it still wouldn't start and run. He(she)? refused to pay, so the owner put a lien on it, and sold it on eBay. Its a nice car as far as body and interior, but on top of not running, the sitting for a while caused the brakes to be poor, the accumulator was bad (they all do eventually), and a few other things. The Marelli ignition cars don't have much info out there on exactly how they work, but after putting the most hours in figuring it out, I feel I have a pretty good grip on it. I would buy a Marelli car with confidence now. As far as least troublesome, I once purchased a 95 6 liter convertible. It seemed to have the reliability of a Honda, Toyota. I actually sold it when a guy approached me about buying it while I was at my fathers then business. I've had great luck with these cars, but I honestly feel that they are becoming dinosaurs so to speak, without a great demand. Others may feel different, but just be aware that they typically are just a expensive hobby.

 

well seein as you are in Texas, im in Austin, quick pic of car for sale.

100% restored!

 

looks nice ronbros... but not the one for me..... tks anyway...
cheers

 

I have my eye on a nice xjs to look at...its a 1991 v12 automatic / coupe.... looks and runs great over the phone...lol maybe we can chat or email if you have any experience or anything to share about this 91' or early 90's in general. If i use this chat system it could take months to learn something from ya.... or hear your stories and information about XJS cars..... Feel free to call or email me at jakeperigo@yahoo.com.... tks
jake

 

lol.... or call me at 936 777 4818....

 

I have a mint condition 95 jag xjs convertible I'm selling. Has 24000 miles. Not a scratch on it. Pm me if you are interested. Light blue with white leather interior. Everything is in perfect condition. Garaged and maintained. 6 cylinder engine.

 

To go along with all the "things to look for" being mentioned. I wanna say you really need to be able to work on it yourself. I'd assume most people looking for a 30 year old car, especially a british one, are capable though.

Not really to save money, but because you need to be confindent in the repair. Jaguars DESPISE being improperly repaired or maintained much more than many other makes. If something is done wrong, the claws come out. It needs to be fixed correctly and most places other than a jaguar specialist are going to @#$% it up

 

hey Gene.... this is Jake... give me a call when you can...i lost your number....my phone crashed...lol

 

XJS is one of the few sports cars that actually suffers price dips in the summer: overheating.