but I am really considering trading my dependable XK8 for an XJS V12 convertible. The car I am looking at is a 1991 with 85,000 miles and looks extremely well cared for, I have become a bit obsessed as it is such a beautiful machine! However, my XK8 does get me from Point A to Point B very reliably on a daily basis.

I have always heard horror stories about the V12 - truth or hype? Any other issues I should be aware of? It would be a daily driver (in rotation with our 1959 Cadillac and 1971 Corvette - "practical" is not in our repetoire :lol ). Any advice, pros and cons, etc. appreciated (and my husband would be much obliged if you talked me out of it).

 

Life is too short to drive boring cars...Go for it.

 

Don't listen to hubby, he obviously knows nothing!
Anyway, if you are sharing it with 2 other equally bonkers cars then it wouldn't be a daily driver would it? It would be an every 3rd day driver so you would be reducing your exposure to mechanical catastrophe and financial implosion by about 66%.
With that sort of return how could you possibly turn it down?
How about a picture and then The Collective will decide for you?

 

Why get rid of the XK8 get the V12 as well

Life is too short if you can afford to have it all or you could of course trade in the XK8 for an XK8 Convertible.

They are as 'cheap as chips' over here, I was thinking of buying one just for the hell of it!

Tell me that you haven't got a 65 Mustang in your fleet, one of my favorite cars of all time.

 

The horror stories are unfounded. Generally they are the result of a car not properly cared for as these are not "drive it and forget it" type cars. They need preventative stuff, but nothing crazy.
(I have a 66 'stang coupe in the midst of a total restoration)

 

There's a buyers guide in one of the sticky threads at the top of this section. Mighta wanna take a peek.

An XJS can be a reliable car. It takes some effort to make one that way and keep it that way. A used XJS that *doesn't* need a fair bit of "catch up" on repairs and routine servicing would be a rare thing indeed.

Fabulous cars, though. It's a real treat to drive one that has been sorted out. It might feel rather olde world-ish compared to an XK8, but that's not a bad thing.

Cheers
DD

 

To start post some pictures of yourself, then we'll be able to advise better

 

The Secret of True Happiness is to want what you've already got and I've got more XJS's than I know what to do with!

One day I'll learn you can only drive one car at once and be grateful for that.

 

I have yet to learn that, and I am not showing any signs of gaining such knowledge in the near future! My fleet consists of:
1966 Mustang coupe
1974 Dodge Dart
1983 Jag XJS
1990 Dodge D250
1999 GMC Jimmy
1999 Chevy Suburban 2500 (with fuel inj 454!)
2003 GMC Yukon
2004 Chevy Tracker

 

go for it!

i get many more comments/thumbs up/smiles/nods/questions about the xjs than my newer/faster/cleaner/more expensive sports car.

and there really are few other options for a v12 at the price. i did test out a couple 850s (and still might pick up one in the future), but this thing really has character and presence.

but be sure to take your time and find a good one. the enthusiast owned xjs's pop up in the standard online sites every once in a while. i'd say maybe 2-3 per season. in fact, there is a "famous" 1978 xjs now over on the "other" forum. it has a very well documented history.

 

smooth!

 

Agree. Go for it. My '92 was an absolute dog when I got it, but despite its poor condition, it never let me down. I drive about 2,000 miles a year in it and enjoy every minute.

As others have said, if you accept you will need to be more hands on with the XJS compared to the XK8, you will be ok.

 

come on man, nobody likes a P*ssy. buy it

 

I'm waiting on an old woman to sell me her deceased husband's PRISTINE 1991 XJS. Build sheet, service records, 51k miles, never driven in the rain.

GO FOR IT!

 

That sounds like a real cream puff, so at least it would be going to someone who will really want to look after it.