I recently saw an '85 XJ-S coup for sale at a very resonable price. I haven't actually seen the car as it'is stored inside at night. If I do decide to take a closer look, what should I be looking for as signs to run away from it. I've read a few posts about them but no one seems to have major issues with them. No more than other models anyway. The body looks to be in good condition, at least from the front left of the car.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

An XJ-S of that vintage can vary widely. If it has had regular attention, most of the issues are possibly addressed. If it has sat in cold storage for some time (most likely to some issue that put it there in the first place) you'll want to keep looking. Excellent cars can be had for very little cash, so it's worth trolling around for a beauty. Maintenance isn't rocket science, but understand being a 30 year old English car it's always going to require some attention.

Whether there are 'good years' or 'bad years' is really a matter of personal preference I think and arguments can go round and round on that issue. Facelift vs. pre-facelift, different ignition systems, ABS or non-ABS brakes, high efficiency or not, etc. My opinion is all that is a matter of taste, what is really important is the maintenance record.

DD has a buyer's guide which in the FAQ page of this forum.

You also can't go too far wrong checking out 'the Book' which has a buyer's section and will also introduce you to some potential pitfalls:

Kirby Palm's Jaguar XJ-S Help Book

Overall I agree with those who say the XJ-S is not a reliable car but it is a durable car once the niggling issues have been addressed. Mechanically the engine is virtually bulletproof; cooling, climate control, electrics and ignition systems not so much.

Bought mine a decade a go, put in a new radiator and overhauled the distributor, and it was my daily driver for several years. Sat neglected for a few years while I was out of the country and after some work this summer it is my daily driver once again. Maintained well they run like a top and nothing in the price range comes close to matching them for performance, handling, comfort, or looks.

Cheers,

- Will

 

Doug's Buyers Guide is a great place to start, it was a big help when I started looking. You can find it in the XJS "How To" quick links. If I did this right, this link will take you straight to the guide. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...1&d=1288027216

 

Let me run a credit check on you then I'll better be able to answer your question.

What's your level of mechanical aptitude?

Run aways:

- any rust, anywhere
- interior - EVERYTHING is leather - $$$
- running less than perfect in any way
- anything else that is not, in every single way, perfect.

I love my XJ-S, but I'ma real downer on anyone else buying these cars just becase 99.999% of the time the people who buy them don't plan on working on them. So, the bottom line is:

If you are ever, ever, planning on paying anyone to work on the car, walk away.

These are easy cars to work on (despite what everyone here complains about) but they will need a LOT of work and even the silly little stuff reuires someone who knows what they are doing not only to fix it, but to keep from screwing the car up worse. The first time you need to take it to a mechanic you will return much poorer, the issue will not be fixed, and four other issues will develop because of his ham-fisted American-mechanic sledgehammer.

I bought my car a year ago and EVERYTHING worked great. In the past year I've had to fix and/or replace EVERYTHING. I now have a great car that I love, but if I didn't have a parts car and a ton of mechanical experience to go along with help from this board and The Book, I'd be living in a van down by the river and cursing the name Jaguar.

D

 

if it doesnt run PERFECT, run far far away. i bought my 85 thinking "oh, ill do this and that and itll run great!"

one GM motor swap later. Xp

 

And now you need to scrape off those V12 emblems.

Or modify them like:

V12
2

 

 

Thanks for all the great input guys.

Darel, I agree with you "run away" list:
- any rust, anywhere
- interior - EVERYTHING is leather - $$$
- running less than perfect in any way
- anything else that is not, in every single way, perfect.

Ill let you know how it turns out.

 

worst places for rust are the front footwells underneath the car, and the rear panel where the fender directly behind the rear wheel.

 

Hi
I bought my 1990 XJS Conv 3 years ago and I use it regularly. I have no idea what or how things work under the bonnet and happily pay a Jag specialist to do the job for me, It has regular services. It runs well and apart from one solenoid that gave out I have had no problems with it and love it.
Pay that little bit extra and get a good one to start with!
Richard

 

I agree with this bloke.

 

I finally had the time to go look at it. The body was in pretty good shape. Only one little spot of rust on the rocker panel below the driver's door. That was the only good thing about it. I questioned the shop owner about the car's history. He said it has basically been sitting for the last 4 years. Has maybe gone 100 miles in that time. The engine "runs", but needs a tune up. Plugs, wires, cap & rotor, oil change. Now for the godd part. The interior was a mess. Dash was cracked in multiple places, the wood veneer was coming off, the driver's seat was coming apart, the rest of the seats were dehidrated, rust in the foot wells, chrome coming off bumpers and lights....


I figure with about $5K of repairs you would have a nice $3K car.

Darel, I ran far, far away...

 

Good man - made like a Flock of Seagulls. Keep looking, you'll find the right one.

 

Good for you. It's very easy to lose money on even a free one. The interior alone would run you more than the car could ever be worth.

 

Wood veneer cracking is as normal as it can be. There are some really first class replacements for the console on eBay. All the other stuff, steer clear unless you have a lot of DIY in you. $12,000.00 can be a steal or $5,000.00 can be disaster!!!

 

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Jaguar :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Look up member Sarc if you want to see some quality wood veneer replacement. Sexy as hell.