I'm looking at a good running 1993 XJS for which an offer to sell has been made for $3500. I'm a good experienced shade tree mechanic, but I'm wondering if I'm making the right decision.

The car has 115,000 miles on it and runs and shifts fine, the body has no rust on it and it does have a couple of issues.

1. The left bolster on the drivers seat is torn.
2. The headlight covers need to be replaced, they are $450.00 each and I don't know how it passed inspection.
3. the air conditioning does not work and needs an update to R134 freon (cost unknown),
4. the antenna mast needs to be repaired
   
5. the top does not go up and down electrically, cost unknown.
6. little doodads here and there need work to bring the interior up to standards
7. It has an engine whistle next to the firewall when it warms up.
8. the top needs to be cleaned and have new drivers side window seals fitted.
   
9. the hood needs a repaint
   

Mainly because of the air conditioning and the malfunctioning top I have the nagging suspicion that I'm paying too much for the car. Any opinions?

 

Welcome to the forum AWAJ,

You've posted a separate Intro so I've moved this one to XJS forum for advice and opinions from members with the same model.

Graham

 

I would run away if I were you, She looks like a parts Car, which is going to cost you a Fortune to sort out.

So spend that extra money now and buy a better one.

 

Yes, I heard some advice recently to buy the best one you can find if you want one. And honestly, I would buy this car for $2,000 (she said no) because it's all there and I think I can get it sorted, but with two unknown cost of repairs in the list, it could wind up being way more than expected. So $3500 is too much of a risk. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the advice.

 

FYI the hand brake needs to be set for the top to function.

 

Walk away... Jaguar made 120.000 of them. There are loads out there. I grabbed mine as the prices were low. I've still got to chuck some money into it. Mainly getting the oil leaks sorted. If you buy a wreck, you need to invest loads...

 

I did read that, and didn't check it when I was in the car.

 

Well, just mebbe. It is a decent looking car. If no rust, read further.
If yes, on to the hunt.


$2000.00 is bit low. Were it my car, and needs were not pressing, I'd not take it.


If you are a decent DIY guy. Talent, patience and time, possible nice car in the making.


If most is to be out to shops, you will drown!! Not your car.


Going to R143 is popular. Not that bad in $'s if done the "quyick" way. Complete, yup, a bunch. There are other refrigerants that
work well in an R12 car. Check LnrB's posts in the XJ6 list.


That bonnet can be spotted by you or a shop and look good. Blacks
are not all alike, though. But, with modern spectography, at a paint store, it can be duplicated.


Plastic light covers can be polished to usefulness.
been there on my Jeep. Early systems, so, so, later ones much better.
My Jeep's had a pimply peeling clear coat. buffing that off with various compounds made tons of difference.


The owner and you could, if feasible, agree somewhere between the
Two thousand and the thirty five hundred. The classic 5/50 split.
$2,750.00 ???


Carl

 

How did the Bonnet/Hood get like that?

I would need to know from her what has caused that damage 'That's not normal'

That Car won't be an easy sell, too many people want to buy with their eyes and not their heads.

Buying the Car is the easy part but getting her up to 'Muster' could easily cost you double.

What about the Bushes, the Brakes and running gear.

To me this looks like a project car and I wouldn't pay more than $1,000 no matter what.

Going by that bolster, that Car has had a hard life.

There are plenty of better Cars out there, why make work for yourself when there is no need.

 

You're a long ways from MN, but I was just looking at Minneapolis Craigslist today and saw a 86 XJ-S coupe. 5.3L v12 with 79K on the clock for $3,500 / obo. It's "tan", which I assume means Topaz... The pictures make it look pretty clean. There's also an 89 XJ-S coupe with 36,000 miles in gray. The seller says it's always stored inside, never saw snow and rarely even rain. The car looks like new - asking price is $7,000. Just a couple of comparo's in case they are helpful.

 

The car was bought by this owner two years ago. I think that most of the maintenance backlog occurred with this owner. As she has stored it under a tree for two years and "can't find anyone to work on it." I'm not going to buy it. I'm going to keep looking. Who knows, she may come back to me with a lower price.

It's been on Craigslist for about 3 months.

 

Hi,
I do think that you should buy an XJS. They are a blast to drive. The thing is that I also feel that you should stay away from this particular car. Keep looking and you'll find a nice one.
Good luck!

 

Good luck with your search. My 2 cents:

-If you haven't already, read the buyer's guide under the "XJS How To" Sticky at the top of this XJS Forum.
-under the same Sticky, the XJS Book is super comprehensive and helpful
-take your time looking for one and try to drive a few different ones. They are not rare (yet) and good, clean ones come along for relatively cheap, like the $3500 one davemack noted.
-You can find one with good cosmetics that needs mechanical work more easily that one in poor cosmetic shape that has been kept up mechanically, in my opinion.
-it's a buyer's market.

 

Dave, We're not seeing those prices here. They are way more money.

 

Awaj, not sure what your budget is, but the 89 looks gorgeous. Check the cost of a flight from DC to MSP - they're often relatively cheap. Then decide what you'd pay and make an offer. Who knows, < $7K might get you the airline ticket and an XJ-S that looks like new and has only 36K miles on the clock. In my humble opinion, that's an amazing deal, and I doubt you'll have to spend all summer getting it road-ready!

Here's the link: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...594681340.html

 

The $7000.00 coupe is a very nice example based on what I am seeing in the photos. I work on cars for a living so I will share some insights on what to consider when looking.

Get the best car you can afford because the cost just to paint a car like the XJS correctly can exceed the cost to buy a car like the $7000.00 example.

Do not under estimate to cost to re due things like interior seats, trim, rubber etc. All of this adds up very quickly and again can cost more than the value of the car.

A $3K to $5K example can often seem like a great buy getting started but in reality the $7K example is by far the best value and in the end will save you thousands and thousands over the cheaper priced examples.

Are you seeing a theme-If you want an XJS do your research-learn about the car and what each year has to offer. Do not be afraid to travel to get the car you want and do not be afraid to ask for help from forum members in a given area to help you check out a XJS before you hand over the cash.

Good luck on your search-they are great cars and the right one for you will bring years of smiles and compliments.

 

Awaj,
Some of the issues with this car are of the "expensive" type when done right by the proper specialist, such as the leather on the seats and the dead paint, etc. In general, and unless you're a specialist for every issue here, this is not an example worth spending your money on, considering how many nice examples you can find out there for no other reason than that these cars are simply inexpensive cars to buy.

I also wonder if there was a specific reason why you stopped at this '93?
The reason I ask this is because the other two examples cited to you on this thread are V12 cars, which at this age (25 to 30 years old) can be quite different from the far simpler straight six '93 car in regards to complexity and cost to repair/maintain. It's only fair to give heads up from this forum to a new person that may not be familiar with this side of the XJS brand. Of course, looking at this '93 that you're asking about it appears to be in such a bad a shape that V12 or straight six won't hardly make a difference. Just run from it; not worth it.

Cheers,

 

Correct - you'll note that I just bought a 96 XJS-C with the 4.0L inline 6. I owned a 96 XJ6 with the same motor and LOVED it - the car was very reliable and ran like a champ. I drove it daily for 5 years, but it started to bubble under the rocker panels, so it was time to fix it or move on. There are more fish in the sea, so I moved on...

I like the relative "simplicity" and reliability of the 4.0L models v. 5.3L or 6.0L models, but that's not to say they don't all have their merits. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

 

Yeah, all good points. But, coupes and convertibles have different values.


Were I in the market, and I am definitely not, I'd reopen negotiations with that lady. Fistful of cash in my pocket.... Oh, wait, that can be hazardous... Ugh, negotiation tool gone.


Carl

 

You can have mine for 9,000.00