Unfortunately it seems that virtually all classic car prices are way up just in the last couple of years, at least all the 80's icons on my wish list are, and by a much, much larger margin than just keeping up with inflation. I feel like about half my once very affordable teenage wish list is now out of reach. I've tried to bid and make some offers over the last year, but I just can't seem to go into the stratosphere with all the other bidders. I knew many of the 80s cars that I desired as a young man would be hot someday, but demographically, it just shouldn't be happening quite yet.

Would be curious to see some data how XJS values have changed relative to the larger classic car market, or other cars from the same era. I'm no economist, but it sure seems that the pandemic and US government overstimulus has had some extraordinary effect on our hobby. I'm actually hoping this is temporary and that I can pick up a few cars in the fire sales after the bubble pops. But then again, I was watching for a bubble to pop about seven or eight years ago and it never did so I'm not a very good predictor of these things.

 

There's nothing new under the sun, really.

I probably would've never owned a Jaguar but for the muscle car boom that began in the 80s and 90s. I owned a lot of those muscle cars but left the hobby for the marriage and family thing. When I was ready to get back in, I could no longer afford to. MGs and Jaguars, OTOH, were cool and interesting....and cheap. That was 25 years ago. I still spend most my time working on the muscle cars but could never afford to own one.

But similar scenarios have played out elsewhere. Look at Corvettes. Certain models were once considered less-than-desirable but when the values went nuts on the early models, those red-headed step children started looking pretty good to those who always dreamed of owning a Corvette but were priced out of the best models. Now they, too, are on the rise.

Twenty or thirty years ago rather ordinary family stations wagons, sedans, and other orphans.....like Ramblers and Studebakers....were of little interest to car enthusiasts. But they caught on when the dream cars were no longer in reach.

Believe it or not, the Chevy Vega is being noticed by some people.... along with the corporate spin-offs built on the same platform (Pontiac Astre, Buick Skyhawk, etc). We laughed at those cars in the 70s and 80s.

Car hobbyists will always find a new favorite.....and a new place to spend their money. I'm already wondering what my next object of affection will be

Cheers
DD

 

Doug, this is as it should be. What's the use of dreaming and pining for something that you can never have? When they were new, those muscle cars were just that ...cars. Then they were affordable and available used cars for gearheads to mess around with. If you want a pony car with astounding power and usability it's waiting at the dealer as a new Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Corvette, or even a F Type. Or maybe even a Ford Raptor. Whatever you want is available brand new, and the new version will be cheaper and better than the now vaunted and iconic originals. I'm considering getting a new Mustang GT convertible, but the prices have gotten a bit high for me. But there are plenty of used older models out there at a variety of prices. Twelve years ago I had less money to spend, and found a suitable Mustang for less than three grand. Over the years I've kept after it and invested the money into it to keep it in good shape. It's not new, it's not super fast, but it's still a V8 Mustang, and something special to me. Likewise with my XJS, my plan was the same, though I haven't been so successful, mostly due to lack of commitment, and I've foolishly spread my energy over too many cars. Still, I have done some work on it and it is preserved and protected in my garage. I'm going to hold onto it until I'm ready to make it a priority. But I've still got it, that's what matters!

 

For me that is a plus. Less leaks and less to maintain. Who needs a soft top when you have aircon?
​​​​Sadly, I couldn't afford the purchase price of any XJS. I've had to settle for a nice S-type instead. A lot cheaper, not quite as special, but still very enjoyable to drive. However, if any misguided soul wants to swap for an XJS...

 

People want low mileage, and pay big for it. I have about 210k miles on my 4.0L facelift coupe and I drive it daily. If I put it up for sale people will focus on the mileage instead of the complete front end rebuild along with Sports rack rebuild, flawless reliability, original paint with nice body, and great interior. They want super low mileage just to boast. Forget that noise. I bought mine because it needed help. I saved it. Its worth more than any low mileage garage queen.

 

Damn right.

 

I lucked out when I got mine. Low mileage 59k convertible in signal red just what I was looking for. And all for the princely sum of 12.5k. I have to admit mines a bit of a garage queen as it’s on sorn for the winter but that’s me being a tart LOL. The roads here in deepest darkest Norfolk are full of mud and crap off the fields at this time of year with sugar beet carting etc can’t wait for spring to get here though.
Rob.

 

Picked up this beauty a couple of months ago for $5800usd. No rust, nice interior and runs great so they're still out there if you're lucky.

 

I have to say I agree entirely. The XJS has to my mind been the perfect classic car, in that it is beautiful (enough that people always let you out at a junction, or stop and ask about it), rare, lovely to drive, and the most interesting car to buy in that you need to do basic homework, and use a modicum of sense, but if you do, you can root out a good one for far less than it should cost by any normal classic car metric. It would be a shame if this changed.
I think it’s a far better looking car than the etype (I’m probably in a minority of one here), you can drive it safely and park it anywhere, and if it blows up, it’s not the end of the world. I’ve had in no particular order, an Audi Quattro, an Audi A8, a bmw 7 series, a Mercedes 300se, a 911 and a Saab 900.
the Saab and the xjs are by far my favourites.

 

Same colour as mine. Beautiful.

 

I only keep mine off the road during salt. Otherwise drive and wash. ( but not the engine bay ;-))

 

Selling my 1988 XJS Coupe. Prices are up, but mine needs some basic work. I listed it here in Marketplace.
I did fan and fan clutch, but scared off with other work.
Good deal if you can do some work on it.

 

They really like the low mileage cars! Personally, I'd feel better if it had a few more miles (and maintenance records) on it.

9,800-Mile 1994 Jaguar XJS V12 2+2 Convertible - Sold on BaT for $38,500

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...2-convertible/

 

Rising tide lifts all boats

 

I just bought a 1996 2+2 4.0 recently and prior I did a forensic search in all online marketplaces across the entire USA (Ebay, Craigslist, Offerup, Auto Trader...all of them) before buying. I can say it's hard to find a trusted purchase (some records, no rust, decent mileage1996 convertible 4.0)for under 14K. Most under that price for that year and model have some flaw. I ended up buying one for $9,500 (a very clean example, good record history, 98K miles BUT it has a non factory paint job) This is up to date real information from across the USA.

 

I too have the same car and you are right there is a line of demarcation around the $15k mark. I paid 11.5 for mine in 2020 and have spend another 3-4k for tires, AC, brakes, wheels and not to mention my time on minor cosmetics etc. I am throwing another $900 on driver side paint to fix a poor bondo job on an otherwise decent but non factory paint job. But she had 46k miles, new top and a 9pt interior.

So 15k-ish gets you a still a very nice car. I've seen some on ebay asking $20k but not getting it.. and they are cars I'd buy if price was right. So there is your market. 15-20k all day long will buy you all the XJS you need.. pick your flavor. Prices lower than that indeed have flaw(s) or miles and it just depends what is important to you.

 

I think that's exactly what's happening. There's a lot more water than there was just two years ago.

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/M2SL

 

Man I got to move to the US. Here is AUS the prices are out of reach for very nice examples. Maybe that's a good thing but for what you got for the price in the US is amazing compared to here. Nice colour too. Looks very clean indeed.

 

Lovely-looking car and well-maintained, but not cheap!!

And it doesn't benefit from the dry climes of many pampered US cars. The underside is described as being really good, but I'd still want to rebuild and replace many suspension components, even on top of the sale price..

US enthusiasts, benefit from your relatively really low prices for XJS's and indulge yourselves now! One day soon, this is what you'll be paying!

Paul

https://themarket.bonhams.com/en/lis...6-a34fbaea6a2a

 

Sweet Lord 😳😳😳