You guys are legends. Thanks so much for helping a young (maybe not so young) jaguar apprentice out.

Lol OG you make me laugh! Maybe ill just be another Kangol so my brother doesnt think I am an indian giver! i am currently in Vung Tau about to chopper out tommorow morning to work on the rig. yeah they drill for oil. I am the electrician/electronics technician on site. Work rotation came at a good time this month as I am mad keen to run out and buy my XJS but now out here for 4 weeks i am forced to think of more questions to ask you guys before I rush out and make some rookie mistakes!lol

Well thanks again i really appreciate it. Definately food for thought. I have heaps more questions but ill make seperate threads for them so we dont get off topic.

 

Heh guys

I snuck a peak at this before I caught the plane Tuesday arvo. Its just down the road from my house. The owner didnt come out (it was on the front lawn), and i really dont have the knowledge yet, but couldnt resist.

So...

I noticed some areas of rust, that even my untrained eye could pick up. Found painted over little bits (not too much) on the bonnet underneath the license plate. Also found some around most edges inside the wheels near where the mud flaps would go.

I am not sure what to expect rust wise for a car this age (1987) so didnt really know what to expect.

Just curious as to know what i should realistically expect. None? A little in certain common places? What do you think?

Also he is asking $17k for it as it is advertised as the rarer manual straight 6 version. I guess that would have to be the first one i have seen of that variety.

Also i noticed in his front yard he has like 4 XJS in total! I am surprised he isnt on this forum! (maybe he is) I gotta strike up a conversation with this Gent as it would be great having somebody down the road like that.

1987 Jaguar XJS Cars For Sale in QLD - CarPoint Australia

Other than that i was in a bit of a rush to the airport so didnt check for rust near the rear windshield as some of you guys recommend. it was my unoffical inspection anyway lol!

Still it got me excited for shopping when im back from work

 

A confusing Ad. It shows 3-Speed Auto with V12 5.3 litre and lower down the description has Manual with 6-cylinder 3.6 litre.



Graham

 

Paul, Just out of interest I sent an enquiry to the seller,got 4 days off. Then another 7 next week. If it works out I will go for a ride to have a look(or maybe take the "entry level" XJ6 to look more like a serious buyer).
Then you can compare your impression with mine of the same car.

 

Hi Paul

Did you really want a Manual Gearbox?

Most Luxury Cars like Jags and Mercs, come fitted with Auto as Standard.

I've had loads of Manual Gearbox Cars, including Lotus, MGB, Austin Healey 3000 and a TVR.

While my Dad only drove Automatics and used to think I was 'Crackers' by wanting to play with the gearbox all the time, especially when you are crawling along stuck in a long traffic jam.

I used to think He! was 'Crackers' until he lent me his Car with an Auto Gearbox, which was a seminal moment, when I suddenly started to realize what I had been missing.

This is one of those Marmite/Vegemite choices, where you have your foot firmly planted in one Camp or the other.

Neither is wrong, it just comes down to personal preference.

Having driven both types, I wouldn't want a Manual Car now, for all the Tea in China! With the exception of something like a Ferrari.

So if you don't have any preference, I would certainly think about test driving an Auto as they are a lot more fun to drive than some people think.

As for the White car you looked at, from the description I think I would give it a miss, as it may end up costing a fortune, to get rid of that rust and make her look nice, if repairing bodywork isn't your forte.

But there isn't any harm at all in getting to know that guy, as he could be a useful contact for stuff like spare parts.

So take a Step back and don't buy the first one that you see! or else you won't have a bench mark, or ever get to know what better is.

Buying a Car especially a Car like an XJS is very much like a relationship, where you will find that the Power always goes to the one who cares the less!

And at the moment you have that Power because you have the Cash as its a Buyers Market, for Gas Guzzling Cars.

So take your time and post some pics of the ones you've found where I'm sure the guys on here will try and help you make the right decision.

I still like that green one (if it wasn't for that Stupid Spoiler!) a Set of Lattice Alloys on that, could transform her into a real 'Show Stopper!'

 

Wow thanks Clarke!

Yeah this guys just lives around the corner from my house. He has like 4 XJS in his front yard. Must have good taste lol!

That would be awesome mate. For the time being its only over the internet for me. Im now in the middle of the south china sea with shitty satillite internet connection, at work

(it took about 5 mins for the Jag Forum to load)

 

thanks Orange Blossom.

Yeah the Green one I agree! Will definately look at that when I am back home off work, if its still not sold. Heh so how hard is it to get some lattice alloys in Oz I wonder?

Thanks for all the good advice

 

Now being on my 3rd jaguar since 2005
First one and 90 model XJ Sovereign no history told it was perfect yes it was after 5 grand
then my second one a 95 XJR6 with full service history 2 owner and meticulous service history nothing to spend yeah it was perfect after 20grand and 5 years then buying my 3rd a 04 XJ8 X350 with full dealer service history in July last year and it cost 5 grand to get it right

All I can say is get it checked by a specialist who pulls no punches and be prepared to spend or fix things yourself

They are great cars when they are working right and price is no guide to go by when they are for sale same as low mileage I would prefer high mileage sorted than low mileage never used
Rubber only last ten years 15 at most the Queensland humid climate and close to the ocean is no good for electrics valve stem seal are rubber and are a big job to replace and the starter motors on the V12 XJS cars are a bugger to replace ask anyone that's had to do one

My philosophy is get the best one you can buy not the closest all my cars came from interstate drove them all home good way to see what's right and wrong with them

I live on the Gold Coast and I get my cars fixed at Sandgate because no one down here could repair them right they did know how to charge though (LOL)

 

Im now in the middle of the south china sea

I'm in the middle of having my breakfast!

South China Sea! Its alright for some!

 

Hi Paul

Haven't been to OZ for a while, so don't know the Market for Lattice where you are but if you ever come across a set of good ones, from a Jag breakers or something like that, they could be a good investment, if the price is right

As for buying your first XJS I've been there and done it and lived to regret it, by buying the first one I saw.

Big mistake! that car was a real problem Child!

Condition is absolutely everything, so you ideally want one that has been pampered, or else you'll be chasing the 'dragon' trying to get rid of the rust, which will suddenly reappear, faster than you can blink.

So buy one with your head and not your heart!

I'm a lot more 'Street Wise' now, so although I sometimes get tempted, it would have to be Very Special to push me over the edge.

As for a 'daily driver' are you sure about that? as Yesterday I went tripping around with the GF and burned £80! (UK) in Petrol and will almost certainly be doing the same to day!

Which is becoming so normal, that I'm thinking of joining a 'Rain Dancing' Class, so I won't want to go out!

 

Doc thanks I really appreciate your help

Whats the name of the place in Sandgate mate?

 

24 hours,no reply from seller? So still don't know if it is 6/12 cyl, or Auto/manual

I know what you are saying even though I've only got a six. Last weekend $50 on fuel to go to Bribie Island and back,only 45 minutes each way.
I am using it as a daily driver, I could drive the Mazda 3 for half the cost but it doesn't seem right leaving the XJ6 at home.

 

yeah I agree OG. As I said it probably good I am at work at the moment as it gives me time to hold back. Rang the wife today and she tells me my "Ėssential XJS Buyers guide" came in from Amazon. Should be a good read when i get back. I think it was actually printed in the UK. You read any similar books? (Sounds like you guys dont need them though!)

 

id probably use mine to drive around the Sunny Coast Clarke, but also back and forth to Brissie once in a while too.

For my job im away for 4 weeks at a time, so it would get a little rest for a month, then id use it when i get home probably for a soild 4 weeks.

By the way, many thanks Clarke for checking into that seller on the coast

By the way, do you know if they do anything at Lakeside with Jags? I know once a year the Ferrari guys meet up there. Took my eldest son last year for a look. There was a small showing of about 10 Ferraris in the back paddock.

I used to live near Lakeside and also would see the occasional Jag.

 

Wow,Lakeside...that brings back some memories, I raced post classic bikes and superkarts there 1988-1992 ,and did a few track days in my XC Falcon 351 coupe and 2litre twin cam toyota powered TR7.(it shut down in 1990's because of resdential development and re-opened recently,but with major noise restrictions.Last track day there a mate went and could only run road legal pipes on his bike)
Don't know if they do any Jag stuff there but there is "Historic Jags on Warwick" held at Morgan Park raceway around easter each year.

 

Hi Clarke

We are definitely reading from the same 'Hymn Sheet' on that!

If you cannot Pay you cannot Play! and with the changeable Weather that we get in the UK.

Its 'Smiles' per gallon I'm after rather than Miles!

 

Yep,except I live in the sunshine state where you can drive and ride 364 days a year.

 

As a matter of fact I did!

I bought every Jag Mag going but there is nothing like the real thing, the Weather has been Amazing this Week and the GF and I have been 'Tripping' all over the place.

I'm willing to give up anything, except my XJS and the more I drive it the better it gets, so can't wait for you to get yours!

I'm drifting towards that 'Yellow One!' The Solid Colours have a deeper Shine and didn't give the 'Sun Fading Problem' a Thought!

If you're going to get some attention, then you may as well do the job properly!

 

If only gas was that cheap in the UK!

So once I've filled her up to the Brim and handed over the Plastic (Again!)

As soon as I'm back in the XJS I erase all those thoughts from my mind and am very thankful to be as lucky as I know I am.

'I'm'livin' the dream and only hope that it continues!'

 

I always said the yellow one was the best. Got 5 minute look at it today(no close inspection of interior or underside(Mrs only home and didn't really want me there). But a car I would pawn my youngest for. Worth your time to look.

1980 Jaguar XJS Coupe | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Brisbane North East - New Farm | 1043921642

I want to buy an S type for my wife next year but ..... this is a nice looking car.
And as far as yellow goes ,it grows on you.