Probably not a good idea to buy this car.
Even if the mechanical issues are minor to get it running, which is possible, there is the chance of serious rust and a rough interior.
It could be fixed but to make it a really nice good looking ride might easily cost $20k.

In parts of the world where winters are harsh and roads get salted you are hard pressed to find 25 year old cars that will be free of rust.
If the car had been kept off the road under cover every winter then it could be worthwhile.
If I lived in Toronto and especillay wanted an XJ-S I would go looking for a car somwhere like Florida.That is assuming no regulatory hassle getting it back to Canada.

Down here in Australia early 5.3L convertibles in decent condition fetch $30k minimum.
Late 6.0L convertibles are advertised up to $70k, but may not sell at that level of course.
The climate is generally kind to old cars although the hotter weather is not kind to leather seats.

 

I own a 96 convertible that I bought in used but running condition back in 2013 with 114K miles - I think it is up to 129K now. I set me back $4300 - was in pretty bad shape cosmetically (driver's seat has a tear in it and wood trim was weathered, various stains and whatnot, fairy tired paint) but no body damage. I have put about $3k-5K into it over the years - replaced shocks all around, had to do some repairs to the steering rack, replace a blower, brakes - all this work was done by a local garage here in Miami - not a fancy jaguar shop or leadership. The 96XJS were built when Ford owned Jaguar so a lot of the bad Lucas electronics had been replaced and so far I've been able to source parts without too much trouble. We used it as a daily driver for a few years and now Its a weekend driver that I keep garaged.

The 6 cylinder is a reliable engine - the issues I've had have not been engine related but sensor related - the 96 is a "modern" car with the electronic control unit governing a lot of the engine's operations - and the issues I've had relate to the various sensors and their associated wiring falling apart or getting displaced. I had a period of time last year when the car became unreliable (stalling and rough idle) and I wracked my brain (and this forum) and the jaguar manuals trying to sort it out. In the end it turned out to be the little metal clip that holds on the MAF sensor (mass air flow) had fallen off and the sensor wasn't fully seated. It was a $0.25 fix with a zip tie.

I can't recommend the car you are looking at either way - but do a bit of looking around online - there are cherry examples of 95/96 convertibles in good running condition for sale at reasonable prices. They are wonderful, fun cars - so spend a little time looking at where you should spend your $$ and time.

 

The interior door handle looks much more worn than the mileage would suggest. My '95 with 108K miles on it isn't as worn down as that. The condition of the soft top is probably what you would expect on a 26 year old piece of fabric that has been exposed to the elements a lot. Mine is showing the same type of wear and needs replacing too.

 

i'm thinking its a FLOOD CAR,, after the storm floods in Houston TX, there were a number of good looking Jaguars , that sold as is for under $1000. dollars, one i particular 1996 Convertable went for $850. bucks!
ron

 

According to Nigel Thorley in You & Your XJS there were 73 12 cylinder convertibles built between 93 & 96 that were not Celebration models. MY 94 SN SAJNX2345RC 190256 was built in September 1993. I'm curious, I wonder how many others of the 73 are on road in the U.S.? Anybody have any idea?

 

ralphwg,

Unfortunately those figures in that version of Nigels book were wrong. One person i know actually bought 3 late v12 convertibles on the basis of that rarity before I had to inform him that over 1500 were actually manufactured.

Paul

 

Rarity does not mean it's worth anything.
Ask me how I know!

 

My 1994, 6.0 came with the Marrelli distributor and so did every other one I've heard of.
The only XJS's that came with coil packs were the newest 4.0 engines.

 

I don't need to ask.
My 1994 6.0 coupe, one of only 209, could only get me $1000 when I passed it on.