@cassidy

Sorry to hear you got gezumped on the first car. Unfortunately there was an easier way to get the check engine light code...... turn on the ignition and watch the trip computer display in the centre console....... If there are codes they appear on the display (their format is FFxx) The '94 cars don't have full OBD yet.... that didn't come until 95 or 96 I think.

It sounds like you are passionate about getting an XJS (And who wouldn't be) but at the moment are getting a little frustrated, first by your first dealer, then by the high price for the second unremarkable car. I would try and take a breather for a few days.... then start looking again. The right car is out there, and it will do everything you want it to do (Sunday drives, long runs in style and comfort, etc) Buy the right one and you will love it for years to come. Buy the wrong one and the whole experience starts off badly and goes downhill from there. Personally I would not buy an XJS from a dealer, unless I could speak to the previous owner. Finding out what sort of person owned the car before you is critical I think, especially for a car as quirky as the XJS.

On the A/C, it is NEVER just needing regassed, so assume the worst here. I was quoted 1k to rebuild mine.

 

10,000 with problems my be bit high. My son bought a superb two owner (essentiallyone owner as the gent we bought the car from only had it for one year) 1993 Coupe for $6200. excellent shape with only 61,000 miles. Only headaches so far were ram bushings (easy with the John's Cars bushing tool - in the driveway), and a clogged A/C expansion valve (did the compressed air cleanout described elsewhere on this forum).

The cars are out there, try Cars.com. That is where we found our 93 about 90 miles from our house. It was worth the drive....

 

I bought a '96 6 cylinder with 25k miles (now has 27k) at the high end at $17k mint condition with all gremlins at the time known and fixed by the seller/dealer (bad hand brake switch and a scratched passenger side headlight lens). Otherwise the car is minty. I keep it garaged in the mild winters here in California - water bad...

Everything worked but one month after I bought it the check engine light came on and it was an air pump replacement at $250 to get it to go off, and now I'm getting the 30k service performed (at 28k miles) not because it runs poorly, but because it needs to be done - all fluids replaced (brake, radiator, transmission, rear end), spark plugs, bearings re-packed, etc.... Cost is around $500 here in Sausalito, CA where the bills are higher, but we have old Jaguar specialists. It's a great British racing green / coffee interior with white piping , excellent condition car if anyone is interested - all original and everything works.
I love to drive the car and I'm convinced it will go up in value over time so no real hurry to sell, but it's always in the back of my mind.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. I have crossed the '96 off my lists. The A/C problem and dent, combined with the color (a grayish green -- I'm looking for red, black or white) did it in. Consequently, i have spotted another XJS for sale at a consignment dealer. Red, V12, damage to the driver's seat but otherwise nice interior. I don't know the model and havn't driven it yet, but do know that it has 95K miles, which is a big turn off. I really want a good dependable car able to consistently make 500-600 mile trips with a little maintenance as possible. I'll do my best to keep everyone up to date on my search and would appreciate any leads anyone might can offer.

 

Have you found your car yet. Have you looked at ebay? For the money you are looking to spend have you considered the XK? I'm kind of in the same boat that you are in. Did find one in Harrisonville Mo. that was a pretty good deal.