Thanks for sending the link. I did look at that one, but a convertable beckons more.
I am still trying to get a handle on prices, what with covid +20% surge in used car values. Agree that the one in the link you sent looks like a better proposition re. maintenance history, but its a coupe and V12.
Plus from my limited tracking, these just do not seem to sell at all quickly. That may put downward pressure on negotiated prices, plus any issues that show up in pre-purchase inspection.

 

I found the same car advertised on the Ontario Jaguar Owner Club, with a name, email address and even a phone number:

 

Hi Quentin,

The V12 is awesome. It really is. They way they wind up is unique and they love 4500 rpm plus more all day long (second gear for the auto)

You do need to have some mechanical knowledge and some room to work on it from time to time.

My V12 is very reliable but requires about 20 to 30 hours a year for general maintenance. (A few more to get her into line for the first year or two)

Its like having a pet, They need some lovin' then they treat you good!

Easy when you know, but not for everyone.

 

I've taken the phone number and email out, maybe you can share those by PM if Mozambique is interested?

 

I got the details. Thanks!

 

I hear you.
My heart would say V12, but its the "a few more to get her into line for the first year or two" which causes palpitations

 

Well - here is a personal but remember this is personal opinion.

That car looks to be one of those rarities, and were I in Canada I may even consider - but - if you set your mind on a V12 it won't be that and inside that 'V12 desire' won't go away, at least for me it wouldn't.

Would that car tick the boxes - I'm sure it would - all except one ....

Follow your heart or it will never be silent - that's my personal opinion of course based on how I am.

 

thats the fun part… bringing them back to life!

 

Yes...fun....so ...much...fun lol

 

Here's a nice one if you want conv.

 

I think you V12 oddballs are missing the benefits of a stright six.
Get yourself a 4L convertable and a 4L coupe and you have the same amount of cylinders and twice the fun!

 

Hmm - V12 oddballs - you were the one set on a V12 - think you're gonna buy two 4.0's in the price range you have in mind - dream on.

 

No, not set on a V12 per se.
Obvs my previous post was said in jest, rather than any sense of reality.
No offence meant or implied to V12 owners

 

So..........I did contact the owner of the 94, 4.0L in the add above.
He has decided to hang onto it for the rest of the summer, but may put it up for sale next spring.

Did go to look at a '92 V12 soft top today with 139k km ($CAD 18,500).
Being sold by a semi-deaf 89 year old man. Lovely chap. Apparently he knows Jackie Stewart who drove the car with him on the test drive when he bought it at 12 months old (he's second owner). Lovely anecdote. I told him he should include that in the ad and ad a grand to the price
Apparently our Jackie was not a fan re. understeer.

Back to the car:
Checked as much as I could of all common potential issues / condition of things etc. First thing I checked was service history. Scant, apart from some early stuff. Car has been serviced past decade by a Jag master technician. I spoke to him and he said, as I have already deduced, that not much service history as the owner rarely drove it. Now I know commmon wisdom is that these cars need to be driven regularly, but there must be a lot of ~2 owner cars out there currently being sold by elderly owners that fall into a similar low-use, low servicing category? The mechanic said "its a good car I shouldn't worry about major issues"........... famous last words? FYI, if I go further, at present, he would be main candidate to do pre-service inspection. Obs service schedule is based on mileage or time, which ever comes first. So low annual mileage cars like this one do not get serviced based on mileage...........

Not expecting a 30yo car to be perfect, but what I found:

Good:
No obvs signs of major rust in body or sills, with exception of what looked like small perforation on the underside of sill on d/s. Did not poke to ohard, so not sure if all way through.
Fresh oil and trans fluid
Could not ascertain coolant condition
No gas odour in trunk
According to jag mechanic:
Brakes and AC done semi-recently and some work on steering rack (replaced?).
Car not overly primped
Interior looked in good condition (seat bolster notwithstanding).
Hood worked fine
On the test drive the engine was smooth and quiet. Tranny kicked down without hesitation. Steering felt fine. No odd noises from anywhere.
BTW...... I am 6'4"......these were not built for tall drivers.....would not want to be any taller.

Not quite as good:
hole in d/s seat leather bolster...... I am thinking $$ to repair so does not look crap?
Brakes worked ok, but pedal v.hard with little movement
AC not working
Spark plugs and wires done at 133k km in 2009. Now at 139k km...........500km/yr?!! if milometer is to be believed. Probably okay?
Passenger headlight lens a little hazy - not sure if will pass safety inspection?
Needs new hood struts

Thoughts:
Did not crawl underneath to check underside for corrosion and oil leaks (although had ramps with me)........so a question mark.
Assume at a minimum, PM required = coolant hoses replaced, fuel hoses, new coolant. Brake fluid probs okay, but hard pedal indicates something needs fixing.
Master mechanic worked on AC and brakes semi-recently, but both need attention
Grateful for any general thoughts, words of wisdom on the above (thank you!)

 

Mozambique,

A 30 year-old XJS with 139k is not really a low-mileage car. An average of 4.5k per year and some years probably with 10k is a well-used car and should have had regular annual servicing.

As regards the brakes, a rock-hard pedal in a car with Teves ABS is indicative of a failure in the rear circuits. If you go and look at it gain, post here and we'll tell you what to look for.

Cheers

Paul

 

Paul,
Thanks for getting back to me.
Well, an average of 5,000km/yr or 3,000 miles is on the low side, at least compared to a typical dailiy driver. My main point was that it appears that over the past 13yrs it has averaged only 500km/yr, so in terms of servicing, it won't have hit many mileage related triggers. This was the response from the mechanic, which makes sense.

Failure in rear circuits........ is that $$$?

Still pondering; thanks for the offer of further assistance if needed; much appreciated!

Cheers,

Quentin

 

I would avoid any XJS with antilock brakes!

 

So given my interest in the 1980's TWR jaguars this one caught my eye:
https://www.autotrader.ca/a/jaguar/x..._13_13&sprx=-1

The attention to detail is evident. $30k is not cheap, but possibly the only manual gearbox XJS in Canada. From the carfax report, 5 owners and several years with no ownership listed. Presume this indicates the car was off road in storage.
I did a quick search for genuine TWR edition cars and found one for sale in UK for $40k with 50k km on it.
Interested in any opinions on the car
thanks in advance.

 

I know the car and its owner.

The description is honest. He spent a long time finding all the TWR bits to make it look authentic.

Rob

 

Thisis a nice one too

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...xjs/1623047328

I saw it while is was being checked over at Plham Imports here in town. I does need front suspension work; ball joints etc. Nothing too big.

Rob