Hi guys

I have just joined this forum. Been a jag enthusiast for years without ever actually owning one. Finally in a position to buy. Life long dream. Love many jags but the XJS is my favorite so I am seriously considering getting one but dont want to rush in with out any research. I live on the Sunshine Coast right near the beach so wanted to know your guys recommendations for an XJS in relation to where I live (V12's playing up in hotter climates, rust probs near the beach?), what year (70's 80's or 90s) , Engine type (V6, v12?) and basic things to look out for.


I want this car to be a daily driver and to basically cruise around the coast with it. Wouldnt mind joining a local jag club too and get involved.

I think the XJS looks best in Jag green also...thoughts?

Where do I start?

Your help is greatly appreciated...

 

Welcome.
I don't know how long you have been looking but today there was a white 81' model with 350 sbc lump at Tamborine Mountain for sale,tidy too($10,000). Saw it at the Bearded Dragon pub at Tamborine Village with a for sale sign in the window.
It may be on Gumtree or ebay,carsguide etc. I will have a hunt later tonight after her "movie night ".

Link to your local Jaguar Club
http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/bu...8#.U57iEpSSxXY

 

Thanks bud. I am trying to figure out atm why there is such a big variance in price. I am still learning but saw on car sales.com two different 1985 models one was about $13k the other $26K. Both "seemed" in pretty good nick at face value.

Thoughts?

 

I think the big variance is sellers who are dreamers. When I was looking for my series 1 they ranged from $1500 to $20000, 20 k ones were dreamers. Most were around 5000,and not worth it. Some 10 k ones were immaculate and restored ,and prob worth the $$. But most were cheap and I guess that is because there are not a lot of buyers.
Shop wise!

 

thanks man, i thought just as much. I have also been browsing Just Cars magazine for years. Noticed with the price guide in the back, the XJS is only listed in there from 1976-1983. They mustnt consider years after 84 classics(must be a cut off)? The latest model jag in their price guide is 85 for both the XJ6series 3 and the XJ12 series 3.

I thought this little guide is good to see what people are asking is actually worth it. Only good for me 83 and back I guess.

I am still undecided of what year i wanna go with yet for the XJS myself.

thanks again for all your help

 

Go to the 'How To" sticky thread at the top of this section where you'll find an XJS Buyers Guide. It'll cover the basics.

Cheers
DD

 

I highly recommend that you order a couple of books on the XJS. I did this before I started looking as it helped me learn about the car and differences between the years etc. Having this information was a huge help in my understanding of the car and for me to narrow down what I wanted to spend my time looking at.

Keep in mind the car was produced for 21 model years but the factory convertible was not available until the late 1980's and then was offered with the inline 6 for a short time. Every one of us will have our opinions as to what engine and year range will be the best for you to look at so I would take the time to familiarize yourself with the car first so you will know what will be the best fit for you.

We are very lucky here North America to have so many to choose from and many very responsibly priced. From what I have seen in your country the supply to price ratio is just the opposite so all the more important to make sure you are getting the right car for you. My thought is if possible give yourself at least a year to look at as many as you can before you even decide on buying one. This time will help you to know when you have found that right car that fits you best. Good luck with your search and I can say first hand I have never regretted my decision to own and drive a XJS.

 

I woudn't get too caught up in seeking out a particular year. Finding the right car is more important than finding the right year or....to a reasonable extent....the right price.
Condition is everything.

Cheers
DD

 

guys thanks I appreciate the help

Yeah i already have one book coming from Amazon: XJS the essential buyers guide.

Hope it is a good read. Yeah i am still mind boggled as what XJS to go with. I noticed in our Australian magazine : Just Cars the XJS is listed in their pricing guide as running from 1976-1983. The must consider post 83 non vintage, but heck, I have seen alot of early 90s models quite pricey, particularly the convertible type.

Heh so, did they only start making convertible XJS in the 90's? If so does that mean any pre 90s convertibles are non factory modifications?

Guys again thanks for your help. I am keen to rush in and get one now asa i have the chance, but got to resist until I know what I am dealing with

 

Here is a couple near you,might be good to look at a few cars that pop up to get a feel for the market.
1987 Jaguar XJS Coupe | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Redcliffe Area - Redcliffe | 1050153809
1985 Jaguar XJS Coupe | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Caboolture Area - Bellara | 1047352604
1980 Jaguar XJS Coupe | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Brisbane North East - New Farm | 1043921642

 

1989 is the first year for the factory convertible. That year was a mild freshening up. Nicer recaro style seats, some more wood, more leather vs vinyl, and lattice wheels. 92 is the start of the facelift cars, and 94 they changed to the more modern bumpers vs the black rubber bumpers. Older convertibles than 89 are most likely Hess & Earnhardt which were sold through the jag dealers. There are some other conversion cars which I personally would stay away from since there is no support for them and most don't look as good nor as well engineered as the factory converts and H & E converts. There also is a mild convert called an XJ-SC, this is more like a t top but not quite.

 

As others have stated get the best car you can afford as it cost a lot more to fix up then to buy a good one. You will need to decide a v12 vs 6 based on what you want. The 6 are definitely better mpg, but doesn't have the awe of a v12. Neither car is extremely fast, if that is what you want I would look for a different car. I personally always wanted a v12 convert, so that is what I got. I would also wait out for the right car, year, style, engine, and colors as you will be more happy in the end. Good luck!!

 

If you want to drive it, more than you work on it, I would go for as nice a 93-96 six cylinder car. I own two Jags now, but have owned many of them through the years. This is my 6th V12 XJS currently, have had it almost a year now, and am still hoping to get to drive it regularly. The 97 XJR however, is so far been great. Seems the older I get, the less I want to work on my cars, lol. It might be novel having a really early XJS, but get ready to put up with a lot. Btw, my current XJS is a 89 Convertible. Thought I was doing great, until now. Battery going dead overnight for some reason....

 

guys i appreciate all the advice

Have been reading intently

cheers

 

As I have said before,do your research,arrive prepared and be happy to walk away if all does not seem right. Plenty of cars out there to look at.
If you walk away and change your mind you can always go for a second look,and on the second look the ball is in your court because no one else has bought it.
Shop wise!

 

heh any of you guys particularly Aussie members (Clarke?) bought a car in another state before?

What did you guys do? Do a road trip just to check it out? Pay somebody to check it out for you?

Stories?

 

If it were me I'd do the road trip to buy interstate. Nothing like seeing what you are buying.
I bought a bike off Ebay once sight unseen,never again. I travelled 400km north to look a 420g,then rode to Newcastle(9 hours to look at a XJ6).
Ended up buying one 20km from home,lol.
I bought my bike in Tamworth(600km), caught a coach down with my riding gear prepared to bus it home again if I was dissapointed. Lots of phone calls to seller,lots of pics and questions before going to look,copies of receipts etc.
The only problem you can run into registering an interstate car in Qld is if it has had mods,ie Chev engine as it will need a Queensland mod plate. Pretty easy to get if the job has been done properly.
You could get somebody else to check it out,but it would have to someone you can trust spending your coin.

 

Look for the best 90+ XJS V12 that you can afford. That's what I did and I am very happy with my decision. These cars are reliable as long as you drive them more then once a month... LOL. Heck, I have collected cars for years and anything that sits, you will have problems. Cars were made to be driven.

 

Don't limit yourself to just the sunshine state, look a bit further. lots of good cars in Victoria/NSW for some reason and a lot of them don't have the rust problem that get near the beach'y areas. If you get one in decant nick fish oil or tectyl 506 underside is a must as your in a harsh environment on cars.
As far as what people ask for dollar wise, I cannot comment, I have seen the same thing as you anywhere between 3-30k. There was a nice going for little money and I do mean little money not so long ago in Melbourne, a 3.6l manual, would have been a good car but I found it just after buying the one I have now, bugger!
I will say if I had a little more room I would buy another one or two now as some are going ridiculously cheap, just for parts.

 

thanks again guys.

Mmmmm... i too have noticed VIC have some good sales. I have a few more questions:

So you find a car in VIC. You plane it down or similar. The car is a winner. What would you guys think of driving say, for example, a 1985 model v12 all the way back from VIC to QLD? (I mean what else could you do?)

I know, its subject to the cars condition and all, but would you guys do it?

I guess you would have to also be pretty confident about the car before you made the final decision to actually take the trip.

Any of you guys drove your car back from a long distance?