Theres a 1988 XJS 5.3 going to auction tomorrow. It was an older man that passed away. Was found in the barn with a cover over it. It was sitting for 4 years. The car is a convertible and the top and windows all work. It has 77k miles all gauges work but engine has old gas and runs decent. Almost dies then it comes back. Has some rust on bottom. Please tell me what you all think this car is worth. They just put a new fuel pump on it as well.

 

Odo

 

Engine

 

Dirty front

 

Whats the condition of the interior, the wood, the top and the paint ?

"Some rust" --> where and how much ? Are you going to be able to fix the rust yourself ? (meaning cutting the old rusty metal out and welding new stuff in) or would you have to pay someone to do it ?

Can you run the car long enough to see if it overheats or ?

 

Dirty side

 

Cleaned up

 

Interior is in alright condition but center wood piece next to the shifter is cracked up. They drove the car 20 miles back and it was fine oil pressure and all. I will probably just clear coat the rust its just surface rust. Im not gonna do a full restore just get the engine running good if I buy it. The paint looks very good but in spots there is paint missing a few bubble spots. 99% of the paint is clean.

 

The "how much rust" question is important.

If you're looking for a project, you've found one. My gut feeling is that this car needs extensive reconditioning in all areas.

If your end goal is Jag to really be proud of be prepared to spend many thousands of dollars....much more than you'll spend if you buy one in nice shape to begin with.

Anyhow, price......

I'll throw out a number that I'd be willing to pay.

$750.00

Cheers
DD

 

Well thanks for the input. My max will probably be $2,500.

 

It's not worth $2500 I'm afraid. Keep looking........

 

Really? I'm glad I came to this website, to me the car just seems like it should be worth a lot. I think I should be able to get it much cheaper. I found out its also a Hess & Earnhardt. I don't know if that makes it more valuable or not.

 

Hess and Eisenhart is the company that did the convertible conversions for Jaguar.

Convertible XJSs are worth more than the coupes, all else being equal, but you can buy a nice one for $5000 or so. You can probably buy an exceptional one....where the owner has already spent umpteen thousands of dollars.... for $7000.

I may not be up-to-date on those price estimates but, the point is, you can buy a nice one for wayyyy less than it'll cost to bring a ratty example up to the same standard.

If you don't mind spending the money then fixing up an old Jag can be lots of fun and very rewarding. There's something to be said for that. But, if your heart isn't into such a venture, you're much better off just buying a nice example to begin with.



Cheers
DD

 

I agree with Doug - $750.00 max. The H&E specific parts may be worth more than that.

 

Sad but true. Old XJSes and old XJ6s are worth very little and more importantly the difference in value between a basket case and a great one is very, very small. Buy the absolute best one you can afford. I bought a ratty XJS for <$3k..... I am now well over 20k into the car, and to be honest, it's presentable and reliable, but I could have saved myself a lot of trouble and bought a perfect one for 15k and had my weekends free for the past 3 years. I kind of chose to do it this way because I needed a distraction and I wanted to get back to fiddling with old Jags, but even I underestimated the time, effort and money it would take.

 

wow tough crowd...the real question here is what can you buy for 3 grand? When ever you buy a used car you end up sticking money in it. 1500.00 to 2000.00 is a good number-hell part it out and make a lot more than that. Where can you find parts new or used for that car-cant find any here on the forum. Your buying a car that someone paid 60 grand for when new for the price of a beat up Camaro.


Make your own choice but a convertible xjs...

Mark

 

I got it for 2700, honestly idc I couldn't find any very close to me. To me its well worth it I don't like to pay what a car is worth even. Usually under market price (I always thought they were) but only 2700 for a v12 convertible with everything working is a good deal in my book. Having problems with the radio though. Cannot figure out how to enter the code, it beeps after I hit three of the numbers.

 

If you're happy, we're happy

Cheers
DD

 

Haha well thanks, but if anyone knows about the radio code please help!

 

Usually you just enter the 4 numbers. Perhaps something is wrong with it.