Originally Posted by RagJag

Hey, Spikepega, If this was a sixties muscle car I could see spending that kind of loot. One of those would be worth a bundle but sadly the XJS will never appreciate very much, at least in my lifetime. Amazing that the XJS cost so much and is worth so little now. The climate control system is my main worry/gripe about mine. All that said, I do love the old thing. Such a small amount of money gets you not only beauty but exotic too.
Cheers, RagJag

Originally Posted by gregh

I've read with good interest regarding some of the pitfalls of certain paint jobs, and to that end, I too am booked with a locally renown body man/painter who works for a Big-Three dealer by day, and restores sho-quality cars in his own shop. I spoke with him last week, he will do it in May, stripping it down properly and doing a Base/Clear water-born finish, which is the industry norm now-a-days. He quoted me $2500.00 for complete satisfaction.
My '89 XJS RagTop is in great shape body-wise, however a receipt from 2001 shows rocker panels (chip damage)being repaired and repainted. The Moron who did this job did a crappy job in matching the colour, and the previous owner never had the guy re-do it correctly. -When I look at the trunk lid and the rocker panels up the side over the rear wheels, it makes me steam.

I've been asked to join a couple local car clubs and show the car at some of their parking lot and arena shows, however just knowing somebody will do a double-take over the two-tone red paint keeps me from showing my baby.
I'll try to get photos of the painting progress, especially when he has it stripped down with the bumpers off. -I'm not sure whether he'll simply mask off the convertible top, or if he will lift/remove part of it prior to refinishing.

Originally Posted by RagJag

Hey, Spikepega, If this was a sixties muscle car I could see spending that kind of loot. One of those would be worth a bundle but sadly the XJS will never appreciate very much, at least in my lifetime. Amazing that the XJS cost so much and is worth so little now. The climate control system is my main worry/gripe about mine. All that said, I do love the old thing. Such a small amount of money gets you not only beauty but exotic too.
Cheers, RagJag

Originally Posted by david i

The extra paint work indeed might not be cost-effective, at least in the context of resale value, but that really doesn't matter. If someone buys a vintage car (and XJS has that "vintage" look, even if this one is younger than 20 years) for personal enjoyment, tweaking the car (including paint) until one is content with that purchase is part of the package. In that context whether that series will appreciate or not also is moot, though I note that often it is hard to anticipate what will be desired in twenty or forty years.

regards

-d

Originally Posted by david i

The extra paint work indeed might not be cost-effective, at least in the context of resale value, but that really doesn't matter. If someone buys a vintage car (and XJS has that "vintage" look, even if this one is younger than 20 years) for personal enjoyment, tweaking the car (including paint) until one is content with that purchase is part of the package. In that context whether that series will appreciate or not also is moot, though I note that often it is hard to anticipate what will be desired in twenty or forty years.

regards

-d

Originally Posted by 06TimXJS

I've owned my Jag for little over six months and have used your photos for what I want mine to look like when she grows up... Your Jag looks great, but with that being said this problem will haunt you (because you know it exists). Just do it my good man! You'll thank yourself for it later.

Cheers,

-Tim

Originally Posted by warrjon

My sentiment entirely.

Spike, by the time mine is finished I will have pored at least $30K into it over the purchase price. I think I share your illness........