After an 80s HE v12 XJS
Discussion
I've already seen an absolute lemon and walked away quickly; air con disconnected (god knows what would be up with it if it hadn't), computer broke, wipers broke, all odd tyres, jackpoints rotten, front and rear wheel arch linings corroded, headlining torn and sagging by at least a foot, verneer cracked and broken, interior mangled and when I lifted up the boot carpet the metal came off and stuck to the back of it leaving a hole about 2 by 25 inches.
An extreme case obviously but aside from the blindingly obvious which can be budgeted for (holes, non functioning air con, manky interior, suspension bushes, electrical switches etc.) are there any more subtle ticking timebombs to look out for?
And also I heard there's a classic insurer that will cover under 21 y/os, does anyone know the name as standard car insurance on these things is pretty hefty.
An extreme case obviously but aside from the blindingly obvious which can be budgeted for (holes, non functioning air con, manky interior, suspension bushes, electrical switches etc.) are there any more subtle ticking timebombs to look out for?
And also I heard there's a classic insurer that will cover under 21 y/os, does anyone know the name as standard car insurance on these things is pretty hefty.
Hi Greg,
Sounds like you did the right thing in walking away from that one.
I insure mine (see profile) through Footman James for £500ish I get a small discount for being a JEC member.
The only real problem with Pre 90's XJS' is the dreaded tin worm (rust). Is there any reason you have your heart set on an 80's model? The face lift cars with the galvanised bodies are going for bargain prices these days.
I'd say it's worth paying the extra, as a couple of relacement wheel arches and a wing will soon make up the difference.
If you're anywhere near Manchester I can put you in touch with an excellent Jag specialist, who will no-doubt be able to point you in the direction of some good cars.
Bob.
Sounds like you did the right thing in walking away from that one.
I insure mine (see profile) through Footman James for £500ish I get a small discount for being a JEC member.
The only real problem with Pre 90's XJS' is the dreaded tin worm (rust). Is there any reason you have your heart set on an 80's model? The face lift cars with the galvanised bodies are going for bargain prices these days.
I'd say it's worth paying the extra, as a couple of relacement wheel arches and a wing will soon make up the difference.
If you're anywhere near Manchester I can put you in touch with an excellent Jag specialist, who will no-doubt be able to point you in the direction of some good cars.
Bob.
I have a couple to look at where the vendors have assured me they're hole free. Are you saying that the chassis on these things isn't vulnerable as that was my number one fear about them.
I prefer the earlier look and as I understand it the un-catted v12 is only slightly less powerful than the 6 litre ones. Plus I have access to a sprayer who'll do very good work for favour money, so very minor rust and pain problems can be sorted out quite cheaply. I think waxoyling underneath is going to be a neccessity if I'm lucky enough to find a half decent one though.
I prefer the earlier look and as I understand it the un-catted v12 is only slightly less powerful than the 6 litre ones. Plus I have access to a sprayer who'll do very good work for favour money, so very minor rust and pain problems can be sorted out quite cheaply. I think waxoyling underneath is going to be a neccessity if I'm lucky enough to find a half decent one though.
Hmmm....I think you might have just have pointed me in the direction of my next car!
Not the v12, but probably a 4.0, maybe even a Celebration.
It would be an everyday runner, parked on the drive, not in the garage. 10,000 - 15,000 pa at most....sensible or not?
>> Edited by UpTheIron on Friday 31st December 22:36
Not the v12, but probably a 4.0, maybe even a Celebration.
It would be an everyday runner, parked on the drive, not in the garage. 10,000 - 15,000 pa at most....sensible or not?
>> Edited by UpTheIron on Friday 31st December 22:36
Greg2k - I think the main problem on Pre 90's (ungalvanised) XJS's is bodywork. Mainly: wings, wheelarches (inner and outer) and the little scuttle panel just in front of the window.
Up The Iron - I've found my Jag to be a great (and virtually problem free) car and I run it every day.
Economically speaking, you may want to go for the 4.0 Celebration. I've got an XJR-S and it uses double the amount of petrol the 2.0 Toyota Avensis I sometimes borrow, does. However there's nothing quite like that 6.0L V12
Up The Iron - I've found my Jag to be a great (and virtually problem free) car and I run it every day.
Economically speaking, you may want to go for the 4.0 Celebration. I've got an XJR-S and it uses double the amount of petrol the 2.0 Toyota Avensis I sometimes borrow, does. However there's nothing quite like that 6.0L V12
I got an xjs v12 at 20 and lived to regret it 
Insurance for me was £650.
Whats your budget? what do you want from it as such?
Things to look for - busted cruise control, cracked ht leads (i know its a pain to dive in there, but its important), radius arm mounts, cam cover gaskets, headliners dropping, inner wing rot (look down past the air intakes). Air con is of course a pain, the electric mirrors are also vulnerable. Kickdown switches can break - if its a bit slow to kick down this is generally the cause.
Insurance for me was £650. Whats your budget? what do you want from it as such?
Things to look for - busted cruise control, cracked ht leads (i know its a pain to dive in there, but its important), radius arm mounts, cam cover gaskets, headliners dropping, inner wing rot (look down past the air intakes). Air con is of course a pain, the electric mirrors are also vulnerable. Kickdown switches can break - if its a bit slow to kick down this is generally the cause.
I've seen a fairly decent one (compared to others) although there are a few faults which will I will need to budget for. The boot floor is fine, as is the rear windscreen.
Rust spots on one door bottom and rear wheen arches (surface only), one knackered front wing and wheel arch, silver electric mirror switch broken, knackered drivers seat (grey leather) and disconnected electric seats.
Does an H reg car have that power sucking MOT failing cat in it and is it galvanised?
Also what is the cost likely to be for those various repairs? thanks
Rust spots on one door bottom and rear wheen arches (surface only), one knackered front wing and wheel arch, silver electric mirror switch broken, knackered drivers seat (grey leather) and disconnected electric seats.
Does an H reg car have that power sucking MOT failing cat in it and is it galvanised?
Also what is the cost likely to be for those various repairs? thanks
A H reg won't be galvanised. As I recall they started at J reg.
It's easy to tell; the Facelift (Galvanised) models have a more rounded shape to the rear quarterlights (windows) and the rear lights are in the form of a long strip which goes across the whole of the rear.
I've no idea about the reapir costs I'm afraid, or if it will have a cat (although I suspect it won't).
You seem pretty bothered about catalitic converters; I'm not aware of them being any kind of issue on the XJS.
It's easy to tell; the Facelift (Galvanised) models have a more rounded shape to the rear quarterlights (windows) and the rear lights are in the form of a long strip which goes across the whole of the rear.
I've no idea about the reapir costs I'm afraid, or if it will have a cat (although I suspect it won't).
You seem pretty bothered about catalitic converters; I'm not aware of them being any kind of issue on the XJS.
In america they are - there are 4 of them on the us versions. The typical xjs cat problem is when the ecu fails and the car ends up dumping loads of unburned fuel into the cats, destroying them (and sometimes the whole car if the owner keeps trying to drive it - the 89 onwards cars fail one bank at a time so not complete loss of power)
Got one: 5.3 HE in deep blue, looks fantastic.
No tin worm although small spots or rust around wheel arches (what kind of urgency do these need to be treated with?), head lining needs doing and the console verneer needs attention. I think the top proirity is to get it garages ASAP.
Any maintainence tips
No tin worm although small spots or rust around wheel arches (what kind of urgency do these need to be treated with?), head lining needs doing and the console verneer needs attention. I think the top proirity is to get it garages ASAP.
Any maintainence tips
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