WTB an XJS convertible.
Discussion
I'm thinking about getting an XJS convertible for wafting around country lanes next summer.
As I know nothing aboutanything these cars I thought it best to ask you Jaguar folk what's what.
At first glance, most of those in the ads, here and elsewhere, are priced around the £20k - £30k bracket. I noticed that some V12s are available too. I've no idea what represents value.
I'll be chopping in a 964. So, I should have a good budget for the right car.
What are your experiences with the model? What should I look for and what should I avoid?
Thank you.
As I know nothing about
At first glance, most of those in the ads, here and elsewhere, are priced around the £20k - £30k bracket. I noticed that some V12s are available too. I've no idea what represents value.
I'll be chopping in a 964. So, I should have a good budget for the right car.
What are your experiences with the model? What should I look for and what should I avoid?
Thank you.
A couple of problems.
The last XJS was produced 25 years ago, and the V12 is not the worlds most reliable engine, and a nightmare to work on.
If you can find one that's been well maintained with a straight 6 engine, then it may be a good purchase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqVvFOPjWxg&fe...
The last XJS was produced 25 years ago, and the V12 is not the worlds most reliable engine, and a nightmare to work on.
If you can find one that's been well maintained with a straight 6 engine, then it may be a good purchase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqVvFOPjWxg&fe...
They're lovely cars.
If you're looking in the £20k-£30k bracket then I would say a '90s model (possibly a Celebration Edition) would be best, if you get the 4.0 AJ16 engine then that's as reliable a Jaguar drivetrain as you'll get. The 1992-onwards cars were introduced under Ford's ownership of Jaguar and are generally considered to be better built than the earlier models. These are easily distinguished by the wraparound rear light clusters (and being denoted as 'XJS' rather than the hyphenated XJ-S).
Predictably it's corrosion that's the biggest issue, AIUI the later cars fare better in this regard than the earlier ones due to improved galvanisation process but as has been said they are all getting on a bit now so any of them are susceptible. Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable than myself will be along soon to advise on specific weak spots.
I would recommend checking out the websites of a couple of specialists, Clarkes have a good selection for sale and are very highly regarded. They also have a buyers' guide on their website: https://clarkesjaguar.co.uk/
There's also KWE who are (I believe) the leading XJS specialist and have some decent advice on their website ( a condition assessment of any car you are seriously interested in by KWE would be well worth getting if possible IMHO): https://www.kwecars.com/
Finally, the latest copy of Jaguar World magazine has an XJS buying guide in so might be worth getting a copy of that.
If you're looking in the £20k-£30k bracket then I would say a '90s model (possibly a Celebration Edition) would be best, if you get the 4.0 AJ16 engine then that's as reliable a Jaguar drivetrain as you'll get. The 1992-onwards cars were introduced under Ford's ownership of Jaguar and are generally considered to be better built than the earlier models. These are easily distinguished by the wraparound rear light clusters (and being denoted as 'XJS' rather than the hyphenated XJ-S).
Predictably it's corrosion that's the biggest issue, AIUI the later cars fare better in this regard than the earlier ones due to improved galvanisation process but as has been said they are all getting on a bit now so any of them are susceptible. Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable than myself will be along soon to advise on specific weak spots.
I would recommend checking out the websites of a couple of specialists, Clarkes have a good selection for sale and are very highly regarded. They also have a buyers' guide on their website: https://clarkesjaguar.co.uk/
There's also KWE who are (I believe) the leading XJS specialist and have some decent advice on their website ( a condition assessment of any car you are seriously interested in by KWE would be well worth getting if possible IMHO): https://www.kwecars.com/
Finally, the latest copy of Jaguar World magazine has an XJS buying guide in so might be worth getting a copy of that.
The later cars such as the celebration models have improved galvanizing for the bodies and more stiffening. The very late V12s are rare in RHD, you don't often see them for sale. The celebration models also gets the improved AJ16 engine which they share with the X300.
If you want XJS porn to drool over you can try googling for Clarkes Jaguar XJS.
As a previous posted says, even the last ones are 25 years one and even 25 years back the dealers didn't really understand the older ones that well. I looked at buying one back in early 96, I was offered a tempting deal on the demonstrator and in hindsight I wished I bought it. They also had an earlier (?K reg?) V12 example which I test drove. At the time I thought the wheels needed balancing but the sales man said "No they're all like that" so I didn't buy it. What he should have said is "It's been in the show room for a few weeks without moving, the tyres need to warm up and become round again. Drive it a bit further and it will be fine". I've had the same feeling with some of the XK8 hire cars I used to drive.
Good luck with your hunt for the ultimate waft.
If you want XJS porn to drool over you can try googling for Clarkes Jaguar XJS.
As a previous posted says, even the last ones are 25 years one and even 25 years back the dealers didn't really understand the older ones that well. I looked at buying one back in early 96, I was offered a tempting deal on the demonstrator and in hindsight I wished I bought it. They also had an earlier (?K reg?) V12 example which I test drove. At the time I thought the wheels needed balancing but the sales man said "No they're all like that" so I didn't buy it. What he should have said is "It's been in the show room for a few weeks without moving, the tyres need to warm up and become round again. Drive it a bit further and it will be fine". I've had the same feeling with some of the XK8 hire cars I used to drive.
Good luck with your hunt for the ultimate waft.
The convertibles are all V12s, the cabriolets came with straight sixes or V12s, and are cheaper to purchase.
Low 20s should see you into a nice convertible with good history and condition. The engines are fine, and there is a buying guide in this month's Jaguar World which may prove helpful. Using them always helps them, I find.
Low 20s should see you into a nice convertible with good history and condition. The engines are fine, and there is a buying guide in this month's Jaguar World which may prove helpful. Using them always helps them, I find.
lukeharding said:
The convertibles are all V12s, the cabriolets came with straight sixes or V12s, and are cheaper to purchase.
Low 20s should see you into a nice convertible with good history and condition. The engines are fine, and there is a buying guide in this month's Jaguar World which may prove helpful. Using them always helps them, I find.
I'm sorry to be a complete anorak on this one but I think Jaguar might not agree with you. I can't lay my fingers on my brochure from when I was looking to buy one towards the end of their production but it is easy to find them online.Low 20s should see you into a nice convertible with good history and condition. The engines are fine, and there is a buying guide in this month's Jaguar World which may prove helpful. Using them always helps them, I find.
You can look at the brochure on http://www.jag-lovers.org/brochures/xjs_3-96.html
same for the US http://www.jag-lovers.org/brochures/xjsusa95.html
You can find the cabriolets in http://www.jag-lovers.org/brochures/rangeusa586.ht...
Lots of the brochures on http://www.jag-lovers.org/brochures/section_xj-s.h...
Hey I can understand the desire to own a V12 if there is any option of one Lots of rubber subframe mounting bushes front and rear. If you test drive and it feels a bit self steering on the rear it’s old worn bushes. All drive train components are available to renew, some nos some remade parts. Later Ford made cars have outboard disk rear axles which makes it a bit easier to maintain brakes wise. I think all late cars had powerlok rear diffs, earlier cars were an option. Some cars have rear sway bars fitted, others don’t. Depends on build year and if later cars are sports pack fitted. Aston DB7 uses the same axles so it’s possible to fit Aston brake and sway bar upgrades. Easy cars to work on, sometimes time consuming to fit parts but generally nice old skool mechanically.
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