Should I keep it?

[XJR-S]

So.... My car is plagued by a list of small woes and I really don't think I can justify keeping it, so would like to enlist you all for some honest advice. I don't have as much time as I used to for tinkering (7month old baby) and all the advice I've been given is to move it on. Speaking to both Don Law and Thomas Barclay, that's what has been suggested. It needs someone with the time to bring it back!


6.0 twr engine and all the works.

So being brutally honest... It needs a little MOT welding, exhaust down pipe gaskets and 2/3 wheel bearings to pass a test. Emission are spot on, engine is sweet though may need a new TPS and does need a service. Has had a recent sandwich plate gasket.

Boot floor, sill end caps and rear valance could do with attention but not MOT areas. Rear brakes could do with an overhaul as could the steering rack and probably cooling system.

The interior is presentable but wood work is cracking and headlining has begun to drop, and the radio doesn't have a live power fees (not a fuse). Alarm fob responds but needs setting up.

Tyres are good but wheel lacquer is peeling in places.

Bits I've done - fitted a mint twr steering wheel, bonnet struts, aerial seal... And done about 700 glorious miles.

Since I discovered the MOT failing bits the car has been laid up, has only about 63k on the clock and did go like stink! But does need attention, attention that I can't give. Due to roadworthyness issues the dealer has given me a rebate but not enough to cover the work so I'd rather sell it on at a bargain price to someone who can care for it. Rather than break it.

So, anyone want to convince me to keep it, anyone want to buy it, or other...?

[steve_m]

Nice looking car so it would be a shame to let it go.
Nothing that you have mentioned sounds insurmountable; maybe it would be worth costing up the MOT issues as it should be worth a lot more with an MOT on it if you decide to sell.
I would have been interested but bought an XJRS 2 weeks ago; needs a fair bit of work but only cost £100 to get it through the MOT and the rest of it I will do piecemeal.
Once I've finished the Cabbie which needs even more work!
Good luck with whichever way you decide to go.
if it was me I'd keep it but then I only have a small brain which is always overruled by my heart.

[Brakebuster]

what do you think its value is , with and without the MOT ?

and what would you be willing to sell it for ' to get it gone ' ?

repair costs are worlds apart if you do it yourself or pay a garage to carry out the works , then there is time


BB

[ptjs1]

I agree with Steve. If the MoT needs are as you describe, then the car is much more valuable and saleable if the car is MoT'd. With an MoT, the car has more than a veneer of credibility and the buying audience is so much bigger. Without an MoT, you're significantly limiting the sale to only those who will take a gamble on what it may cost to get it roadworthy.

It's a nice-looking car. Put a years ticket on it and it will be worth much more.

Good luck

Paul

[robv12]

I'd take a gamble on "as is" of course, pm me with a price

[XJR-S]

Great questions and I don't know what its worth with an MOT, that's for the experts, not me really. The amount I'd want to get it gone is probably a lot more than it may be worth to some, I have no idea.

During the day today I felt more and more like just fixing it up. I am very conflicted! And MOT would be a good shout at minimum really.

[davidr]

I had a similar dilemma with my 1989 V12 coupe. I found that I was using the Celebration convertible much more and had kind of "fallen out of love" with it. I asked myself shall I put the effort into making it more the car I want or just face up to the fact that the Celebration is the one that I enjoy the most and sell the V12?
Well I thought that there were a few things I wanted to complete on the V12 before I considered it ready to sell so I put the back axle in that I'd been rebuilding, fitted a new stainless exhaust and took care of a long list of niggly little faults.
After the XJS seminar with Dave Marks I also did a few upgrades like improving the gearbox responsiveness with a new vacuum regulator and sorting out a long standing fault with the ignition system.
Then it suddenly dawned on me that I'd made a much better car! Now it was free of annoying little faults, drove a damn sight better and had a much more comfortable ride again. I was in love again!
So, after more than 10 years together my V12 and I have stopped all talk of divorce.
I'm so happy as we've been together a long time and I've put a lot of effort and even more money into her over the years and to just sell her on would have felt like a sad ending.
So, I'd urge you to hang tight, put the effort into getting your car into the condition that you want it to be even if it takes some time.
Like any marriage, sometimes you have to work at it!

[XJR-S]

David, you make some good points there.

And really, I do want to keep it. The whole heart over head thing. Ever since I first looked at buying a car, I wanted an XJS, with the body kit, and now I've got it, I really want to keep it for a couple of years I don't feel like I've 'finished' that dream yet

I've also got back in touch with an old friend who is now an independent mechanic and doesn't have a huge amount of work on and he's experienced with the XJS. So at least he can do the basics for the MOT.

Watch this space

[steve_m]

Sorted then, excellent choice!

[Reg]

I think you had the answer to your question all along....

Keep it, you will regret selling it......

[poprivet]

Its a conundrum many of us go through. Once enough has been spent to get it working its too good to get rid of.

The first decent run after a successful MOT will get that smile back on your face

[XJR-S]

Yeah absolutely. Just bit the bullet and decided to change all four bearings, rather than just the three that really need doing. The ouchy bit was I decided to go for all genuine Jaguar parts. Not like the cheapo ebay bearings I'd usually fit in my Fords!

Then followed by a cooling system overhaul, ignition overhaul and rear axel overhaul. I'd better start collecting parts. Seems there are a few sources for Genuine Jaguar parts at cheaper prices online. No doubt there will be a number of follow up posts! Hopefully with some pictures

[ptjs1]

Good news that you've decided to progress a little further with the cars ownership!

Do let us know if you find genuine Jaguar parts (rather than OEM parts) cheaper online. This is not something of which I had heard. In my experience, the independent suppliers such as Manners and Barratts always charge more for genuine Jaguar parts than my local main dealer. AFAIK, all genuine Jaguar parts come from Jaguar Classic Parts and my dealer will usually give me 20% discount whereas I get nothing from Manners or Barratts.

Let is know how you get on.

Good luck

Paul

[XJR-S]

Good news that you've decided to progress a little further with the cars ownership!

Do let us know if you find genuine Jaguar parts (rather than OEM parts) cheaper online. This is not something of which I had heard. In my experience, the independent suppliers such as Manners and Barratts always charge more for genuine Jaguar parts than my local main dealer. AFAIK, all genuine Jaguar parts come from Jaguar Classic Parts and my dealer will usually give me 20% discount whereas I get nothing from Manners or Barratts.

Let is know how you get on.

Good luck

Paul

Yeah I got a JEC discount from my dealer, though not sure what percentage. There's a few dealers online selling Genuine Jaguar parts on eBay and the like, which are likely old stock clearance from closed dealers etc I'm guessing. For example, you can get genuine inboard rear discs for about £80 on ebay instead of £140 from Jaguar Classic Parts. Not all parts, but there are a few which will turn up a tad cheaper than Jaguar, so I will check them one by one.

It also happens the other way around, a pair of late V12 engine badges sold for £78 yesterday, whereas they are available for £18 from Jaguar direct...!

[steve_m]

I was looking at those and thought that they were a bit steep; where did you see them for £18? I've hunted around the parts pages but can't find them.