Should I just give up...

[1492columbus]

I have, for the last 2-3 weeks, been fielding e'mails and phone calls for my 1989/90 XJS Manual . In the main, most people seem reasonable,but for one thing.

why, when i answer ALL the questions, and invite viewings have i not sold my car?. Ok, it has no mot, but it runs and drives without smoke or horrible noises,or even heavy amounts of rust.

Also-if we truely are "enthusiasts",why are members frightened to actually work on their cars(other than changing plugs and polishing)

One other thing-the advert on "CAR AND CLASSIC " has been viewed over 378 times-surely, the law of averages should mean at least 10-20 buyers. And yes i must sell-see reference c110553.
(another two "real" classics require my attention and i only have so much money..)

Maybe, my decision never to own another XJS (I've owned 3) seems to be vindicated.

[masterb]

Why don't you put it through it's MOT? and you will sell it at a lot more easily.
Ok its going to cost you 40quid, but thats better than a no sale.

[Brakebuster]

The reason you get a lot of callers and then tyre kickers is that most peeps are curious to........ 1, see a Jag, and 2 , drive a Jag, that they dont have to own......

however, when it comes down to owning a Jag, they bottle it and think it will cost way to much and be unreliable....

we ( as in Jag owners ) know that this isnt the case most of the time

and trying to sell a Jag isnt easy..... and probably much harder than owning one.........

BB

[AJT]

I totally agree with the last two comments.

The majority of people will not buy an aged Jag especially without an MOT, they will not have the confidence,ability or facilities to take on the restoration that your XJS requires as stated in your advert (even without the issues that an MOT may well identify)

Having a senior moment a few weeks ago I decided to try and sell mine via eBay until a moment of sanity returned and I removed the advert. there was no doubt that I would have sold it, my point being it was roadworthy etc and could be driven away with no work to undertake.

Putting it through an MOT, if you can get it there, at least provides the additional information that a prospective buyer will possibly need.

Sorry to be blunt, but I would not pay 600 quid for a unknown quantity when for a few hundred pounds more I could at least get a "runner"

[dhdove]

AJT
I think you're dead right, although It's not a totally unknown quantity, the rad's had it and so has the power steering rack..........

Columbus - if you MUST sell the car I would suggest that at the moment it's value is as mobile spares ie it's a manual and it's got a new-ish stainless steel exhaust. Why not advertise it as such and ask for offers.
People will know exactly what they're looking at and will be expecting to buy something they can't drive that they need to collect by trailer.

Otherwise I don't think you'll have much luck unless you rectify the defects at you own expense - rather than a buyers - and advertise it with an MoT.

Best of Luck
Tony

[Milan]

Good luck with the sale, but it's a real buyer's market at the moment. You can buy a perfectly decent XJS with an MOT and have change from a couple of grand.

[AJT]

As a guideline for costs here, my own XJR-S had to have the steering rack replaced and a new oil cooler along with the MOT last month and that cost me well in excess of 700 pounds including labour

[Milan]

As a guideline for costs here, my own XJR-S had to have the steering rack replaced and a new oil cooler along with the MOT last month and that cost me well in excess of 700 pounds including labour

As all of us on here know only too well, they're not the cheapest cars in the world to maintain!