Learn me - 1989 Jaguar XJS V12

Got a line on one at a good price. Car seems like a clean driver. Don't know much about them other that to imagine they're a lot more complicated and more expensive maintenance wise than my three TR8's combined.

It's got an automatic trans which wouldn't normally interest me but its perfect for my wife.

Any comments or sources on these Jags would be appreciated. Wondering about mechanical, parts prices/availability, etc.

Jags don't have a great reputation for reliability but neither did Triumph wedges, but my TR8's are bullet proof. But the TR8 is a much simpler car than the XJS V12 that I can maintain myself. I'm a bit worried about the Jag. Or should I be?

Much thanks in advance.

An 89 12 cylinder XJS convertible is going to be the least reliable of everything. 89 was the worst year for electronic problems according to my boss (shop owner), good luck getting less common parts as some of them are no longer available, everything is 25 years old, you'll probably be surprised by the number of leaks possible, and in general may wind up tearing your hair out.

On the other hand: you've got experience with British, you own tr8s. The ghost of Lucas is familar to you, poor wiring connections, bad switches, etc. You won't be surprised by the hardware store bits holding the car together. Leaks are normal to you. You already own a grease gun. You're probably not daunted by the thought of maintaining 12 cylinders.

My thought? If your wife's into it, do it. Just don't rely on it.

Friend owned a garage, and two rather wealthy of his (and ours) bought matching V12 XJS Jags. First hers, then his.

Friend with the garage was able to pay off the debt on his shop with the repairs on the first XJS. He opened a second shop with the repairs on the second XJS.

Seriously. The mechanic friend warned them not to buy them. None the less they did, and they were in his shop constantly. Parts were insanely expensive, repairs were bizarrely difficult to do.

Pretty cars. I'd love to rent one for a weekend. And I'm sure someone out there somewhere has a reliable one. I see cheap ones on craigslist and the like and get tempted. Someday I may give in, or maybe on an older XJ6.

the good thing about it being a v12 is that the auto is a gm turbo 400 so when the v12 dies a sbc will bolt up to the trannny just fine.

I had a couple I was going to make one out of with a gm engine swap. Beautiful cars, but I gave up on mine just after getting enough of the interior together to be able to sit in the drivers seat and make vroom vroom noises; every time I climbed in I whacked my head on the roof no matter how much I tried to contort to miss it. Great once I was in, but not good trying to get there.

I like looking at those things but when i actually get close to a real one it seems to make less and less sense.

BaT has a nice one with a 5spd today iirc. I would consider stupidly indulging in it at 2k but i think it is priced closer to 20k.

Open the bonnet and look at plumbing/wiring. Then realize that the motor is the reliable part of the car. After that, if you own Triumphs you must be a masochist, so go for it.

Friend of mine builds V12s as a hobby. He says the stock Jag V12 bottom end is good for 1K HP.

In reply to Dr. Hess:

Sounds like this is a run away from. Thanks for the info guys. BTW - TR8's are bullet proof. Don't forget that's a Buick/Olds derived V8 in there. Let it breath with a 4 bbl and get rid of the mickey mouse original induction systems and you've got a great car.

Lovely garage art--absolutely beautiful. But don't expect it to run much!