How daft am I? Switching new Lexus for Old Jag

C

cptzippy

New member
BLUF: thinking about trading in my 19 month old Lexus IS 350C for a 1994 Jag XJS 4L vert.



With renters moving out of a house in ALA that we couldn't sell when we moved duty stations, money is about to get really tight. I've been thinking about doing this for a bit but didn't have a real reason to do so until now.



Here's the deal. Trade in my 2010 IS for a 1994 Jag with 88k miles from a dealer that has a good rep. Upside - no car payment and 800 bucks a month back into the useful budget.



The car is listed for $8k. I know I could get an accord or toyota but I wouldn't have as much fun driving - gotten used to power and convertibles.



SO How Am I?
 
You're not factoring in the reality of you being upside down in your Lexus? Is it paid off? And the likelihood of this 17 year old car breaking down or requiring maintenance.
 
Be sure to have plenty set aside for maintenance and repairs on that car-- Jags were still infamous money pits at that time, weren't they? I'd personally delay gratification till better times and get an Accord. I just got a brand new one last year as my daily driver and I love it.I'm always going to have one or a similar type of vehicle for my real world, task accomplishing driving.
 
Maintenance is the big sticking point (including reliability). Not upside down in the Lexus - should have enough to easily buy the Jag.
 
I think it's still probably going to have issues if for no other reason, due to its age, especially if it's going to be a daily driver. If you have a good European car mechanic near you, then maybe maintenance will be closer to normal rates too.
 
Last time I checked, it was about impossible to get an extended warranty on a Jag from a reputable company. I think that says a lot. If you are an enthusiast and can do the work yourself, you might be ok. Get the car checked out by someone that KNOWS that car inside and out. If it checks out, you might do ok, but are you feeling lucky?
 
cptzippy said:
BLUF: thinking about trading in my 19 month old Lexus IS 350C for a 1994 Jag XJS 4L vert.



SO How Am I?
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:crazy:



I did something similar trading down for what was a novelty to me at the time. I had all kinds of rationalizations why it was a good idea regardless of what everyone told me. I was 18 at the time and it turned out to be a priceless education that's lasted a lifetime. Do it, it'll be a learning experience. :soscared:



TL
 
As much as I like XJS's, I have had two, remember that they are relatively complex (in a bad way) 17 year old cars. And the technology is even older. IMO, they are great second or third cars, but not everyday drivers anymore.



But if you must, go for the rather rare six cylinder, manual shift models. Far more reliable.
 
Brad B. said:
As much as I like XJS's, I have had two, remember that they are relatively complex (in a bad way) 17 year old cars. And the technology is even older. IMO, they are great second or third cars, but not everyday drivers anymore.



But if you must, go for the rather rare six cylinder, manual shift models. Far more reliable.
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What Brand B said, even though I do simply *love* mine.



The XJS is wonderful... as a thing of beauty, or a time machine, or as an "interesting mechanical device", not so much as a daily driver (says the guy who used his as one for a while).



And yeah...price out "simple little jobs" like rear rotor replacement, or A/C repairs ;)



And honestly, they don't drive all *that* great, even if you upgrade/modernize stuff.



Oh, and what are you gonna drive when it's in the shop? Yeah, seriously...do you have a second car or is your XJS specialist (you do know a good experienced one, right?) gonna give you a loaner?
 
About 90 percent I'm not going to do this but I did have a question. It is a white colour (listed as champagne) - single stage?
 
cptzippy said:
About 90 percent I'm not going to do this but I did have a question. It is a white colour (listed as champagne) - single stage?
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I'm pretty sure they were b/c by that point, but I forget the exact changeover date :think:
 
Well, certify me, lock me up, and call be nuts - I bought the darn thing. It's a very early '94 (or 93) by the vin. There seems to be a shift in the paint codes in 1994 - my vin is before.
 
cptzippy said:
Well, certify me, lock me up, and call be nuts - I bought the darn thing. It's a very early '94 (or 93) by the vin. There seems to be a shift in the paint codes in 1994 - my vin is before.
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OK, "You are nuts!"



There, got that out of my system :D



Now that you have it, time to get it checked out and sorted. Do you *really* have to rely on it as your only car?



Have you looked into any of the "XJS Enthusiast" books? There are a few of them and they can help bring you up to speed on the vehicles, uhm...eccentricities. I think it's Jag World magazine that often has good stuff on 'em too.



If you decide to do any performance/modernization upgrades, you might want to check with people who've already tried them. Some work out a lot better than others.



Hope you have fun with it! You gonna check into your local Jag Club? I found my best Jag wrench through our local Club and he's a godsend.
 
Part of the reason I decided to do it is because it's not our only car. My wife has a nice, reliable (knocks wood) 07 MDX that we can share if need be. We really talked about only having it as a 'one car' but his seemed like a good compromise. Got a great offer from the dealer I bought the Lexus from (who are short of cars do to the disaster in Japan). Cleared about $3K plus the Jag all said and done (for repairs ;) )
 
captzippy- Ah, OK, roger that, sounds a little reassuring ;)



I'd drive it a bit while *REALLY* listening/feeling for anything that might be "off" and then get it checked out bey somebody trustworthy.



How's the interior's condition?
 
Interior looks pretty good. Carpets look just slightly faded and the seats could use a good cleaning. Gonna break out the new Leather Doctor Kit I got a month or so ago on them. Confirmed it's basecoat paint (though still not sure of the exact paint code). On the exterior here's the initial plan, good washing followed by IronX followed by sonus clay and then probably go ahead with sealing. A little worried about correction without having a paint gauge handy. Was Jag paint still thin in these years?
 
cptzippy said:
Interior looks pretty good. Carpets look just slightly faded and the seats could use a good cleaning. Gonna break out the new Leather Doctor Kit I got a month or so ago on them...
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OK, that Leather Doctor kit oughat work great.





Confirmed it's basecoat paint (though still not sure of the exact paint code). On the exterior here's the initial plan, good washing followed by IronX followed by sonus clay and then probably go ahead with sealing.
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I bet you'll want/need to do some correction too.



A little worried about correction without having a paint gauge handy. Was Jag paint still thin in these years?
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I can't really say as I'm all about the cars from before the b/c paint switch. But after all these years it'll be a matter of what the car's been through more than the original paint thickness anyhow.



Generally Jag paint is *not* whisper-thin, so I wouldn't be afraid to do some mild, sensible correction even w/o an ETG. Just don't go nuts, which doesn't sound likely from the way you're coming across.



Heh heh, you *might* want to see about the mechanicals before you do anything big, so you won't get too paranoid when somebody else is messing around on it ;) Oh man, I gotta lay off the doom-and-gloom implications about it's mechanicals, huh?!? OK, on the bright side, a pal of mine has one that he drives *a lot*, and it works OK for him as a "real car". So it's sure not like you won't be OK, just gotta go about it right and have the right mechanic. That last part I *won't* back off on; lots of "foreign car guys" say they can work on Jags but most of 'em won't be up to snuff.
 
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