The XJ-S is certainly a fine, fun car. However, just as with all older
Jags, be real thorough when you inspect it (especially for rust). The
later models are more complex under the bonnet than the E-types, and
thus more difficult for DIY maintenance. I've seen one or two XJ-S cars
for sale at really affordable prices, and a little poking around has
quickly revealed serious rot and other problems. If an XJ-S is in really
great shape, it is rare for an owner to want to part with it.
Unlike an E-type, it's harder to justify the pouring-in of barrels of
cash that may be required to make a rotted XJ-S solid. Becasue the XJ-S
is still in production, and because there are a lot of "good buys" on the
market, they have not yet started to appreciate. If you get caught by
hidden rust under a clean respray, you either have to patch it and
pass it off to another sucker, or make it right and then hang on to it
for a long time to recoup the expense.
So, take along your screwdriver, a refrigerator magnet, and a lot of
skepticism. Maybe you'll get lucky and find somebody who's selling a
quality car because they fell in love with an Aston...
Chip
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