Welcome to the XJC Buying Guide

People purchase cars for all sorts of different reasons. When you decide to buy a 25-year-old Jaguar like the XJC, then most of those reasons go out the window. Talk to XJC owners and ask them why they bought an XJC, and the response will probably be the same from 99% of them. They all talk of how beautiful the lines of the car are, how distinctive its design is and the pleasure they get from just driving it. They convey to you what they ‘feel and see.’ Very few will give you practical reasons for their purchase.

Most first time buyers of an XJC will probably be overcome with a feeling of euphoria, blood will rush to their heads. Some recommend that you take somebody with you when you purchase a car such as the XJC. I can see positives and negatives in this. If you do take somebody with me, then always make sure it is someone who will offer little resistance in terms of an argument. You must decide what is best for you.

Pre-purchase
Decide which model you are going for, either the 6 or 12 cylinder model, what colour would you like. Make a list of your priorities, and then stick to it. You also need to know what you intend to do with the car. If you want one for concours, and intend to restore it back to original, then you need to know not to buy one with a Russet Red interior. Russet being no longer available of course.

Do some homework; talk with XJC owners, and if you are not already a member of a Jaguar Club then perhaps join one. Most will have XJC owners who will have faced all the minor problems and quirks associated with this model. Talk to XJC owners at the local Jaguar club or on an internet forum, such as jag-lovers http://forums.jag-lovers.org/ on the things to look for, maybe one of them lives near you and can help you out.

Do some research; find out what sort of prices people are paying. Give yourself a ‘feel’ of what sort of price range to aim at. Find out what some replacement costs are like new carpet or seats etc. This will be an advantage if you want to negotiate the price down if things need doing on the car…and they will ! I have only ever seen one XJC that did not need something doing. You will be in a much better bargaining position if you know what each area of repair or restore might cost.

Do some serious looking - even at a few coupes you may not be interested in. See as many as possible when they are offered for sale, or when there is a Jaguar show or display day in your area. Get close up with the car, take a note pad and make notes of the good and bad points. This will give you some form of reference perspective when you see the coupe of your dreams. Stand on each side of the car, take your time, make visual notes first and then write them down. Do some maths and work out what your budget is and stick to it. Remember that you need to think about what costs will you incur after purchase ie: registration, mechanical repairs, paint or panel and the like. If you purchase one that needs a respray, do you have money left over for this, or is it something you will do later? Have a game plan ready for purchase. Of course what will happen is you will see one that you cannot afford but you really must have your wife will kill you if you buy it throw all your plans out of the window and just buy it - it is a Jaguar after all!

Enjoy !