The XJ-S ended up being one of the longest-running models Jaguar ever built, and when you look at the sleek lines and beautiful styling of these coupes it’s easy to understand why. The cars first went on sale in 1975 with production lasting all the way through 1996, and as good as the styling still looks today it makes me wonder why they ever stopped making them. This 1990 Jaguar XJS here on eBay is a real beauty, and it almost met a fate that wouldn’t have set well with purists, but thankfully the seller had a change of heart and is now trying to find the car a good home. The Jag is located in Bellingham, Washington, with the bidding now up to $7,200. That’s still short of what it will take for it to be in your driveway, as the reserve has not yet been reached.
Until the seller acquired the car, it is said to have been in the same family since new and pampered from day one, and looking all around that’s very easy to believe. The Jaguar was in line to be handed down to a grandson, but he apparently wanted a Honda instead, so that’s when the seller bought it. The current owner’s original intention was to modify the car, and although he doesn’t go into details regarding those plans, he made the decision afterward that it’s just too nice to cut up. I totally agree! The seller states the car is showing little to no wear and describes it as being in collector’s condition, and it’s pretty hard to find much outside that doesn’t live up to that expectation.
Things on the inside are looking sweet, with the black interior nicely complimenting the white exterior. There’s just hardly anything in there to find fault with, and the seller does mention that the car is completely stock except for an aftermarket CD player, so you can enjoy your tunes via compact disc instead of cassette. It’s also stated to have power everything and even includes heated seats, plus it comes with both sets of factory keys, and the original window sticker is supposedly on its way from the previous owner. This is not the car to cut up and modify!
The Jaguar is powered by the legendary V12, known for having plenty of power but running silky smooth while it performs. The engine produces 262 horsepower and is mated to a 3-Speed automatic transmission. Everything under the hood seems to be in excellent order, and I tend to think the seller is correct in saying this one’s about as close to new as a 1990 Jaguar XJS can be. J.D. Power is showing average retail as being $9,750 and the high as $12,850, although this seems maybe a bit low to me, especially for this particular example. What are your thoughts?
Wow! – That’s one clean car!
This is a classy vehicle, no doubt about it.
This is a beautiful Jag! To own one you must understand this model. As long you take care of it .. XJS V12 Won’t let you down. I would buy this if I had room in my garage. This must be garage. And driven on weekends. And it very quick and sounds great. I hope the next owner appreciate what they have!
I think this is one of the most under-rated cars out there (with the Porsche 928). Good looks, very cheap parts availability (you can buy a whole parts car for less than $1000 now), and V-12 power… It’s a win-win…
Does anyone remember the gray market vehicles? I remember one like this which had the European headlights that were yellow. And nice chrome thin bumpers. Not these big ones. They came over right and left hand drive. They were faster and had more horsepower. I think near or above 300 on the V12. 🐻
299 horsepowerDIN net.
horsepower is 32 more than a 454 Chevy. This car went to extraordinary lengths to be quiet for the Royalty who road in it. The air cleaner is designed to muffle intake noise removing just the intake horn adds 30 horsepower. If cold air is picked up from in from in front of the radiator power goes up another 20 horsepower. Finally if the 4 mufflers are removed and the resonators are left in place the sound is barely audible but power goes up another 20 horsepower. For a total of 70 extra horsepower and it will still be quieter and smoother than a Monte Carlo.
Or leave it completely alone and it will still go an honest 150 mph.
There’s a reason that “you can buy a whole parts car for less than $1000 now”, and it’s called rust. I have 3 friends who fell in love with the looks, paid their money, then found that the hidden rust damage was gong to cost a lot more than they were willing to pay. They let them go to the other Jag owners who were also, coincidentally, looking for a parts car. Sort of the same story as with the GM Northstar engine, where the fine-threaded head studs pulled out of the aluminum blocks: you could buy virtually brand new Cadillacs for silly money.
Buyers: make sure you live in a no-snow zone.
Frequent problems have more to do with the mechanic involved than anything wrong with the car. Properly dealt with the Jaguar is remarkably well made and durable. Members of the Jaguar forum that do their own repairs spend very little money and have remarkably trouble free lives.
This is not a car to own if you expect others to maintain it for you. Part of it is your fear. Since you don’t know, things can scare you that are completely normal. But you will be charged plenty to be reaffirmed.
I had a friend that had a V12 convertible. It should have has “tow truck” miles as it went to the local Jaguar shop almost monthly. . . I know because I had to go pick him up and take him back to get it . . .Lots of $$$$!!
When he went to Jaguar heaven, his kids sold it for less than ten grand!!
Simon Templer, your car is ready!!!
“Return of the Saint”, before the comments start!
I live in the rust belt. Yet regularly come across completely rust free cars. Owners who parked it before the snow falls and don’t use it until spring.
There is also a cut off date for rust. Don’t buy ones older than 1985. Peter Egan CEO of Jaguar was invited to BMW to tour the factory. They supplied him with a good seam sealer. ( earlier Porsche supplied him with a good rubber fuel hose to stop engine fires).