71 XJ6 Fair Price ?

[discnik]

I have a friend that has a 71 XJ6. It needs engine work, a paint job, missing a couple of lights, and other odds and ends. What would be a fair asking price for this vehicle ?

[MagicRat]

About zero...........

These cars are sophisticated and complicated to fix and maintain. Parts are expensive.
However, take a look around, decent drivers are pretty cheap......much cheaper than fixing the one you are looking at, even with the problems you list. You don't even know the surprises that await you once you get the engine running. You may find the entire rear suspension system needs rebuilding, which is diabolically expensive/difficult.

Run fast and run far away from any old Jaguar that is less than in pristine, perfect condition.

[sunsetclassics]

Hard to tell for sure depending on what kind of engine work and other odds and ends but NADA lists a low end XJ6 for around $3,600. Their definition of low retail is:

This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable "as-is"

You can base your estimate on that figuring that since the Jag needs paint and engine work it would be less than their low end value.

The only XJ6 listed on eBay recently was in pretty good shape but didn't meet the reserve - it got to $1525. Unfortunately the Jaguar XJ6 isn't very sought after.

...

[Hudson]

I've always said that the best thing about buying a used Jaguar is depreciation, something most Jaguars have in abundance. A Jaguar in "bad" condition is an almost "name your own price" situation. I was offered a Jaguar XJ12 is good physical condition but needing engine wiring (mice ate the wires) for $1000.

[sub006]

Had a used '84 and '86 for a total of 14 years for my wife to drive. Surprisingly reliable and straightforward to work on!

In '93, Jaguar was emancipated from British government ownership. First thing they did was replace Lucas with Bosch as electrical component vendor. You're never 100% sure about a Lucas-equipped car starting, but the later models are excellent.

Try to get the catalog from John's Cars of Dallas. Not only is he the Chevy engine swap guru, he also has new factory parts at amazing prices and his own fixes like a polyurethane-bushed steering rack kit. Good stuff!

Based on my own experience, the weakest link in these cars is the automatic transmission. It's a Borg-Warner unit that was introduced around 1954 in Hudsons! The best trans shop I use could only get about 30,000 miles out of a rebuild. They aren't rebuildable in my opinion. You are many miles and dollars ahead to find a low-mileage totalled XJ-6 (harder to find 35 years later!) and swap the trans in. Or John can fix you up with a Turbo 350 behind the Jag engine!

These cars remain as seductive as the day they were introduced. Beautiful styling and an unbeatable combination of smooth ride and sharp handling.