Should I bite ?

"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl) 12/20/2014 at 08:49 • Filed to: None

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I have a Co worker that buys, sells and flips cars. He's offering me his recent acquisition for $1300. (not actual pic), a 1987 XJ6. he said the interior is a little out of shape and the roof needs to be buffed, but it's mechanically sound, and I like looking at it.

Besides obvious electronic gremlins, should I buy it, or should I politely decline and let him keep it ?

Coachrotte33 > Matthew Phillips 12/20/2014 at 09:17

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If you don't you may regret never owning one. Take the plunge if you can eat the money. Think of it like the stock market.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Matthew Phillips 12/20/2014 at 09:22

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this is my 85' xj6

look at dat odometer

thats an old picture though it has around 2-3k more on it now

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Matthew Phillips 12/20/2014 at 09:39

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One of us! One of us! One of us!

I will say for $1300, it should be mechanically sound. The XJ6s really aren't THAT bad. The engines are stout and will go the distance, but like you said, the electricals can be tricky. Mine is a 12, and it's a minor miracle when all the lights are working, hence the picture I took.

Check to make sure the fuel changeover valve works. When you press it, the gauge should change. But then you have to open up the fuel caps and shine a flash light in there...you should see fuel returning to the selected tank. If I remember correctly, the left tank is the default, and when you press the button it switches to the right tank. My changeover valve is stuck, so if I switch to the right tank, it pulls fuel from the left and returns it to the right, which eventually overflows. Luckily, the valve is i the trunk and easy to get at.

The transmissions are just GM 3 speed autos, so you probably won't have a problem there. The engines are very sweet when they work right, and it should return you 20+ mpg on the highway. If it's something you like, I'd say go for it...though the general rule of thumb with Jaaaaaaaaaags is that you buy the absolute best one you can afford.

DrScientist > Matthew Phillips 12/20/2014 at 10:12

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not going to repeat, but i agree completely with corvair's comments.

here's the thing if youre in the business of minor-restore-sell...

the little bespoke bits and pieces are where you could get hit in the wallet. general appearance restoration should be fine. eg, if you can treat/condition/redye the leather with a $100 kit, you'll be better off than reupholstering the whole thing which will cost probably nearly a thousand.

similar for the wood, if you can treat and refurbish the wood, good, if not, a new set of wood panels will be several hundred.

if you need new chrome or rechroming, it could get spendy.

for electrical gremlins: take a weekend, go through every fuse, relay, switch in the car systematically. take a bit of sand paper to them, scrape off the oxidation, add a little copper grease. put it back, or replace it if possible for fuses and relays.

so you have to decide what can be repaired/refurbished, vs what needs to be replaced, and keep in mind an 90% perfect car still will probably only be in 4 digits.

oh, and rust, if there's any rust in the body or under the paint, walk away. make sure you get under the car to see whats there.

my recommendation, find the best looking car cosmetically, that may have some minor motor issues, or repairable paint/leather/carpeting. the motor you can typically sort with the tools you already own. having to buy new door trims and headlight surrounds and door handles and whatnot is just going to be a pain in the neck.

Matthew Phillips > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/20/2014 at 13:42

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Awesome, I love rolling projects.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Matthew Phillips 12/20/2014 at 15:15

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Is it a S3? As an 87 it could be that or an xj40. If the latter, don't bother, they're ugly and a first year one will be full of bugs. (I'm assuming you haven't seen it).

A Series XJ, however, is a car you need to own at least once in your life. And $1300 isn't too much of a bath if it turns outto be a bad 'un, so why the hell not. As long as you trust your coworker not to be dumping a dog.