"DrScientist" (DrScientist)
08/07/2015 at 13:55 • Filed to: None
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"DrScientist" (DrScientist)
08/07/2015 at 13:55 • Filed to: None | 1
| 10 |
well, gentlemen, and ladies (i know there’s a few of you out there),
the day has finally come that i can no longer keep this beauty on the road and maintain my sanity. She is leaking everything... or nearly everything that can leak... oil, atf, ps fluid (this one may have resolved itself), exhaust, electrons when parked, coolant, air out of the front left tire.
but, she runs and drives. as they say: when it’s running well, nothing drives like a jaguar.
i just drove 100 miles in her this morning, from PA to NYC. and other than the fact that i had to put $25 of coolant and $3 of ATF in it before setting off to ensure i made it safely, she ran smooth and cool the entire way. i sometimes forget to explore the higher end of the tach, because if i’m in 2nd gear, i’ll quickly be in triple digits.
but she performed terrifically this morning, which is why it is with a sad heart that i must say she will be bed-ridden for likely the next 3-4 months. it’s not that any of the work is particularly difficult (although there are indeed difficult jobs on this car). it is more that it is just tedious and time-intensive: there are 12 cylinders in there to attend to. with likely less than one day/week to work on this, i doubt she’ll be road ready again, in my hands, until next spring. and the 30-40 hours of labor required if i were to bring it to a shop does not seem reasonable for a car that, when sorted, might fetch $6k.
farewell, your highness.
ps: any of you opponauts with more time on their hands than me interested in a project for a month or two?
TheHondaBro
> DrScientist
08/07/2015 at 13:57 |
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:( That thing is so sexy though.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> DrScientist
08/07/2015 at 14:09 |
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Are those the original wheels? they look huge
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DrScientist
> TheHondaBro
08/07/2015 at 14:10 |
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indeed. and why i had the original [bad] idea to purchase it sight unseen from an ebay ad 2 and a half years ago.
i do get at least 5 comments or “thumbs up” on it everytime i drive it. and that reassurance is what has likely been keeping me from laying her up, or selling her.
RazoE
> DrScientist
08/07/2015 at 14:11 |
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Aren’t coolant and antifreeze the same thing?
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DrScientist
> RazoE
08/07/2015 at 14:16 |
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youre right, sorry, meant transmission fluid. edited. thanks! seriously though, coolant/antifreeze can get expensive.
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DrScientist
> OPPOsaurus WRX
08/07/2015 at 14:22 |
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they are not the original wheels. the car came with 15 inch wheels known as “lattice” or “sport lattice” maybe. the current wheels were OE on 2001 jag XJRs. they are 18 inches and known as “asteroids”
i would have preferred a set of 17 inch wheels. which would suit the car nicely. but finding a set that i liked and would fit the bolt pattern, without any rubbing anywhere, without requiring some obscure spacers, and that didn’t cost over $1500 was a real hassle. I do like the design of these, and they bolted right on, with only a 1/4 inch spacer on the fronts.
i will say, that any/all of vagueness noticeable at speed was eliminated with the much shorter sidewalls of these tires.
originals:
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OPPOsaurus WRX
> DrScientist
08/07/2015 at 14:31 |
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ok i recognize them now. it definitely gives the car a different look. They almost look to big for the car but still good, not in the Dubs way, cuz they still seen to fit with the car. Its almost like how concept cars have unusually large wheels that end up getting down sized. I like it.
Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
> DrScientist
08/07/2015 at 14:39 |
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I’d love one. Now I just need money. Too bad.
lyonsvee
> DrScientist
01/19/2016 at 20:25 |
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I live in the upper west side and have an old XJ-S too! Nice to see another fellow NYC-overheater lol
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DrScientist
> lyonsvee
01/20/2016 at 07:25 |
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nice!
there’s even another xjs down here in my neighborhood. but its a facelift, 6 cyl, convertible. i could never get away from the way the buttresses slide perfectly into the older style tail lamps.
and... alas... i recently moved on from one 80's overly complicated icon to another...
see more here :)
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/vt-road-trip-p…