Well Bought

Jaguar XJS 4.0

The rise in E-type prices has dragged XJS values up.

There’s much to like about any XJ-S/ XJS. Yes, Jaguars have always been well-liked and are frequently great value, but as E-type values spiralled upwards suddenly the XJS has started to look like indecently good value.

AJ6 examples are particularly sought-after at the moment.

Good examples still make great buys but you don’t need a V12 or a Convertible to enjoy the experience. The very last cars were built up to a quality and that can still be found in well cared-for examples, such as this.

History counts for a lot.

There’s always something appealing about a local car, and here was a great example, having been sold new by Perth-based Rossleigh’s, not far from where it was being auctioned. The first owner collected it in January 1996 and the service book contained four stamps, which went up to 26,000-miles.

This example’s been cherished.

Service history is all-important with an XJS. As with any Jaguar, scant service records are not a good sign, as is any evidence of neglect. Plenty of shabby models might be temptingly-priced but all too soon become money pits. Let’s not forget that this car was in a just-right Jade Green Metallic which suited it perfectly. The bodywork, so often the downfall of these models, was very good, as was the interior, a testament to the influence of Ford’s quality control.

Being an auction car helped the buyer emerge with a great deal.

There are cheaper cars out there, but they can end up being mightily expensive in the long run. Equally, we’ve seen plenty of cars in similar condition being advertised for upwards of £20k by dealers, but by buying at auction this buyer has managed to save thousands off the values of a top-condition example. It’s a case of finding the best possible and paying more, but that will always make sense in the long run. Even with prices of good examples going up, the XJ-S/XJS, and this was a canny deal and bought well, even over estimate.