2020-03-07 09:36:12 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 3/7/20
www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Jaguar-XJS/264658335037
Current bid: $1,200 reserve not met 7 bids seller hwoodlive, 130k miles.

Seller's description:
Dumbest story EVER: my trusty Jag didn't pass this year's CA smog test, so I can't drive it and can't sell it here in the state. The only solution I can think of is to sell it out of state, 'cause I suspect California smog laws are the strictest in the country. If you do the math, manufacturing a new car causes vastly more environmental damage than if I were to just keep driving my old car. But... politicians are incredibly smart, and they know better than I. (can you tell I'm annoyed?)

Okay, details: I purchased this XJS three years ago from a fella in his eighties who'd gotten too old to drive it. He might've been the original owner, as in the car I found the Newport Beach, CA dealership salesperson's business card. That dealership went out of business during the recession in 1994, so I believe it was where the car was sold new. This is a California vehicle, with no rust anywhere. It wears its original "British Racing Green" paint, technically called Brooklands Green. That paint is wearing fairly thin these days, although it still shines up nicely.

Remarkably for an old Jag, most everything works. Here's some nitpicks: I've never figured out how to extinguish the Washer Fluid Level indicator. The interior lights are somehow tied to the car's security system, so if those lights don't illuminate when you open the door to get out (which happens occasionally), you have to lock the car manually. The radio antenna sometimes doesn't fully extend (the antenna is fine; I think it's something to do with the radio sometimes not sending a long enough "up" or "down" signal). Yup, dumb stuff like that.

The car runs and drives very nicely, and is a supreme highway cruiser. Smooth but nimble through the corners. The convertible top fabric and headliner were replaced a couple years ago, and the power assembly (which also lifts and lowers the quarter windows) operates correctly. Windows, wipers, lighting, horns, electric mirrors, radio, all that stuff works. Air conditioning too, serviced/charged in 2018. It has its factory toolkit (really just a jack and lugwrench) in the original bag, and a full-size spare. There are no cracks on the dash. I do have the radio security code if you ever need to disconnect the battery.

The leather seat surfaces are pretty tired-looking, so I've had cheap seat covers on for years. I was going to purchase one of those replacement leather sets available for these cars... but now that I can't keep it, that wouldn't make sense. One of the photos shows the worn center console cover, the leather of which has since been replaced.

At 130,000-plus miles on the odometer, this car is what some Jag enthusiasts would jokingly call a good choice, because "somebody else already fixed all the problems". Not quite true, as I can't overcome the biggest problem: passing the smog test. One of the photos shows my test results, so you can compare with your state and local laws. Please check those laws before bidding! You don't want to go through what I'm going through.

The six-cylinder engine may have a slightly worn valve guide or stem seal, as you occasionally get a puff of smoke on startup. I don't think that affects the smog check though; a local Jag specialist thinks it's more likely the "pre cats" are old; these are small catalytic converters that exhaust gases run through before they get to the main converters. These units--one on each of the two exhaust pipes--are welded in, just like regular catalytic converters, and replacing them is likely beyond my budget.

The engine pulls strong, the transmission shifts correctly, brakes (with new ABS compressed-gas "ball") stop surely. All computer self-checks run correctly at startup, and all warning lights--including the Check Engine--go out after the self-check is finished.

The fella I bought this car from had to quit driving because his vision was going, so the car does have the typical parking lot dings and scratches. Study the photos closely and you'll see a few (remember that photos can make things look better too... just a reminder). These cars are low to the ground, so as is typical, the front air dam has been beat up. The left taillight lens is cracked but no light leaks out; it illuminates properly.

I know I'll take a huge loss on this car, but seeing it go to someone who'll enjoy it is way better than sending it to the crusher, which is just about my only option in California. If it sells in a nearby state, it'd be tempting to drive it to your location. That would be a fun last-time-ever trip. I suppose if it doesn't sell, then it's off to a place that'll part it out. What a waste. But eh, we'll see how it goes.