[xj40] value of 89 vdp in fair to good shape?

havea 89 vdp, runs excelent, but has rusted deck/boot lid, sagging
headliner, stiff brake pedal, one window motor is bad, and several
other minor issues. fixing all at shop would exceed its value, and
they only offered 500.00 to buy it for parts. I no longer use this
car, so it is time to sell it. what is it worth? is it worth fixing
in order to sell, or is it a parts car at this point? just cant see
junking a good running, decent looking car.–
jrinam
zelienople,pa., United States
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Hi
Obviously values will differ hugely between the UK and USA. What you
describe there however is a scrap car worth (in the UK) around �100 max .
Even the worst XJ40 you wll see is likely to still run ok as the drivetrain
is virtually unbreakable.
It is the body and electrics that tend to fall apart first.

Phil

Find us at
http://www.xjjaguar.co.uk/
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/XJ-Jaguar-LTD
Call (+44) 01323 740471 ( 0900-1800 GMT ONLY)

From: “jrinam” jrinam@aol.com
To: xj40@jag-lovers.org
Subject: [xj40] value of 89 vdp in fair to good shape?
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 23:21:29 +0200

havea 89 vdp, runs excelent, but has rusted deck/boot lid, sagging
headliner, stiff brake pedal, one window motor is bad, and several
other minor issues. fixing all at shop would exceed its value, and
they only offered 500.00 to buy it for parts. I no longer use this
car, so it is time to sell it. what is it worth? is it worth fixing
in order to sell, or is it a parts car at this point? just cant see
junking a good running, decent looking car.

jrinam
zelienople,pa., United States
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Line Books and more !

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In reply to a message from jrinam sent Sun 27 Aug 2006:

I have an 88’ non-VDP. In maybe a little better shape than your
89’, but not by much. Mechanics are superb, but it also has a
sagging head liner, worn leather in some places, one tear, a couple
of large dash cracks. It will stop OK, but needs a brake
accumulator ($350) installed. Body is good with no major rust, but
some cancer is bubbling thru the newer paint job at the bottom of a
fender area. It has a few other nit-picky electrical issues that
are minor. Still a very striking car visually. To repair all the
above to my liking, would be around $3500. In mint condition
Edmonds says it only worth around $3700! VDP’s around $4500. But
see, whether it’s worth it or not is up to the owner/ buyer. I am
willing and I will spend this $3500 over the next year or so on
this car. Yes, I will end up paying more than the car is worth. BUT
I LIKE THE CAR. My mechanic and other people who know somthing of
the early XJ-40’s reputations think I’m nuts. But (I’m an insurance
agent)…There’s a term in our industry called ‘‘Intrinsic Value’’.
It’s the value a ‘‘person’’ places on a vehicle, not the blue book or
market value. I believe XJ-40’s from 88-90 are still some the best
engineered cars on the road. The fact that there were some repair
cost issues that caused many owners to ‘‘Black List’’ these cars I
see as my benefit. (It just made them less expensive for me to
buy). An 88’-90’’ XJ-40 in mint condition has an engineering, luxury
and performance level barely reach by cars even today. Yes, they
have problems and quirks, but even after I have spent this $3500 to
fix these quirks (not including the $2000 I’ve already spent over
the last year, I still will have an automobile with the luxury and
components of American/ Japenese luxury sedans costing $50,000 (and
outperforms many of them on the highway). I will consider the total
$5500 I will have spent an investment and a bargain… On top of
that I still think the body style is gorgeous, better looking than
many cars today… many novices think my 88’ it’s a 98-99 model
(I’ve been told this). So to me market values are irrelevant to me.
This is Intrinsic Value. Someone with this type of appreciation for
your 89’ would pay $2000 for your car (There’s someone out there
who would). Test it. If it runs good and has a good tranny and fair
paint… these are the 3 elements that sell used cars. If your VDP
fits these 3, put it on the corner or E-bay and ask for $1200. I
guarantee you will come away with no less than $900 if you hold
your ground. Remember the old saying, ‘‘There’s a sucker born
everyday’’… But I have a counter-saying to that, ‘‘People we
consider suckers are suckers only by our perception’’. They make
think we’re the suckers. So sorry for the sermon, but there’s no
answer to your question. You car is worth whatever the highest
bidder is willing to pay for it. Try it. Naysayers, why do folks
spend 30k on a new car that won’t be worth $15000 5 years later,
but can’t lose 2 grand on a little older car?–
Samuel Brown
Long Beach, United States
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In reply to a message from jrinam sent Sun 27 Aug 2006:

Sadly , XJ40 values are rock-bottom; they have all of the
‘bad reputation’ (completely undeserved in my experience)
and little of the charm of the Series III.

For example, last year I saw a 1994 XJ12 in BRG with
50,000km on it, and its original owner could not get $15,000
CDN for it. I test drove it, and it was like a new car in
every respect…

At some point the XJRs, Majestics and special order XJ12s
may gain some value, but not anytime soon.
On the other hand, this is great because you can have a
super car (or in the case of the XJ12 a supercar) for the
price of a used Hyundai.

-Chris
1994 XJ12
1992 V12 VDP–
The original message included these comments:

in order to sell, or is it a parts car at this point? just cant see
junking a good running, decent looking car.


thetopdogg
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In reply to a message from jrinam sent Sun 27 Aug 2006:

I guess, even though a lot of Jags have been imported to ‘‘the
states’’, there are still many more in the UK. I consistently hear
of people buying good running XJ40’s in Britain for $300-$500USD. I
always have to chuckle when I hear Phil P talk about UK prices and
values! Makes me want to move to the UK, Phil! Besides, it would be
nice to shake your hand for the help you have been to me!

In terms of US prices, I agree completely with SoCalSam. My '89 non-
VDP was $1,400 on E-Bay…plus $400 to get it moved 90 miles to me.
I expected to have to put in a master cylinder, but the boob I
bought it from had no idea that it was the brake booster that was
leaking (as well as one of the accumulator switches), not the MC.
Plus, the accumulator is probably on its last legs. It also needs a
new antenna and the AC compressor belt and clutch wire is
disconnected, so I guess the compressor is shot. Any rust needs
little more than a ‘‘touch-up’’ and the driver’s seat leather is bad.

So, did I get a good deal or not??? SoCalSam makes a good point
about intrinsic value. That value is different than book value.

The thing I have noticed with these cars is that the value takes a
jump when everything is already repaired and shined up! Also, there
are often different ways of making a fix…at different costs. On
my car, I could replace the accumulator, the leaking switch and the
leaking booster. Parts would be at least $750 to $900, without
labor. Or, as I have learned here (and am doing now), I can rip
out all that crap that Jaguar, itself, abandoned after a few years,
put in a vacuum booster and accomplish the task for $100 and a few
hours of tinkering. I am sure that the value will go up by more
than that when repaired. But, would it go up $1,000 by fixing the
hydraulic system? No way!

So, my suggestion…if the parts can be obtained cheap, is to fix
that car. $500 value + $500 in parts may turn it into a $2,000
car…and, as SoCalSam noted, maybe much more if you can find a
buyer who falls in love with it.–
olen soifer, '89 XJ40
Mays Landing, United States
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In reply to a message from jrinam sent Sun 27 Aug 2006:

By the way, there is a bonus on a VDP. That amounts to at least an
additional $500 (to $1,000?) over an XJ6/XJ40.–
olen soifer, '89 XJ40
Mays Landing, United States
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In reply to a message from jrinam sent Sun 27 Aug 2006:

I purchased my '89 XJ40 after the prior owner put a lot of funds
and time repairing and upgrading within the prior year far beyond
the amount that I paid. So I feel it was fortunate timing for me.
However, I would not hesistate to put some serious money into this
Jag because it does match in ride, appearance and performance any
luxury car on the road that demands buyers to pony up obscene
amounts before a wheel is turned. Putting money into a quality
product that will continue to deliver is a no-brainer. However, if
you are plagued with rust issues bubbling up then short of a major
cutting and replacing of body and frame sections, one should cut
the losses and find a rust free one.–
The original message included these comments:

havea 89 vdp, runs excelent, but has rusted deck/boot lid, sagging


Daniel XJ 6 '89
Seattle, WA, United States
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In reply to a message from triman sent Tue 29 Aug 2006:

always liked the car, and plan on getting a newer one in a couple
years. I currently have an xjs that is eating money quicker than my
ex-wife, so I dont care to repair xj40 at this time. I can get in
it and drive it right now, its not sitting due to problems, I just
dont need it at this time. valuation of car isnt to decide to keep
or not, but rather to find a good home or put out to pasture. I
would rather sell to a jag lover than junk it.–
jrinam
zelienople,pa., United States
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