Below Market Value: 1994 Jaguar XJS Convertible – Sold?

April 7, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Jaguar “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

No matter how old it gets, the Jaguar XJS never fails to maintain a commanding presence on the road or any parking lot it graces. Given it traces its heritage back to the imposing and iconic E-Type, perhaps this should come as no surprise. This 1994 Jaguar XJS Convertible originally listed in March 2021 on Craigslist in Tampa, Florida benefits from several big-ticket improvements, and the seller claims his asking price of  $12,900 is “…thousands” below the going rate.  Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool, he’s not wrong, as an “Excellent” grade XJS is valued at $23,000, and this car seems better than a “Good” condition model, which is valued at $12,200.

The XJS gets a fairly bad rap around most enthusiast circles because of its infamous association with a car brand not exactly known for churning out high-quality products in the late 70s and all the way through the early 90s. Even if the rest of the car was effectively carved from solid granite, wonky British electronics typically revealed their heads at the worst time. The XJS may have been beautiful and the heir apparent to the E-Type, but unlike its forebearer, looks alone could not save it.

The MotorWeek YouTube Channel provides a vintage RetroReview of the essentially similar 1992 XJS model:

Today, unless an XJS has been treated as a time capsule from Day One, many of these cars are engine swap candidates or corner-used-car-lot fodder for the high-interest auto loan crowd. The good news is that if you’re in the market for one, they rarely approach the high watermark valuation Hagerty has assigned because so many enthusiasts have been scared off by the model’s less than sterling reputation.

That’s certainly the case here, as the seller invested in a complete respray, new convertible top motors, and fairly new Goodyear tires, with an inline six-cylinder engine up front that supposedly has no leaks and runs well. The respray couldn’t have been cheap, though it’s impossible to know whether it was performed by a competent body shop or the local Maaco outfit. The interior looks quite nice too, and while it has close to 100,000 miles on the clock, they appear to have been gentle miles. A trashed convertible is quite obvious, as the interior will bear the obvious scars of being driven and parked for extended periods with the top lowered. Speaking of, the roof itself appears to be in good order with a clear back window. If the seller’s correct that this is closer to the upper end of the condition spectrum, then the asking price does seem quite fair. If you’re willing to roll the dice on one of the riskier models in Jaguar’s contemporary portfolio, this XJS convertible seems worthy of the gamble. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1994 Jaguar XJS 2 + 2 convertible, auto ,6 cyl.,all power everything. New Kenwood CD am/fm Stereo,cruise. Like new Goodyear Eagle Tires. New roof motor. Roof,body and interior in great shape. New professional paint. Drives and ride great. Performance and shifting perfect. No leaks.Thousands below nada average retail. 98k miles. Asking $12,900.“

Do you have a Jaguar XJS story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!