Salutations:
I am looking at a 1984 XJ6 - 130km - seemingly in very nice shape body wise (rare where I live). I have advise that this is not a bad example or year all round and have just finished up a test drive.
I noted that it was holding rev's high (1,350 range) *after* warming up - and thusly seemed to shift fairly hard from lights and when accelerating. First gear seemed to make a slight whining noise until it warmed up. Also
- while it didn't seem to be smoking anywhere - I got a whiff something burning (wasn't sure if it was oil or transmission fluid) when I came up to lights or stopped and idled while driving - but like I said - couldn't see smoke anywhere obvious and it is desperate need of a tune up (the engine was 'rough' from idle and while driving).
It is showing all the signs of a weak battery on start - but seems to be charging fine once running. The trip computer is dead - as is the cruise control (which may or may not be linked I suppose) and, most alarmingly, the brake pedal seemed to go further down to the floor as we tested it through traffic and on a highway run..
It seemed very powerful from the line - but didn't have the overtaking power I was expecting when it downshifted on the highway between 80-110kmh (I have a '89 9000 SAAB Turbo - so I may be spoiled) and has an exhaust leak (tick-tick) somewhere near the head on the manifold..
Finally - while I am not sure what I should be seeing under the hood - all the pictures online show a a pipe and some plumbing on the block above the plugs - this seems to be missing and capped at the block.. Also - there seemed to be a very slight vacant spot a when steering from center - it wasn't constant - but came and went.
Now - while all or any of this would normally make the machine a non-contender - it does seem to have a excellent body and pretty good interior - the shocks are a bit soft, but it seems to be a low mileage example and I would like to make an offer if I can understand what I'm looking at and what it might cost to repair.
The dealer isn't asking a lot and isn't having much luck given what I have outlined - so - I would like to make an offer based on what I can find out. Hence my intrusion here - please excuse my ignorance on the machine..
Any experiences, opinions or considerations are welcomed and appreciated - this would be a family ride and I think it might be a nice one depending.. Thanks..