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Advise buying a XJ40...

Hi everybody!

It's the first time I write in this forum. I am a regular poster in es.charla.motor, the spaniard car-lovers newsgroup.

I have now an opportunity to buy an '8something (cannot remember now of the year) XJ40, nice-looking, not too expensive.... too good to be true?

Well, the point worrying me the most is the gearbox. It is manual! How strong are those clutches? I am afraid it could be a weakness of the car, specially in such an old and powerful car... I believe auto-boxes could last longer in a good condition, and I really think a clutch for such a car might be quite expensive.... Am I right?

Although I was too "excited" about buying that car.... I am starting to worry about reliability of the engine, the gearbox... Will I be spending twice the price I (will) pay for buying the car only in keeping it in shape?

Thanks in advance, and greetings from Paris.

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-- Pyrus Malus [EChMotor#512]

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Pyrus Malus [EChMotor#512]
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Pyrus, The XJ40 was made for only 3 years in the 80s. The '87-'89 XJ40s are basically all the same. In 1990, they changed most of the major components to the car -- engine, transmission, brakes, electronics and more. I can't assist you on the reliability of the manual transmission although Jaguar's history with manuals has been excellent. There were VERY few manual transmission put into the market on the XJ40 and most were coupled to the 2.9 litre motor. The 2.9 litre motor was a bit under powered and a poorer version of the 3.6 litre which, except for a poor head gasket, is nearly bullet-proof.

You need to determine exactly what it is that you are buying. Then determine exactly what the condition is. Once there, you can determine the value. Go to

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read the book written by other XJ40 owners. This will give you an ideaof what can go wrong -- but ore importantly -- how easy these cars are torepair.

I have an '88 XJ40 with nearly 200,000 miles on the clock. I would not hesitate to drive it anywhere. It is beautiful, comfortable and reliable. I couldn't ask for more

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Thanks very much indeed.

:-D

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Pyrus Malus [EChMotor#512]

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