1993 Jaguar XJS

Description

You won't find a more traditional luxury British car than this lovely 1993 Jaguar XJS convertible coupe. Painted Signal Red, it shows just 129,763 original miles and has been a pampered toy since the day it was delivered. Look at the price, then decide whether some Old World luxury is just what you've been looking for.

The XJS spent the last few years of its life evolving, with the pinnacle of that evolution being this convertible. The car's look was still striking, and make no mistake, this is a big, impressive car in every way. The Signal Red paint celebrates a century of historic racing in England and is quintessentially British with a shine that only comes from that magic formula they've perfected over the decades. As a car that has lived in a climate-controlled garage all its life, you know the bodywork is exemplary, with original paint that's probably still nicer than what you'll get from most body shops. Gaps are excellent, fitted by guys who understood that building a car with the leaping cat ornament was a privilege, and the drop-top conversion does nothing to diminish the flowing lines. The Euro-style headlights, chrome bumpers, and flip-up gas cap are all in excellent condition.

Nobody does long lasting leather like the British, and the top-of-the-line Jaguar is filled with aromatic hides that are sinfully soft and artfully designed. The bucket seats show decent wear, again reinforcing the fact that this car has led a very sheltered existence, and the deep pile carpets feel luxurious even if you're not wearing $1000 driving moccasins. That burled walnut on the dash is real burled walnut, and it's obvious that the Jaguar artisans went the extra mile to prove that the tactile sensations inside this car were as important as ergonomics, and perhaps more so. The gauges are simple and clearly marked, and it comes standard with just about every feature you could imagine in 1993, including climate control, power windows, cruise control, and a decent-sounding AM/FM/CD stereo. The multi-layer convertible top seals up as tightly as a coupe and folds with the touch of a button, stashing under a matching boot with a very British-looking stack behind the seats. Even the trunk is beautifully upholstered and will carry a surprising amount of gear.

While most folks think of an antiquated V12 when they see the XJS, the engine you really want is the 4.0 liter inline-six found in this car. Several hundred pounds lighter and making 90% as much horsepower, it transforms the XJS from boulevardier to agile back-road companion. Of course, that's the whole point of a Jaguar, right? The engine is completely unmodified and has been properly serviced, and by 1993, with Ford's help, the design was perfected. It's backed by a quick-shifting automatic transmission and a supple yet athletic suspension that always seems to be on its toes. Powerful disc brakes live behind those handsome (Chromed) alloys, which wear 235/60/15 radials.

I can't rightly explain why these cars are selling for tiny fractions of their original sticker prices, but the net result is that you can get an A-list European convertible at a very economical price. Call today!