Vehicle Description
You won't find a more traditionally British car than this lovely
1994 Jaguar XJS drophead coupe. Painted high-visibility bright red,
it shows just 35,706 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 sizzling red paint isn't subtle, but then
again, the guy who originally bought this gorgeous ragtop didn't
really care. It comes with a shine that only comes from that magic
formula they've perfected over the decades, and it still looks
quite good today. Gaps are quite good, fitted by guys who
understood that building a car with the leaping cat ornament was a
privilege, and the drop-top does nothing to diminish the XJ-S's
flowing lines. The Euro-style headlights, body-colored bumpers, and
flip-up gas cap are all in excellent condition, accented by a few
well-chosen chrome accents. Like the Mercedes-Benz SL models, this
is one affordable A-list celebrity that will make all your
neighbors think you've hit the lottery.
Nobody does 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 almost no 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 1994, including
climate control, power windows, cruise control, and a
decent-sounding AM/FM/cassette stereo with a CD changer in the
trunk. The 2+2 model obviously includes a back seat, but it's
really more of a beautifully upholstered storage area unless you
have little kids or friends with short legs. The multi-layer
convertible top seals up as tightly as a coupe and folds with the
touch of a button, stashing itself with a very British-looking
stack behind the seats. Even the trunk is beautifully upholstered
and will carry a surprising amount of gear despite the presence of
a full-sized spare and battery.
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 1994, with Ford's help, the old electrical
gremlins had been permanently banished. 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 chrome BBS-style alloys, which
wear 235/60/15 Michelin Pilot 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 for the price of
something made in Korea. Call today!