[xj-s] xjs- Re Looking to Buy Hess Conv?

["David Johnson" <davidj@ecentral.com>]

Sorry Randy, should have given you some input here. I have two Hess Conv.
and belong to the Rocky Mountain Jag Club. I have read Kirby's book many
times and conducted many of the fixes on both cars, twice the Work.

I am an Engineer, so tend to buy wisely and logically. Why did I buy a
Hess? I bought these cars, because I wanted a convertible xjs. At the time
these cars were the only ones in my price range. What is the difference
between Hess and an 89 Jag convertible, (not a lot). Read Kirbys book and
summarize  the fixes and problems. You find that 99% of the components and
problems are the same for both 88 and 89 cars. Only 2000 of these cars were
made, and my guess is that in many years to come, these cars will be worth
a few bob ($ for the US guys).

The main difference is the fuel system (badly designed), but can be
overcome with a few fixes, I will help, if you decide on buying one. What
else is different? The rag top mechanism is extremely reliable and looks
better than the 89 Jag, you get a fabric hood as standard. The interior
trim is obviously different, but this is a none issue. 

I read Email that the suspension is different, my answer is Bul--t, its the
same. My car with regular wheels does NOT have shimmy, the other with wire
wheels does, but thats the draw back of wire wheels.

The best part, is these cars are cheap (I purchased one of mine for 10K US
last year, after a lot of hard work it now looks and runs fantastic (take
it too 100mph + a couple of times a week), I am even using this as my daily
driver?. Beats paying $25K to 30K for a 93. My last suggestion is don't buy
any year of xjs models, unless you like to tinker around and fix stuff
yourself. Otherwise you need a huge wallet, full of green back waiting for
the dealer to take, (Yes this also includes years 94+). Comments are
welcome.

Dave Johnson
Two 88 Hess Conv
Tag "Pusycat" (gets people talking when I tell them its time to pussy for a
drive).

>From: "Randolph E. Fox" <rfox@ix.netcom.com>
>Subject: [xj-s] Looking to buy

>Thanks to everyone who replied to my inquiry about the Hess and
>Eisenhardt model.  Interestingly enough I didn't hear from a single H+E
>owner one way or the other and pretty much have concluded that the later
>"factory convertibles" are the better option.  I haven't ruled this
>particular H+E model out yet as it is in excellent conditon in and out
>but have driven a few other models (I particularly like the 1995 model
>but don't wany to sell my E-Type in order to be able to afford one). 
>What I have noticed with all other models I have driven ranging from
>1989-1992 is that they all have a "shimmy" in the steering wheel, my
>father's 1889 XJ-S coupe does not.  Does anyone know if there is a
>common problem to these models causing this shimmy?
     Sorry for the long post.
Thanks,
Randy Fox

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