Wait 'till you see the BOAT his mechanic is buying.
I'm in trouble: '04 Jag XJ8
- Thread starter Benzadmiral
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I'd rather have a towncar or something somewhat reliable ...
I could be wrong but I don't think that era of Jag is too bad for reliability. Price of parts may still be high, but reliability itself I believe is good on those.
The old ones are the ones you want to avoid, like well before 2000.
Food for thought: Luxury cars do not hold their value well AT ALL. It would not just be a Jag that you could get for cheap as a 2nd car. You could get a nice 5 series BMW or E class Mercedes for that kind of money as well.
The old ones are the ones you want to avoid, like well before 2000.
Food for thought: Luxury cars do not hold their value well AT ALL. It would not just be a Jag that you could get for cheap as a 2nd car. You could get a nice 5 series BMW or E class Mercedes for that kind of money as well.
My neighbor recently purchased an XJ8 of that era, absolutely a beautiful car. In fantastic cosmetic condition.
A year later it is parked, maybe permanently due to trans issues and other problems. I'm sure there are many better examples, but I see this a lot with these older high end cars. They are getting cheap enough that people are buying them who cannot really afford them.
I would advise buying one at a terrific price only if you can DIY or have an excellent experienced jag-familiar mechanic. And note that many body shops will not work on that platform due to the high tech bonding (glued together).
A year later it is parked, maybe permanently due to trans issues and other problems. I'm sure there are many better examples, but I see this a lot with these older high end cars. They are getting cheap enough that people are buying them who cannot really afford them.
I would advise buying one at a terrific price only if you can DIY or have an excellent experienced jag-familiar mechanic. And note that many body shops will not work on that platform due to the high tech bonding (glued together).
According to Kevin, my mechanic, the owner is an elderly lady who brings the car to him for every little thing. I looked it over again yesterday afternoon, and aside from the window tinting in the back needing replacement and a small scar on the rear bumper chrome, it looks grand.
She may not budge on the price, though. He's going to pass my name and number on to her.
She may not budge on the price, though. He's going to pass my name and number on to her.
Paul, $9K is a steal on that car, at least around here.
A dealer up by our lake house just sold an '04 with 20K miles for $19K which I think is a more realistic price. At ten years old, I don't think low mileage adds much, if anything, to the value.
I went across town and got ours out yesterday. I enjoy driving my G8, but switching between cars I'm always struck by how much difference there is in comfort between a $30K ish car and a $70K ish car.
It's like night and day.
A dealer up by our lake house just sold an '04 with 20K miles for $19K which I think is a more realistic price. At ten years old, I don't think low mileage adds much, if anything, to the value.
I went across town and got ours out yesterday. I enjoy driving my G8, but switching between cars I'm always struck by how much difference there is in comfort between a $30K ish car and a $70K ish car.
It's like night and day.
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
Originally Posted By: bigjl
I would not even contemplate defending the reliability of the XJ 40 shape though.
They deserve a reputation for lack of reliability.
Interesting... I've always thought of the XJ40 as quirky, but fairly reliable (and heard that they were one of the better Jags for reliability, certainly better than a Series I/II/III XJ6 or any V12 Jag). I've got a family member with an 88 XJ40 Vanden Plas (3.6 / ZF auto) with 77k miles. It still runs and drives great (despite being a little under-maintained other than oil changes). It handles a lot better than I'd expect for a 4000lb land yacht on 205s too. It had an AC issue and a rear suspension issue that were resolved under warranty when it was fairly new.
Other than that, it's been pretty good. The only real issues are as follows: The brakes are super-heavy due to a dead nitrogen bladder in the brake system (not a hard fix, just haven't done it yet), and one of the displays on the digital dash only works sometimes (just a cracked solder joint, another easy fix). The ABS doesn't work, most likely due to the nitrogen bladder issue (and that's pretty much a non-problem anyway).
The X-type and S-type were just pieces of [censored] from everything I've seen. The X308 XJ8s seem to hold up well though.
S Type was ugly but very underrated, the X Type suffered image problems due to its links with the mk3 Mondeo, the petrol versions and 4wd versions were not as common as the diesels in the UK.
Neither bad a bad reputation.
I can still remember the problems with the XJ 40 shape the hydraulic system was a nightmare, high pressure and low pressure switches, warnings on the dash.
Horrendous fuel use, even the 2.9 would hardly crack 20mpg round town.
That was before you considered the multitude of electrical gremlins they had.
I ran a garage back in the early '90s and we used to see a lot of those shape Jags, they were so cheap people would buy them and have no idea into how to maintain them properly.
They also used to rust fairly badly.
In the UK at least.
The aluminium bodied version was a huge step forward in build quality and reliability.
They did put a very nice Diesel engine in the S Type in Europe and that was the most popular version in the UK I suspect.
Perhaps that explains the difference is reliability.
That Diesel engine was also fitted to the XF till recently and was fitted to the Discovery 3 for a fair few years also.
Replaced by a much better 3.0 engine which is both cleaner, economical and quicker.
Don't get me wrong, I liked driving customers XJ40's but would never own one.
But the vehicle the OP is talking about is one I would always have at the back of my mind if buying a high days and holidays vehicle.
Originally Posted By: bigjl
I would not even contemplate defending the reliability of the XJ 40 shape though.
They deserve a reputation for lack of reliability.
Interesting... I've always thought of the XJ40 as quirky, but fairly reliable (and heard that they were one of the better Jags for reliability, certainly better than a Series I/II/III XJ6 or any V12 Jag). I've got a family member with an 88 XJ40 Vanden Plas (3.6 / ZF auto) with 77k miles. It still runs and drives great (despite being a little under-maintained other than oil changes). It handles a lot better than I'd expect for a 4000lb land yacht on 205s too. It had an AC issue and a rear suspension issue that were resolved under warranty when it was fairly new.
Other than that, it's been pretty good. The only real issues are as follows: The brakes are super-heavy due to a dead nitrogen bladder in the brake system (not a hard fix, just haven't done it yet), and one of the displays on the digital dash only works sometimes (just a cracked solder joint, another easy fix). The ABS doesn't work, most likely due to the nitrogen bladder issue (and that's pretty much a non-problem anyway).
The X-type and S-type were just pieces of [censored] from everything I've seen. The X308 XJ8s seem to hold up well though.
S Type was ugly but very underrated, the X Type suffered image problems due to its links with the mk3 Mondeo, the petrol versions and 4wd versions were not as common as the diesels in the UK.
Neither bad a bad reputation.
I can still remember the problems with the XJ 40 shape the hydraulic system was a nightmare, high pressure and low pressure switches, warnings on the dash.
Horrendous fuel use, even the 2.9 would hardly crack 20mpg round town.
That was before you considered the multitude of electrical gremlins they had.
I ran a garage back in the early '90s and we used to see a lot of those shape Jags, they were so cheap people would buy them and have no idea into how to maintain them properly.
They also used to rust fairly badly.
In the UK at least.
The aluminium bodied version was a huge step forward in build quality and reliability.
They did put a very nice Diesel engine in the S Type in Europe and that was the most popular version in the UK I suspect.
Perhaps that explains the difference is reliability.
That Diesel engine was also fitted to the XF till recently and was fitted to the Discovery 3 for a fair few years also.
Replaced by a much better 3.0 engine which is both cleaner, economical and quicker.
Don't get me wrong, I liked driving customers XJ40's but would never own one.
But the vehicle the OP is talking about is one I would always have at the back of my mind if buying a high days and holidays vehicle.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
KBB shows 2004 XJ8 Private Party Good Condition @ $7560 I am not sure where you are getting the $70K original price?
Perhaps he meant it cost $70k new in 2004?
Considering even a basic XJ8 in 2004 would have been the best part of £40/50k I don't think the new price estimate of $70k is far off.
KBB shows 2004 XJ8 Private Party Good Condition @ $7560 I am not sure where you are getting the $70K original price?
Perhaps he meant it cost $70k new in 2004?
Considering even a basic XJ8 in 2004 would have been the best part of £40/50k I don't think the new price estimate of $70k is far off.
Win,
I would like the name of the person who paid more than double retail for the Jag!
I have a couple of great deals to offer them!
Seriously, I would have to agree that the car is a sweetheart for anyone who actually drives it, but even you must admit that if you are not a DIY guy the repair costs COULD be substantial. Not everyone is as happy as you are.
ANY used car is a bit of a [censored] shoot. all you can do is hope to minimize your exposure.
I would like the name of the person who paid more than double retail for the Jag!
I have a couple of great deals to offer them!
Seriously, I would have to agree that the car is a sweetheart for anyone who actually drives it, but even you must admit that if you are not a DIY guy the repair costs COULD be substantial. Not everyone is as happy as you are.
ANY used car is a bit of a [censored] shoot. all you can do is hope to minimize your exposure.
Who paid double retail for a Jag?
Or are you saying they were cheaper in the US after import duties and taxes than they were in the UK?
I went on the US Jag website and specced up a 3.0v6 petrol with supercharged lump, in as close spec as possible to the UK Premium package which is £47k on the road.
The basic price is $54.5k.
"All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $895 destination and delivery charge. Excludes taxes, title, license, emissions and other local fees. Actual dealer price may vary. Accessory prices are not included. See your local authorized Jaguar dealer for details on optional equipment and accessories."
Not sure what that little lot would add to the price.
But it clearly shows a difference in price from the UK and US.
And these are prices for the XF not the XJ which start at around £56k in the UK, all the way up to £120k.
An XF starts at under £30k for the 2.2 diesel.
I don't understand why people are talking about KBB values as that is a used vehicle price guide? Isn't it?
And double retail price?
Are you inferring a Jag XJ8 was $35k brand new in 2004?
Or are you saying they were cheaper in the US after import duties and taxes than they were in the UK?
I went on the US Jag website and specced up a 3.0v6 petrol with supercharged lump, in as close spec as possible to the UK Premium package which is £47k on the road.
The basic price is $54.5k.
"All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $895 destination and delivery charge. Excludes taxes, title, license, emissions and other local fees. Actual dealer price may vary. Accessory prices are not included. See your local authorized Jaguar dealer for details on optional equipment and accessories."
Not sure what that little lot would add to the price.
But it clearly shows a difference in price from the UK and US.
And these are prices for the XF not the XJ which start at around £56k in the UK, all the way up to £120k.
An XF starts at under £30k for the 2.2 diesel.
I don't understand why people are talking about KBB values as that is a used vehicle price guide? Isn't it?
And double retail price?
Are you inferring a Jag XJ8 was $35k brand new in 2004?
Originally Posted By: Win
A dealer up by our lake house just sold an '04 with 20K miles for $19K which I think is a more realistic price.
This was reposted just for you, Bigjl
A dealer up by our lake house just sold an '04 with 20K miles for $19K which I think is a more realistic price.
This was reposted just for you, Bigjl
Repairs $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
From a driver of an almost twenty year old XJS, I asked a similar question before I got it. Got the same responses you got. Two years later - has yet to fail me and is a delight to drive. Go over to jaglovers and see what people who drive it think about it and what specifically to look out for.
I'm waiting to hear from the lady who owns it. Maybe we can meet for a test drive before the Annual Insanity (aka Mardi Gras) descends on the city.
To the OP:
So what was the outcome of this little adventure? Did you pass on this one as well? Or are you out driving it and that's why we haven't heard from you?
So what was the outcome of this little adventure? Did you pass on this one as well? Or are you out driving it and that's why we haven't heard from you?
Gee, if I could read the future as Vikas suggests, I wouldn't have gotten involved with Wife No. 2. (Well, okay, I would have; she was hot. But I'd have been more cautious about it.)
The key is in learning to DATE her instead of MARRY her!!!
Don't ask me how I know this...
Don't ask me how I know this...
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