Hello to all...


I am a noob to the world of Jaguars, but ventured here whilst doing research about a car I am considering for purchase. So technically, I'm not "in the club" yet, in terms of ownership, but very well could be within the next week or so...


I've had an affection for the classic lines of a Jaguar sedan since my teen years. There was one particular time when I caught a ride with an acquaintance in college (Baylor), who drove an XJ6 in British Racing Green. We were heading north on I-35, and it felt like we were flying... I've never forgotten that ride, or the car.


(Back then I couldn't afford a Jag... so I had to settle for a TR-6!)


Fast forward to this week. Unfortunately, this past Tuesday night (Dec. 23rd), my wife was run off the road by a jerk in a jacked up 4x4, who also apparently had his LED light bar turned on, and it blinded my wife as she was attempting to negotiate a sharp left curve... she couldn't see the road and veered off to the right a bit too far, and the car ran off the road and impacted the edge of a concrete culvert going under someone's driveway. The engine case was ruptured, front suspension demolished, and the roof even was crumpled... Airbag was deployed as well, and thankfully my wife sustained no physical injury (but of course she was quite shaken by the experience). Her car, an '05 Mercedes E320 Diesel, was totaled.


SO.... that means I'm in the market for a replacement vehicle! And I've been looking at literally hundreds of cars on Auto Trader, Craigslist, and the like. At some point, little voices (with British accents!) started whispering in my head: "what about a classy Jag?!?"




Not those brand new models... the CLASSIC lines of an XJ...


Well, suffice it to say that I've located a beautiful '05 XJ Vanden Plas, literally driven by a sweet old lady whose late husband bought it new about 10 yrs ago. The lady is now a widow, and living in a nursing home, bless her heart, and her son has decided it's time to sell the car...


About the car: it has ~75,000 miles since new. Judging from the pics, the interior looks MINT. I don't know if the rear seats have ever been used! There are a few TINY dings (the kind you get at a Wal-Mart parking lot, according to her son), but otherwise the exterior is damn near perfect. Brakes do need servicing. This is what the guy has told me thus far, anyway.


After a nice phone conversation with the lady's son, he told me that he'd be willing to take just $9,000 cash for this car...


Yes, you read that right!


Now for the big question to those of you reading this post: should I buy this car? I know the price is sweet. And the car is absolutelty gorgeous. My wife has seen the pics and of course got googly-eyed at how luxurious the interior looks. My concerns are whether or not this could possibly turn in to a "money pit." I'm quite mechanically competent and am not afraid to do most of my own maintenance. But if this is a car that is apt to require major surgery in the near future, maybe I need to pause, as this WILL be my wife's daily driver; that is, whatever she drives DOES need to be reliable.


So... I'm all ears.... WHAT WOULD YOU DO???


Thanks in advance for your wisdom and insight...


JT
Texas

 

JT, I'm sorry to read about your wife's mishap. I dislike light bars myself but that's just me.

You ask what you should do about buying a 10 year old Jaguar with 75,000 miles and a few WalMart dings on it. (I park my Jaguar Well away from such commoners when I go to WalMart) No one can decide that but you. And then you ask what would I do. I would buy the car if I had the cash but I'm not you.

Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome to the forum, good to hear the wife is ok.
Visit the XJ forum and ask away there, I'm sure you will get plenty of feedback from the owners there. Link below

XJ ( X350 & X358 ) XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Welcome to the forum Teneretor,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

A serious accident. Good to hear no one was injured.

Service history is crucial with any used Jaguar. Regular documented maintenance and repairs. You should question any gaps closely. Running costs can be high if you have to rely on franchised or independent specialists but can be kept reasonable if you do much of the work yourself. You'll find the answers on the forum to fixing almost anything that can go wrong.

Follow Clarke's link in post #3 to the X350 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome.

BUY IT, that is one of teh most sorted of teh XJ models. OK, there will be issues, ANY car has issues, but in teh big scheme of hings I have heard no real majors with teh X350.

Please read the X350 tips as suggested, just to be sure.

Down here anything remotely like that is $40+++++.

 

welcome to the forum - sorry about the wife's mishap but glad no injuries to her! enjoy!!!!!!!!

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Tenerator,

Good to have you with us.

Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

Where abouts in Texas are you?

 

Hi and welcome aboard, its good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums

Any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the
search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Using JF "How To"

There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
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