I went to look at a 200 XJ8 Vanden Plas today. Not sure yet if I am going to move on it.

This is a "wholesale dealer" that is selling it, whatever that means. May clarify some of the procedures they seemed to follow, I don't know.

When I got there, the assistant drove the car out of the warehouse and to a curious part of the parking lot, around the corner of the building. I am a little perplexed why he put it there. Haven't quite figured that one out. I walked around the corner to go look at it. The dealer hadn't come out, yet. I believe he was eating lunch. Fine with me, because I wanted some "alone time" with the car first.

Before I got to where the car was parked, the assistant passed me on his way back into the building from where he drove it out. He said the car died and wasn't starting. He came back with a booster and hooked it up. It started, but immediately died again. He tried again, same thing. On about the third try he kept it going. Then said I could get in and we drove back through the lot to a more logical spot.

Appearance wise, the car didn't look bad for being 14 years old, and asking price of $6,500. There was some small chips and blimishes in the body that were not obvious in the add, but no rust on any exterior (top, bottom, sides) body parts. The hood piece pictured in the add had dissappeared. The interior looked more lived in than the like new it appeared in the pictures, but certainly looked like it would clean up well. The sun roof opened and closed, but didn't seem to me to open all the way. Although, I can't say I know what all the way is. There was a good three inches or so still out when the motor stopped pulling it in to open it. I found no evidence of sunroof leaking. The centerpieces on the wheels were missing, but that was one thing that I had noticed in the pictures, and don't really mind.

It looked to me like the car had been undercoated, probably when it was new, and now was wearing off. However, I don't know, this could be tar from a hot blacktop road. I'm leaning toward the undercoating, though, and I like the thought of it. I did find fairly significant rust spots on the outside front corner of the floorpan on both driver and passenger sides. On the driver side, I was able to poke my finger through and feel soft stuff.

Two codes were flashing under the yellow light on the dash. I wrote them down, but I think I left them in my beater. One was traction control and I think the other had to do with antilock brakes? The stereo was locked out. I rifled through the glove box hoping to find maintance records. Didn't find any. Did find the code to unlock the stereo, and it worked for me.

Also found in the glove box that the car for at least part of it's life was a Florida car, for as much as that counts.

There was no leaks or drips that I detected coming from the engine. It sat there running as I inspected it for a good 20 or 30 minutes. It was quieter than I expected for a V8. Guess I am used to my flowmasters. The wiperfluid looked very low. It is a pretty engine compartment, though. All for tires have more than adequate tread on pirellies.

Back in the driver seat, I lightly reved the engine a few times and let it fall back to idle. To me, it seemed to idle slightly ruff briefly after letting the rev off, shaking the car just a little.

Feeling like I had completed as much of an inspection as I am competent of doing, I headed to speak with the dealer. The first issue I raised was none of the above, but based on my research here, actually. I asked him about the chain tensioner and if there was a way of knowing if it had been replaced. He said he did not know, but thought there had been a recall on them and should be able to tell if this car took part in the recall. For this price, provided my other negative observations are negligable, it doesn't really matter to me. Having got that issue done, I moved on to the car starting problem. I suggested it could be the alternator or battery. He brushed it off as typical of european cars that have been sitting around a while. He said that if I come back it will start right up. I'm not sure how much this eases my mind, though, unless I surprise them upon my return. They can make sure the car starts early in the day of my expected arrival. Next I asked about the codes. He said the codes were only because of the jump, and that they would automatically clear. On the surface, that sounded to me like salesman talk. However, I did think about it some, and it sorta makes sense. When I have jumped my beater truck, my upgraded stereo clears out all the programmed channels and the clock goes to 12:00. Does this make sense?

He said he could run diagnostics on it, if I am interested, though, just to make sure. He also said that if i left a deposit, he would fix anything that shows up on the diagnostics, and the car would be held for me. However, if he had to spend money to make repairs for those diagnostics, then I come back and say I change my mind, my deposit would go toward the cost of those repairs. He was open to my taking my own mechanic in to inspect, or taking it out to another mechanic or dealership to inspect, just not today. He said he was out of dealer plates at the moment.

I went there today kinda trepedly expecting to drive it home. The starting difficulty, the codes, and the very slight rough idle after reving stopped me from doing so. Pretty much everything else I think I can live with or am willing to work on after purchase. As I told him, I expect if I am going to get a Jaguar it is going to be higher maintance, I just don't want to purchase it with problems.

So, my current stance is I don't know. My current assignment is to find a mechanic that will take a look at it for me. Anybody got a mechanic in north jersey to refer me to? Or even better, anybody in north jersey that knows a thing or two about these beautiful machines that would like to come look at her with me?

Oh, it seems to keep asking me, so I'll tell ya. My current ride is an 88 toyota 4x4 dlx pickup, 6 cylinder, currently running cab and chassis. Anybody in the market for one?

 

Welcome to the forum oneOFwhat,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

Difficult starting on a Jaguar that has been standing at a dealer for a while is not unusual. Presumably there is little or no history other than the car has spent some time in FL?

The warning lights are more of a concern. Could be the result of a discharged battery but a return visit with a mechanic and a code reader will tell you a lot more about the vehicle.

Follow this link XJ ( X308 ) XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

You can also visit the US North East Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/u...t-nj-ny-pa-35/ to find other members in your region.

I hope it checks out OK.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum. Follow the links graham has provided to a wealth of information and support. Enjoy

 

Went with a 98 XJ8 L I found at another dealer. Had a better feeling about it.... guess I'll put the rest of the story in the appropriate forums

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums oneOFwhat,

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

 

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

If you need any further help with the site moving forward, please just ask any moderator, veteran member and we'll be glad to assist.

In the meantime, 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 Helpful_information

There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts ForumNeed a Manual, a TSB, or General Info' about your Jag? Check out our >> DOWNLOAD AREA <<

I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.