Looks pretty sharp. The price seems right. I'm mainly concerned with the mileage (94k)...

2004 Jaguar XJ8 Grey/Dove





In general I find San Diego cars cleaner and of better quality than L.A.

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

Assuming the brakes, tires, etc are good - the price seems okay. From what I can see the cosmetics are exceptional. The XJ engines are pretty much bullet prof. The big thing is the transmission. Be sure it's good. Mayby get a Jag experienced guy to go over it with you?

 

I spoke with the dealer,
the car is missing the following -- owner manuals, floor mats, Nav DVD, and the bumper has been resprayed.

Anyone know a good indie Jag shop in San Diego?
How much does a new Nav DVD cost?

Cheers,

Wolfy

 

I sense you're smitten! Best of luck. The DVD, I found on ebay here, $109.00: 2004 2005 Jaguar XJ Sport XJ8 XJR Vanden Plas & Super Navigation System DVD Map | eBay

 

Yeah well I am torn between this one and this --

2000 XK8 Convertible Platinum/Oatmeal




I know this is a X350 forum but what do you guys think?

Cheers,

Wolfy

 

The car seems amazingly good for 94k miles, the front driver seat doesn't look like anybody has sat in it much ! I would say the car is pristine, and the price converted to UK £s is about right.

Test drive of at least 15 miles is a MUST if all the manuals are missing, as these include the service records. Mileage is average for a 7 year old car, and should have had 9 services (one every 10k miles). Should have no faults annunciated on the display on the test drive.

Check leading edge of trunk lid for corrosion creaping round from the underside, and also out of the rear windshield seal. Corners of all doors need checking, look on the inside edges; these are expensive to repaint.

Engines last forever, but unfortunately not the suspension bushes. YOU might have to factor in the rear lower wishbones - 1/2 price ones available on the internet. The bottom bushes on the suspension spring units also do not last long, but are fairly cheap.

Air suspension compressor has probably already been replaced at that sort of mileage, but check if possible, they are not too expensive as service-exchange, again on internet.

There will probably be a few other jobs, but remember it is 7 years old and on 95k miles, and you know nothing about the previous owners, but from the look of it, they were pretty careful with it.

The secretary of our UK Jaguar Enthusiast Club has a 2004 and has done over 135,000 from new without too much trouble.

 

Personally, I wouldn't be in the game without the 100 extra HP of the SC. But I sure like the colors, of both cars. Lovely.

 

Here in L.A., 100 extra HP will get you that much faster to the next traffic light.

Cheers,

Wolfy

 

Not at 2AM on the 15, headed South toward Escondido! Or on Placerita Canyon Rd., or Mulholland, or, well you get the picture!

I used to have a fast car in L.A. It was a much better place to have a fast car than Dallas.

 

List price is $199. Nalley will give a member discount off of list. The 2012 nav disk will be out in a few weeks. Wait on it if your buying new. Here's the link to buy direct from the Nav company at list price.
2006 - XJ

 

Hey,..I've just noticed a little 'bulge' thing in the roof liner of the car interior photo.
Is this normal or a defect??


Cheers,
Wolfy

 

thats normal, its an occupant sensor of some kind. (unless the fabric feels real loose around it. )

 

I had an indie Jag shop check out the car. Here are the findings --

(1) many different fault codes; mechanic says he'll "clear them" after I buy the car; dealer says the car ran out of gas one time, hence the codes. so they're probably just false codes.
(2) engine undercover missing
(3) rear control arms
(4) heater valve / coolant leak

I'm awaiting the full inspection report later today...

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

This could be the lower control arms, (called "wishbones" in the UK). One or two of the three joints in these fails giving excess play. It is a matter of mechanic's judgement when to replace, I had wear since late last year but only last month got them replaced on recommendation.
Price of these items from Jaguar is outrageous, but there are plenty on the internet, and my indie workshop used these. Other things to wear out on the rear suspension are the track control arm bushes, and the lower bushes in the spring units. These are not expensive items.

Here is a typical internet suppliers price, although I am sure they are the same as the S-type part which costs less on the same website !!
Jaguar X350 Rear Lower Wishbone Arm LH (C2C39586#) | JustJagsUK.com

Rear spring unit lower bush very cheap at £19.61 but unit has to come out to fix, so it's mostly all labour on this item.

 

price is very right on the XJ and fair, esp for west coast market, i wouldnt wait too long. I wouldnt expect the seller to move much on it if at all, condition looks great as well. and some maintenance items are expected to have to be done when buying a used car, that list seems very fair with those miles.

 

Thank you so much for all your useful advice, both public and private.
I have found and bought a different car, also from San Diego --
2005 XJ8L 94k mi, $13500. Took it to same Jag mechanic, who certified it to be problem-free other than a few fault codes.
Here are some photos -



and...
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Coming from the older models (a 1998 XK8 and a 1986 VDP), I found the following interesting tidbits while perusing the owner's manual --

(1) "No additives of any kind must be put into the fuel tank...could reduce engine life". Really? I was thinking Lucas fuel treatment.
Can I use 87 Octane gas or must always use premium 91?

(2) "When driving at motorway speeds, the [Air Suspension] will automatically lower the vehicle..." I recall while test driving the car and pulling up to a gas station, the moment I put it in "Park", the car noticeably lowered itself. However, during subsequent driving/stopping this did not happen. Can anyone explain this??

I've ordered the following upgrades -- a mesh grill, a cargo net, a 2010 Nav DVD
For future, I am contemplating -- an aux stereo input (any suggestion?), VDP rugs, power folding mirrors.

Thanks again- you guys are amazing!

Wolfy

 

What was the price of the 04?

 

04 XJ8 $11500 plus $3000+ repairs
05 XJ8L $13500 and zero problem, same mileage & pristine condition.

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

Lovely car you bought there, and the right price too !