Looking to get my first Jaguar. I've always thought the '08-09 XJ's were the best looking cars around. This one pushes all of my buttons. Great color, heated and cooled seats, great wheels. I've had MB for the past 15 years and looking for a change. My last MB had air suspension and I'm familiar with their problems so that is an issue I'm familiar with. I'm a little suspect about a used car dealer that is 2 hours from my home also.

Any feed back on this car? I plan on looking at it next week.

Jaguar XJ8 XJ8 | eBay

Sorry I don't know how to make a link.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

 

Also has clean CarFax.

BTW, is there any way of editing recent posts? The MB forums allow you to go back and edit after it's been posted.

 

It looks OK, as it should do for a 61k mile car. Make sure maintenance records are there and there has been no skimping on maintenance. It is every 10k miles or yearly, whichever comes first, so you should see seven services.

Have a read on the forum stickies and also see the kind of things that come up on the threads. You'll see quite a bit on suspension. It is a full air system similar to that fitted to high end Mercedes. As such parts are expensive, but the shortest life part is the compressor. Frankly, you should not worry about this. Many people seem to have trouble, but forums like this only see the troubles !

Generally speaking, these cars will withstand high mileage use and 20k per year is easy. Many cars have got over 200k miles without anything too serious going wrong.

If you have a local, (and recommended), Jaguar specialist near you, you'll find labour charges lower, plus indies can use parts off the internet, with usually huge savings.

I can't comment on the price as I am UK based. But $20k = Ł15k, so would be a top book price in the UK. What the US market is like for these cars I have no idea. It's a seven year-old car and of a type that we are seeing less and less of in the UK (big up-market saloons), as the up-market SUVs seem to be pushing them aside in the manic rush for everybody to ride around in a double-decker bus.

 

$20k is on the high side of a fair price but if it is a nice car and I can get them down on the price...

Sorry to hear that SUV's are taking over across the pond. We have an epidemic here and I don't see the reason for it. The US doesn't have an idea what a station wagon (or estate) is anymore.

 

Love the car combo. The only thing I would add is a bonnet leaper to complement the classic styling.

When I bought my present Jag located 2 hours away in San Diego, I searched around for a trusty Jaguar specialist indy shop nearby and asked the used car dealer to drop it off at the shop (most are happy to oblige if you ask). I sent 2 cars there and bought 1 that passed inspection with flying colors.

Yes $20k is a bit high for an X358 but if it has full service records and major parts replaced (air struts, brakes, water pump, etc.) then it's a fair price. Just for comparison, a '11 XJ can now be had for $25k. Sedan shoppers should thank the SUV craze for the steep depreciation.

 

I don't think there are any service records as it is at a used car dealership. I'll check when I get there. Also, the CarFax doesn't show that the regular service records so can't be sure of that either.

I think a fair price would be $18k but the dealer might not negotiate that low. Anyone know of an indie repair shop in the area of Conshohocken, PA? It is NW of Philly near King of Prussia.

Any thoughts on things particular to Jag to look for? Other than the obvious accident damage, etc.

 

Yelp search results


Good luck.

 

Thanks Wolfy. I emailed a Jaguar dealer that is 15 minutes away from where the car is. Lets see if they will look the car over and how much they charge for it. I'm going to drive out to see it on Friday so lets see what happens.

Again, thanks to everyone for your input. Always nice to know there are lots of helpful folks in the world.

 

I would offer $18k... And you can't go wrong with a well taken care of Jaguar

 

Yes, I agree, This car is from the last year of production, and Jaguar made quite a number of unannounced minor changes that improved the car and alleviated a number of issues that affected my 2003 car.

 

Very easy to get the records on this vehicle as you have the carfax. Contact Wilde Jaguar, and all the other service providers and give them the VIN. They will all email the records to you. No charge. You have some gaps but this is the place to start.

 

I spoke to Main Line Jaguar and they will go over the car as they would for a certified car. They charge 2 hours labor or about $280 USD. Not bad for some peace of mind.

I'll also email Wilde Jaguar for the service records.

Again, thanks for all the input. I was nervous getting a car I'm not familiar with from a dealer I have no relationship with that is so far away. Thanks for all the support.

 

Well, it seems like I going to keep on looking. Drove 115 miles each way to look at the car. After speaking to Scott (won't mention the dealership by name) he assured me the car was in pristine shape. Lots of scrapes and scratches on it with loose trim. Overall, the car drove well, except for constant shake in the steering wheel.

They wouldn't have the car dropped off for inspection to an authorized dealer. He was texting the entire time we were talking. Very unprofessional meeting.

Since I didn't feel comfortable with the salesman, I decided to keep looking. There are lots of nice Jag's out there.

The search goes on.

 

Wow lots of red flags, the biggest one being not willing to drop off the car for inspection. Good luck with your search! I know this shady used car dealer in town and his cars are always advertised as "pristine!", "stunning!", etc. when they're anything but. Not only that, one time I called him out and his salesman sent me threatening text messages (wanted to beat me up, etc.)

Cheers,

 

Has anyone had any experience with the Jaguar V.I.P. program? I've been searching for cars online and checked the local Jaguar dealership's website and found something called V.I.P. I filled out my info and told them I was looking for a 2008-09 XJ. The next day someone called me and set up an appointment at the dealer tomorrow. I'm going down there to see if they can help me locate a car. I'm assuming they can search all of the Jaguar dealership's inventory for the right car.

Anyone know anything about this?