Hey guys I'm pretty new to this site and I just joined. I have been looking at buying a jaguar now for a while, I really love the classy looks but multiple people have discouraged me from doing so saying that they're not very reliable cars and are expensive to maintain. I recently found an XJR and those are really rare where I'm from its the first one I have ever found for sale around me and I'd really love to own that car. What are some of the most common issues with these cars and what should I be looking at specifically to make sure the car is a good deal. The car is a 2004 XJR and it has 93k miles on the clock, dealer is asking around 12k but I think that can be negotiated. Should I even bother driving out to look at it or would I be better off buying an XJ8? What are some of the pros and cons of each and which would be better in the long run?
All the help is really appreciated thanks.

 

I just bought an xjr and am very happy with it. Did not try a xj8 but I love the engine in the xjr and would not want to down grade it.

 

Have you had any issues with it at all?

 

Take a gander here and it will give you an idea of what to expect from an XJ whether it be an R or 8.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...d-know-112913/

What I (just me) would look for on a car of this age and mileage is the service history to see what's been repaired and replaced. If components like the air suspension (if this model has it), water pump, bushings or alternator have been replaced i'd say go for it. If not, you'll probably end up replacing them yourself.

 

So as long as the major issues have been fixed and the car has been properly maintained I shouldn't have anything huge to worry about? I'm also looking at a 05 xjr. Would these be any better or are they pretty similar?

 

The 05 will have had a few minor things done as service experience with the car from 2003 came through, but nothing of huge significance. One item could be the air compressor for the suspension was improved. Reason I say this is because when I bought mine, the compressor needed replacing at 35k miles, (car 7 years old), but the replacement fitted in 2010 is still on the car at 102k miles.

Suspension bushes are not long lived, especially the lower air spring bushes. There is one on each of the four and these together take the full weight of the car. They are not expensive to buy, the cost is mainly labour. If you are unfortunate enough to have an air spring diaphragm fail there are firms around that will fit a new one. If the unit starts leaking damper oil or leaking air at the top, then new ones, (Bilsteins) are available, but expensive. Rear lower wishbone arm bushes are another short life part, but the price of these is now much lower.

Generally speaking the cars are very reliable in terms of not letting you down at the roadside, and can work up to well over 200k miles and still be running well

 

I have that car with 86000 miles. Even knowing the entire service history (my mother was the original owner) and knowing how they cared for it....in the 1.5 years since I got it, I have had two trans leaks ($3000 to fix) and the water pump. I agree they can be expensive, but well worth it. I do NOT feel that $12000 is a good price. Start with KBB and Nada....not near $12K. The large drop in resale (I think mumsy paid $90K ish new) works to your advantage in this case.

There are recalls, you can check if they are done.

Water pump is common, this is not my car's first.

Air suspension, can be troublesome, some replace.

I have experienced the gear box failure after aggressive driving (aggressive like Palomar Mountain in SoCal ). I had the TCm reflashed assuming it was my different driving. One shop said new tranny, no thanks. I get it infrequently and just pull over and shut down, all better.

Odd one, the lug nuts can swell and be issues. Posts on that, too.

So, things do happen, more than a 2004 Toyota (IMHO), but look at what you are getting!

I wouldn't change a thing (I also have an older Ducati, so I forgive alot for the thrill and character!)

Edit: also experienced the gas gauge going to empty when just filling up the car. Mom had this fixed twice. I found it went away after I stopped doing the 4 mile trips that she did and actually used the car

 

Thanks that really helps. I found an 05 with 98k miles on it for 10k and I'm thinking that's a much better deal. So the cars are not as bad as everyone says they are is what it sounds like to me and from what I hear everyone says they really love their car so it can't be too bad.
Is there anything I should look at specifically since the car has 98k miles on it besides the general checkup?

 

"Not very reliable cars." - Jaguars are as reliable or better than other European brands.
"Expensive to maintain." - Compared to an ordinary Honda or Chevy, definitely yes.

Owning a (used) Jaguar and being happy with it long term is dependent upon your mindset:

First, you will afford to purchase a car far superior to anything newer for the same price.

Second, be prepared to "invest" considerable funds to keep your Jaguar contented. Even so, if you spend a few thousand a year on repairs and maintenance, you are still paying less than car payments on a newer, lesser car.

 

Yeah I'm going in with the mindset that I'm going to be spending a good amount of cash on it but I plan on learning as much as possible on the car so I can do my own repairs and maintenance services since from what I have heard and read it's usually the labor that's really expensive. And I think the cars are beautiful and not expensive. Probably the most elegant cars I've seen for such a low price.

 

The editor of the UK Jaguar Enthusiasts Club had an X350 from 2004, and finally it was written off this year when a deer jumped out in front of him. Cost of repairs exceeded the value of the car, unfortunately.

That car was on about 230k miles at the time and still on original drive train, although a gearbox was swapped very early after purchase. He says it has been the best Jaguar he has ever had, and is now driving the successor model, the X351, but diesel this time. Petrol Jaguars are very expensive in road tax here in the UK, which means not many are bought and hence not available used all that often.

I don't think there is much to fear in buying one of these cars provided there is good evidence of servicing and general care and attention. Like most expensive up-market cars, they don't take kindly to neglect, (like most mistresses !!)

 

So what would the proper maintenance and service look like? For example what should be done every few thousand miles and what should have been done generally speaking by 100k miles?

 

Everyone should have a xjr once in there life

 

I've wanted one ever since I was a kid. I fell in love with them and always told myself I'd get one eventually. I think it's about time haha

 

I would not let the uninformed naysayers dissuade you from buying a modern Jag (MY2003+)
My 05 XJ8L has been most reliable in the 3 years that I've owned it. Just make sure you drive it often (not leaving it parked for more than 5 days, or use a battery tender if you do), get a thorough pre-purchase inspection from a Jaguar mechanic, AND keep a $1-1.5k annual maintenance fund for your new lady (if like me you're not the DIY type).

For the pre-MY2003 Jags, in my experience I would steer away. They're real money pits!

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

I think 1-1.5k is pretty doable for what I'd be getting. Any idea how much it would cost for a Jaguar specialist to check it out?

 

About $200 in my area, worth every penny.

 

Better to spend those 200 than a lot more in repairs. Thanks. I appreciate the help.

 

I have had my 2005 XJR for a year and a half and still thoroughly enjoy the sometimes exhilarating drive.
It is not a daily driver and never in snow/ice as I am retired. I also do all the maintenance myself including a complete trans fluid change.
I have put about 5,000 miles on it over the last 18 months.
It had obviously had been well looked after when I bought it and it was the only one within reasonable driving distance when I found it after about a year of research.
It was a single owner and I wanted the Aluminum body version not the earlier smaller heavier version. I also dislike the newer body styles but thats just me.

 

From y spreadsheet (explaining the bad formatting), I show most things are inspect or replace at 100K

Air Filter
Brake Fluid
Brakes
Cabin air filter
Coolant
Cooling System
Differential Oil
Drive Belts
Engine Oil
Engine Oil Filter
Fuel Filter
Headlamp alignment
Parking brake
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering System
Spare tire pressure
Spark plugs
Supercharger drive belt
Transmission Fluid
Underbody
WIndshield Fluid
Windshield Wipers
Tire rotation
Tire rebalance