Why would you want a high mileage car anyway? I would assume you're looking for a low sale price. The age of the car has more of an influence than the mileage, and while you might get a lower price for a high-mileage vs low-mileage car you'd be far better off buying an older car with less miles. You'd be far better off buying a 2004 XJ with 75k on it than a 2008 with 150k for the same money.

 

I respectfully disagree.. 150k highway miles is a lot better than 75k stop & go miles in a big city like NYC or LA. Also well maintained 150k car with oil changes every 10k miles etc... is far better than 75k car which was neglected.

 

You see so few for sale because high-mileage XJ's aren't worth shiet so many owners like myself (120k mi) decide to keep them forever, plus they're more rare, comfortable and luxurious than the lower models.
My XJ8L was a reliable daily driver for 4 years; now it's a garage queen and sees occasional weekend actions, weather permitting. Sorry it's NOT for sale.

 

And that's the truth!

 

My statement assumed well-maintained cars. Obviously a car with 30,000 miles that has never had the oil changed is worse than a well-maintained high-mileage car. However, there are maintenance items that have to be done regardless of how the car is driven, and these can be expensive. Between 75 and 150k you are definitely going to need shocks, transmission service, belts, hoses (and the one under the supercharger on the XJR can cost a fortune,) probably an aux coolant pump, thermostat, maybe a water pump, front wishbones, and perhaps many other items that wear with mileage. Highway miles vs city miles generally means less wear on the engine and a more reliable vehicle if the mileage on the two cars is close to the same, but any car over 100k is going to need work regardless of how it was driven.

 

I think most people forget the concept of "usage based" maintenance and "time based" maintenance.

"Usage Based"
Oils (engine/transmission/differential etc)
Filters (Air, cabin, fuel, etc)
Ignition system (Plugs, wires)
Cooling system (Thermostat & water pump)
Climate Control HVAC (compressor)
CATS (compressor seal)
Brake pads/ rotors
Bulbs
Anything that moves while vehicle is operational like fan pulleys, CV joints, etc...

"Time Based"
All hoses & rubber including seals around the cabin (doors, sunroof, etc)
CATS (air shocks)
Radiator, brake, power steering fluids
Battery
Paint (rust etc), Alloy wheels

In both categories, there are factors that affect severity and increased risk of failure/maintenance. For example, if a car is in the snow belt and never garaged and another one in sunny Florida and always garaged; they will age totally differently.

That is why IMHO the most important factor in being an "old" jaguar is its history. Give me 150k well maintained, garage kept, highway miles, never seen snow etc... over 60k driven thru the elements over the "bumpy" roads in Chicago or NYC.

This isn't just related to Jags but to most other makes and models. I have seen Acura & Honda needing new transmissions, brake master cylinder, A/C compressor all before 100k mi. I have seen fuel pump failure at Lexus IS350 @75k mi ; front suspension work @78k mi. Common factor in all 3 cars; they were owned by "aggressive drivers". Maintenance records is only part of the puzzle.

In some cases, you just have rotten luck... For example, I have seen complete rear suspension rebuild on E-class Mercedes @22k mi (my dads car; he drives it very gently and rarely carries passengers), Sunroof leak (which required a complete new roof with motors/sensors etc... $2500 in parts alone) @42k mi. My point is that car repairs are an inevitable part of car ownership. The question is how much headache and $$ are you willing to tolerate?

 

Xeno,
I'd look for an 06-09 XJR. 04's and maybe 05's have all kinds of issues with the air suspension. According to the tech who works on my cars when I don't, the later cars don't seem to have those problems. I went with the coilover conversion on my 04 XJR and I wouldn't go back. Get the R for the supercharger and torque. My 06 VDP didn't have enough torque to stay in gear at Interstate speeds. Constantly in and out of lock up. The R's don't have that problem. Whatever car you decide on, get under it and look at every bushing in the suspension. Every one! Generally @ 80k miles and above the suspension is gone. $5k to re-do it. Yourself. These are some of the reasons the high mile cars are owned only by those of us who boldly go where angels fear to tread. Or something like that.........

 

Hi,
I'm driving a 2004 XJ8 4.2L V8 with 190000 miles. Replaced some bushings of the suspension and converted the air shocks with Arnott conversion kit. Changed all the fluids and full brake job. New spark plugs. I also did a Terra Clean treatment to carbonize the fuel system. I have 35 mpg on the highway on 94 oct. Very reliable car. I drive year around also as my winter beater during the harsh winters here in Ontario Canada. Best car i ever had!!!

 

I've had 5 Jags. 1 XJS and 3 XJ8''s and a XK8. The last XJ8 went 191,000 with the only major expense the Arnott conversion kit. It was still running fine and probably would have went another 100,000. I wanted a XK8 and bought one. It's nothing like the XJ8. small, rough driving and impossible to get in and out of at my 67 yrs. I just bought another XJ8 2004 with low miles (under 50k) and plan to keep it until I die. It's had the suspension totally replaced, the trans rebuilt, new brakes, new battery, oil change and new tires. I paid $6,500 for it and I'm sure it will last many years. Where else can you buy a $80,000 car for that price and get 10 - 15 years out of it. I'm glad people think a Jag is a very expensive car to own because otherwise that car would be $18k. Of all the XJ8's I've owned the most costly thing was the suspension to coil. Once that's done it's a piece of cake. The last 2004 XJ8 costs per month added up to $112.00. That included all repairs/maintenance done by our mechanic. Heck, a Toyota will cost you that.

 

Well said. These idiotic myths that linger are harming their new car sales too. The XE should be the best selling car in its class. Same with the XF.

 

I love the idea the masses still hold to the old idea that all English vehicles.
Just have poor ignition systems, and will leave you stranded.
I sure did, until i found out Ford made these aluminum cars.
Their drive train, suspension, & ignition systems.
With so many parts, from the parts bin.

 

Hi, I totally agree with you about those wonderful XJ8's.
I'm a big Jag fan and I have a few of them ... a 1995 XJR 4.0L 6cyl Racing Green/Tan, a 1995 XJS 4.0L 6cyl Conv Racing Green/Tan and a 1994 XJS 6.0L V12 Conv Black/Tan.
The 2004 is my daily driver and winter beater here in Toronto Canada.
I would like to talk to you further about our XJ8 and would like to ask to give me a call at your convenience 12892313125.
Thanks.