Hi All,

I'm brand new to the forum. I'm currently an LS400 owner (yeah, I know "boo") but looking to get an '04 XJ8 or maybe a 4.2S-Type.

Now, Lexus is known for easily going 200-300k miles before you can expect to have any major problems. However, with that peace of mind comes the obvious trade-off of a lack of driving excitement.

I test drove an '04 XJ8 today and was understandably blown away. However, now I'm looking for the trade-offs to see if I can live with (ie, afford) them.A search of the threads here didn't completely answer my questions.

I know that the quality of Jags has come way up in recent years but I'm not sure what kind of life expectancy (in miles) I can look forward to before I should start expecting problems (assuming a well-kept vehicle)?

Also, is it imperative that only a Jaguar-trained mechanic maintain/repair the vehicle. Or, would my current trusted mechanic be sufficient to keep my (future) cat purring?

Any other imperatives for the Jaguar-newbie?

Later...
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Thanks for the reply, oldmots.

I realize that the cost of repair will be expensive when it's needed. Lexus is the same way as is any vehicle at this price level. However, what I'm trying to gauge is just how often the really expensive repairs will be required. For example, if it is to be expected that the engine or transmisison will die at around 100k then it will affect my decision.

Just because I might be able to afford to shell out a wad of cash on really expensive repairs doesn't mean I will necessarily choose to.Mercedes and BMW have high repair costs as well but they historically don't die that early.

So, back to my questions.
[ul][*]How many miles can an XJ8 typically be expected to provide before major problems start happening?[*]Are there significant reasons why a specialized Jaguar mechanic ONLY be used? I've been burned by "bad" shops in the past (including those that "specialize" in certain makes). So, I'd rather use a shop I trust rather than one that is supposedly a specialist. Maybe, the question should be "is there a good Jag shop in the Edmond/OKC, Oklahoma area?[/ul]

 

Thanks, hlgeorge. That's the kind of news I was hoping to hear!

While continuing to surf the forum, I found a reference to texascarsdirect.com. Wow! They're only about 2 hours from me. With their incredible prices and beautiful low mileage cats, I can see where I'll probably be buying my Jag (when I do in fact decide to get when).

I was initially just considering the XJ8 but after a bit of reading, I may need to consider the S-Type. What made you personally settle on the XJ8 over the S-Type? Hmm, I guess I should probably start THAT discussion as a new thread.

Thanks, again.

 

Thanks, timefountain and hlgeorge. That's even more great news. I currently average a little under 20 around town with my '98 LS400. A little extra MPG's would be nice. I don't like to trade cars often and I've ALWAYS loved the looks of the Jag. So, I imagine I'll be hanging on to it for quite a long time.

mosesbotbol: From what I can tell from my research, the (late-model) Jags don't seem to die early, ifat all. I suspect those that do were rode hard and put up wet. It'd be tempting to do with the way these things run.

And, I don't know that I'd agree with you regarding plenty of repair bills to get a Lexus to 200k. The engines and transmissions are bullet-proof. You just don't hear about problems with them (except, of course,for the ES300 engine-design debacle). But, with a Lexus, it's the little crap that kills you... little cheap switches breaking, LCD screens going bad, illuminated needles going out, etc. It's like they concentrated on the really big things but forgot about the little stuff.