New member here, came across a green xjr that has been sitting garaged for about 3 years, it has about 120,000 mi on it and spent most of its time down south, I am either going to fix it and sell it or fix it and keep it, but being 19 and starting a small business, the family thinks its not a great idea, I am going to get the car checked out tomorow and see whats going on, all it took after 3 years was a jump and it ran fine, i topped off all the fluids and took it for a ride, can tell it needs suspension work, alignment ect, the dash backlighting is all out (think it may be a fuse), If it becomes mine, I will do most of the work myself and will pay about 1800-200 for the car, what do all you xperts think?

 

no one? also, i took it for a spin yesterday and while accelerating it seems like the engine just misses a beat, the rpms drop, and then come right back up, im thinking idle control or something

 

I'd have a hard time passing it up at that price, even knowing it needs some work....but the old saying is "There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Jag" :-)

Most of the mechanical work is pretty straightforward on these cars and most parts reasonably priced.

Paint, chrome, leather, interior trim can run into really serious money so if that stuff is important to you it better still be in good shape on the car you are looking at

The engine itself is unlikely to be a problem but listen for a gravel-sound at the supercharger. Listen for differential noise. Suspension bushings are usually shot at 100k miles. The trans is a GM 4L80E so even if it needs work, there's nothing exotic.

If you have a good feeling about it and are a decent DIY mechanic, I'd snap it up...but be ready to open your wallet and spend a few weekends making it right.

Good luck
DD

 

here are the existing issues so far (any advice, instruction, help would b greatly apprectiated) once they are all worked out i will decide to either sell or keep the car

mechanical:
- all new fluids
- tune up (seafoam?)
- supercharger oil change?

electrical:
- all lights out on cluster other than odo and warning lights (fuses perhaps? fusebox location?)
- no backlighting for hvac + radio controls (fuses?)
- sunroof will not slide open, headliner piece out, dont want to break anything
- clock not showing (found website that rebuilds them)

suspension/brakes:
- feel every pothole in your bones (suspension bushings? shocks? struts?)
- needs front brakes
- brake fluid change
- wheels balanced
-alignment

Interior:
- sagging headliner in the back
- woodgrain on door panels starting to "krinkle?"
- rip at seam in backseat (repairable?)
- cup holders will not stay clipped down
- bottom steering column trim not on
- brake light not suck on back window
- needs detailing


exterior:
- needs paint restore (scratches, small sun spots, ect)
- full detail
- no emblem : ( (poor cat)
- missing on headlight fluid sprayer nozzle piece

upgrades planned:
- matte black oem rims
- limo tint all around
- oem touch screen gps from another jag possible?
- oem sub install?
- new interior speakers

 

Good plan. Use GM or Ford supercharger oil and save a ton of money versus Jaguar oil




I've had to replace umpteen dashbord/hvac/radio bulbs although having the entire panel blank does suggest another problem.

Not sure about the sunroof. Clock failure is very common.





It probbaly needs various bushings replaced. If the shocks need replacing you'll likely spend $150-$200 each on quality aftermarket replacments or even more if you want OEM Jaguar/Bilstein "XJR" shocks.

Brake pads and rotors are inexpensive and you have plenty of choices. Good idea on brake fluid change.

One thing to be aware of on these cars is the tendency to "tramline".....dart left/right as the tires follow road irregularities. Severity depends on many variables but worn suspension only makes it worse





The headliner will have to be replaced, most likely. I think there's a modification kit to fix the cupholder...not sure. Use JB Weld to re-glue the brake light.





I hope it's not black. A black car owns you rather than the other way 'round :-)




It doesn't have the Harmon Kardon system with amp and subwoofer? Does the OEM radio work? (They often fail but can be sent back to Alpine for repair)

Not sure about OEM GPS

Good luck
DD