Is this a good deal? I found it on craigs list down here in SW Florida. The description seems to be a copy & paste off of Edmunds or some other review site.

1999 Jaguar XJ8- Vanden Plas( 1 owner)17k - $9950

1999 Jaguar XJ8- Vanden Plas( 1 owner)17k

I own a 2007 S-Type and I love it. But I've always loved - and have been keeping an eye out - for XJ8's... A V-8... Those lines... That interior... All that wood..... Luxury....

17k is low for a 17 year old car. But low mileage vehicles are not that uncommon down here in SWFL because people come down for the winter and only drive them for a few months. I bought my 2007 S-Type earlier this year and for being 9 years old it only had 31k miles on it.

Thank You!

 

Low miles, sure. But parts wear out from time too, not just mileage, and as the description says exactly ZERO about any maintenance, or conditions other than the pictures, I would ask a lot more questions before that kind of money changes hands. Odds are with that low a mile count, the owner never bothered doing anything to it other than maybe tires. In 17 years. Personally, I'd take one with three times the mileage if it's been documents, upgraded tensioners, and for less money. Since those are things that will need to be looked at if they haven't been done, you just added a lot more for the money, even if it's down the road. Just my thinking.

(I like the copy/paste.. especially the "hopelessly outdated" bit)

 

The interior looks immaculate, but you'll still need to do tensioners and whatever else you may find (probably very little). The paint appears to have some sun burn, there's no fixing that without a repaint. But you may be able to bring it up and maintain it for awhile with polish, wax and elbow grease roughly every 6 months.
Definitely take it for ride, but with the window down to listen for squeaks and rattles. Jag glass being the privacy stuff is quite deflecting of sound. Then roll it back up and check all the functions down to the 4 ways.
Check for oak leaves under the hood trim by the cowl to see if it was stored outside even though cars in that area would seem to be in the garage, the newer one wins out. Check the mileage here for verification using the VIN....https://services.flhsmv.gov/MVCheckWeb/
I say offer them $8500, maybe $9000 once you see it. But ask them this one question if they don't seemingly want to budge... "....is that the best you can do?" Pull out some cash or a check and say we can make a deal right now if we can come together at whatever price you've haggled to.
Keep in mind, they put $9950 there because they want it to seem not to be $10000 or are uncertain they can get the $10k. So that tells me they are willing to come down. Like CharlzO said, it is 17 yrs old.

 

That could be a nice find -- how is the paint?

 

It has a grill from an XJ8/XJ8L, not a VDP, so first thing to check for is bodywork done to the front.

The rear shocks appear to be busted completely, and the owner writes it does NOT have a sporty ride, which may be semi-accurate but in this case is likely due to failed suspension, not the design of the car.

Color is something of a personal nature, but I'd call that the least-desirable x308 color IMO, lol...

 

[QUOTE=vdpnyc;1539144]It has a grill from an XJ8/XJ8L, not a VDP, so first thing to check for is bodywork done to the front.QUOTE]

I believe the 98-99's came with that grill...ericjansen has a 98 with that grill and his is a Vanden Plas.

 

A true VP will have the fluted grill and trunk trim along with the picnic treys. It is quite possible that it did have a replacement front grill or that it's an XJ8L as stated earlier. I have customers that come in with real VP's and one is a 98' and has fluted front and rear trim. Those are certainly VP wheels. I don't know if those were an option on an XJ8L or not though.

 

he said supercharged but i dont see the little supercharged writing on the speedometer/tachometer

 

The description on the right says 2000, not 1999. If it needs paint and tensioners and a few other things, it is easy to "double" your investment.....


If the paint is near perfect and no mechanical issues, it is likely worth it.

 

It is certainly a vdp trim, the giveaway is all the chrome work on the mirrors and around the windows. It just has the wrong grill, or as mentioned, maybe pre-Y2k vehicles didn't have the fluting yet?

 

[QUOTE=Highhorse;1539301]Excuse me???

Besides plenty of other things (chrome strips on the doors, chrome mirror covers, Connolly leather on about each and every interior piece, the picknick tables, type specific rims, all years VDP came with fluted surrounds front and rear and chrome inserts (but mesh for the S/C).
That count for my 1998 as well .

 

Did any U.S. spec VP come with power fold mirrors? Or just the European spec cars?

 

Just Euro's from my research, I want folding mirrors so bad. I even looked into the threads on the repair of them and thought of building them for mine and found the wiring to be the issue.

I knew you'd come in soon enough Eric....

 

And the gold inlay in the interior wood trim, which is visible in the photo on this car too.

 

In contact with seller now, whom appears to be clueless & possibly a teen. I requested the VIN which they are awaiting from their parents, will update.

 

Glad to see you give it a try .

 

Here is a file of Power Fold Back Mirrors

 

Domo arigato omgimali, that wire harness in the door is what I'm talking about. If the car isn't fitted for it (US version), then you've got a tactical challenge.
BTW...I went through your town about 2 wks ago, I was coming down from Asheboro. Saw that repair shop with the bright blue Land Rover in front of it....looked like part or all the motor was out of it with the front end sitting a big high. Maybe if I can work out a stop on the next come around and I can notify ya, we can grab a drink?

 

I clicked on the ad to have a look at the car you're discussing, but it says the ad has been removed by the author. Either someone has bought it or the seller is overwhelmed by it all.
I've seen plenty of ads for Jags though where the seller clearly doesn't know what he's talking about, makes me laugh.

 

Haha sure definitely!