Hello everyone, I'm new here. I am currently considering buying a new car. I am looking at the mentioned 2000 Jaguar and just wanted to get peoples opinions on whether or not I should buy this car. It's cheap and only has 100k miles on it. The guy has rebuilt the heads, put a new water pump on, new intake and exhaust gaskets and some other stuff. Do you guys think this will be a reliable car for me? I don't put a lot of miles on a car, maybe 3-5k a year so I won't be too hard on it. Please any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

Here is a picture of the car. $4000

 

Welcome Tinsletown, in my signature there is a How To link and in that link is a list for perspective buyers to review, just prompt it.
These engines are rather resilient (200k+ easily obtained) and I question why the owner decided to do all that work? About the only thing mentioned I agree with replacing is the water pump. I would hope he replaced the primary and secondary tensioners, guides and chains or you'll have to. Its a must on these motors before 2003.
Do you know if the owner had the heads decked? If so, that's a no-no on OHC motors. As for the $4k asking price, that may be what he put into that work.
Overall, we can't drive it, we can't hear it, we can't buy it....review that link and do your due diligence.

 

If you are seriously interested in not only buying, but also keeping one for a while, the very best thing I can advice you is to spend a couple of evenings reading this x308 forum.
Your question is pretty common (I have been there myself), and reading through these threads will give you all the answers, plus will touch all basic issues on these cars.
After that, feel free to ask the issues which still confuse you, and we will be happy to answer them.

 

I will be here till Sunday, I think im going to look at it then.

 

I'll ask him if he had them decked. And also he did change the tensioners guides and chains.

He told me his uncle owns a machine shop so maybe he already knew not to deck them.

 

My dad is worried that i won't be able to afford to maintain it. Are Jaguars really that expensive to maintain?

 

Nothing more expensive than a cheap luxury car ...

With the value of these being at the low point in the curve -- finding a nice, unmolested one or two owner car is the way to go .. those built 2001 being better ...02-03 being the best.

They can be very reliable if bought correctly.

 

Hi Tinsle,
All good advisories here, especially service problems including TENSIONERS. When you scan all the tensioner data, my recollection is that you'll have to seek a 2002 VDP to find one of the(built in)2001 engines that began the improved tensioner series. Thorough search here will show the first engine production number.
Add another vital thing to check if you're not ready for your own rebuild. Check around your part of Indiana and see if some good, independent shop names keep showing up. This may take a while, but, it's well worth it. And ask about deep service and repairs, not just routine PM stuff. Ex: Closest super shop to me is about 60 mi-- long flatbed ride.
Good luck!!
Cy

 

I myself find the X308 to be quite easy to work on, especially with the information available here and the member support, you almost can't go wrong. Most anything can be taken apart with a 8 or 10 mm wrench. Many of the parts are quite obtainable, either by ebay or sourced here on site from other members sources.
In retrospect, a vehicle is affordable if you maintain it. Preventive maintenance with proper fluids and such is your #1 prevention of expensive maintenance. I'll say again, what I've paraphrased before from an old time racer named Smokey Yunick... "..a car knows not who made it, ..only who it is that takes care of it."

If I wouldn't be being to forward, how old are you Tinsletown?

 

37

 

You'll be fine, just stay on top of everything, these cars seem to know when their owner is neglectful & get temperamental lol.

I doubt there is an issue you will run into that is not addressed on this very forum !

Welcome to the cat clan !

 

Well, along with that link in my signature, there are plenty of How-To write ups for your review. If the owner did a good job on that work, then you should have plenty of miles to enjoy her if you decide to get her.

 

Well I pulled the trigger and couldn't be happier.

 

Congratulations, ...now your mission, if you decide to accept it (couldn't help that), is to drive her, appreciate her and post pics in... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ictures-52060/ ...and tell us how she's treating you.

 

Congrats ... let the journey begin ....

 

I have a 1999 XJ8 Vanden Plas that I am putting up for sale this spring.Always stored in the winter. Never driven in snow, doesn't know what salt is and only time it has been wet is when it is washed. And, it has never been left out in the sun - the original paint looks brand new. Claret with tan interior

Only 80K and the following maintenance and preventive maintenance has been performed:

Primary and secondary timing chain tensioners update was installed as preventive maintenance. At the same time, the water pump, thermostat and serpentine belt were replaced. (2004 - 37,500 miles)
Front brake pads replaced and new rotors (2011 - 51,800 miles)
Steering wheel clock spring replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Cancellation/cassette module replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Power steering pump replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Throttle body rebuilt and reconditioned (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Camshaft gaskets (2) replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Spark plug, center seal and valve seal replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Cooling system flushed and coolant replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Headliner replaced (2014)
Brake fluid replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Transmission oil replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
Rea axle oil replaced (2014 - 76,000 miles)
All engine belts and hoses replaced including spyder hose (2015)
Interior leather recondition (2018)
A/C compressor replaced (2018)
Always used high-quality synthetic oil.

Repairs are very expensive, so this is a great jaguar to buy. If your interested let me know. Bob Welcher - Columbus, Ohio

 

You may want to put that in the Marketplace, top left task bar.