Hi, major Jaguar noob here. I know the model I want is an XJ8 (possibly XJ6, but aren't they older?). There's a 2001 and a 2003 for sale nearby, and I'm wondering if the year matters much? Here's the page for the 2001:

http://www.accurateautogroupinc.com/web/iui/#_vehicle29159566

Here's the 2003: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5545088238.html

I like the mileage on the 2001, but isn't the more recent model going to be better quality?

I'm buying this type of car for the style, and I'm trying to minimize my maintenence costs. Should I expect to pay a lot after purchase either way?

Thanks for the help.

 

Hello, Anonday! I own a 2001 and might be able to give insight. The 2001 has the second gen timing chain tensioners which are still plastic and has a spring so there's no "death rattle". I would check to see if those have been upgraded to metal.

Otherwise no other differences. I believe all of the years need T-stat housing, water pump issues fixed.

The tensioners ran me 1,400.00, which is not too steep considering some were charging 3,000.

Goodluck!

 

Hi Anonday. I have a 2001 and a 2003. The important items on the 2001 would of course be the tensioners, as Pilotman11 said, and possibly the main pressure valve in the transmission, however it's possible that even that was rectified by the time the 2001 was assembled. Perhaps a veteran member can confirm when the updated pressure valve became standard.

The 2001 you are looking at has very low miles, which is attractive. Even if you have to spend money taking care of the weak points, that car could give you many years of good service.

The 2003 however has the benefit that most of the weak points were corrected at the factory. I took the cam covers off of my 03 and the tensioners and chains are beautiful! haha. They used an updated primary chain and very durable tensioners and guides. After spending 2 days replacing the tensioners on my 01, I had a sigh of relief upon seeing the timing gear in the 03. The 03 also has an updated oil pump, as I understand it. Plus ( I keep thinking of things) there was an updated head gasket at some point in the production. I am not sure if the 01 got the better head gasket, but surely the 03 did; something else to check on I guess. The head gasket is a smaller issue I think with the non-supercharged version but still something to consider as that is a heinous job to perform if they need replacing.

Like most decisions between cars, it will probably come down to the condition of each car. If the 01 is remarkably better cared for then it's worth investing a little upgrade money to get it just right. If they are both well cared for, I would have to be drawn to the 03 to benefit from the factory upgrades.

 

Thanks for the replies. The 2001's Carfax concern me, as it has 3 owners and few service records. The last owner had it for only 4 months. Seems like a short time to keep a good car.

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=ECL_0&vin=SAJDA14C91LF38984

 

Wanted to address this point: "I'm buying this type of car for the style, and I'm trying to minimize my maintenence costs. Should I expect to pay a lot after purchase either way? "

The answer to this is yes. The majority of parts on this car are what most people would consider expensive (80-600) and stuff takes a long time to get to if it breaks. There are hoses that deteriorate due to age, and can require ,,4-8 hours of labor to replace. Rubber bits in the suspension are not serviceable ,and so need to be replaced if they go, which, depending on the part can be around a thousand bucks. Brakes jobs (front or rear only) will run 800 bucks, unless you get the most cut rate parts...the tensioner job he mentioned is required if it has not been done, and over 1k to do. If anything goes wrong with the guides or primary tensioners, you are looking at ~3k. Tires (on an XJR at least) run a grand for a whole set.

If you buy a seemingly perfect car, and barely drive it, you can probably get away with only 1k of yearly maintenance budget, but I would budget 2-3k.

Edit: btw, budget for dumb stuff too. The outer door handle on mine snapped. Driver sides are hard to find used, and are usually in bad condition. A new one, painted, costs ~300 iirc. God knows what they would have charged to change it...maybe 2 hours (300 right there, just in labor). They dont have auxiliary or Bluetooth audio, so if you don't plan on taking the backseats and center console yourself to add it (and do some soldering), budget comedy amounts to pay someone else.

 

Thanks, CapitaineInsano. I guess I should look for a different type of car.

 

Meh, If you do well informed Jaguar hunting you will be fine.

 

I just test drove the 2003. It's been owned by a Jaguar mechanic for 5 years. He recently replaced the fuel pump and has generally taken care of the car. He also upgraded the sound system, installing bluetooth and USB. I'm having a local Jaguar mechanic take a look for $150 tomorrow. If it checks out, I can have it for $4,500. There are a few small issues, one being a leather problem on the rear seat:




Otherwise, I like knowing a mechanic owned the car. We'll see what the shop says tomorrow.

 

Jag dealer pointed out two leaks in the pinion seal and the valve covers. The seller said the valve leak was there when he bought it 5 years ago, and he rarely had to add oil. He also showed no fluids on the ground below where the car sat, so he doesn't think the leaks are critical. There are a few other small issues, and the dealer recommended replacing the rotors. Otherwise, the car is in good condition. I'm considering buying it and not making any of the repairs. If you're interested, I can upload a photo of the dealer's writep with parts and estimates.

What do you think? 111k miles, 4,500 with two leaks, otherwise good condition. Does it seem worth it to you?

 

It may be a good car for the money. I personally would not allow the pinion seal and valve covers to continue leaking. The differential could theoretically run out of fluid and lock-up; that would be bad. Plus, if the valve cover is leaking visibly, it is quite possibly also leaking into the spark plug wells; which is also bad. Not to mention the valve covers may also be creating a vacuum leak. Neither of those problems is prohibitively expensive to fix, even if you pay someone to do it for you.

I also think it tells you something about the previous owners philosophy of vehicle care; he allowed the valve cover to leak for 5 years without being concerned.

I realize everyone doesn't view cars like myself. At $4,500.00 for a used car, you could conceivably just drive it into the ground in a few years and not fix a thing, that's what many people do with used cars anyway. But, the XJ8 is such a great car and has the potential to last for a very long time if taken care of. I would hate to see one bought and neglected.

 

Tell him 4,000 cash as you plan to use the 500 on repairs.

 

Thanks for the replies, King and harvest. Do you think I can get by not replacing the rotors? The dealer didn't seem overly concerned and said the break pads look great.

 

If it drove well w/ no noticeable brake pedal pulsing due to warping or wear & stopped properly, then you should be fine

 

According to the Craigslist ad he claimed the rotors are "newer" items...

 

Hmm good point. I'll ask him about that.

King, the dealer mentioned pulsing due to warping. I personally didn't notice it. Both the seller and dealer said it should improve with some driving, as the car has mostly been sitting since september.

edit: He said he replaced the rotors and pads last year and had the breaks flushed.

 

If you are not doing the work yourself, any luxury car, even a 13 years old, $4500 Jaguar, is very expensive to maintain.
Having 2 leaking issues and asking if its ok not to fix them, mean that you are maybe looking at the wrong type of car.
Is that going to be your weekend toy or your main transportation?

 

luc, it will be main transportation. I know I should be looking at a Honda instead, but I hate living logically, only doing what's reasonable. However, I see your point.

 

Just friendly advice - if shizzle goes major wrong ( pinion bearing freezes due to uncorrected leak, for example), the car will be impossible sell for even a quarter of what you paid for it (4500/4=1150). It will go for a salvage price. If it was an e85 m3, someone might bite and suck the repair...but not this model car. The dude I bought mine from (great condition,wealthy second owner in SF with nearly complete service history) had it on CL for months, and got less than 60% of his buy cost, not even considering at least 3k of maintence he spent in the time he owned it (~4 years). The car had no issues when I bought it, other than a leaking valve cover (massive bitch for me to fix...FYI)

He told me only one other person showed up to look at it, both times it was up for sale for months).

 

Go for it. Life is short. Drive a fun car every now and then.

Yes, you will need to budget for some repairs and maintenance, and you'll do well to find a good local independent mechanic. But that's the case with any older car. My Jag hasn't really been any worse than my old Dodge Dakota in annual costs, and the Jaguar is a good deal more reliable.

 

Just in general. I have found most mechanics cars to be quite under serviced. Why would anyone let a car leak for 5 years. It's not going to get smaller. If you have even a slight amount of mechanical ability you should be able to do a decent brake job (rotors, pads and hardware) on the front. Rock Auto has some good prices and decent selection of brake parts. I've ordered the valve cover gaskets for my 2000 XJ8. Wait until I recover from broken leg. Never pay asking price. There are repairs some you might or might not be able to do. Do some research and adjust offer accordingly.