Need advice on a buy
#1
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Hi everyone, new member here.
I am currently shopping for jaguars.
So far I have seen three, and they all have their pros - cons.
I would appreciate your help!
1. 2004 XJ8 Vanden Plas, 120k miles, everything looking great, has been serviced consistently. 6000$
2. 2005 XJ8 L, 105k miles, perfect condition, has only been serviced once. 6000$
3. 1998 XJ8 Vanden Plas, 78k miles, perfect condition, private party seller, the car has been driven by an older woman for the past 10 years. 5400$
I am leaning towards the 1998 VDP because of low mileage and better interior design to my liking.
I don't know much about reliability, and would appreciate any advice/ what to look for.
Thanks!
I am currently shopping for jaguars.
So far I have seen three, and they all have their pros - cons.
I would appreciate your help!
1. 2004 XJ8 Vanden Plas, 120k miles, everything looking great, has been serviced consistently. 6000$
2. 2005 XJ8 L, 105k miles, perfect condition, has only been serviced once. 6000$
3. 1998 XJ8 Vanden Plas, 78k miles, perfect condition, private party seller, the car has been driven by an older woman for the past 10 years. 5400$
I am leaning towards the 1998 VDP because of low mileage and better interior design to my liking.
I don't know much about reliability, and would appreciate any advice/ what to look for.
Thanks!
#2
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Personally I'd go with the '98 VDP, I've driven a 2005 & they're completely different beasts. I'd liken the later era of the XJ8s to a "sexy Ford Taurus" the interior is almost toy-like.
That said, with the X308 era you're going to need to address(if not already performed) the known "hot spots" which is replacing the plastic timing chain tensioners, plastic thermostat housing & the transmission has a valve upgrade you can do to reduce the chance of A-drum failure. All these issues are covered in depth on this forum & easily found w/ a search.
Good luck !
That said, with the X308 era you're going to need to address(if not already performed) the known "hot spots" which is replacing the plastic timing chain tensioners, plastic thermostat housing & the transmission has a valve upgrade you can do to reduce the chance of A-drum failure. All these issues are covered in depth on this forum & easily found w/ a search.
Good luck !
Last edited by King Charles; 01-27-2018 at 07:38 PM.
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jdip (01-27-2018)
#3
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I'm bias, as I think are most on this section of the forum, I don't like the styling of the 2004-on XJ8s. So I would go with the 1998 you are looking at, if they were the only choices. But there are plenty out there and I would go for a later year than '98. If possible a 2003 when the timing chain tensioner problem had been addressed. The cylinder liner problem was addressed in 2000 I think. But if you buy a pre-2003 you are going to have to do the timing chain tensioner upgrade for peace of mind. $2,500-$3,000 at a shop, $500-$700 if you do it yourself.
I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.
Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.
Keep us updated with your progress.
.
I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.
Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.
Keep us updated with your progress.
.
The following users liked this post:
jdip (01-27-2018)
#4
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Personally I'd go with the '98 VDP, I've driven a 2005 & they're completely different beasts. I'd liken the later era of the XJ8s to a "sexy Ford Taurus" the interior is almost toy-like.
That said, with the X308 era you're going to need to address(if not already performed) the known "hot spots" which is replacing the plastic timing chain tensioners, plastic thermostat housing & the transmission has a valve upgrade you can do to reduce the chance of A-drum failure. All these issues are covered in depth on this forum & easily found w/ a search.
Good luck !
That said, with the X308 era you're going to need to address(if not already performed) the known "hot spots" which is replacing the plastic timing chain tensioners, plastic thermostat housing & the transmission has a valve upgrade you can do to reduce the chance of A-drum failure. All these issues are covered in depth on this forum & easily found w/ a search.
Good luck !
#5
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I'm bias, as I think are most on this section of the forum, I don't like the styling of the 2004-on XJ8s. So I would go with the 1998 you are looking at, if they were the only choices. But there are plenty out there and I would go for a later year than '98. If possible a 2003 when the timing chain tensioner problem had been addressed. The cylinder liner problem was addressed in 2000 I think. But if you buy a pre-2003 you are going to have to do the timing chain tensioner upgrade for peace of mind. $2,500-$3,000 at a shop, $500-$700 if you do it yourself.
I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.
Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.
Keep us updated with your progress.
.
I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.
Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.
Keep us updated with your progress.
.
I'm going to look into that. I haven't done any 'real' work on a car before though so would be a little weary of doing that myself...
#6
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I'm bias, as I think are most on this section of the forum, I don't like the styling of the 2004-on XJ8s. So I would go with the 1998 you are looking at, if they were the only choices. But there are plenty out there and I would go for a later year than '98. If possible a 2003 when the timing chain tensioner problem had been addressed. The cylinder liner problem was addressed in 2000 I think. But if you buy a pre-2003 you are going to have to do the timing chain tensioner upgrade for peace of mind. $2,500-$3,000 at a shop, $500-$700 if you do it yourself.
I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.
Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.
Keep us updated with your progress.
.
I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.
Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.
Keep us updated with your progress.
.
- Many cars have the timing kits already done, so it is not automatic that you will need to fork out the extra costs.
Still, it is always wise to reserve some extra cash if you intend to keep the car longer, thermostat, thermostat tower, hoses, suspension bushings etc might be up for replacement and peace of mind.
- I have a early 1998 Nikasil Vanden Plas, well maintained and garaged by the PO, I did all the preventive work where needed, and it is as good as any newer x308.
I dare to say that the history (snow, salt, sun, garaged, maintained) is wayyyyy more important than the year of built.
Final advice, take your time if needed, it took me 2 years before this one fell into my leap, saw so much garbage before ....
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jdip (01-27-2018)
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King Charles (01-27-2018)
#12
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I'm biased too, BUT, I will caution that 98 is a 20 year old car. Despite the mileage, there's just as much can go wrong from pure age and exposure as with wear and tear. I decided this is the year to "retire" my 2000 XJ8 because everything made of plastic, rubber or vinyl is as crispy as can be and if I hit a big enough pothole, something's gonna crumble. Unfortunately my last job assignment for ten years was in a warehouse district without covered parking (I'm back downtown now in a garage, but its too late for the 308). I really need to pull the engine and replace all the seals and gaskets and some hoses at this point because it has multiple small leaks. And Jaguar warehouse ran out of most parts for 308s some years ago. I have found some replacement trim items, but its been tough. The aftermarket can provide key parts to keep them running and driving, but if the "luxury" aspect of a Jaguar is what's important to you, then your only hope for repairs is finding good, used, salvage parts. From that perspective, there is some advantage to buying a newer Jaguar. If like me, you just love the classic body style, then be sure and buy one that has been garaged both night and especially DAY all its life and remember that you'll be better off to overpay 50% for pristine example that needs nothing as opposed to thinking you can buy an average one and fix a few things. Good hunting.
Last edited by pdupler; 01-28-2018 at 02:32 PM.
#13
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