i have been looking for a car to have a bit of fun with and have settled on a 98-03 XJR.

I am heading out this weekend to check a few in the Seattle area and may make it down to Portland.

What are a few things i should look for or ask when examining a potential purchase?

How are the XJRs as far as drivers room? (i am 6'3" 300lbs).


Also; any suggestions on a good mechanic in the Seattle area?

Thanks!

 

IM 6"3 245lbs and i have plenty of room so you should be just fine and cumfy. I would suggest looking at the later models of the 98-03, I have a 98 that i purchased a few months ago, I love it. The one i bought shows no signs of nikosil and the timer pulley was replaced before purchase. I would say to go for the later ones because most of the problems the early ones had such as the pulley and nikosil were corrected i would say by the 02 year if not 01. One thing i did have to do on my jag was change the Water pump, im not sure if they replaced the water pumps in the later models but the water pump in mine was made out of weak plastic and basically crumbled. Good Luck.

 

I put 100K miles on my 1999 XJR with our any problems. I changed the timing chain tensioners at 80K($150-did work my self) and they did have small cracks in the plastic. That is the only expense other than oil changes, brakes and broken windshield. I have 50K on my 2002 XJR and have not had any expense other than regular maintenance items, tires, brakes oil, etc. I would buy a newer car with lower miles and then you would not have to worry about problems caused by the former owner. The 2003 has the bigger engine but I am very happy with the 2002. I don't think one needs any more power than the 2002. I would go for a 2001 or 2002 with less that 50K miles.

 

As I understand it, the 2003 has a 4 liter engine same as the earlier V8s. The 4.2 started in 2004.

Doug

 

Hey All,

I'm new here, and also looking at a 98+ XJR so I figured I'd post in here than open another thread.

Where are ALL the locations of the VIN numbers? I'd like to make sure they all match, and none are missing? (IE, on older Bimmers the VIN is on every single body panel on a sticker). I'm assuming should be on the dash, firewall, and I know they're on the door jamb of the actual door. Anywhere else?

Also, like the OP was asking, are there any tell-tale sign of things about to come? Common problems that occur with regular frequency? Other things to watch out for?

Finally, I've been told that vehicles with 6 numbers at the end of the VIN have the Nikasil liners, while those with a letter and 5 numbers do not have the Nikasil liners. Can anyone verify this?

OP: I'm 6'4, 225. My head brushes the liner every now ant then, but I've got enough room. Plenty of leg room, but on models with out the telescoping wheel it feels a little far away.

Thanks,
Chad

 

i just read that the 03 XJR has more room in every category other then headroom than my grand cherokee...cant wait to find one with low enough mileage...
have been eyeballing a 04 too...

with the economy the way it is i may wait a few months to see of the 04-05 comes down in price...