a little scared of the Jag
#23
I just don't care for those tactics.
wj
#24
#25
Hey Jim
I had wanted a xk8 for several years and took the plunge last August. I am someone that usually researches things to death so I decided I wanted a 2003 or up XK8 convertible. The next part of this story is down right scary and not my usual MO. Saw a very nice 2003 XK8 on ebay from a dealer in North Carolina (I'm in New Jersey) and decided to give him a call. We chatted and negotiated a bit and I bought it sight unseen other than pictures. Wired him the money on a Monday and the car was dropped off at my door step on Tuesday morning. Had no service records, history, etc... I joined this forum after I got the car and to say I had some anxiety and feeling like I made a stupid mistake would be a gross understatement. However, the car Gods have been very good to me so far the car is all I expected and hoped it would be. Whew! I bought this car with my heart not my head and I don't regret it at all I truly love this car more and more everyday. I've owned many sports cars over the years and nothing can come close to the driving experience I get from my Jag it literally puts a smile on my face.
Should you buy one? I agree with everything that others above have said and you should take it all in and decide if this car is for you. You really have to at least attempt to deal with and fix issues that will arise from time to time unless you have a really big wallet. Also, agree with buy the best one you can find.
Cheers and Good Luck
I had wanted a xk8 for several years and took the plunge last August. I am someone that usually researches things to death so I decided I wanted a 2003 or up XK8 convertible. The next part of this story is down right scary and not my usual MO. Saw a very nice 2003 XK8 on ebay from a dealer in North Carolina (I'm in New Jersey) and decided to give him a call. We chatted and negotiated a bit and I bought it sight unseen other than pictures. Wired him the money on a Monday and the car was dropped off at my door step on Tuesday morning. Had no service records, history, etc... I joined this forum after I got the car and to say I had some anxiety and feeling like I made a stupid mistake would be a gross understatement. However, the car Gods have been very good to me so far the car is all I expected and hoped it would be. Whew! I bought this car with my heart not my head and I don't regret it at all I truly love this car more and more everyday. I've owned many sports cars over the years and nothing can come close to the driving experience I get from my Jag it literally puts a smile on my face.
Should you buy one? I agree with everything that others above have said and you should take it all in and decide if this car is for you. You really have to at least attempt to deal with and fix issues that will arise from time to time unless you have a really big wallet. Also, agree with buy the best one you can find.
Cheers and Good Luck
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jlbsam (01-07-2017)
#26
As with all high mileage purchases, sooner better than later you're going to want to replace all the hoses (especially the valley hoses), belts, pulleys, etc.. This is not cheap or easy on an XKR. The car (whether it's an 8 or R) "will" require some down time, so it should NOT be your only mode of transportation if you're planning to use it as a daily driver.
Of course a car that old and with that many miles on it would be sold "as is" - no surprise on that, but I "would" want full disclosure on what's causing that amber warning light, before I considered pursuing the purchase.
Last edited by scardini1; 01-07-2017 at 01:39 PM.
#27
still a little scared
Thanks to all for the advice and insights. Not being familiar with the nuance's of the car, I did not notice the "amber warning light". That's probably a red flag. Also interesting is I have sent 2 messages through Autotrader and 2 through the dealer's website about the car and have not gotten any response. That's not promising. I'll continue to monitor the situation. Cheers!
#28
#30
#31
That's the same price and mileage as my pristine '03 XKR was when I bought her in 2012, and I thought it was a good deal. I've thoroughly enjoyed her for another 100K miles since. My only caveat is this though:
As with all high mileage purchases, sooner better than later you're going to want to replace all the hoses (especially the valley hoses), belts, pulleys, etc.. This is not cheap or easy on an XKR. The car (whether it's an 8 or R) "will" require some down time, so it should NOT be your only mode of transportation if you're planning to use it as a daily driver.
Of course a car that old and with that many miles on it would be sold "as is" - no surprise on that, but I "would" want full disclosure on what's causing that amber warning light, before I considered pursuing the purchase.
As with all high mileage purchases, sooner better than later you're going to want to replace all the hoses (especially the valley hoses), belts, pulleys, etc.. This is not cheap or easy on an XKR. The car (whether it's an 8 or R) "will" require some down time, so it should NOT be your only mode of transportation if you're planning to use it as a daily driver.
Of course a car that old and with that many miles on it would be sold "as is" - no surprise on that, but I "would" want full disclosure on what's causing that amber warning light, before I considered pursuing the purchase.
I did all hoses, SCs, pulley bearings and such and it came to almost $800 on each car when I was done with little while I'm there stuff. It took me a weekend to do the pair with my dad assisting to help speed it up (his cost was dinner and Coke Zero), and a 12pk of Diet Mountain Dew mixed with Vodka, but it was done. You might be able to do faster, but this was a solid pace during long, but leisurely days.
NOTE - Many SCs last well over 100k miles with no issues, but up until I acquired at 67k and 84k miles respectively, the oil had no record of ever being changed. I changed at 80 and 85k respectively. I recommend every 30k, but even every 60k should give excellent long life. SC oil changes are easy and cheap. $15 for the oil, or $30 for the oil and syringe online if you don't have one. Maybe 30 easy minutes to do.
#33
One other note on the "Amber Warning light". On My car, the light on the right is red and would be on with the door open/motor on.
The light on the left is Amber and would indicate a motor code being thrown. It appears the light that is lit is on the Right, which though it appears Amber in two of the pictures, is Red in my car.
The light on the left is Amber and would indicate a motor code being thrown. It appears the light that is lit is on the Right, which though it appears Amber in two of the pictures, is Red in my car.
#34
At 100k, I'd do the following on any X100 car:
-Trans fluid, filter and pan gasket drain and fill. Also the connector on 722.6/W5A580 units (pre-03 XKRs).
-Belts (S/C and Serpentine)
-Tensioner Pulley and Idler Pulley bearings; 4 on XKR, 2 on XK8.
-Coolant hoses. Notice no specifics? Cuz all of them.
-Coolant change, with a simple OTC flush done; like the Zerex or Prestone one. Do this before the hoses; get the crap out first.
-Diff Oil change.
-Brake Fluid flush.
-S/C Oil Change
-Power steering drain and fill; I actually used the SC Oil change syringe to pull it out at the reservoir, then add, then circulate, then pull it out, then add, then circulate; rinse and repeat until nice and red. It's GM transmission fluid, so cheap and easy.
-Inspect for leaks on a lift.
-Inspect suspension, if it hasn't already had parts replaced, it probably is about due and the inspection most likely will confirm it. I just did the ball joints, outer tie rod ends, shock bushings, sway bar end links and control arm bushings on the front of my XKR, which has 95k on it now (did wheel bearings like 5k miles ago). I did my XKR just before 90k.
#36
I think if I lived in one of the dryer American states (as OP does) I'd get the convertible.
As I live in rainy ole England I went for the coupé
170k on the clock and 100k of those in my ownership, what's more my insurance was just £130 per year...I think you may pay a little more than that stateside.
Launch colour and one of the first 50 off the production line...this pic was taken after she'd been left undriven for 3yrs last Nov. Clay bar and then off to the local car wash
I still think it is stunning, made moreso by the complete interior retrim, jag leather doesn't' seem to wear that well for some reason?
But it serves me well and at 169k it needed a replacement transmission which cost me £1000/$1250 inc labour.
As I live in rainy ole England I went for the coupé
170k on the clock and 100k of those in my ownership, what's more my insurance was just £130 per year...I think you may pay a little more than that stateside.
Launch colour and one of the first 50 off the production line...this pic was taken after she'd been left undriven for 3yrs last Nov. Clay bar and then off to the local car wash
I still think it is stunning, made moreso by the complete interior retrim, jag leather doesn't' seem to wear that well for some reason?
But it serves me well and at 169k it needed a replacement transmission which cost me £1000/$1250 inc labour.
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jlbsam (01-13-2017)
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jlbsam (01-13-2017)
#39
Yeah, I have to keep reminding myself, as I daily read these tales of woe, not to panic! I fear that if I'd read all the scary posts before I got my XK8, I might have shied away.
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jlbsam (01-13-2017)
#40
for myself, while I do have a to-do list which is growing these are either typical maintenance items or small upgrades, in the mean time I find that the car does need to be clean all of the time in order for me to enjoy its very pleasing lines.
wj
Last edited by wymjym; 01-13-2017 at 03:45 PM.