Used Jags?

[carnutzzz]

I'm kind of keeping an eye out for a nice DD (and 3rd car). Hard not to notice some beautiful 5-10 year old Jags selling for cheap, with low miles. I'm interested in the XJ8, and the XK coupe (very cool looking).

Anyone experienced with these cars? I know they aren't the best from a reliabilty perspective but at these prices ($9-$17k) I can afford to fix a few things as they come-up.

Thoughts?

[targa911S]

I had an XJ6 a 1985, VPD. It was without a doubt the worst car I have even owned (out of 46)! Now I heard the Ford Taurusjag/Lincojag is pretty reliable. But it's not a real Jaguar. They are still VERY expensive to maintain though. Hey if you can pay $40K for a Ford then you can afford to be put under the ether when you get it serviced...right?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I drove a 2000-ish XK8, very relaxed and effortless car. Would make a fun DD. No idea on reliability, but parts can't be cheap.

[Komenda Fan]

I remember I called a guy about an XJS coupe he had for sale. He said it was in great shape but it needed a new waterpump or something similar. So I called Jag, and the guy says its going to cost $2,000! No, I know what you're thinking, that is installed, but it wasn't, it was just for the pump! So that was the end of that idea.

I'm glad I waited for my 911, I have the impression that running a Jag is a bit like running a Seaking helicopter, 18 hours of wrenching for 1 hour of flight time.

[Dixie]

My Bride of 24 years has a 2001 XJ8.

Good points:

• We bought it for very little money.
• X308s (The 1998 - 2003 XJ8) retain that elegant Jag styling that always garners complements. No one will mistake it for a Taurus.
• It's been a very reliable car.
• The ride is very nice without being "floaty" like a Buick.
• Handling is quite impressive. I keep trying to get The Bride to let me take it to the track. I bet it would surprise most people.
• For a 4,000 lb car, it will get up and haul a$$ if you drop it in sport mode.
• It makes The Bride happy.
• Did I mention we got it for very little money? She's a tough negotiator.

Bad Points:

• X308s retain some of that elegant Jag styling - Big on the outside, small on the inside.
• When working on the interior, you have to be very careful of some of the trim, like the shifter surround. Saying the attachment pins are delicate is a gross understatement.
• Parts are in the Porsche price range.
• While the glove-leather seats are butter soft, they do not wear nearly as well as the leather seats found in a BMW or a Benz.
• Like most newer cars, you're doomed if electrical issues manifest. The car utilizes a hand full of computers and a multiplex wiring system. There must be 500 lbs of wire in the car.
• The Jag forums pail on comparison to most auto forums. Still they're worth subscribing to.

Here's a stale pic pf our XJ8. I never realized I'd use theis pic so mush. Ineed to take some new ones...

[Joeaksa]

The early V8 versions had issues in the nikisil cylinder and timing chain tensioner areas. Most if not all of these have been corrected by the 1999 or 2000 model year by Jag. Any engine that has been driven until 2007 and is in descent condition is not worth worrying about.

I have a 2000 S-type with the V8 and no problems with it what so ever, driven it 45k miles in 4 years and love the car. The transmission has needed rebuilding but thats it.

Get a good one, with good records and they are a descent car. Not taken care of and they are terrible. Kinda just like any other car but more expensive when down.

When they are right they bring a smile to your face everytime you drive it. Find an independent garage and have them do the work (or do some yourself) and you can save 50% over the dealership. Also on some models the parts off of line Ford models fit and sell for 40% of the Jag cost.

[Racerbvd]

I drive a 98 XJR and love it, cold AC (needed in FL) faster than my Carrera and can carry more people. Hasn't been bad on maintnance (about to have the brakes done, dealer wants $600, cheaper than when we did my 50 Chevy 3100) I enjoy driving it, of course having 390HP has nothing to do with that

[kqw]

Hospitals on Wheels.....oh and if you do buy one don't forget to pick up some....

[nota]

broken kitty does chevy V8 swaps on older jags

[lyon]

my grandpa had one of those, I drove it a few times, last time was going to his funeral. it felt kind of floaty to me, comfortable, but it handled like a Buick, if not worse.

[strupgolf]

I've had many Jags over the last 10 years. My 85 XJS was beautiful, fast, and quiet. V-12, and as folks said, very expensive to keep up, not in my time at all, a great car. 84 XJ6, lovely, quiet, needed a few things, but I did them myself. 94 XJ6, beautiful 4 door, best car for touring I've ever owned, never needed a thing. I thought about buying a 99-2003 XK8 coupe. They are great cars, but dont know about the issures with them. But if they are anything like the rest of my Jags, there wont be a problem at all. Jags have that "feeling" about them like Porsches, only refined.

[Laneco]

I had a converted car - 300 hp small block chevy in a 1976 XJ6-L. Wonderful motorcar. Not quick and agile like a 911, quite different than that. Not light thru corners but surefooted with good balance through big sweeping corners. More like the way a large man is sometimes an elegant dancer but will never be a gymnast.

Without a doubt, the finest long distance road car I have ever owned. That car made the highway disappear in steadfast silence. No wind noise, no road noise, impeccable manners. Really miss that car (it was liberated from our driveway....).

The newer Jags have quite a parts pin of Ford parts. That doesn't scare me but at the same time, I have no interest in paying jaguar service costs for a mustang/pickup/lincoln engine. Would I buy one? Yep. They are an absolute used car bargain. Count on bad resale when you factor in your purchase price. Drive it everywhere in the meantime.

My 2 centavos.

angela

[LakeCleElum]

I had a '62 XKE Roadster back in the early '80's.....A little quirky, but I loved that car. I only sold it as I needed the garage space. Worst decision of my life. If you can find one for a decent price, but it.......

[onewhippedpuppy]

After this thread I did a little looking, you really can get a lot of XJR or S-type R for not much money. $20k will buy you a nice example of either. Of course, for the same money you can pick up an MB E55 AMG or Audi S4. Tough choice, anyone want to give me $20k?

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Not quick and agile like a 911, quite different than that. Not light thru corners but surefooted with good balance through big sweeping corners. More like the way a large man is sometimes an elegant dancer but will never be a gymnast.

Very nice line Angela!

[carnutzzz]

Thanks for the responses- pretty much what I figured.

I don't think the older cars have much relevance to the reliability of the stuff made within the last 10 years. Frankly, Ford is what saved Jaguar.

I find the XJs and XK coupes extremely beautiful. I rented one (XJ8) with an employee while visiting St. Pete and we had a blast in that car. Hard to see behind you, but made you feel like a million bucks when driving it.

From the boards it seems like for the XK, you want to buy 2003.5 or newer. There were 900 improvements made to the XK after that transition, and the newer 4.2 is a better motor. They aren't quite as "cheap" yet though so maybe I should wait another year or 2.

I've been dreaming of an XK coupe, lowered a bit to level it out, stuffed with some nice rims under each corner, and with a little more aggressive exhaust.

To be honest, I've been thinking about selling the 911 and possibly getting the XK coupe. Crazy talk?

[targa911S]

yes...crazy talk. Take it from one who has sold his 911. Everything else is just a car.

[MRM]

With the new XKs coming out right now for 08, the current models should take a big price drop. I'm strongly considering a late model XKR in a few years.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Damn it, ever since seeing this thread I've been lusting after an XJR for my DD! There's a bunch of them out there for under $20k.

[NICKG]

used Jag?, to quote a great english movie...run away! run away!