Hi all, I finally drove my 1st x350 n/a, a clean 1 local ownah VDP, blue/tan, no nav. It seemed to have been sitting on the Jag lot for a bit, surface rust on rotors-suspension seemed equal & normal. Headliner hung down in my face(amazed a JAg dealer would have that on the lot), frosty headlights, one small scratch on front corner(doesn't bother me), clean original paint, dull wheels. Anyway, the big stuff-started it up, (he let take off w/o so much as a name or # from me!) and the brake light stayed on until I hit 'D' when it went off and there was a big thud as if the calipers released. I tugged on the release handle also beforehand.

And the other thing I noticed while putting it through some paces. The couple times I hit it hard, it seemed to bang hard up $ down into 2nd(maybe it was 1st), no slipping but a hard up/downshift w/noticeable thud. My Sube forester does this also but I have it reflashed to shift fast.

86k miles, no accidents and a clean FL car. Thoughts?

 

My thought would be to run away and keep looking. I searched for a few months to find a good XJ. During that time I found only one near me to test drive. I nearly changed my mind because of that one car. It sounds just like the one you found. Based on everything I read here, I ended up buying an XJR across the country...what a difference. While the XJR is different car than a VDP, my XJ is a dream. I am sure there is a VDP out there to compare. Find it.

 

Yeah, I was stuck on a blown car until I drove this vdp. It's surprising that a JAg dealer would keep it on the lot but it is a local 1 owner and they seem to often have a low $$ car to sell(and they do).

My gut said it was a clean tight car but maybe with a biggie around the bend so the guy sold it/traded it. And I'm loathe to buy sight unseen out of town-had a couple checked out and both were disasters. I may be the only person to have spent 500+ on Jags and never owned one...!

 

I spent some $$ on inspections on out of state cars too, just to have then not pass. One dealer called my as soon as the car pulled in for the appointment. Said he knew the car well and to run away. Didn't even charge me.
But these are special cars in that they are a piece of mechanical art. Find a good one unless you are confident you can sort out the issues yourself.
I passed on a 2004 BRG XJR with 90,000 miles for just $6400 that needed new shocks. Now that I have done shocks, that would have been a great deal. But I was too ignorant then,band I really wanted black on black (which I got!)
Don't give up, and don't get desperate.

 

Well, coming upon 2 years looking for a good one....

 

I have been looking for an XJ for three years now, and fianally found a one owner, low mileage locally....and it was well worth the wait. This car is clean and strainght, and needs nothing. I have been thoroughly enjoying it for the three weeks we have had it, and I am grateful I waited for just the right car. Some things are worth waiting for...don't settle for less that that perfect car!

 

Jeffn,
I have to admit I miss the hunt. Tell us what you are looking for and I would be happy to keep my eyes open for you!
Dave

 

A clean, pref 1 owner car with little deferred maintenance, Super V8 is tops, but now an n/a vdp would do also after driving the 04.

How does the LWB affect ride/handling? The SWB seems 'perkier' even over the Super 8 I tested.
Must have non-black interior.

And color choice in descending order: red, white, lt blue, gold, seajizzmist, silver, dk blue, black & no dk grays.

 

No green?
What color interior is you favorite? Tan?
XJR is out?
Are you willing to fly out/drive back or ship the car?
Price range?

 

Contact member George Androulakis for assistance in fing a car. He has helped members here and is highly regarded.

 

Yep, good old green slotted after silver. Tan or 'dove?' insides, KJRs tend to be beat upon more I think & I if I had the time to do a fly/drive, I'd prob be on my 3rd XJ by now(!) 8=)

Prices seen to be in the nada trade in ranges for years now so I've noted unbeknownst to most dealers.

 

I worked with George during my search. He was extremely helpful. However, I think he is in a similar boat as us..hunting. He has access to auctions we don't. The nice thing is that he gets the car up to his standards before selling to "us" and only charges $500 for all of his work!
In the end I found my car on eBay. I contacted the seller to shut down the eBay auction and sell to me at an agreed price pending my inspection. One owner, all records. Exterior is a 9/10 and the interior is a 10/10.
They are out there, but you have to be ready to act fast!
Even though I didn't get my car from George he has been a great resource for me!

 

I spoke with him when he had his black/black R FS-if only it wasn't black as a film bag inside...

I'm not adverse to a clean XK either-timing is everything and I was a bout 4 weeks too late on that 03 xkr w/8k on it a few months back in CAL. $21k!

 

So, $10500 as is+ fees(?) tax etc. 19k would prob do it but I see a red one w/23k for 15k-ish, probably the wiser choice.

 

Jeffn...presently on eBay with a $10800 buy it now price is a 2004 XJ8 silver/ivory w/ sunroof & cd changer plus the usuals. 67K miles, solid tires & paint/body look good with no repaint. In Ft. Liquordale <G> but too far south for me to check. Perhaps there's a S. Fla. member near there.

Jaguar : XJ8 XJ8 in Jaguar | eBay Motors

 

Do you have a link to the red one with low miles?

 

I do but am damn stingy in giving them up until I decide against them-been pipped at the post too often. But given my track record on buying a jag, here it is...

Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas 2004 23.5k miles

Silver one looks clean-plain XJ and 1st year(rumor has it some things were smoothed out in 05+) but will keep an eye on it, merci!

 

And here's the blue one:
Used 2004 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas For Sale in Fort Pierce FL |

And I need to shop if I'm going n/a-1 yr newer, LWB & less miles, under 10k.

2005 Jaguar G49373 - Texas Cars Direct

 

Jeff...if you can afford the cost then the '04 w/23K is a no brainer. You'll be hard pressed to find even a std. XJ8 2004 or newer for under $10k. I was very fortunate to find one with 58k for $9500 and jumped all over it despite some niggling shortcomings like a sagging headliner, missing 2 wheel center caps, small ding in the left front fender, no cd changer or nav system, and only one remote key fob.

Also it seems as though the used market is wakeing back up and prices appear to be rising so don't expect very many steals.

 

RD , that seems odd as I see 04s dropping under 10k for the 1st time. Supers & Rs seem to be holding or rising(at least asking prices) as time goes by and people see how reliable these cars are v. Germans I think,

The dealer is asking what I'd pay all fixed up or how low I'd go as is. The trans hard shift (just like my old Mark 8-a shift valve body change needed). it could just be innocuous and characteristic or it could be $3800.

I really would prefer a LWB & even a blower if I jump to 15k, 2-4k more I can shell out for my dream XJ.