Ok, I'm a English bloke living in Cleveland, OH and I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on my first Jag.

In Cleveland at the end of January is the first thing that makes me a bit of an idiot.

Now, it's 2004 XJ8 with 79K on the clock and is very solid mechanically and interior-wise apart from the following:

1. Overheated on test drive with low coolant light coming on. Dealer claimed fresh thermostat had been installed and an air bubble was preventing coolant from getting its way round. They say they've fixed it.
2. Worn bushings with front passenger gone. Dealer to fix/replace.
3. Steering wheel vibration due to improperly balanced 22" rims/tires. Plan on selling to buy stock wheels/tires.
4. Frame damage at auction reported by Autocheck, but independent mechanic could find nothing - other reports (Carfax & Instavin) showed nothing.

At $9,395 is this worth buying even if I have to put a couple of grand in it to fix it up? I have a cheap enough mechanic and am willing to buy 'smart' for any parts to keep costs down.

I need you people to either take me down from the ledge or push me off.

I don't even know you people, but having read through the forum all week, you seem a pretty reasonable bunch.

My first Jag is in your hands!

Thank you...

 

First, welcome aboard :-)

Opinions will vary. Here's mine:

You should want your first Jag to be a happy experience. What you've described troubles me. I'd set my sights a bit higher and find one without so many right-off-the-bat issues.

Cheers
DD

 

Thank, Doug.

In between the dodgy bits, it was a very pleasant car to test drive.

I suppose my question is whether owning a Jag is better if you accept they can be a bit temperamental, or is it not out of the question to expect relatively trouble free motoring?

 

Welcome to the forum El House,

You're an idiot - you should have got your first Jaguar years ago.

The first item on your list would worry me. Overheating is never good news on a Jaguar V8 and can have serious consequences.

Jaguars eat money if you don't buy wisely and this one has a few too many question marks about it.

Graham

 

You're right. I should've bought one years ago.

It looks like I might have to look a little longer.

 

Hi El house, welcome aboard Jaguarforums ....... good to have you here with us
+1 on Graham's comments btw....lol

Hope we can help mate.


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Thank you, sir.

You're helping by talking a bit of sense into me!

So nobody would spend an extra $2-3K making sure this thing is ship shape?

Or are you suggesting it could need deeper pockets than that?

 

Hello El House, from another idiot that lived on both west and east sides of Cleveland, for almost 35 years.

Welcome to the forum, loved your first few sentences. Sorry I can't help much on an XJ8, but if you come across a nice S Type now we're talking.

Enjoy all the site has to offer!

BTW heres an "Idiot" post from myself 2 days ago: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...m-idiot-89016/

 

Fair play.

So you've managed to drive a Jag in all Lake Effect snow conditions?

Or not, as the case may be.

 

Hell no, maybe an AWD X Type maybe.

 

What's the issue with the Cleveland climate?

I had to Google it but the rainfall / snow and indifferent temperatures should remind you of home.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum EL House,

Good to have you with us.
I agree with the advice to look a little farther and find a goodun.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't already done so you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

Welcome El House: and greetings from the Midwest Region of the forum! Tough call, but the truthful words of many an owner are ringing in my ears: There's no such thing as a cheap Jag. It is, of course, just another raw opinion, but for a few thousand more you are now able to find plum examples, with about the same amount of mileage, gingerly driven by old people living in sunny Florida. '01-'03 examples are now in the 12K or less range. My cars are so much older I expected them to need a bit of sorting out; but not an '04.
Alas... Either way, we'll support you. But for heaven's sake, if you don't buy this one, buy another!!!
Scott

 

Hello & welcome from Gloucestershire UK . To be honest I would never buy a car off a dealer that needs " Things doing to it " He should already have the the Jag up, perfect & ready to roll. As its a Jag , you wil, at sometime , down the line , spend money on it .BUT !! you dont want a Jag. that needs money spending on it before you even own it .I'm sure in your part of USA , there must be some super staight Jaguars at a price to suit you.......GoodLuck.

 

You really couldn't have had more consistent advice from the Forum members.
They're such seductive cars you tend to forget the problems but, unlike really beautiful women, there are plenty around and they're not expensive!
Run Away! and live to fight another day.

 

Thanks everyone for the wise words.

So, what I think you're all saying is don't buy it, right?

Even the weather gave me a hint by dumping half a foot of snow all over the place making it impossible to get the bugger off the lot.

We'll see what else I can find.

Thanks again!

 

Hello El House,
I grew up in Brook Park & you are an idoit for living in Cleveland LOL. I moved 50 miles west & instead of 65" annual snowfall I only avg. 30".
Welcome, I am a newby as well & there are alot of great people here & a vast wealth of knowledge to take in.
Bill