New Member from Indiana, 2004 XJR
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 2
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From: Indiana, USA
New Member from Indiana, 2004 XJR
Hope everybody is having a fantastic weekend. Ive been lurking these forums for about 8 years and figured i may as well become a member.
I started my Jaguar journey in September of 2015. Freshly divorced, and wanted something 1. The ex wife would have never been okay with me buying, and 2. I had wanted since I got out of High School. A car i never thought id be able to afford until I had tons of time to lookup cars i liked and see what kind of prices they were selling for. WOW! These XJRs and STRs are much cheaper than i would have ever imagined seeing them! I found a platinum silver 04' XJR for $12k in Indianapolis at a used car dealer and decided id at least go look at it. Shes a little rough, but 12k for what was essentially a dream car to me. AMAZING!
On the test drive the salesman already had it warmed up for me (I asked him not to when I called him), I was taken back to my friends Grandfathers VDP that made me fall in love with the car to begin with. Wait, the shift knob is missing, and the headliner is sagging a bit. I pull out onto the road and the car wont keep a straight line, every bump makes me slightly veer a tad to the left or right, a slight thump is heard when i hit bumps. My heart sank. I knew this wouldnt be a car i was getting. Go back to the lot and have a few words with the salesman about the state of the car. He said the shop told him they were done with the car and he went to ask them why they told him that. Turns out they were done with it as in not going to put money into it. So I told him thanks for his time and left.
Talked to my father about the car, he said he wanted to go with me to look at it, "I'm sure we can talk them down A LOT if they dont wanna work on it" A week later the salesman called me asking if I were still interested in the car. I told him Ill come check it out but im bringing somebody I trusts opinions on mechanics. Had my Dad check out the car and drive it, much to my surprise My Chevy Loving dad was impressed by the car, although he was put off by the cost of suspension components. Front sway links were just wobbling around, that was the thump on bumps, but couldnt figure out why the car would veer, they showed us the alignment print outs, it was all in spec. Dad did notice the front tires looked slightly low on air so he checked the air pressure. about 5lb in each tire. and they are marked as run flats. My dad tells me were gonna go back into the bulding, find that guy and lowball him, dont be suprised or act desperate if he flat rejects the price im gonna suggest, $6500... Of course the saleman said no way we can do that. So i told him ill continue my car search, thanks for your time.
8 Days later and I get a call while im working asking if wed be able to go $6800, told him to give me a couple of days to think it over. Called him two days later and said ill be in on Friday morning to sign what we have to sign.
$6800 for a 98k mile, mostly clean well running 400 horsepower dream! I did go across the street to the gas station to air up the tires before i made the 45min trip home.
Considering its garaged most of the year, and since i bought a new home 3 years ago its sat even more sadly because I need to do at least the front control arms. I love this car with all of my heart, I will have it until the day I die. unless sombody takes it or it gets totaled.
Anyway sorry this has been a long winded New Member post, happy to be part of the community.
Have a good day all,
Justin
I started my Jaguar journey in September of 2015. Freshly divorced, and wanted something 1. The ex wife would have never been okay with me buying, and 2. I had wanted since I got out of High School. A car i never thought id be able to afford until I had tons of time to lookup cars i liked and see what kind of prices they were selling for. WOW! These XJRs and STRs are much cheaper than i would have ever imagined seeing them! I found a platinum silver 04' XJR for $12k in Indianapolis at a used car dealer and decided id at least go look at it. Shes a little rough, but 12k for what was essentially a dream car to me. AMAZING!
On the test drive the salesman already had it warmed up for me (I asked him not to when I called him), I was taken back to my friends Grandfathers VDP that made me fall in love with the car to begin with. Wait, the shift knob is missing, and the headliner is sagging a bit. I pull out onto the road and the car wont keep a straight line, every bump makes me slightly veer a tad to the left or right, a slight thump is heard when i hit bumps. My heart sank. I knew this wouldnt be a car i was getting. Go back to the lot and have a few words with the salesman about the state of the car. He said the shop told him they were done with the car and he went to ask them why they told him that. Turns out they were done with it as in not going to put money into it. So I told him thanks for his time and left.
Talked to my father about the car, he said he wanted to go with me to look at it, "I'm sure we can talk them down A LOT if they dont wanna work on it" A week later the salesman called me asking if I were still interested in the car. I told him Ill come check it out but im bringing somebody I trusts opinions on mechanics. Had my Dad check out the car and drive it, much to my surprise My Chevy Loving dad was impressed by the car, although he was put off by the cost of suspension components. Front sway links were just wobbling around, that was the thump on bumps, but couldnt figure out why the car would veer, they showed us the alignment print outs, it was all in spec. Dad did notice the front tires looked slightly low on air so he checked the air pressure. about 5lb in each tire. and they are marked as run flats. My dad tells me were gonna go back into the bulding, find that guy and lowball him, dont be suprised or act desperate if he flat rejects the price im gonna suggest, $6500... Of course the saleman said no way we can do that. So i told him ill continue my car search, thanks for your time.
8 Days later and I get a call while im working asking if wed be able to go $6800, told him to give me a couple of days to think it over. Called him two days later and said ill be in on Friday morning to sign what we have to sign.
$6800 for a 98k mile, mostly clean well running 400 horsepower dream! I did go across the street to the gas station to air up the tires before i made the 45min trip home.
Considering its garaged most of the year, and since i bought a new home 3 years ago its sat even more sadly because I need to do at least the front control arms. I love this car with all of my heart, I will have it until the day I die. unless sombody takes it or it gets totaled.
Anyway sorry this has been a long winded New Member post, happy to be part of the community.
Have a good day all,
Justin
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 26,755
Likes: 10,299
From: Tehama County, California, USA
Hello, Justin,
Congratulations on your new Jaguar and a Deal Well Made!!
The Third Rule of Acquisition plainly states, "Never pay more than you have to."
I find that the Negotiations for something like this are almost as much fun as the Hunt was, especially when it's as plain as this situation was, that they Really wanted that car off the lot!
And, you can buy a Lot of parts for that $5800 you saved!
You'll find Loads of help and advice over in our XJR section, someone will be along shortly to direct you there.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
Congratulations on your new Jaguar and a Deal Well Made!!
The Third Rule of Acquisition plainly states, "Never pay more than you have to."
I find that the Negotiations for something like this are almost as much fun as the Hunt was, especially when it's as plain as this situation was, that they Really wanted that car off the lot!
And, you can buy a Lot of parts for that $5800 you saved!
You'll find Loads of help and advice over in our XJR section, someone will be along shortly to direct you there.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
Last edited by LnrB; Nov 19, 2023 at 09:57 AM.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 120,439
Likes: 17,008
From: Durham, UK
Welcome to the forums Justin,
Good to have you with us. Great to read a detailed Intro.
I think you've already found the relevant model forum but if not, follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ed-v8-x200-15/ to the S-Type forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the US Midwest Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-midwest-39/ to find other members in your region.
Please read the guidance for new members ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...ned-up-241802/ ) which answers many of the most frequent questions about getting started.
Enjoy the forums.
Graham
Good to have you with us. Great to read a detailed Intro.
I think you've already found the relevant model forum but if not, follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ed-v8-x200-15/ to the S-Type forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the US Midwest Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-midwest-39/ to find other members in your region.
Please read the guidance for new members ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...ned-up-241802/ ) which answers many of the most frequent questions about getting started.
Enjoy the forums.
Graham
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 121,060
Likes: 6,652
From: PHX some of the time
Welcome to Jaguar Forums Justin,
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.
If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.
If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help
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