Purchasing advice - based on experience, please.
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
Purchasing advice - based on experience, please.
Hello everyone, new 'Christian to be thrown to the Lions' reporting for duty...
Asking the World, that I make as little a fool of myself as possible.
Wife has owned an XJ8 in times gone past and bar being underpowered as the 3.2 (she bought it for the colour - go figure), we had it for several years back in the UK.
Now we live in Houston, Texas (yee-haw), she fancies a weekend run-around.
I'm not in the mood to mortgage my kidneys for either a Bentley (pardon the use of 'loose language' in this forum), which she's always been angling for, or anything in a premium wagon that's brand new, so I've found a rather nice looking 2011 XKR Convertible at a reasonable price with 56k miles on the clock with what appears to be a full dealer and independent specialist history. Not a big miler for 14 years.
Wife is well up for that. (Phew!)
It's on the other side of the country, and I'm prepared to jump on a plane and go see it myself. I'm pretty handy around a car - been maintaining my own Saabs for 35 years, as well as Fiats, Renaults, BMW's, Maserati's and the XJ8, plus a bunch of Americans in the past 8 years. Hence, I'm not apprehensive about scoping this one out.
I've boned up on the web advice in what to look for, and the two items which seem to be the bogeymen for the 5.0 Super are a gearbox (transmission) oil and filter change and the coolant leak under the Supercharger. Bit early to worry about the CATS suspension thankfully, but I'm aware they have been a PITA for some in years gone past.
Now, with less than 60k on the clock, and no, I haven't yet seen all the actual service receipts, and let's say, although the prior one-owner seems to have been fastidious, what is the probability that both of these major items are lurking immediately around the corner that I should be negotiating hard to get a discount?
I am told it is in great condition, and at this distance I have to take the seller's word for it (independent non-specialist sales-outlet but has a reputation for retailing high quality vehicles and don't appear to want negative feedback to taint their 30-year reputation).
Let's say my local Cuban wrench-man here in Houston who seems to work on everything from latest model Rollers, all the way back to 1960's MG's, Healeys and everything in between is pitching in the region of 400 bucks for the gearbox oil and filter change and 2800 bucks for the coolant Y's. I suspect that's kind of the going rate...
Advice, based on experience, rather than opinions, would be greatly appreciated as there are as many shysters in this country who would sell you a dog, pretending it's a fox, and there's no come-back when you sober up...
Most of the other interweb advice seems appropriate, so it's what you suggest is worth negotiating on, what's acceptable for a vehicle of this age and what is a definite 'No thanks, mate - you can keep it'.
The one last dangerous can of worms to open.
What's the best extended warranty to put on it - presuming you would do so?
Advice, based on experience, once again, would be gratefully received.
Many thanks,
Clark Wilson.
Houston.
2022 RAM 1500 Limited (Wife drives that)
2020 Jeep Trackhawk (That's mine
)
2012 Ford Expedition Limited (More-than-moon-miler business workhorse)
1991 Saab 9000 CD Carlsson 2.3T AR. (That's my occasional tool-around, show-car and second wife.)
Asking the World, that I make as little a fool of myself as possible.
Wife has owned an XJ8 in times gone past and bar being underpowered as the 3.2 (she bought it for the colour - go figure), we had it for several years back in the UK.
Now we live in Houston, Texas (yee-haw), she fancies a weekend run-around.
I'm not in the mood to mortgage my kidneys for either a Bentley (pardon the use of 'loose language' in this forum), which she's always been angling for, or anything in a premium wagon that's brand new, so I've found a rather nice looking 2011 XKR Convertible at a reasonable price with 56k miles on the clock with what appears to be a full dealer and independent specialist history. Not a big miler for 14 years.
Wife is well up for that. (Phew!)
It's on the other side of the country, and I'm prepared to jump on a plane and go see it myself. I'm pretty handy around a car - been maintaining my own Saabs for 35 years, as well as Fiats, Renaults, BMW's, Maserati's and the XJ8, plus a bunch of Americans in the past 8 years. Hence, I'm not apprehensive about scoping this one out.
I've boned up on the web advice in what to look for, and the two items which seem to be the bogeymen for the 5.0 Super are a gearbox (transmission) oil and filter change and the coolant leak under the Supercharger. Bit early to worry about the CATS suspension thankfully, but I'm aware they have been a PITA for some in years gone past.
Now, with less than 60k on the clock, and no, I haven't yet seen all the actual service receipts, and let's say, although the prior one-owner seems to have been fastidious, what is the probability that both of these major items are lurking immediately around the corner that I should be negotiating hard to get a discount?
I am told it is in great condition, and at this distance I have to take the seller's word for it (independent non-specialist sales-outlet but has a reputation for retailing high quality vehicles and don't appear to want negative feedback to taint their 30-year reputation).
Let's say my local Cuban wrench-man here in Houston who seems to work on everything from latest model Rollers, all the way back to 1960's MG's, Healeys and everything in between is pitching in the region of 400 bucks for the gearbox oil and filter change and 2800 bucks for the coolant Y's. I suspect that's kind of the going rate...
Advice, based on experience, rather than opinions, would be greatly appreciated as there are as many shysters in this country who would sell you a dog, pretending it's a fox, and there's no come-back when you sober up...
Most of the other interweb advice seems appropriate, so it's what you suggest is worth negotiating on, what's acceptable for a vehicle of this age and what is a definite 'No thanks, mate - you can keep it'.
The one last dangerous can of worms to open.
What's the best extended warranty to put on it - presuming you would do so?
Advice, based on experience, once again, would be gratefully received.
Many thanks,
Clark Wilson.
Houston.
2022 RAM 1500 Limited (Wife drives that)
2020 Jeep Trackhawk (That's mine
)2012 Ford Expedition Limited (More-than-moon-miler business workhorse)
1991 Saab 9000 CD Carlsson 2.3T AR. (That's my occasional tool-around, show-car and second wife.)
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 45,771
Likes: 4,692
From: Dural, Northwest Sydney. Australia.
Welcome aboard Clarke, as this is the introduction section may I suggest you ask in the following forum…https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk-xkr-x150-33/
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 28,795
Likes: 11,273
From: Adelaide Stralia
Welcome to the Forums.
Having ZERO experience with that type of beast, I will say NOTHING.
BUT
Look at things that you would NOT normally look at.
Trust NO ONE.
Wear your fast walking or running shoes. I have walked from many over the years as one leg stops me running.
A looooong test drive is important.
Any of mine, and there have been a good few, were Interstate, and the seller was made LOUD and CLEAR I would be driving it home, some 1800kms for a few. That ceased the sale in 3 cases.
A plane ticket home is way cheaper than a problem Jag.
Follow Jims link, the me bers there will know.
Good luck.
Having ZERO experience with that type of beast, I will say NOTHING.
BUT
Look at things that you would NOT normally look at.
Trust NO ONE.
Wear your fast walking or running shoes. I have walked from many over the years as one leg stops me running.
A looooong test drive is important.
Any of mine, and there have been a good few, were Interstate, and the seller was made LOUD and CLEAR I would be driving it home, some 1800kms for a few. That ceased the sale in 3 cases.
A plane ticket home is way cheaper than a problem Jag.
Follow Jims link, the me bers there will know.
Good luck.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 121,001
Likes: 6,649
From: PHX some of the time
Welcome to Jaguar Forums Nuggetybear4pms,
Good to have you with us.
Follow Daffie's advice and head over to the tech section.
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.
Follow Daffie's advice and head over to the tech section.
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
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 26,743
Likes: 10,291
From: Tehama County, California, USA
Hello, Clark,
I wish you success in this venture, as I have bought most of my cars from Indie lots or individuals.
Jim's advice is sound. Check with members in that section, who will tell you which Red Flags to watch for and what questions to ask..
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
I wish you success in this venture, as I have bought most of my cars from Indie lots or individuals.
Jim's advice is sound. Check with members in that section, who will tell you which Red Flags to watch for and what questions to ask..
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mathijs de Vries
New Member Area - Intro a MUST
11
Nov 20, 2020 02:28 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)