XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) 1997 - 2003

Interesting local find,

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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 03:29 AM
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Default Interesting local find,

I've always been intrigued by the XJ12 I may just take a little road trip to test drive.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/d...380173256.html
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 06:23 AM
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Originally Posted by King Charles
I've always been intrigued by the XJ12 I may just take a little road trip to test drive
That one looks fabulous on the pics.
But funny, no pic of the engine ... The most special of the car ....
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 08:09 AM
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What kind of transmission did those cars come with?
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 09:07 AM
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GM 4L80E
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 09:24 AM
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They did not make many -- no 95's had long wheelbase. So, I think this must have been an option for the LWB VDP in 96 because the V8 was not ready. Fully loaded the six was challenged with the longer car

I really don't remember this model in the USA -- they called it the double six ROW.

I loved my 95 -- it actually handled better vs x308.. and I think the x300 is a better looking car (except maybe part of the dash at the steering wheel).

If it was closer to me and had no rust -- I would buy it.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 09:55 AM
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If I had another bay in my garage I would be going to test drive this car. Looks amazing for the price.

Not willing to give up my XJR though and I know my wife is not giving up her spot in the garage.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 03:22 PM
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That is a fantastic price for the car, and it looks to be in excellent condition... If it is in good condition mechanically as well, it'll be a steal. If it got the same upgrades to the v12 as the 96 XJS v12's got, then you're already off to a great start. Like others have said, I wish I had a way to justify getting it.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 04:48 PM
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I'm going Friday morning to test drive , we shall see what develops.

Edit :
I'll get some pics of the engine bay even if I don't decide to purchase, for anyone else here that may be interested. My annual "toy budget" took a significant hit w/ my recent transmission rebuild & paint work on the X308 lol.
 

Last edited by King Charles; Nov 22, 2017 at 06:24 PM.
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 09:00 PM
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Look forward to hearing about it! I will be driving through Raleigh/Durham tomorrow but I'm not going to try and see a car on Thanksgiving, with family in tow.

-- The leaper is missing?
 

Last edited by harvest14; Nov 22, 2017 at 09:06 PM.
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by harvest14
Look forward to hearing about it! I will be driving through Raleigh/Durham tomorrow but I'm not going to try and see a car on Thanksgiving, with family in tow.

-- The leaper is missing?
Noticed that too, not sure.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2017 | 10:20 PM
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Looks like it is in good shape, same color as mine (xj6). You might want to be careful with your test drive, those tires have a lot of tire shine on the tread area! Very slippery!
 
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Old Nov 23, 2017 | 08:10 AM
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The detailer did an excellent job on her, other than the leaper, the only visual that seems suspect to me is the passenger air bag wood cover. All the other wood is a darker finish and that piece just doesn't fit to me. Jaguar was a bit more meticulous about grain flow matching weren't they? Other than that, she looks wonderful.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2017 | 08:15 PM
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Agreed with the tire slime. Be careful! I hate it when they slather it on. It's only the worst thing you can apply on a rubber component.

I would insist on putting it on a lift prior to purchase. The rear main will always leak so ignore it. The steering rack is a big expense. Front and rear shock mounts are also common.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2017 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Highhorse
The detailer did an excellent job on her, other than the leaper, the only visual that seems suspect to me is the passenger air bag wood cover. All the other wood is a darker finish and that piece just doesn't fit to me. Jaguar was a bit more meticulous about grain flow matching weren't they? Other than that, she looks wonderful.
You know that w/ missing leaper & the paint being so nice, tells me to look for signs of front end repair from a wreck. Front end smashed w/ air bag deployment would account for all those things, hmm.

The game is afoot.
 

Last edited by King Charles; Nov 23, 2017 at 08:55 PM.
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Old Nov 24, 2017 | 04:34 AM
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Price is right. Too far away, all yours. They are a wonderful ride when everything works. Two in the driveway look better than one anyways.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2017 | 08:28 PM
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KC?

Test drive go well?

Anxious to hear about it...
 
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Old Nov 24, 2017 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by harvest14
KC?

Test drive go well?

Anxious to hear about it...
It's beginning to look sketchy,I arrived @ the lot 12 pm EST, no one there. I called, left 2 messages waited 20 minutes & no follow up as of yet. I requested the VIN via our last live text communication, only to not receive a rebuttal to that inquiry after several swift responses prior.

Maybe the guy's just aloof about conducting business or whatever, but I pass through the area 2x a week so I will continue to try & link.

From my brief visual inspection it looked great as the pics depicted.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2017 | 09:17 PM
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That sketchiness sounds like the typical cost of business when finding one of these cars at a good deal, at least in my experiences browsing around forever ago
 
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Old Nov 24, 2017 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by nilanium
That sketchiness sounds like the typical cost of business when finding one of these cars at a good deal, at least in my experiences browsing around forever ago
Yeah this isn't my 1st rodeo either lol. I'll keep on it though, the lot looked well kept etc. I mean it is the holidays & all but I'm the type of guy that always responds to texts/inquiries asap when I'm dealing.
 

Last edited by King Charles; Nov 24, 2017 at 10:07 PM.
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Old Nov 25, 2017 | 09:05 PM
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Ok so I finally linked w/ seller, for closer visual inspection, the car still presented well but I definitely feel as if the passenger side wood was replaced. No rust prevalent & the paint was definitely cared for most, if not all of it's life, not just cleaned up real well for pics IMO.

It fired right up 1st try & purred w/ no smoke or odd noises.

Really impressive acceleration on the freeway. The transmission shifted smooth & responsive. I did notice some steering play in traffic I gather it's due to some worn rubber components in the front end. The brakes will need attention soon as they were very "spongy". All creature comforts worked as intended albeit the sunroof did seem to lurch a bit halfway back during retraction(maybe clean/lube the tract ?!).

The engine bay was clean w/ no signs/smells of leaks. I uploaded the pics I took. It was a rather quick & impromtu excursion as I was the one pressed for time on this voyage(funny how that works lol).

I've left the VIN here for anyone who may also be interested. I haven't had a chance to run it as of yet , but if someone else does, please post your findings here.

VIN : SAJMX634XTC784772






Of note :


GTI Auto Exchange & Services
2511 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC

The business selling this has horrid feedback on Google I gather it's because the guy I met was rather curt,aloof w/a dash of smug. But I'm not there to make a friend, & he likely feels the same way about me on our 1st impression lol.
 

Last edited by King Charles; Nov 25, 2017 at 09:19 PM.
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