I found a 2002 Jaguar Xtype for $3000.00 on craigslist with a bad head gasket. How much would it cost to replace the head gasket? The car is in great shape.

**NEEDS HEAD GASKET***
CAR RUNS AND DRIVES
100K,
WHITE LEATHER
AUTOMATIC
ALL WHEEL DRIVE
V6
4 DOOR
VERY CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT
CLEAN TITLE IN HAND

CAR NEEDS HEAD GASKET

$3000.00 OBO


Is it worth it?

 

Branden, are you doing the work or are you going to pay someone to do the work for you? THis makes a big difference. If you are going to do the work yourself, you can plan on about $400 in parts and a long weekend of wrenching (extra time already factored in since you will not be familiar with the car). If you take it to a shop, they are going to get you for around $500 or so in parts and then another $1000 or so in labor. So, are you willing to spend $4500 on the car to get something that may have additional damage due to having a bad head gasket. At $3400 and some sweat, it would be tempting, especially since you will be able to have a very good idea of the condition of everything else. But, with a shop doing it, I just don't get the same warm fuzzy like when I get to see things with my own eyes.

So, in short, if you are doing the work yourself, go for it. Paying someone else to do the work for you, probably best to pass since you can get a working vehicle for what you will have into it.