Hello everyone -
My X-Type with 165k miles finally gave up the ghost this past weekend and blew a head gasket. New (used) engine replacement was estimated at around $4500, which is more than the car is worth working. My question to you all is what exactly should I do to get the most money out of the remainder of the car.

It's overall in very good condition, and everything worked great prior to this head gasket blowing. Leather seats are in excellent condition, windows, AC, etc. all worked perfectly. Exterior is in 7/10 shape, with some small rust spots in the usual places (doorwells) and a couple rock chips in the front fender, but very good looking overall.

The offers I'm looking at are as follows -
(1) The shop it's currently at offered me $800 for the car, and he would waive the diagnostic fee (it was towed to his shop over the weekend, I'm guessing the fee is probably around $100 - opportunity cost is a total of $900 here).

(2) Shop owner estimated that junk yards in the area would give anywhere from $300 - $1200 for the car as is. This option means I have to go through the hassle of finding a junk yard that will take it for the higher end of the range, and transport the vehicle there. I would also have to pay the diagnostic fee to the shop.

(3) I could part it out on my own and sell off bits and pieces over time. This is inconvenient because (a) I live in San Francisco and the car is currently in Mountain View, 45 minutes away; (b) I don't have a huge garage area to work in [small apartment complex with underground parking and I currently own approximately 3 tools]; (c) no guarantee of making any money back; (d) have to do something with the parts that don't sell

(4) Try and find some sucker on Craigslist that wants a Jag and thinks he can fix it. This would probably be the most difficult as the car is not actually registered/titled in California, but rather in Wisconsin as I just moved here a month ago. Thus, the new buyer would have to put in a lot of effort (not to mention money) into getting the vehicle titled in CA after getting it repaired.


Thoughts? Opinions? Anyone interested?

 

You know the forum will want you to part it out! It would be nice is some NorCal forum member would buy it and part it out since you don't have the means to do so.

 

I'd do option 1 or 5. Rather than try to find a chump, just find someone who wants a parts car for whatever reason, or they are a mechanic/mechanical and looking for a straightforward project. Call it what it is. You may get between $1000-$3000 depending on its condition and options. However, don't be so quick to see the registration issue as a problem. It is actually more advantageous to have the car come in from out of state, because then the buyer can take however many months he wants to fix it without having back fees due to the CA DMV. If it was already a CA car, it would have to be registered immediately, and smogged immediately. Big problem.

Option 1 is nice because it is quick and convenient. However, realize the mechanic would have never made you an offer if he didn't know he could make big dollars on it. If he repairs the HG, he makes thousands for several hours of work.

Option 2 is no good because you will have a hard time finding a JY to pay more than the mechanic offered +$100.

Option 3 is no good because (speaking as someone with 9 cars on his property ranging from show quality to parts cars) I guarantee you it is never worth even a 15 minute drive to sell a $25 part. You will end up with a big hassle that will deteriorate until you eventually realize your error years later and sell it for $200 as scrap metal.

Good luck!

 

Here's what you do....

Put it up on Craigslist for $2k. Maybe there will be someone who will say "Oh, neat, a Jaguar" and will pay $2k for it knowing they can repair it themselves.

If not, sell it to the shop. Offer to sell it for $1400 and let him talk you down from there.

I live in Sacramento and I've been watching Craigslist for Jags and I'm seeing that you can pick up a decent, running Jag that needs some TLC in the $3k range. So you might not have much luck there.

Good luck either way.

 

$4.5K for the engine sounds way too high.I'm seeing a bunch of 3.0's with <100K miles for $800-$1500. Installation should be <$1K.

 

I agree the shop is soaking you on the new/rebuild at 4,500. Sounds like you want to keep the car too.

 

Even with those prices, we're looking at a $2.5K investment for a car that is worth maybe $3k without any problems. I just can't really justify putting that much into her at this point.

I took very good care of her (had her hand washed, waxed, and oil changed less than 2 weeks ago) but I just don't know if putting any more money in is worth it. Loved the car, but at 160K something had to give. I enjoyed the ride that's for sure.

 

A blown head gasket shouldn'y be a death sentence. Did you fry the motor at the same time?

You can get the heads planed, 100 each, gasket set is 100-150. factor in 6 hours or so labor and you're out at 1500 or so. Unless yopu pooched the motor.

 

Take out the interior sell the wheels and what ever else you can. Move it to the front lawn. Turn it into a flower planter!!

 

You think we have front lawns in San Francisco?

 

That's what the shop said, unfortunately.

 

I would take the $800 and run...maybe get him up to $1000.