Hello all, I recently came into some money and I'm very interested in a '04 xj8 with 115k. I am 23 yrs old and don't make a monthly salary that is on par with most jaguar owners to say the least. I've owned a '96 xj6 that was on its lasts legs and I knew that already when purchasing it and was not expecting much (it was only $800). I've also owned an Audi which was a love/hate relationship because of all the time it was in the shops.

I've been in love with jaguars my whole life (father has a 85 xjs) and I'm expecting to have to save up for servicing/ normal wear and tear but I was wondering if someone would pass on any wisdom to how much heartache this purchase will be down the line for someone on a somewhat limited budget. I've been looking through a lot of threads on this cite and have a little idea on what to expect but would love any info you guys have.
Thank you

 

Almost every repair for these cars start at a $grand. I would not recommend a used Jag if money is an issue.

 

Pretty much what CJD said. If something breaks, it's gonna be a grand.
Air struts at the dealer will run you a grand a piece installed if they carry the Arnott remans, compressor will come close to a grand as well.
Wiper blades-$30 each and they don't last long.
Thermostat housings are common as well....$200ish for parts at dealer.......and enough labor to bring it up to near a grand...
Brakes, yeah, OEM pads are $100 per axle and if you have it done at a dealer, they'll always tell you the rotors are out of spec as well.....$250 each...
Then there's the nice EPB failure......$250 part, 5 hours labor...TADA, another grand

If you aren't willing and able, and I by that I mean truly mechanically competent, to do much of the work yourself, steer clear away. Even if you are, you need to take into account parts cost....Air Suspension is the real kicker that makes peoples eyes go wide in that dept., but you'd be surprised what stupid stuff can cost. I recently replaced the air intake elbow...the part cost me $125.....for a plastic tube.

Not trying to rain on your parade or sound cynical, I truly love my Jag, but for what I spend on parts and the little bit of labor I can't or don't want to do myself, well, it ain't cheap.

 

The 2004 you're looking it is about the same age and mileage as mine (yours being a 2004 with 115K and mine being an early production 2005 (built in 2004) that had 117K when I got it this summer.

How well was the car maintained prior to this? You're from Ohio - was it driven year round in the salt/snow? Does the PO have service records indicating what was fixed? The air compressor tends to go - the PO replaced that in mine. I've had squealing brake issues on the front, but those were fixed for now thanks to help I received on here).

For the months I've been driving it it is a nice ride and no major problems. That said, I have three older cars (2000, 2005, 2006) I fix up and run on alternate days, so if one suffers a problem I just won't drive it until I want to deal with the problem - it is not one car that is my daily ride and required to be dependable. So I got mine because I like Jags and when I was a kid lusted after a neighbor's brand new 1983 V-12 Jag Series III. So when I had a chance to pick up at 2004/2005 X350 for a very low price due to high mileage, I couldn't resist. Purchase price for an older Jag is sort of the down payment as often they will need parts/work more than a new car would need.

If I could only have one car AND needed to depend on it for a lengthy commute daily, and didn't have much money for repairs, I would probably lease a new car (the 2013 Jag XF AWD I test drove and really liked) as it has a warranty and is less likely to be in the shop than an older one. As it is, I'm a car buff who is attached to the older cars, and would rather own three older cars (and pay for parts for them) than one new car leased. The cost is about the same when you factor in insurance and repairs - leasing a new Jag XF or owning and keeping in excellent condition the 2000, 2005 and 2006 luxury cars I have.

So, if you have your heart set on the Jag, the romantic in me says go for it and hope for the best. My friend in high school bought a cheap used Audi to drive 130 KM a day in. It lasted without a problem for six months, then blew a piston on the highway. Repair cost estimate would have been more than twice what he paid for the car, so he sold it as is for parts. He bought it with summer job money, but had no money to pay for expensive repairs if needed. One relative has an eleven year old BMW 3-series that has never had a repair other than light bulb changes for the turn signals. He doesn't drive it every day, but my point is it is hard to tell when old cars may need something - maybe they won't for months/years - maybe the will next week. It is not unique to Jags - my 2000 Cadillac needed a new alternator last month and it set me back $700 installed.

If you get the Jag I wish you many months of trouble free motoring.

 

Thank you all very much.

If I end up buying it today after I test drive it
I'm going right online to order springs off a website I got on this forum regardless of how in shape the air ride is. I am quite confident I could replace them myself with a friend.

Cars have been my main obsession since I could walk, and jaguars are by far and away my favorite this side of a Bentley (some day lol). I've owned a very nice and obviously dependable Acura tl. A Maxima I worked on that could blow the doors off most things that pulled up at the lights next to it. I also spent quite a lot on my a6 and was a peach. The thing is though none of these cars put a smile on my face like my run down beater xj6 that I had for like 3 months.

That is what I'm worried about if I spend the same amount on a nice x5 or g35, which are wonderful cars, am I going to regret it every time I see an xj on the road.

 

Spur of the moment buying of any car is troublesome at best.

I got a 2004 XJ8 with 150k, no service records, ABS/DSC warning lights on, Hail beaten bodywork, no undertrays and a hanging sunroof cover for $4500 +Tax. PO just got it from an Auction in Dallas. Saw it, liked it, bought it !!!!

I am now in that love/hate relationship. Loving the work I carry out on it and the drive it gives, but worried about that first $1k job that I can't do and it has to go to a workshop somewhere.

However, most servicing and maintenance parts can be got a lot cheaper online or locally and done by yours truly. This achieves two things I learn about the cars mechanicals and keep running costs down.

Today for instance, I am doing 8 spark plug changes ( no easy feat), an oil and filter change and a fuel filter change and I am looking forward to doing it all. Photo's and write up to follow.

And to boot, you get to meet new people and make some long term friends online.

Had a Bentley Continental GT for a while and it sucked to be honest. The Jag is much more fun, so I would say go do it.

 

Well I'm going into this knowing I'm gonna have some grief and it isn't really a compulsive decision I've been thinking about this, a '02 cl55 which would probably be even MORE maintenance BUT it's an amg. A few others I'm looking at is an '03 range rover (but that would probably be the stupidest thing I could do financially) an '01 x5 and a '03 g35. I think when I go to test drive the big cat today I'm going to fall in love and that'll be the end of it though.

This is the car in question http://columbusluxurycars.com/web/14...-Jaguar-XJ-XJ8