I have an opportunity to purchase a 2005 XJ8 Vanden Plas. Silver/white. It has 50k miles. Asking price is $15000. I have not had a chance to look at it yet, I will this weekend. Owned by an older gentlemen since it was new. From the photographs the exterior appears to be flawless. How well do the interior of these cars hold up?

After reviewing this forum, it seems I should be concerned about the shocks and the throttle body. As I look over this car is there any way to check if there are problems that exist in these areas? If I purchase this vehicle, I intend to have the local Jag shop look it over first.

Are there any 50k maintenance items I should take care of right way?

Any advice you can offer? I am coming from a Cadillac STS.

 

Purchasing any used car I look for complete service records and a detailed pre-purchase inspection by an independent specialist. Do you have a local Jaguar specialist in your town? A Jaguar dealer would be a fall-back choice. Have you run the VIN through autocheck and carfax? I'd also have a top body shop do an inspection for damage. Did the owner purchase a transferable extended warranty? The price seems good if there are no surprises. This was a $70k+ car to buy new, now it's a $15k car to buy, but it's still a $70k car to maintain. If you consider the purchase price to be a down payment, you will be prepared.

 

50k miles for $15k? Mine is only 1 year older and with 7k less miles and I bought it 4 months ago for $25k! Yikes! I better pay it off faster!

 

thats a deal.

 

That's a hell of a price, I would jump all over it. Especially for a VDP.

I think you've covered the big issues.. Air suspension components, throttle body..
Also see if you can get a look at the thermostat housing (front and center of engine, high up, black and cylindrical). Mine started to separate at the seam once up to operating temperature and spraying coolant all over the engine bay. The part itself was about $70 if memory serves, and is fairly easy to do if you're comfortable with draining the coolant and moving some things around.
I've also heard of some leaking steering racks, so get under there and take a look around.

As far as interior wear, I think it wears well. A certain frequent lady passenger of mine has a thing for super dark blue jeans.. I love them, but the seat doesn't. It seems like colors and dyes tend to transfer fairly easy onto the leather. However, clean up is easy.. a few swipes with some good leather conditioner and it comes right up.

Past that they're amazing cars, but not maintenance free. I've never regretted a single day of ownership though. Let us know what you decide to do, and post some pictures if you can!

 

According to Edmunds and Kelly, that is in the going price range. Just remember it is a USED car and may need some repairs.

 

Sounds like a good buy, 50k @ 5 years old = 10k a year. but you need to confirm this with a test drive, and also see the servicing and maintenance records. It will probably need a service-exchange air compressor if it has not already had one. This component does not seem to last very long, but is not too expensive to replace provide you do not put a new one on. Have a look on the internet for typical prices.

The test drive will convince you about the car, (assuming it drives nicely), it did me !! Superb cruiser at about 80 mph. Of course on German autobahns one can press on a bit faster, but use more fuel.

 

Hell of a deal for a great car. If it's as represented, jump on it before somebody else does. The character of the 1st owner is the delta factor.

 

Not really, a 2005 XJ with 50k miles in FAIR condition should be $17,5 private sale, and $20,2 in excellent condition according to kbb.com.

 

In addition to the previously mentioned CarFax and AutoCheck, do a basic VIN sticker inspection of the body panel areas, including engine bay, as a sanity check that the car has not been involved in an accident. Check all four door panels (inner and outer), trunk area, fenders, & engine bay.

This was a lesson I learned last year when I purchased a 2006 Select Edition only to find out it had been involved in a major collision.

Your probably going to be O.K., but just adds another layer of confidence.

- Michael

 

I just remembered. The original owner can secure a complete service history download from his dealer. Ask for it and be prepared to go with him to the dealer.

 

Haha all of the advice you guys are giving is great. But it also reminds me of why I will be trading in my XJ when it comes time to sell, instead of going through all of these hoops with a potential buyer.

 

Let me know when you do, and I'll pay you $200 more than the dealer's actual cash trade in number. It will make the OP's deal seem way over-priced.

 

I saw it today. 51k miles. Black interior instead of white. It has Nav with a 2003 copyright date. It had all the manuals in the glove box. Everything appeared to be where it belonged. They are going to run it through service and give it a full detail. Then I will have it for an extended test drive over the weekend.

If I were intending to purchase a third party warranty, can you offer any advice? Are there brands that forum members recommend? I would of course be looking for a warranty that covered the air suspension and throttle body.

I am waiting on the service records. I have been told it has been serviced exclusively at a Jaguar dealership. My local Jag dealership will give me a "pre-purchase inspection" for $225. They also offer a cursory inspection for $125. I'm not sure the difference or what either entails, but I will sort that out as time progresses.

Thank you for all of your replies.

 

Third party warranty's are nice but the good ones are costly. Stay away from the Carmax warranty.

 

Just buy it and join the club!

 

I agree with mo

 

I am on day two of my extended test drive. What a wonderful automobile. I will be arranging the inspection at the local Jag dealer Monday morning.

Having spent some time in the car, I have found several issues that will need to be addressed.

1. Headlights. The headlights (low beams) are aimed very low. With the car around 5 feet from the garage door they are hitting the bottom of the door. Is this a simple adjustment or the sign of an expensive repair?

2.Hazard light switch is non functional. You very rarely need hazard lights, but when you need them, you need them.

3. Left turn signal auto cancel requires the wheel to go past the center point to cancel the turn signal. If you just make a normal left turn the turn signal will not cancel. I was "that guy" driving a Jag around town with my left turn signal on...Please tell me you don't have to disassemble the steering column in order to adjust this?

4. A leak in the hose leading to the washer fluid nozzle on the wiper arm. When you start the washers, they do their job, but this cute, tiny stream shoots onto the hood away from the windshield. It was pretty funny...the first time. I am hoping to be able to replace the hose.

5. The Nav disk is from 03. What is the most current release that will work in our unit? I saw a thread about a 2009 disk, but wasn't sure that is the most recent. Best place to find it?

I have to say, this is the finest car I have ever driven. I am a big fan of my Cadillac V8 STS. There are things about it I will miss - Remote Start, Push button start, the car locking/unlocking based on the proximity of the fob, better automatic windshield wipers.

Having said that, I can't believe how much I love this car. The speed and handling coupled with a wonderful ride and a beautiful interior.

 

Aren't you're headlights auto-leveling? If so (as mine is) there is a connecting rod on the rear axle (Actually, its the driver side control arm) and if that is not snapped onto its pivot ball, it'll think the car is lower/higher than it truly is. Mine was left unconnected after a service once.

 

There is an adjustment screw for the headlights. Mine were just like yours when i bought them. Just pop the hood and go in there with a screwdriver. It should be obvious.

My XJ does not do what you said about the turn signal canceling.