I am looking at purchasing a 2004 XJR with 107,000 miles. It is in Florida, and I am in WI. I am negotiating, but I think the final price will be $7000 including shipping to my house. It is a three owner car with full service history, new tires, very clean.

But...the rear suspension leaks. It will drop down overnight, but pumps up when the car starts.

Any ideas on costs to fix this?

I figure as long as the repair is under $1500 I'm ok...

I need your advice!
Thanks

 

Go to the Arnott web site you can see the prices of parts, if you can get the parts and have an Indy mechanic do the work you should come in under that amount.

 

Where in FL? If it is not far me in Tampa Bay I would not mind taking a closer look for you.

 

www.arnottindustries.com

 

First make sure it is a leaking air spring, although from what you say it sounds like it. I always say its better not to whack out on expensive parts before you know what's wrong !

How low does the car sink, all the way ?

PS - why buy with this fault ? Get vendor to fix it or go elsewhere.

 

Rothwell, the car is just north of Orlando. Not sure if that works for you, but if you want to look at it...
I think I am getting the car at a good cost because they don't want to mess with the suspension issue. But I am not so in love with it that I am not looking for others too.

 

Orlando is a bit too far for a quick trip. Sorry.

 

If the car is being purchased "unseen" and not tested, then I think you are unwise to buy it, (all other things being equal). IMHO It is very important to look and test-drive any used car. OK, the USA is a big place, and the right car may not be around the corner, but in that case, get an auto inspection organisation to look at it, OR, pay very little so the repairs of the known faults are factored into your finance. $7000 doesn't sound too much, as it is around £4800, but if it needs lots spending on it, then it could be a black hole. Have you access to the service records ?

Having said that, assuming you need one rear air spring, it isnt all that big a deal if you swap with an Arnott rebuild unit, (or even two of them). These cars can run the marathon, and 107k is not all that much assuming it has been service and maintained properly.

Put up a link and we'll have a look !

 

The car I'm looking at it at Ultimate Motor Works | Orlando Bentley | Orlando Lamborghini | Orlando Rolls-Royce listed under Jaguar, of course.
As of last Thursday, we were stuck over $500. I offered $7500 for the car, shipping to my house, tax, title, license and any fees. I figured that even if I got it and the entire air suspension system was shot, I could still afford to repair it. The dealer wanted $8000.
He offered the car to me at $6400 and I would pay for the rest myself. As I don't really want to mess with the shipping, I was really trying to do the package deal.
I emailed him back Friday to try to split the difference, but never heard back. Now it's on eBay but the ad doesn't mention the air suspension issue.
If any of you want to look at the website and give me an opinion, I would really appreciate it!

 

I check out the photos for panel alignments or other body issues - did not find any but not to say that it shouldn't be checked out. Looked at the CarFax - just because no accidents are reported, it could mean just that - NOT REPORTED. Carfax is known for an occasional miss in that department. It shows 3 prior owners. This car started its life as a leased car, so thats 1 owner. Turned in and sold to the 2nd owner. The 3rd owner could be the selling dealer. So, in its 9 years this Jag had at least 2 owner. Since usual Jag leases run for 36 months, the second owner had it for 6 years (all presumptions, haven't seen all Carfax details).

I ran Kelly Blue Book values, the dealer ones, not KBB.com Here's the skinny:

Auction price: $8281
Trade-in: $9131
Wholesale: $9756 + $275 mile add (!)
Retail: $14356 + $275 mile add (!)

I did not add for other options. Any other options on this car will increase the above numbers.

At $7500 OTD (out the door INCLUDING delivery) I would say you are getting a ripping deal. Even at $8k you are still styling. In light of the issues. Not sure what the tax and license run locally and how far the car is away from you, but in California its approximately 11% additional. Have an independent check the car out - should cost you no more than $150, in many cases less. Cheap insurance and great piece of mind. If the car does check out, I'd recommend to buy it as is in its current condition. At $7500 you are in the 1998-2001 territory. The reason I say recommend rather than I would buy it myself is because I am a much bigger fan of the X308 styling. However, my personal preferences aside this is a LOT of car for the money. Also, the color combination is classic and very sellable. Good luck

 

When I went to the dealer site and looked at the pics, I thought I was looking at my car !! Jaguar Racing Green with Ivory leather ! Believe you me, that is a really lovely colour/trim combination. The car looks very good from the pics, the wheels are unmarked, but you might need new front brake discs soon. Brakes are Brembo and can be costly so check on price for discs and pads. Trunk looks a bit dirty but that can be cleaned up.

Anyway, if you are prepared to have to fix the suspension, I would go for it, assuming the service records are present and correct. There should be a service record book in the glove box in the Driver Handbook wallet.

 

I had a look at the CARFAX report. The car was serviced regularly by Jaguar Orlando until 2010, when it obviously dropped out of the dealer network, so no more service info. This doesn't mean it was not serviced, just that it hasn't been put on-line. I see two front shocks were replaced in August 2008, which would seem a very short life.

I would expect a Florida car to be in better condition bodywise than one that has run around on salt-laden roads in northern states.

Internal trim appearance looks excellent.

PS - I made a mistake, it is the rear discs that look a bit doggy, not the fronts !

 

So I looked at the photo's if its he Green over cream car, it does look stunning and for what they are asking for it all in a great deal. This is what I had done when I to mime from Florida. See if there is a main dealer close by, being in Orlando there will be. Get the car taken for a pre purchase inspection, the cost will be $150-$300 and will give you exactly what is wrong and then you can budget. As the car is a 2004 with 107 on it, it is going to have some issues other than what you know about so far so do not think that you are not going to have to spend more on the XJR over time but not straight away. I paid $12500 for mine with 93k on it and the dealer had put 3 Arnotts on it and I had it inspected by Treasure Coast Jaguar and it got a clean bill of health but still 1000 miles later Ronnie is still going in for anti roll bar bushings and lower control arm bushings this week. I bought the parts from the UK and now have a great Indy mechanic but still $500-$700 bill expected. As long as the body is straight and the paint good and the Jag has no other major issues I would go for it as if it is the car I am looking at the Sepangs are worth a mint! Remember the body cannot be repaired by anyone it's Aluminum.
As a foot note my wife has a 2007 XK main dealer clean bill of health as the best they had seen in along while, still repairs this year running at about $5000 (main dealer prices) thankfully warranty has covered most of it. We still love both our cars but if you can't pay you can't play.
Good luck it's my favorite color combo and would of had the guys are off by now!

 

I hate IPad spell check! Makes me sound like a dullard.

 

Sorry Did not see the post about Orlando Jag, great give the service manager a call and explain the situation and he will give you a general guide as to the condition as long as you have the Vin number. Job Done.

 

Unfortunately, the deal is off. The dealer emailed me back this morning, confirming that I could have it for $6400. I emailed him back saying fine, and I would call him shortly to make the deal. Then when I called he was out. He called back a few hours later and said, man lots of activity on the car, now the price is up to $8000. Umm...you just offered it to me a few hours ago for $6400...I have the email. Sorry, he says, trying to make as much as I can on it, as our recently-fired used car manager paid $20,000 for it on trade. Yea, sure. I'm out.
I'll keep shopping.
I drove a 2004 XJ8 today, as it is the only XJ anywhere near me. Not enough power to wow me, and it was in rough shape.
On with the hunt for my first Jaguar XJR.
Thanks for the help...I'll keep you posted.

 

I'm a dealer and I have a guy in Orlando who can check out the car in person if you still want it, I can reach out and see what I can do.

Otherwise, I can get you the right car, shipped directly to your door. Just ask around about me if you have an questions.


E-mail me.

Take care,

George

 

Used-car dealers continue to earn their nasty reputation ...

And no way did his manager pay $20K for that car.

 

Drb contact George I got mine through him and trust him. He will find you a great car.

 

Sorry it didn't work out for you! I too need to contact George in the future when I'm ready to get my first XJ8 L!