Hi, im looking at buying a 2004 Xjr for 3 grand, I am highly skeptical as the check engine is on and so is limp mode, ive owned a 97 xj6 for a few months and am curious as to what specifically to look out for when I check out the car, pretty sure the air suspension is going out, and it has 100k miles, but I don't know much else than that yet. Thanks!

 

Cheap Jaguars tend to end up costing the new owner a shedload of money in repairs. The XJR is supercharged, thus adding another expensive item. The suspension is air springs all round too, another rather expensive assembly to put right. If you can get the codes read and posted here, more advice can be given. I suspect the vendor has taken the car to a shop who have already read the codes and given a repairs estimate that caused him to put the car up for sale. Having said all this, 100k miles is not really large for these cars that can do double this quite easily provided they are correctly maintained and wear items are replaced at the right time. Therein lies the problem; impecunious owners who don't spend the money on their dream car.

 

agree with the other post....I read somewhere "the most expensive German car to own is an inexpensive one". I think the same applies to Jaguar.

I recently purchased a low mileage XJR for a fair amount of money. I could have gone cheaper with one double the mileage, but decided i wanted the best example possible. Now, one month later, i'm glad i chose to spend the extra money.

 

Post photos. Or send us links to the car. There are many who would be willing to take a look and advise you.
I bought a 2004 with 97,000 miles for 4k. It had nice interior and paint. But needed tires, control arms, bushings , transmission service , all water hoses etc. Another 4k perhaps.

 

here's a link: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...66959787807477

 

It never cease to amaze me that people leave the interior dirty when they take photos to put the car up for sale. Golden rule is - "you never see a dirty car in a car showroom" so act accordingly.

 

Purchase a cheap OBDII scanner or borrow one to pull the codes. This will give you an idea of the CEL. I would also check things like tire tread, does all power options work and try to drive it around to test the tranny. If everything appears to work except suspension and CEL then throw 2k offer. If you have a good mechanic or can do the work yourself then maybe you have a future gem.

 

That is a toughy. I bought my 04 black on black just like the one you listed for 4200. It had 170k miles on it. But it didn't need anything and the interior was near perfect. While the car you listed has fewer miles, the back is cracked, the steering wheel is pretty bad, and the engine looks like it may have had a mouse nest or two.

I think with the mechanical items you are looking at a hefty bill if the transmission or the air struts are bad.

 

Actually, the car could be worth three grand if the car was more or less runnable, but that 'unfortunately is not the case here. Even worse, one could easily fork over eight grand or more in repairs just to get the Jaguar back on the road. If it were me, I would definitely pass on this one.

 

I bought an 05 super V,8 with 134K and $7,200. Though I did not think so at the time, looking back I paid too much. $6,500 should have been top price but 5K better. My car needed basic but neglected maintenance -
Air shock warning light intermittent on,
two bad front tires, one illegal below 2mm. cost to fix $450 for 5 tires, 450 more for summer tires, 400 more for new rims
vibration at highway speed - two cracked wheels, worn lower control arm and wishbone bushings, replaced air shocks with Eibach springs - 1,000$ for Eibach's, 800 for labor, 840 for lower arms and wishbones, 600 more for the work and upper control arms.
ceramic Brake pads, high quality centric drilled and slotted rotors and best yet 2 new front calipers to replace one that was stuck 2,100 for the parts and 1,000$ for the work.

Getting the idea? I bought my car without a knowledgeable neutral mechanic to inspect - the car is good now, but still rattles somewhat over mildly rough road. My knowledgeable friend suggests sway bar bushings still need to be done. And I now have the typical uneven heat problem.

AND mine was shiny and beautiful all washed up and ready to go. Had I looked more carefully at the repair records I would have realized that the previous owner had stopped driving thecae about a year before he sold it to me. That's because he did have an estimate for the repairs and decided it wasn't worth it to him.

I'm not complaining - I love the car and it deserves to be kept on the road. But it ain't cheap and neither can you be if you decide to rescue this example.
My Car rides now as I always thought it would but it was a tub before.I just didn't know it. I've learned a lot.

The car you picture looks tired and neglected, dirty, and therefore its normal maintenance has not been done - especially with the rat chewing in the engine. Offer him 500 and sell it for parts.

IMPECUNIOUS - THAT'S WHAT IT IS AND IT'S A DAMN SHAME.!

 

Oh yes - And let's not for get the overheating heating issue caused by the nefarious "VALLEY OF THE HOSES" - that was another $1,000 in work and a dangerous and somehow miraculous 2 hour trip both ways to Cleveland and back.

I'm very luck to have a mechanic that doe's not charge me for every minute he spends on the car as he likes me and also thinks it should be on the road.

I hope this helps