May have found the car I have been searching for! An '06 LWB with just under 40k miles, advertised for $24.5k at a dealer.

Reasonable? Kelly Blue Book says the same car is worth $19k at a dealer. I'd certainly negotiate, but I guess with that low mileage it's a pretty good deal. Salesman didn't mention the service history or warranty, so I'm assuming there's none. I have to drive out and look at it this weekend.

Thanks,
-Michael

 

Sounds like a good one, and I agree, you should be able to come down some, but if she's exceptional, it may be worth it! Look for the bluetooth and ACM options.

 

I'm looking for same but some months down the road yet. If you snag it let us know what you paid for it and post some pics!

 

Oh I definitely will! Just posted the other day how I've been searching to no avail, and today pops up the exact car I'm looking for

What's ACM? Was Bluetooth a separate option, or only combined with Nav radio systems?

 

If I were you, I would negotiate them down $3,000 min off their listed price. I previously worked in sales at a high end car dealership, so trust me, it has a huge mark up.

 

For comparison I just bought a 2 owner '04 (SWB) with 55k original for $12.5.

 

*sigh* why do car salesmen have to be so unctuous?

Friday nite the dealer actually called me to say the car hadn't sold, asked if I was still coming to see it. Said yes, Saturday morning. 2 hour drive out there, the salesman I spoke with on the phone wasn't there, but the salesman walking the lot got us the keys and came on the test drive. He was very nice, funny guy ("I'm just an old country boy, I don't know nothing about these big fancy cars!"). He gave me the Carfax--2 owners, VA Beach for 28k miles, then to Charlotte for 10k miles.

Outside has a lot of scratches and touchups, someone liked to park using the braille method. Underhood was a mess, covered in eggcorns. Did not like the 5-spoke 19" rims, looks like an option because the spare matches, but would def have to change those to 18" for a better ride.

Interior was okay, but passenger sunvisor was scratched, driver door was scuffed with black (could have been cleaned), and seatbelt was filthy. Cheesy looking XM radio needs to go in the garbage and an ashtray put back.

Drove great, got to start it up from dead cold. Loved the heated steering wheel! The salesman almost fell asleep in the back seat on the drive, until I was like "umm, is this the exit I take?"

He put it up on the lift for me. Rear control arm bushings are starting to go--rubber was cracked and grease coming out. One of the rear sway bar links was badly deteriorated as well. And someone continually bottomed out the center of the undercarriage.

Then got to meet the actual salesman. First thing was "oh I have another buyer, came to see it twice, just waiting for his wife to give him the OK. You shouldn't wait to buy this one!" Sure. Then went on to "this is a really rare car, the only one of its kind of the US!" Right. You mean unlike the two XJ8s I passed on the higway down here? Then he was going on about one owner, NC car... umm, not according to the Carfax you just gave me. Had no idea what maintenance Jag had done to the car, got really snotty when we mentioned maintenance ("it's Jaguar *certified,* what would *you* fix?" well, for starters the bushings, sway links, and dirty interior...). Said there was 1 year left on the CPO warranty from Jag, but that only covers drivetrain.

So needless to say, we walked out and said we'd think about it, and to send the maintenance history when he gets it. If he calls back, might offer 20, but not really seeing it worth more than that. And there are plenty of blue XJ8s out there. Honestly would rather have a car with 10-20k more miles and pay $5k less.

Mazda dealers shouldn't try to sell Jaguars.

BTW, what is with people who come up with the most bizarre pronunciations of "Jaguar"?

 

Sorry to hear this. If it were me I'd walk away and hold out for another one. Unless you have a decent mechanic you can rely on to help you with things that pop up later on.

Did they know you were coming from a little ways out? To see that and then drive two hours back. I really don't like the "other guys coming to see it" line. Well sell it to one of them! Just my take.

 

I am my mechanic

Yes, he knew I was coming from 2 hours away. The dip even called me and left a voicemail asking if I was coming--while I was on the test drive with the other salesman!! So much for interoffice communication...

I was happy to walk out after 2 minutes of talking with that guy. If he sells it to someone else, let it be there problem. I will certainly find another blue XJ-L.

 

Hope I am not breaking any rules here but I recommend you try contacting this gentleman. Valentin Cristea of Val Eurosport located in Raleigh North Carolina.

I purchased my car from him sight unseen and he turned out to be the most honest guy I have ever had the pleasure to deal with. Car was 100% the way he had described. He even took the time to send me pictures of some very minor blemishes that he had found on the car.

In addition he could not get a temporary licence issued by North Carolina in time for me. So he went to the extreme of loaning me his Company dealer plate to allow me to drive my new acquisition back home to Ontario, Canada.

Trust obviously goes both ways with this guy.

 

There are lots of nice jags out there so if you do not feel comfortable with things move on.
Just for information regarding values, i am in the process of trying to trade my 2006 Vanden Plas, mint condition with 50,000 miles. Two different dealers would give me $14000 to $15000 trade in value.
They indicated that after going through the car, putting an aftermarket warranty on it would probably ask low 20s.
FWIW
brdave

 

Wow, a Mazda dealer trying to sell a JAG? Now I would have loved to see that ordeal. I can assure you they know nothing about the car and 75% and what they tell you is BS.

I would call the guy back in a couple days and offer NO MORE than Kelley Blue Book, because I assure you they paid FAR less than what they are selling and WILL not loose money on the deal. All you are negotiating is how much profit the sales guy and managers make.

 

Didn't take long for them to call me back... Monday at lunch they called me and asked if I had a good sales experience and what could be done to change my mind about purchase. LOL

I made them a cash offer. He called back 10 minutes later with a 'counter offer' of $500 off sticker. Thanks, no. I'm sure I will be hearing back from them sooner or later. Wonder what happened to that other buyer they had waiting to snap the car away from me

Going to look at another '06 LWB locally this weekend, priced at what I offered the Mazda dealer, and only has 10k more miles on it. Not my ideal color, but want to see in person.

Oh, and Bob, thanks very much for the recommendation with Val Eurosport. He's just a few miles down the road from me. Talked to him the other day, he said shouldn't be hard to find the car I want.

 

Hope it works out for you. As I said I was really impressed with his honesty and would not have trouble recommending him to anyone. So very hard these days to locate an honest used car dealer.

 

I bought a 2005 VDP for 15k from an older guy I found on craigslist...car had 38k..new tires....I had it inspected before i bought it....I have about 3 minor scratches...and I am **** about it so most people would not even notice....and changed all major fluids...I have about 15.5k into it and is running great..I hope this helps.....

 

Lucky you!! Hope I can find a gem like that when it comes time for me!

 

That is a hell of a deal, I haven't seen anything priced like that with less than 80k miles around here.

I did find a nice Quartz LWB locally, beautiful without one scratch or dent... love the dove interior much more than the champagne, but the gray paint is just so common.

Unfortunately, earlier this week on the way to work my Cadillac was totaled by a guy running a red light. So I may end up going after that one since I no longer have the luxury of waiting for the exact blue car I want. I have my Chevelle to drive, but it's not intended to be a daily driver.

 

I watched craigslist like a hawk for about 2 months in a 1000 mile radius using www.searchtempest.com . I saw the ad...was on CL for about 3 hours and I worked it the deal with the owner that night as long as it passed inspection, carfax was clean etc etc.....and it did....I got lucky on that one but to be honest it's how I buy all my cars when we need one......be patient...do your homework...have cash in had and if you see a good one...jump on it...quick...they are are out there!