I've been dreaming of owning a XJL for years. I can buy a 06 XJL for $4000 with 75000 miles from orig owners estate. It sat for 2 rears. No records but no wrecks. Runs like a top.
It is beautiful. Help me convince me. Thank you.


Had a mech do a check. Here are the issues: L HLight cloudy- tag light out-RF upper control arm -balljoint bad-MANY oil leaks-valve cover/oilpan/maybe more-saturated undercarriage-all rotors patterned-Slight play in LF wheel bearing-LF & RF front facing control arm bushings are bad

 

Hi Ian,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums! It's great to have you with us.

All of the issues you mention can be resolved, and if you were able and willing to do all the work yourself I would not hesitate to suggest that you make an offer on the car. My biggest fear is that sitting for two years is not good for any car, but it's especially hard on the rubber bladders in the air springs if they have been sitting fully collapsed for an extended period, so you might need to be prepared for a bladder rupture at some point.

But X350s represent one of the greatest values for money in terms of luxury, style and driving dynamics, so we'd love for you to find one! Before you commit to the one from the estate, why not check around to see if an equally attractive X350 may be available for a couple thousand dollars more but which doesn't require as much work as this one does, and hopefully not having sat idle for 2 years. You may be better off spending a little more on a less-neglected car.

Cheers,

Don

 

What color is it? This is what matters the most

 

Teal/lt blue green/seafoamy

 

Stop thinking so much and buy with your heart. (Does cold logic really apply to buying a 13 year old Jaguar?)

And here's a little soft warm logic if you're on the fence. (or have a partner to appease) Use the condition issues to get them to take $3000 and even if you can't do the work you could have a beautiful vintage-adjacent Jag for another $3000 if you find the right mechanic. My advice is don't try to fix everything right away, just make it safe and enjoy it. Assuming you don't need the car to get to work, drive it for fun and let the car tell you what it needs. KBB "Private Party" value is about 6k so your not crazy.

Jeff

 

Unless some huge unknown factor raises its head.
Most if not all the issues mentioned, are more or less common to these cars.
My first one, an 04 XJ8, was purchased for my wife.
Who decided she liked my 96 bought new, Honda better, AFTER buying the Jag.
Well W T F, she's welcome to my 96 Civic.
Her 90 had to be let go, as it was loosing it's rear bumper, SAD.
Point being after suspension issues, normal wear & tear repair.
Trans fluid, with filter & metal pan, fuel,air, & pass air filters.
And a general catch up on basic maintenance
I now have the nicest car, i have ever driven.
Then an 07 VDP followed me home, all cats need a companion.
Now my bike shop garage, is a cat house as well.
Love both of them, as well as the 4 bikes & shop tools in there.
The poor civic now lives outside, i need to extend garage 20'.
Once bitten, your addicted is my point,
You'll probably love these Jaguars, like the other inmates in this asylum do.

 

With what they said above, I concur. Only thing I would add is if your air shocks do fail, you also have an additional option to put in coilovers at a fraction of the cost of replacing the air shocks. My experience was a full coilover set was about the same cost as 1 new air shock.

Other thing I would add is frequent this forum. There's a wealth of info and it's full of good folks that have probably done what you are about to do.

Good luck!

 

As long as you're willing to turn a wrench and fix it yourself, its worth every penny. You cant get any more luxury or refinement for the money.

These cars need complete suspension rebuilds at or around 100k. this includes air shocks, bushings, ball joints, tie rods etc. Its quite a few parts but most are available relatively cheaply (stay away from chinese replica parts where possible)

I rebuilt my suspension 2 years ago and some of the chinese knockoff parts are already failing.. d'oh. Get brand name parts and dont do it twice!

These cars drive wonderfully, and have aged VERY well.

 

The problem with name brands anymore is they are made in China as well.
I purchased a set of Moog, & a set of Delco professional upper rear arms.
For an S Type, that are said not to fit, but this site says they do.
The front uppers, that weren't supposed to fit, sure do.
As well as many other Ford parts will.
So i have them on the shelf waiting till needed.
Both are made in China, are in the same color, as well shaped box.
Also appear to be identical when looked at.
Flea bay said the Delco's, were Moog's.
When notified what i bought this past week.
The clocks in these cars, appear to have made in China tags on them.