...I haven't conquered the idea of 3 years of $300/mo car payments, yet, but after having now driven an '05 Super V8, all I can say is "wow".

That car...it manages to warp physics. It's so quiet it doesn't feel anywhere near as quick as it is. It rides nicely, yet has very little body-roll. It feels much smaller than it is, which I've always liked in a car, as long as that doesn't translate into a choppy ride.

However...it is a bit light on interior goodies.

/sarcasm

Power adjustable (with freakin' memory) rear seats, rear seat heat, rear A/C controls with a dedicated fan, retractable mirrors, and a slew of stuff I couldn't figure out in the 20 minutes I had. Just...wow.

The one I looked at/drove was at Texas Cars Direct, and they're the same place I looked at Infiniti Q45's about 15 years ago. More like 18, I think. 1994 time frame. I'm happy a place like this can stay in business, 'cause *I* think it's the way car purchasing should be. Good machine, fair price, no haggling, no BS...this is what it is, you decide if it's worth it.

No wheel rash at all, all tires were pretty new Michelin directional somethings, only a few very minor rock chips, of which only one had obvious touch-up, but it was on the curve of the LF fender so it was kinda obvious. All in all, a really nice ride, 'specially as 6 years ago, it was $92K and is now $20K.

A really, really nice ride.

I love the driver's area. I know many think it's a little "tight", but everything is right there, and these be some mighty comfy seats! Unlike many, I thougth the heat on 'high' was about right. Then again, I'm a pretty warm person, anyway.

Heated steering wheel = infinite WIN

I do kinda wish the interior were a really dark gray, just so the leather has a bit more depth to it, but it's quite nice, regardless.

There were a few things I wanted to bounce off the forum of experts, though.

This car has a Jaguar Select warranty until October or 100K miles. I can't see driving it 12K miles in 6 months, but y'never know. At least I'd be covered for catastrophic transmission/engine failure for a period of time. I wish there were a way to extend it to like 130K, but 100K is typically at least two owners.

The front console's release lever is broken. Doesn't appear to be a difficult fix, but does anyone know if this kinda thing is covered under the Select warranty? Also there is a fabric 'kick panel' at the bottom of the front seats, on the back, and the passenger's side one had one side unclipped, the transmission tunnel side. I couldn't figure out where it clipped to, not having my mirror-on-a-stick and small flashlight, but it seemed obvious it just popped off of it's anchor.

The rear HVAC control panel is loose, like a latch on the passenger's side of the panel broke. Ideas? Also, will someone please tell me what the chrome 'button' opposite the cigarette lighter in the rear is/does. That has me baffled.

Rear seats with freakin' lumbar and recline functions. I need to hire someone to drive me in this monster.

The last owner was likely a married woman, as the driver's door leather has scratches from what looks like a ring on the left ring ringer. Minor, but has anyone had luck touching-up dye like this? There are other minor scuffs on the insides of the seatbacks, near the center of the car, but it is used, and they're nothing at all major. That's one thing about good condition used cars, everything sticks out if not perfect.

Oh, and the RR door has a good 2" cut in the top, near the B-pillar. It looks like epoxy or something was put in the cut to prevent it spreading, but is this even remotely repairable? It's likely some kind of heavy-duty rubber/vinyl, but I'm not convinced this piece is separate. Looks like it may be...but it's unlikely.

Also, is there anything which can take just light dirt/spots from the headliner material? Nothing major, but the sun visors could use some sprucing.

I was not surprised to see the oil had been changed, though kinda disappointed. I could not figure out how to remove the intake airbox cover after unlatching it. Not wanting to break anything, I peeked under and could see the filter was likely a Fram and had been in there a normal amount of time.

This engine is quiet and smooth, but I love the very subtle rumble it has at idle.

Turns out, a guy here at work bought a Mitsubishi ragtop from TCD a few years back, and he said he can definitely vouch for 'em.

I could just pay cash, then pay myself back...but the payback part would never happen. Plus, I have slight pangs of guilt knowing my Baby Beater Benz will go to an abusive home, and it'll likely be in a salvage yard within two years of me selling it.

Paid for and 26 MPG is nice, but man...that Jaaaaaaaag. Even the doors close with class. I mean, my Mercedes has the classic W124 'thunk', which requires what I consider a borderline 'slam', but the XJ's doors close with the slightest pressure.

I have to admit, I miss the electric trunk pull-down I've had on Cadillacs. That's just nice.

Sorry for the length, I just got to typing, thinking, and dreaming. I mean, I don't want to rush anything, and I may be able to score an '06 or even '07 in a year with fewer miles, but this is Texas, land of the 60+ mile RT commute.

I didn't see an owner's manual in the car, but hopefully they're still available.

Funny thing, my wife was eyeballing the other cars in there, and loved the Aston Martin DB9 convertible. Um...yeah. I love that, too, but I work for a living....

She did ask me, as we were leaving, if it'd fit in the garage. She didn't know I measured the garage for a '66 Imperial convertible which would up off-the-market, a couple of months back.

Thanks, everyone!

 

Thanks for sharing! Think $300/month is bad? Try $450/month for 5 years!

 

you talking about these silver buttons? Pull them out and they are 12V power outlets.



My question is what is this in the roof? Sirius Satellite controls?



Believe it or not black shoe polish and some buffing will take care of this:

 

I know, I know....

The key is, do I have the discipline to pay myself effectively "monthly payments"? The answer is a steadfast 'no', of course.

Interest rates are ultra-tempting right now. I mean, 3.39%...on a used car?! Sure it's a credit union, but that's what (real) inflation is, pretty much.

 

Kthrash, thanks!

Even better you pulled the pics from the site for me...didn't even think of that...I was busy convincing myself I'd not miss $300/mo.

Shoe polish. Damned clever. I like it.

In the rear, the item opposite the 'button' I was talking about is a lighter, so that one was obvious, but that silvery thing comes out, eh? Cool.

I don't smoke, and nobody who does, or even smells like it, would be allowed in it. My wife could smell the rear lighter had been used, but probably only once, and the interior didn't stink at all. All the ashtrays appeared unused, too. Sure, they can be cleaned, but usually, there is a trace left.

This machine has a Sirius antenna thankfully on the passenger's side of the dash, just tethered by the cord. I hate the ones mounted on the exterior. And I determined, best I could, the roof console bit was radio-related, though obviously not OEM. Looked like it belonged, however.

Ooooh...I wonder if this means I can plug in an MP3 player with relative ease....

 

Sooooo....it's an 88k miler, 6 years old = 14-15k a year so about average. Any service records ? The service book should all be stamped up with 8 stamps one for each 10k miles and it is due another soon.

Clearly you are impressed with this "fully loaded" car, these XJs have lots of crowd pleasers. My XJ6 is not quite so loaded but it's good enough for me !

These cars will run the marathon for you, but need servicing correctly. If it hasn't already been replaced, you will probably need an air suspension compressor at some point, not a huge expense, and may need some front or rear suspension arms depending on how the car has been driven. These are very expensive from Jaguar agents, but much, much less on the internet for the same parts, which go into other Jags and also US Fords.

Dont be nervous, buy it !

 

There was no paperwork in the vehicle, but that may be normal for this place, so people don't abscond with items they shouldn't.

Edit: Yeah, as an owner of both a W126 and W124, I know about the whole attention to maintenance and detail bit. I'm not dissuaded in the least.

I used to be a Cadillac guy, then after a stint in 4x4's while we lived in the CO high-country, I went to Mercedes. Nice, quite solid, but they're not, I dunno, coddling. They're German cars, ergo, engineered and built to the nth degree, but not exactly hospitable.

I'd hoped the compressor had already been replaced, with 88K miles, but the Carfax shows no recent activity, and the radiator fluid was luke-warm when I checked, so it'd been started and run in the past few hours.

After having replaced every wear part in my 126's and 124's suspension, once outdoors, the other in the garage, I have no fear of most suspension components. Sure, air-springs are expensive, but have you priced a good set of Koni's, lately? The dampers for our diesel-pusher motorhome were $200...each. Well worth it, but painful at the time.

Thanks for the info on the service book. Good to know. There are records on Carfax, but only a few for dealer service. That reminds me, I need to re-examine that now that I've determined I really liked it.

 

Shoe polish? That IS clever!!! I will have to try it!

 

Hi McKellby

There should be a thick black leather-look wallet, (about 1" thick), in the glove box, but many dealers take them out, 'coz they get nicked by time wasters. So you really need to ask for it, and make sure you see it and inspect the contents. In the wallet will be the Service Book, the Owner Manual, a "short" owner guide with the main car features, and probably books on the satnav, phone and so on. With mine I also got main agent invoices for previous servicing; Minster Jaguar of Preston ! Gives some support to the mileage as they always have the miles on them. In the UK also we need the dreaded MOT certificate of road worthiness valid for 12 months. Most selling dealers will get you a new one, but what happens in the US I don't know, I suppose each State has its own rules.

I suggest checking each tyre for tread depth with a tread gauge, you don't want to buy new ones so soon after purchase, one normally needs a little "breather" after wacking out all that dosh. Look in boot and into spare wheel well, is the jack and spare there ? Essentially you are just looking around to see all is well, as sometimes it isn't !

And of course a good test drive, not just a pootle round the block.

 

Actually, that's the first place I went for, inside, glove box. Empty. I did not get a firm answer the 'dealer' has it, either, only that it will have an 'owner's manual'.

The bit for my current W124, my wife's RX300, and even our old '95 Dodge Intrepid were similar. A nicely-done portfolio, if you will, of manuals and the like.

Tire are surprisingly new, actually. I'm enough of a gearhead, I can find the TWI (tread wear indicator) with a fingernail, then feel to see how much tread is still above that. Also, I neglected to bring my compact, yet ultra-bright, LED flashlight.

Tip: If you want a compact LED light which runs on three 'AAA' batteries, go to Amazon and search 'Nebo'. It's comparable to $100 units, at only $25. I bought two, one for my wife, and I'm still quite pleased. I can't remember its name, but it should be easy to find. Look for a review by 'mckellyb', if you like. Perfect? No. But for $25, I have -0- complaints, and the things I'd change are very minor.

I dug through the trunk, the spare has been on the ground just long enough to get the mold nubbies off, but not enough to wear a little bit of dye/paint from the manufacturing process off the tread, so maybe 50 miles. Everything was there, and appeared unused...or at least put back in its place properly.

 

Update:

I cannot take Monday off, so this will wait until at least the 28th, which may be a good thing, so I can think about it some more, and test the waters to see how difficult it may be to sell my current ride.

This is likely a good thing. I need to put some thought into this one. I also need to read more of this forum!