I'm looking for low miles on a Vanden Plas in pretty great shape. What do you guys think of this one and the price? Anyone live in Louisville?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

And what do you do when you are interested in cars half way across the country?

 

The link seems dead.

 

I flew to Baton Rouge and drove her move to Chicago. It's a risk.....but if you find the right car it's fun!! I took my father with and we will never forget the experience.

 

I just tried it, and it worked for me?


Autotrader.com
1996 Vanden Plas
46,800 Miles
White
Coffee/Dark Tan Interior
$7995 - will take $7000 cash
Small Dealership

Here's what I am thinking:
1) Vanden Plas - because I like the extras.
2) Under 50K miles - I can drive it for a few years (25Kish miles), and still be able to resell it with under 75K miles if I want to.
3) White - because it can a classic clean look and has the least chance of paint problems.
4) Coffee Interior - because it shows wear the least.
5) I was hoping to buy one from an enthusiast/private individual, but as long as the right is alright I guess it does not matter.

How my thinking???

 

I'd worry whether or not the car has any service history. It probably doesn't since it's coming from a dealer. It looks fine, but I'd get more pictures if I had to get on a plane to buy the car. Maby find others in that area if the first is a flop.

Woah! Had to come back. It says it's got a "Bose" store. From what I know, Bose doesn't do after market fittings. The car should have the Harmon Kardon setup.

 

What does that mean? The guy is lying or ????

 

Looks like a very nice 1-owner VDP.

More photos here:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?paId=370235900

 

Thanks, he just added those pics. Were only 3 pics yesterday.

 

There is also a free CarFax....13 service records.

Looks good.

Edit: It looks like the bumpers have some slight damage. You might use that to negotiate the price.
Also, you might consider ordering a $79 inspection through “Inspect My Ride”. I ordered one last month for a 96 XJR located in CA.
http://www.inspectmyride.com/

 

I also noticed in the second link the car is priced at $5995 per the window sticker... However, I guess some dealerships will put the prices up already factoring in a $2000 down payment, but worth asking.

 

Yes, I noticed the carfax and left a message with the service manager at the BlueGrass Jaguar dealership where it was maintained for 10 years to try to get a better fell for the vehicle.

A called on this vehicle a week ago.
The $5995 window sticker was when they first got in the car. Since then, they put in a new headliner, replaced "the belts", and detailed the car - so he said he raised the price. I talked him down to $7000 cash, but I was only interested in $7000 shipped ($6600ish + $400 shipping) buying sight unseen. He said no thanks.

WOULD ANYONE who is extra knowledgeable or who has one of these vehicles themselves be willing to call and "ask the right questions" about known issues which I may not be quite as familiar with????

 

I did find one positive and one negative review on the dealership selling the car. Here's the negative:
"I visited Louisville Motors with money in my pocket ready to purchase a vehicle I had seen on their website. Upon arriving I walked inside to find the owner slouched in his chair and seemingly inconvenienced by my coming. I immediately said hello and asked to drive the car. He made some kind of rude comment and then demanded his assistant get me the keys. As a business owner myself I was literally shocked by his rude attitude. Stay FAR FAR FAR away."
Louisville Motors 1 (1-888-841-9124) Louisville, Kentucky

 

"WOULD ANYONE who is extra knowledgeable or who has one of these vehicles themselves be willing to call and "ask the right questions" about known issues which I may not be quite as familiar with????
Louisville Motors 1 (1-888-841-9124) Louisville, Kentucky"


Anyone???
Too much to ask???

 

Here are two I am considering for the second X300 that are close enough to me that I can go look at them:

1997 XJ6
86,000 miles
$2950 - Black/Black
Needs hood painted, grill, one headlight, sunroof off track but closed with no leaking
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2013068458.html

1997 XJ6 L
71,000 miles
$6600 (will take $5000 cash) - Light blue/light grey
Paint on exterior mirrors fading, clock unreadable, needs new tires, and I would want to replace wire wheels with more modern stock Jag wheels
http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/1976181923.html

Thoughts on these?

 

Jason
I live in Louisville, but I am not too familiar with this car lot. My wife works another car lot where I got my Jag. She believes that the lot is a small family owned lot with a good rep. She will ask around and if I find out anything different I will let you know. It looks like a nice car with low mileage. I have a 95 XJ6 with 97k and it runs great. I will let you know if I hear anything.

 

Thanks!!!

The service records look great since it has had regular maintenance for the past 11 years at BlueGrass Auto which looks to be the local Jag dealership.

My biggest concern is if I'm paying closer to top dollar (vs. $3000-$4000), I would like the cosmetic condition to be top notch - not "average or slightly above average for it's age". Pictures naturally hide a lot of things especially small cosmetic defects.
With having so few miles and GREAT service record, I would be expecting a car that was babied and looked fairly new (without several scratches, dings, and nicks, or oxidation).

I don't know how big Louisville is or if it's on your way to the grocery store, etc.
But I would love if you could give the car a look over or even drive it - especially since you own an X300 and would know what to look for as far as issues in both the way it drives/runs and its cosmetic condition.

 

The lot where my wife works has been in business for over 30 years. He knows nothing about Louisville Motors 1. I have driven by it, but it is on the other side of the county and I know nothing about it. I checked the BBB site and they have had one complaint, and it was about waranty and guarantee and it was settled. Her boss recommends that if you are really interested in this car you make a trip here to see it. I am not knowlegable enough to recommend that this car is what you need. I do know a good mechanic who could check the vehicle out for you. Let me know.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I'll PM you about the mechanic.