Hello. I am new here and new to Jaguar. I have been driving the same car since 1988 (86 bmw 535) and she does not wish to be burdened with any more travel (bless her heart). A 1997 xj6 vp has caught my eye as a suitable replacement. Currently I am looking at a two owner, good body and paint, clean interior, 160,000 mi. rascal. I need help so in looking for local independant Jaguar shops, it has been suggested that I run her over to a dealer for a diagnostic. (I guess things have changed in the car world since 1988!) They would be happy to inspect everything about the car but can't do the electrical. So, if you were me, and the car road tested fine and all appeared in order (other than incidentals like tires, rear shocks, rear headliner, etc....maybe more heehee) would you still insist upon a plug in diag. before you bought the car? I mean, is that the proper way to go about this? Forgive me if this is a foolish question that has already been covered. It's been a long time since I bought a car!

 

I would plug the car in as you put it, and want to see service history for that kind of mileage.

Give the guys here more info in terms of price.

 

Thank you, Translator. That was a quick responce! The car is priced at 2650.00. That actually scares me! He also has a '99 xj8 w/90,000 miles priced at 5400.00 or so. I would prefer the 6 even with the miles if she is alright. If she needs your 'basic' tlc to bring her back, considering the mile/age, i'm ok with that. The price gives me some breathing room. Or does the price reflect something beyond 'basic'! I'm told she is fine other than tires and shocks. Boy she looks clean. Looks like she gave her previous two owners a good run. It appears that they were good to her too. Three's a charm? Guess we better plug 'er in and see what's up. I am glad I asked. Thanks again. (note: I edited out a remark about used car dealers. I shouldn't joke about that as so far my dealer is being very helpful.)

 

On the Xj6, I'd want a full history (or at least past 60,000 miles) worth of history. I'd be worried about the diff and transmission, but at that price, it wouldn't be too bad having to do a bit of work. If you need all 4 shocks, that will be a good amount of money, and tires are an easy $500.

I'd be very cautious about the Xj8. Plastic tensioners, bad water pumps, sealed transmissions, nikasil all comes to mind. You'd REALLY want a full history with the 8.

Of course, my biggest issue would be buying an older car from a used car dealership. People lie, and they lie alot. ALOT!

 

You can get soemone to plug her in to check for codes, but with no light it's not likely you will find any. The key is to make sure all light on the right and left side of the speedo panel light up when the key is turned to the on position. This way to can tell if any bulbs have been pulled or burnt out to hide any issues. With 160K I wouldn't buy it unless they can prove the rear end was done, hard to believe it hasn't been done. I would also want a new transmission at that point too.

 

Thanks TopHat. This car was bought at auction which I suppose is not unusual for the high miles as the dealers seem to just flip those trade-ins out the door. The seller has no service records to offer. Ouch. Private sale would be much better. I'm treading slowly here. We'll see. By the way, what are you running for tires? I think I'm looking at 225/60 zr 16's here. Not sure. Also, do you have any advice on replacement shocks should I get that far? Anyway, I'm waiting for a callback from a Rover dealer up the street from where the car is to see if he can run the diagnostic. But what will that show me exactly? I'm new to this tech stuff. I am typing with two fingers and buying a car with my eyes half closed!

 

thanks Drew: your post beat my last responce. Would a good Jaguar person be able to see if the rear end has been touched on inspection? Is the tranny issue a given at 160k or so? Do I think rebuild or replace? Worst case, what kind of money are we looking at for rear end and tranny? (Yippee!) I was told this has always been a New England car. Think I'll try to track her back to a dealer. I appreciate all the advice. I don't mind buying a car that needs some help. It's just nice to know up front what we might be getting into (as much as possible.). My experience with Saab and BMW is that around 125,000 they start asking for help. I want to think that the previous owner took care of business when asked. Of course he may have done everything just short of the transmission! I do think this car is worthy of much more life. Very clean. I got to find out if I am the person to keep her on the road. Or bide my time and wait for a lower mileage clean 97. Sure do like her color though!

 

A good Jag person should be able to tell if the rear has been done, but as long as the diff doesn't have any leaking, and there is no vertical play in the rear wheels, you SHOULD be okay. You may want to have the diff fluid replaced. If there are metal shavings in the fluid, then that's bad (bits of bearings).

If you need a new/redone diff, that is $800-1000 plus installation. If you just need the new bearings that can be $1000 (both sides). You may be able to find someone to do it cheaper. Just parts should be $200ish. I've heard it's $2,000 for someone to rebuild a trans, but I know less about that. I'd suspect the diff bearings have been changed because the car should have died awhile ago. If the trans shifts smooth, you should be okay. You may be able to track some records from a dealer, and carfax should at least let you know the car is 'clean'.

My car just passed 125,000 and isn't asking for much help right now. I do need to get around to changing the tranny fluid just for piece of mind, and I'll be needing new tires soon on the rear. As for your tires, I believe most everyone runs the 225 60 16. What brand is a mystery. I still haven't found anything good. Try asking in the tires section.

 

Thanks TopHat. Good information. Her CarFax makes it appear to be a 160,000 mile walk in the park. Up front she wanted a valve cover gasket at 13000 and a throttlebody replacement at 30000 miles. Then nothing shows until an accident report in 2006. Sounds like a bump in the night as she goes on to pass inspection next and nothing appears noteworthy until 1/27/10 when a dealer did a "driveability and performance test" whatever that is. One month later passes inspection, drives thru till 10/11/10 and here we are. I'm gonna pray on this tonite. Right now I'm thinkin' I'll let the nearby Rover shop have a look and see what they think. They have a lot of experience with Jaguar and the owner seemed very accomodating on the phone. He knows what I am up against in the decision making process.heehee

 

I mentioned the transmission and rear end because if you have issues with them the repair cost may be more than what they are asking for the car.....Most on this forum have no problems with a car with 160K.....if properly maintained. The rear end should be pretty dry and have no oil dripping from it. On and off throttle shouldn't make any noise or clunks from turning right then left. Even with a 160K I would drive the car and launch it from a stand still. Like you are trying to run a 1/4 mile. The car should shift smooth and have no hesitation......Just make sure you ask the sales guy first if he is with you.

 

I am glad you brought up the 'bigger' watch-fors, Drew. I have realised up front that $2600 for the car was a starting point and we would go from there to bring her up to snuff. I think I have also come to realise very quickly that if I commit to this car I will be in it for the long haul. It's funny, because my immediate plan was to simply replace my previous car for the short run until I figured out which direction to go in the long run. This car changes my mindset. Even with the basic tires/shocks/belts etc. I am committed. The day we talk about rear ends and transmissions (and in the long run we will talk about it) becomes the day she is worth more to me than anyone else in the world. Why this car I ask myself? There are others. But this one is so clean. Beautiful. To the point where if the world ran out of transmissions I would be quite satisfied hooking her up to four clydesdales and carriaging down a country lane on a sunday afternoon. Maybe I'll see if my salesman will throw in a couple of clydesdales. A male and a female. As we must always prepare for the future. I wonder if Jaguar specs oats. I'll look into that.

 

I say go for it. I bought my first XJ6 (new) in 1982. I drove it thirteen years. Then bought a new 1995. I still have and drive the 1995. It has 226K miles. In 1995 I have my son the 1982. He drove it through high school, college, med school and gave it back to me while he was off doing a residency. I gave it back to him after that. He decided to part with it about a year ago. He had two other Jags. The buyer drove the car off.

My 1995 has around 225K miles and runs great. I found a fresher x300 on Ebay four or five years ago and bought that. Both cars run great. As a Jag guy since 1982 I've learned a good bit about the car and feeding of them.

Good luck to you.

Bill Livingston
Hot Springs, Ar.

 

Heh, not sure if the OP bought this car or not, but your recommendation might have come a little late..... by 6 years

But your experience and testimonial with such high mileage X300's is definitely reassuring that these cars can go the distance if well maintained!







.

 

I had to do a double take on the date also.

When I was debating the 6 verses the V8 purchase when I ran the numbers and found out the 2003 cut out for the tension issues in the V8 I use the $3000 labor and parts price difference if they had not been changed,asking prices did not justify the purchase.

I think personally the 6 is more value dollar to dollar.