Hello, this is my first post but I have been reading the forum alot. I stumbled upon xjr’s and this forum while looking for my next car. I was originally looking at cts-v’s being a gm guy, but they still seem just a little too pricy for me. It seems the xjr’s are a much better bargain. I have three young kids so I need something with a little room and like the performance aspect. This car will be my dd.

Help me decide which to peruse with a full inspection, or none of the above?

So what I have read the 03 is safer as far as potential engine problems, IE Nikasil and timing chain tensioners.

The 00 I have looked at and drove. It was flawless except for some curb rash on the rims. There was a small smell of antifreeze in the engine compartment that deterred me from buying on the spot. It idled for at least 20min before I drove it did not over heat. The gauge stayed at about half. The asking price is $7500 mileage is 74k. It is private party. He does not have much paperwork, but I know it has been a local car since new and serviced at the only local jag dealer. I am thinking I could get some records with the vin.

The 03 I have not driven yet, I know it is not local but is from a reputable dealership. It appears to be in very good shape. No service records. They are asking $10900. Mileage is 85k.

Assuming the 03 is in good condition which would you pursue?

 

I would go for '03 XJR .There is nothing wrong with '00 though providign that if maintained well .

 

Considering the engine and transmission changes, all paint/ bodywork/interior being equal, the '03 would appear to be the better choice.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Jaguar!

I think the consensus vote will be for the larger engine, 6 speed transmission on the '03 all other issues like paint/interior being equal.

 

Agree with the others. The usual "Buy the best car you can afford" comes into play here. If you can afford the 03, buy it. But as Cadillac says, the '00 would also be fine if taken care of (I have a '00). And on that point there are also plenty of earlier '98 nikasil cars out there running fine, so it's all relative, but in general, I don't think there's any doubt that the '03 cars would be the least trouble.

As you already mentioned you can get the service records from the dealer if you have the VIN, but I don't know of a way to do it if you DON'T know which dealer it was serviced at ? Maybe one of the Jag Techs can chime in on this one.

The only small point I would make about your original post is you mentioned you had 3 kids and wanted "something with a little room". Well, all the XJRs are shortwheelbase cars and they are cramped in the back. Any friends that ride in the back of my XJR always make 2 comments (in this order) 1. Wow, it's nice in here and after about 30 seconds 2. Wow, it's cramped in here. I've never set foot inside a Cadillac so I don't know how a CTS-V would compare to the XJR but my suggestion if you are going to see the '03 XJR anyway would be to take the kids and test fit them. The last thing you want is to be driving along, surfing the power of the supercharger, and having your kids kicking you in the back.

Note also the trunk is very small for this class of car, mainly because there's a full size spare wheel underneath it, so you would also struggle to fit 3 kids in the trunk :-)

 

ceteris paribus, I would pay an extra $4000 for the 2003 over the '97.

 

Looks like I need to take the 03 for a drive.

Thanks for the detailed response SARK. I hear you on the kids thing. We have a mini van that my wife drives. Most of the time we would take that if everybody was going. I just need to be able to get them all in on the occasion that we cannot take the van for whatever reason.

 

I wasn't fast enough. Both were sold. I guess I will keep looking. At least I am becoming more familiar with what to look for.

 

03,has updated tensioners and new style chains,what areas are you looking i may be able to help you out

 

I am in the Phoenix, AZ metro area.

 

Two more suggestions. First, 2000 model may still have Nikasil, but that should not deter you from buying a 2000 if well maintained.

Second, I have a 4 year-old and infant twins and they fit fine in the back seat. In fact, I think they fit better and with less hassle than in the back of my wife's Range Rover, just less storage space. I can't cart around as much of their crap in the trunk, but I don't have them in my car as often as my wife does, so it works.

 

A one owner 98 xjr with 41k was just listed locally for $11400. Looks like a very clean car, but am a bit leary of buying a pre 2002 now. About what does it cost to have the tentioners replaced at a dealer or mechanic, if not done already?

 

$800+ at an indy, $1200+ at a dealer.

 

That is not too bad if I can get the car at a decent price.....

 

Consider the updated transmission also ecw.

My regular dealer service guy raves about the reliability of the 03 XJRs, recommends them like chicken soup for a cold.

 

The updated transmission was in the 02 and the 03 right?

 

did a little researching, and it looks like the XJR kept the 5-speed mercedes transmission until the end of the 2003 production. disregard that as part of the equation. Also, the XJR 100 in 2002 is also very highly praised in the jag service industry.

 

The XJR line kept the 4.0L engine and 5 speed Mercedes transmission until the '04 model year change to the entirely new body style. By the '03 ('02 in XK8/R terms) Jaguar had resolved pretty much all of the early engine issues. The change to the 4.2L engine and 6 speed transmission in '04 XJ8/R brought a significant jump in styling, reliability and certainly resale value.

Either would provide long term reliable transportation.

 

LOL! 3 small kids will be fine...