I am considering buying a 1998 XJ8 with 90000 miles. It is being offered for sale for $4,000. It is a one owner car and is being offered for sale by a used car dealership. Is this a good deal? Are there any particular problems I should look for? I would love to have a Jaguar but I have very little money to put in to repair a car and I don't know much about working on them. Is this a good fit for me? Thanks for your advice!

​​​​​​​Mac Markstaller

 

A good start is to take a look at the sticky towards the top of the main X308 forum page, entitled Summary of Major Repair & Safety issues. That will point you to the main things to look for.

However, the issues with that car boil down to 3 main things - plastic upper timing chain tensioners (need to be upgraded to the aluminum version), Nikasil linings (although at 90K, there is probably no issue at this point) and the transmission A-drum problem.

 

The 308 is a nice car, but it depends on the previous owner to how they left it as to what you may run into. Like Badger says, there's some commonalities for which you can check for. If you have an OBD II scanner, I would run a quick scan to see if there's any stored codes. Other than that, do your typical once over checking for leaks and backyard Joe mods. Be sure to run your finger around the tail pipe and smell that for oil or such.

 

This car is a beautiful car to drive, but the timing guides have been a real problem--if it has had the most recent upgrade, it should be OK, but it does not appreciate neglected maintenance. My personal advice--not a good car for someone with a limited budget.

 

I don't get it.... You say that you have almost no money for repair/maintenance and you don't know how to work on those cars.....
And you are asking if it's a good purchase????
What's wrong with you!!!
Luxury cars, and the jag is one, depreciate fast and can be bought for a song but the cost of parts/maintenance/repairs is still that of a luxury car..... Read that EXPENSIVE

 

I don't know luc, I've found the expense of a Jag to not be that bad. Yeah, trans fluid is expensive and a few other parts can be also. But if you are willing to spend the time to find a deal, you stand a good chance of getting by unscathed.
Then you have us here to help guide him through possible issues....oh wait, hmmm, yeah....ummmm, ok, he may need the manual.

But I do have to say $4k is a bit much for a 98. I don't know where your at macmlds, but for an example, my indy is selling his 98 for $3500 and I trust his is nuts on, he's somewhat ****.

 

Good rule of thumb is if you can always have $1,000 put away for repairs/maintenance & start w/ a decently maintained vehicle you'll fare well.

Good luck !

 

Indeed and starting around 15 years old, regardless of mileage, the number of repairs needed is going to increase dramatically because there's a lot of parts that just deteriorate with age as the plastics, rubbers and vinyls dry out and get brittle. Fluids will start to leak, electronics will start to do funny things and all the trim and weatherstrip will start to disintegrate. And that's with ANY car, be it a Jaguar or a Honda.

It may not leave you stranded, but if you wish to maintain all of the Jaguar's luxury features in working order, then it will get to be very expensive starting now. Parts are getting scarce too as Jaguar warehouses are largely depleted leaving you hunting for good used parts in salvage yards or over the internet. Repairs could take a while if parts are not readily available. If its going to be your only car and daily driver, then as much as it pains me to, I'd recommend something "more common", but older Jaguars make wonderful second or third cars for the hobbyist who will do much of his own repairs and maintenance.

If you have alternative transportation and want to commit to learn a little wrenching, one thing the X308 has going for it is that its comparatively easy to work on vs other luxury cars of the same age or newer. The engine sits far forward in the engine bay which gives better access to everything. Plus the design hails from a simple time when cars were still largely assembled by humans. There are a few things that the engineers didn't think out fully for repair access, but overall you don't have to be a contortionist to work on it.

 

I agree with Phil. It is an easy car to work on. Unless the work is underneath then corrosion and rust will make removing bolts a nightmare. But, at 19 years, THAT IS THE CASE WITH ALL CARS. And they all have repair issues at 90,000 and 19 years. Parts are no more expensive on this car (buying from Amazon or one of the reliable suppliers we all use and not the dealer). Most neighborhoods have good indies who know the ropes.

The previous owner might have replaced the A-drum, water pump (maybe a couple of times), the belts and hoses (especially the crossover), and the damn plastic tensioners. Check and see if the dealer has some service records or will let you talk to the PO. Then it is the usual issues FOR ALL CARS: battery, brakes, tires, differential oil, shocks and mounts, fuel filter, maybe fuel pump (which may have been changed), and tons of plastic nits, here and there. JUST LIKE ALL old cars. Difference is this one is a great ride and makes you feel good, which you can't say for your $4000 Camry, Maxima, or Accord.

My thoughts. I forgot one important point: this forum has advice and members that can walk you through just about any issue you can run into.

 

Mac, in a word, No! - you have neither of the 2 main prerequisites of ownership of these cars, 1.Money 2.Spanner Skillz. If you'd had one or both I would have said dive in but look for an 03'.

 

Carfax Carfax Carfax if the dealer doesn't have it walk away For a '98 basic XJ8 $4K is too much...IMO...also if you don't know how to do basic repairs oil changes etc stay away from older lux cars (you've been warned!!!) oil changes on my '00 XJR are $125.00 @ Midas compared to my '15 Camry @ $25.00

 

$125!!....are you wearing a "I own a Jag, charge me what you want" shirt? You do know you can buy your own oil (synthetic) and go to Ford and get its $9.99 change (with the online coupon) and you'll save $45-50.