I posted this in the new member section and hate to double post, so I will just post a link... if you don't mind giving me some advice I would be grateful.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/m_79998/tm.htm

 

If that's the same price ($14.8k), it's WAY overpriced for today's standards. 2004 (and some 05's!)x350 goes for that much now with like 40kmiles mint condition. I'd say nay, but that's just me, I think the x350 is a lot better construction all around, even if it is the latest greatest 03 x308. Just my two cents goodluck

 

Thanks for the advise, I checked trade in on the car it is lists at 10k, I offered them 12k and they said the best they could do was 14k... so I didn't get the car.

 

Update, I found an 03 XJ8 Carnival Red/Ivory. Heated front and rear seats park assist, with 67k on the clock... $11500 + Taxes The only issue is it is near a 9 hour drive away or a short flight $110 for the flight one way. What should I ask to make sure this car is not going to disappoint me when I show up to buy it. I don't mind driving an hour or 2 and finding I don't like a car, but flying or driving 9 hours would not make me happy if I find something wrong with the car.

The 03 I looked at here in Cincinnati had an issue with the automatic lights intermittently going off if you put pressure on the steering wheel (i.e. up and down movement). I would hate to find something like this wrong after flying up.

Any advise on what to ask? The pics are the car look very nice.

also one unrelated question, I looked at a car in Texas online that had a wooden shifter handle, is this an option or an aftermarket thing?

 

The 03 and up models are solid. At lot of it will depend on your seller. Are you dealing with Texas Cars Direct? I've heard nothing but good things about them. They will disclose any problems. Just ask them to look at it throughly.

The wood shift knob is an option.

 

I'd stillgo for the 04+ but that'sjust me, Ienjoy the ride a lot more having both a 98 and an 04.

You can get shifter knobs (much better quality) from this dude on EBAY I posted a long time ago with one of my first posts. He makes handmade shifter knobs for Jaguars. Give him a shot, and NO I dont know the dude nor have any affiliation with the guy, he just does kickass work for much more intricate knobs, give him a shot.

http://stores.ebay.com/Jaguar-Custom-Creations-and-More

 

Thanks for the info Ken and Atom069. No I looked at a car at Texas Cars Direct, but Since I got my loan through Capital One I have to go through a franchised dealer.

I ended up finding the one I am looking at in the NJ area, it has a clean carfax, and the last dealer who serviced it informed me that it needed nothing at its last service other than oil/filter change.

As far as the 04 and newer, I decided on the 03 because of the engine and the lack of air bags... I know how big a pain they are on Land Rovers, so I can only imagine if they have issues on a Jaguar how much fun and cost that would be.