Hi X308 guys,
I have been offered a 1999 XJ8 for about $2000
(cost plus transfer)

I know it is cheap, but sometimes those are the MOST expensive purchases...

What should I look out for?

I know it needs a new battery, and has one flat tire (it has been parked for about a year).
I have an OBD II scanner, but haven't been able to hook it up yet.

Your experience will be much appreciated.

Paul

 

Factor in the cost of new timing tensioners as these are a mandatory upgrade if not already done.

 

If you are not able to carry out the repairs and maintenance yourself this could be a major money pit. If the transmission A drum has not been rebuilt that could be a big project, and the fuel pump may fail after sitting for a year. I have walked away from several nice looking cars because a test drive and inspection was not possible.

 

My 2000 XJ8 was purchased with a miss and a slipping transmission for $500. . $3500 later, it's been a great car. Service history is mandatory!

 

Need to find out why its been sitting for a year. Nobody parks a perfectly good running car if all it needs is a battery or a tire, well almost nobody. Something more serious happened to make the owner decide it wasn't worth messing with. If the battery has been dead for a year, there may not be any codes stored so that may be of little help. I'm with RJ, If you cant test drive it or at least hear it run and see it move under its own power, then price it like its a parts car, i.e. what would a salvage yard give for it if they had to come haul it away. You may get lucky that its something simple to fix or it could be a money pit, but consider the risk.

 

Thank You (everyone that replied),

You talked me out of it.

Seriously.


I thought it needed a tire repair and just charge the battery. Your knowledge has helped guide me.

I have rebuilt 3-4 car engines in the last 40 years (my pride is the "problem" 2.7 911 engine. 15 years, 10k miles no problems, no leaks)

After learning about the "catastrophic" secondary tensioner failure potential, the throttle body issue, the transmission drum failure and the water pump impeller fault (probable known issues), in addition to "who knows what else", I decided $2000 was too much of a gamble.

I might have still had to send it to a scrap yard...

If the owner GAVE it to me, I would only be out the time/money to diagnose the current issues (and THEN remedy the known probable issues).
Or send it to the scrapyard.

I could handle that.

I didnt even want an XJ8...
(just saw it sitting there and felt sorry for it...)

Thanks!

Paul

Pics:
the 1999 XJ8



My 1974 911 2.7 (magnesium case) that I have had since 1986 (I know EVERY screw and nut on that car) Oh, and my 2004 WJ in the background (almost brand new...