I've been looking to get another XJ and I've been looking @ the newer body X350 or an 03' XK8 coupe. But I was told about a local gent is selling his 02' VDP with 73k miles for $10k. The VDP is in superb condition & he's a motivated seller. I offered $7k because if I'm spending $10k I'll buy an 04' XJ8. He says $8500 is probably his lowest.. And that's more than one could get the car from the highline auction. But for the "right" car it's worth the extra few bucks & that's why I'm @ $7k.

What are you guys seeing/buying the 02-03 for? Also does the 02 have the Nikasil liner issues or did that stop in 2001? And an uncle found a super clean 03' XJ8 w/73k @ the dealershipin Atl they're asking $11k( wow ) but if you buy it today I'm sure my sales manager will sell it for $10k..! I told uncle more like $8k...

Between the two both are clean documented cars.. which one would you buy, the 02 or 03? Or should I stick with an 04'?

Regards

Ikon

 

The '02's did not have Nikasil engines, that stopped in August '00 at the beginning of the '01 MY production. The '02 could have the dreaded plastic tensioners if it was built before Sept '01.

Both the '02 and '03 had the same engine/transmission so it is up to appearance/price/documentation.

I like the X308 better than the later cars.

 

You asked so I will give you my opinion. I wouldnt buy either, I would hold out for more of what you want. If an X350 is to your liking and budget wait till one comes along. If you overpay even for a nice car it and then regret it you will have to hope and pray someone else wants to overpay or you will loose your but selling it.

I recently had a friend buy a 99 XJ8 in IL a couple months ago, low miles 45K, but had some common things wrong with it and wasnt what I considered a perfect car. He paid 12K for it, yes 12K for a 99 XJ8. I tried to tell him DONT but he did anyway. Long story short he had to sell it last month because he had knee problems and couldnt get in and out of it. Claimed he sold it for 12K on Ebay but he didnt, completed listings showed one bid of 6K. Im sure he wont tell me what he really sold it for but its just an example of my point.

Good luck!

 

It all comes down to condition and previous history -- A perfect car to one is not to another.


I saw a perfect 50k 02 XJR for 13k last fall - That was a good price IMO.


The 02 and 03's are the cars to get -- a documented 02 73 VDP at $8500 sounds like an excellent price.

But, if you want an x350 .... get that ..... not sure I would go for the first year of production. The sub 15k x350's I have seen are rather rough and too many miles. If you like a car and plan to keep it a few years -- the best to buy are the 50k's in perfect condition

 

I have a '03 XJR (X308) that I love driving. It feels good and does what I want it to do. 59K for $13,000. Body is perfect but it needed a few other things like tires and brakes.

I HAD an '08 XJ8L (X350). Cushy and nice and rode like a cloud due to the air suspension and the long wheel base. No fun factor in driving, but that just may be that it wasn't an XJR. Crappy nav but the audio was good and the Bluetooth was really nice to have. Costs a ton of time and/or money to add those to a X308.

Appearance wise, you cannot beat the X308. I purposely bought the last year of the X308 for that reason. I think the X350 looks and feels too much like a Crown Victoria. Looking at the 2012 model year, they shouldn't even call those Jaguars, but that's a whole 'nother story..