Hello all,

New to the forum and new to Jags. Have owned many Mercedes and BMWs but have always lusted after these classic XJs since my grandfather had one in the early 90s. This seems like a great forum from the hours I've spent searching previous threads.

I've narrowed down my choice between 2 vehicles, and I was hoping to get your input.

The first is a 2001 with 82,000 miles. Dark gray on beige leather interior. This one seems to be in very good nick with new Micheline tires and a service history, and the price is very attractive at $7900.

The second is a 2002 with 75,000 miles. It was a trade in at a Ford dealer so no records or any history. It has my ideal color combo (black on black), but has a few "granny marks" on the bumpers. This one is priced at $9500.

With the 2001 I will have to immediately update the chain tensionors as there is no record of this being done nor any transmission service. It is also likely to have the nikasil engine which matters little to me at this point based on what folks have said in this forum.

The 2002 has no service history whatsoever being a wholesale dump, is from a Northern state, and priced higher. We do get the updated chain tensionor system and less miles.

Thoughts?

 

I'd go with the 2001; I assume it is a southern vehicle. With the money you save just fix the timing...and the asking price is not set in stone. I got my 01 VDP from Florida for well under $6k. Good luck!

 

I would go with the 02, less miles and you won't have to mess with the chain tensioners. Even with a lack of service history you can sometimes access information from the Jaguar dealership based on the VIN.

good luck

 

Go with the 02. It is the color you like, better miles, and no open heart surgery required. Better check the options on the 02. It could be an R1 which has a different set of wheels and larger brake option (which is fine but expensive to maintain).

 

02 for me too, I've had 3 and all were good friends, no surprises. Black on black is the best in my book too.

 

I go with the MY 02 as well because of newer rubber, better cam chains, no Nikasil, after inspecting the following. . I would look carfully under vehicle around the fuel filter bracket where they apparently did not paint as well, for rust signs. I would look for signs of regular oil changes if you can find it.
And as to the one with records. For the most part, records only matter if you go through them and find regular oil changes.

 

What is the gemstones difference between 2001 and 2002. Thanks.

 

I'm leaning towards the 2001 just because it seems to have been better cared for. Also black shows everything.

I'd also like to attend the amelia island concours in a few weeks and this one is in close proximity to it. I'm in no hurry but these are the 2 front runners right now. These cars are incredibly affordable, and don't seem to be any more trouble prone than mbs.

 

There's also a 2004 with 65000 miles I can get for $11500 but I have an aversion to air suspension. They also look chubby.

 

You forgot an important thing. SHOW ME THE CARFAX!!! Really any of those services will do Autocheck etc.

I want to know how many owners for each car, any crash history. Also, I would be making a call to Jaguar with both vins in hand. If one of them is a one (or a lease with the person buying at the end of the lease I'd take that one hands down).

Northern car means nothing if it was properly taken care of and is rust free underneath. Keep searching if it isn't the "right" one that meets all your critera. Spending a few grand more from a private one owner sale with all the records can be worth its weight in gold.

From what you posted I would lean towards the 02 and offer a grand to 1500 less or at that price with the bumpers properly resprayed ($500ish cost) and a 6 month 6k warranty (but settle for a 3 month 3k).

Oh and a side note I'm guessing the 01 is the same color as mine meaning it is a very light tan (bone) interior. It will show virtually everything.

 

I am in NY, so granny-marks are on every car and are not part of my decision process and 7k miles is not a significant difference either. Basically, if they both pass the carfax test then just go by the color - the XJR wheels look better in black-on-black IMO...

At only $2k more the 2004 is much better $value than the 2002, but it is a different car that you would be buying (and in my opinion, far less elegant/classy, but also trades that for improved practicality, basically, a Ford in Jag Drag...)

 

Air struts, though. At $1000 a pop it wouldn't be a good buy if I'm replacing them. It seems at about these miles they start to go.

That's the only drawback I see. The interiors are certainly nicer, but they look sort of chubby with the body lines.

 

Insurance is a good bit higher with the aluminum body, 1st year bugs, etc

 

Well, it looks like I'm going for the 2001. The 01 was a lease then sold CPO keeping with the same owner until trading into a highline dealership last year. The service records and nearly new Michelin Pilot Sports tell me this was an enthusiasts car. The 2001 sellers came down to $7000 flat.

The 2002 had changed hands 4 times, and different brand tires on the front and back, and had plenty of scratches. Also being a Northern car it didn't look as clean under the bonnet. Not budging on the price.

By getting the 2001 in Atlanta, which is in close proximity to Amelia, it saves me round trip airfare to the small airport and rentals for 5 days (about $750 savings vs driving home). Pending a good PPI via the dealer wholesale source I am working through I will send them the money. After that I have 3 weeks to find a good Jaguar independent to service the transmission and check/replace the secondary tensionor on the car. This way I can drive the car 300 miles south then 1000+ miles home with relative confidence.

Using this site as a search I saw one person had good things to say about Buckhead imports. They had enough knowledge to tune his engine and install some after market bits effectively to add 50 HP. Not that I'm interested in doing that, but in depth knowledge of these vehicles seems apparent. If any Atlanta folks have any other suggestions please let me know.

 

Just got off the phone with Buckhead. $900 for the tensioner job and $250 for the transmission service. He thinks its about a coin flip that the tensioner job will actually be necessary since many have been changed already. Apparently they can look inside the oil cap with a dental mirror and if they see red they know to pull and replace it. Prices sounded reasonable, and Jason the part owner and Jag tech certainly knew his stuff (engine cutoff years, etc).

The car will be going in March the 7th and I'll be picking it up March 10th.

 

sounds like you're sorted, best of luck!

 

Thanks,

I should probably post a few photos:

 

Does the 01 has navigation?
If not you can retrofit it ( as I did on my 01 XJR) for about $500 + labor
Let me know if interested, the tricky part is that you need a special programming CD to enable the system ( Jaguar part # JTP824, Alpine part # WD112) and i have a copy of it as well than the trunk mounted nav module
The factory Nav is pretty basic and the newest map are 10 years old but it does the job

 

I concure with your choice now that you gave the ownership history. Not sure what your tensioner replacement involves but you may want to confirm that they are replacing the valve cover seals and o rings with new ones, and unless you have a record of the plugs just being done I'd have those replaced at the same time.

Congrats on the car. It is a dead ringer for ours, down to the wheels.

 

Fantastic Jag that is! I have the same color combo including the dark window tint for my '02 VDP - the presence of yours is a bit different (more sporty) than mine which has the 16" wheels, chrome grill and extended-length body.