A guy is asking 1k for a 99 vdp.

Interior is in rough shape front leather is literally gone. Rear view mirror automatic part is broken (looks like a broken LCD display). Passenger interior door handle is limp and doesn't open the door.

Paint is in ok shape but clear coat isn't. Couple of scuffs on corners.

Battery is totally dead and it gives requisite faults when jumped:
Stability control, check engine

Drove it for a couple miles and all was fine when I went to turn it around, put the transmission in park, got an engine fault and transmission fault simultaneously. After turning off the engine and jumping it again was able to drive it back to the sellers house. It drove smooth and shifted smooth without throttle hesitation despite have over 170k miles.

Are these faults based on the dead battery like it seemed to me or are there serious problems lurking in there?

Also he only has one key and no remotes

Is this a total dog? Always wanted one of these and I like to do my own mechanicing.

 

A wise man once said 'Buy the best specimen you can find because it's cheaper and easier to maintain one vs. fix a broken / worn out car'.

Price a paint job before deciding if $1k is a good deal. Those year cars pop up on Craigslist for sub $4k pretty often in decent shape with a lot less mileage.

 

Don't just walk away, RUN! I'm saying this as an X308 veteran and someone who isn't normally scared to get involved with "a project" . For what you'll spend fixing or trying to fix it you could get a much better example.

 

+1. I see you spending $5000 without addressing the paint, even if you do most of it yourself. You'll find lots of suspension work, probably chains and tensioners, and the transmisson is probably close to the end if it hasn't been replaced/rebuilt. Good used seats will be hard to find.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. It feels like I've been shopping for an xj for over 10 years and I was tempted to jump the gun on this one. I will keep looking. If you guys have any more tips feel free to let me know

 

maybe you need to be realistic with your budget and what you can afford
Old used luxury cars are cheap because they depreciate fast but their maintenance cost and repairs have not depreciated much and remain expensive and its why so many of them are on their 3rd or 4th owners and in bad shape
They bought them cheap but can't afford to maintain them

 

I'll echo what others have said here, there are plenty on the market in better shape for similar prices.

 

X308s in decent condition can be had for not a whole lot of $$$. The cost of fixing up a dog will FAR exceed the extra you spend on a good one.

 

It's important that the interior and exterior are in good shape. The jaguar's looks are the main thing. Mechanical things can be fixed but it is difficult to make the visuals look like new. Try to find a clean x300, they are cheap and easier to work on.

 

I wouldn't buy the car unless you are going to make a project/race car. That kind of car would brake in 3 months at best. If you want a cheap jag the x type is always a good choice

 

If you live in the USA and can travel to Texas there is a good 03 xj for 3750 and a few more like that

 

Prime example in my area.

https://eastnc.craigslist.org/cto/d/...248155923.html

 

Dito on what the others say. Take a bit time time and do some searching. I did not jump on my first (actually looked for about a year) for the one I thought may be the right one. I bought my 2003 VDP with 941450k last year. But I did travel to get it, it was at a dealer in MN, and I live in Nebraska was going for 5900 and with my trade in I paid 3900. I have no regrets waiting and searching. Try Auto Trader on line also
https://www.autotrader.com/

 

That's a parts car, something to sacrifice to keep another jag alive. Unless it's free or your parting it out, it ain't worth it.

 

Spend 5x as much on the purchase, instead of repairs, and buy this 2003 Super V8 with less miles:
https://www.autoblog.com/used-detail--4292633573676172318-Jaguar-XJ-2003

It's got mismatched wheels (from a pre-y2k vdp), grill and rear chrome (from an xj8), but otherwise looks impecable.

 

another source for ya

https://www.cars.com/?knc=aybsemgp&a...0J4Q&gclsrc=ds

 

they don't know what they are selling.. its not a 1999

 

Dream car! 😍

 

Yes I want....why so cheap? it's not just a v8 but a super one...lol

I would not be surprised if its more than 5 times the car you were looking at

 

How can you tell? There's no parking sensors, so it's a y2k or earlier...