Hi everyone, new member here.

I am currently shopping for jaguars.
So far I have seen three, and they all have their pros - cons.
I would appreciate your help!

1. 2004 XJ8 Vanden Plas, 120k miles, everything looking great, has been serviced consistently. 6000$
2. 2005 XJ8 L, 105k miles, perfect condition, has only been serviced once. 6000$
3. 1998 XJ8 Vanden Plas, 78k miles, perfect condition, private party seller, the car has been driven by an older woman for the past 10 years. 5400$

I am leaning towards the 1998 VDP because of low mileage and better interior design to my liking.
I don't know much about reliability, and would appreciate any advice/ what to look for.

Thanks!

 

Personally I'd go with the '98 VDP, I've driven a 2005 & they're completely different beasts. I'd liken the later era of the XJ8s to a "sexy Ford Taurus" the interior is almost toy-like.

That said, with the X308 era you're going to need to address(if not already performed) the known "hot spots" which is replacing the plastic timing chain tensioners, plastic thermostat housing & the transmission has a valve upgrade you can do to reduce the chance of A-drum failure. All these issues are covered in depth on this forum & easily found w/ a search.

Good luck !

 

I'm bias, as I think are most on this section of the forum, I don't like the styling of the 2004-on XJ8s. So I would go with the 1998 you are looking at, if they were the only choices. But there are plenty out there and I would go for a later year than '98. If possible a 2003 when the timing chain tensioner problem had been addressed. The cylinder liner problem was addressed in 2000 I think. But if you buy a pre-2003 you are going to have to do the timing chain tensioner upgrade for peace of mind. $2,500-$3,000 at a shop, $500-$700 if you do it yourself.

I would pay premium for a low mileage 2003 in mint condition, or slightly less than premium for a pre-2003 low mileage in mint condition, knowing I would "have" to address the timing chain update.

Personally I like the LWB, or preferably Vanden Plas, for the addition rear seat room, and added trim specs.

Keep us updated with your progress.

.

 

Thank you King! That's very helpful

 

Thank you Carnival Kid for the quick answer.
I'm going to look into that. I haven't done any 'real' work on a car before though so would be a little weary of doing that myself...

 

Useful advice above, although 2 remarks:

- Many cars have the timing kits already done, so it is not automatic that you will need to fork out the extra costs.
Still, it is always wise to reserve some extra cash if you intend to keep the car longer, thermostat, thermostat tower, hoses, suspension bushings etc might be up for replacement and peace of mind.

- I have a early 1998 Nikasil Vanden Plas, well maintained and garaged by the PO, I did all the preventive work where needed, and it is as good as any newer x308.
I dare to say that the history (snow, salt, sun, garaged, maintained) is wayyyyy more important than the year of built.

Final advice, take your time if needed, it took me 2 years before this one fell into my leap, saw so much garbage before ....

 

Any of you can point me to instructions as to changing the timing chain tensionners?

 

The search function here will reveal a plethora of in-depth knowledge on this.

 

yup, got it, I jumped the gun on that question.

Thank you all for your help, seems like it's a fairly easy job

 

This forum's really stellar, I doubt you will encounter any X308 issue that hasn't been covered here. It's saved me countless dollars & even more grey hairs lol.

 

Yes, I already found multiple DIY instructions. Seems this community is absolutely great!

 

I'm biased too, BUT, I will caution that 98 is a 20 year old car. Despite the mileage, there's just as much can go wrong from pure age and exposure as with wear and tear. I decided this is the year to "retire" my 2000 XJ8 because everything made of plastic, rubber or vinyl is as crispy as can be and if I hit a big enough pothole, something's gonna crumble. Unfortunately my last job assignment for ten years was in a warehouse district without covered parking (I'm back downtown now in a garage, but its too late for the 308). I really need to pull the engine and replace all the seals and gaskets and some hoses at this point because it has multiple small leaks. And Jaguar warehouse ran out of most parts for 308s some years ago. I have found some replacement trim items, but its been tough. The aftermarket can provide key parts to keep them running and driving, but if the "luxury" aspect of a Jaguar is what's important to you, then your only hope for repairs is finding good, used, salvage parts. From that perspective, there is some advantage to buying a newer Jaguar. If like me, you just love the classic body style, then be sure and buy one that has been garaged both night and especially DAY all its life and remember that you'll be better off to overpay 50% for pristine example that needs nothing as opposed to thinking you can buy an average one and fix a few things. Good hunting.

 

Definitely good advice, there are pristine examples out there that have been owned by the proverbial little old lady and spent a lot of their time inside, it pays to be patient.


.

 

Ok guys, I avec two new options which I’m excited about:
1998 vdp with 100k miles, with steel timing chain tensioners installed, 3000$
2004 xj8 66k miles with new air suspensions, 6000$

suggestions?

I appreciate your help immensly, thank you all so much for your input!

 

I guess the most imminent issues were addressed above, and it is impossible to say anything more without at least a series of pictures for each car.

What happened to the VDP you were so excited about?

 

Ill know more about its history tommorow! <div style="text-align:left;"></div>

 

2004 XJ8:
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...455386723.html

2000 VDP:
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...467338289.html

 

Less knowledge on the x350, but the 2000 VDP is NOT a Vanden Plas, to me it looks like a base model (grey grill inserts, full leather wheel (no wood), reversed leaper ).

 

Go for the low mileage cars. No matter what anyone says, there is a reason that all valuation tools make mileage a key factor in used automobile pricing. If you have complete maintenance records for a higher mileage car and no records for a lower mileage car, then it might be a dilemma.

 

Also, go the the "Sticky's" and "How To" section of each forum and they usually list the "look for" items when pursuing a purchase on these vehicles. You can prompt the link in my Sig for the 308.