Before I bought the XJ8 I have now I test drove a 1998 XJ8L which is being sold by an outlet dealer. At the time they were asking $4250 for it, now they have dropped the asking price to $3297. I am seriously thinking of purchasing it. I do know that the driver's power seat does not function and I can feel that the seat mechanism is broken. Everything else works but I will check again when I next view the car.
Are there any areas that I should pay special attention too, when looking over the car also are there any things I should tryout while test driving?
Here's the link to the car Used 1998 Jaguar XJ For Sale | Sterling Heights MI.
Mileage 137842

 

That's a nice looking car there. The price and mileage is out of the line over here in SoCal. I don't know what the market is doing over there.

98 needs to have few things done, before it's "safe". With this kind of mileage, it might've all be done already, but only the paperwork will tell. If there is no paperwork, it NEEDS to be checked! (tensioners switched to metal?) (thermostat housing switched to metal?) (tranny serviced, and shifting well?)....etc.

If you search this forum, all these topics were discussed MANY times, and you will learn what to look for. If the car needs all these upgrades, the seller will either have to do them to get the "full tilt" for it, or the price will have to be adjusted for the buyer to do the upgrades.

Here in SoCal, you can get a cat with less miles for that money (and no rust!). It's always better to buy from a private owner, and negotiate. By the time the dealer puts the tax/title/lic/docs fees on this, it will be a 5K car. I know I would not pay 5K for a 98 with 137K on the clock, and no service history (assuming here).

So do some research on this forum (great source of information BTW!), and go and get them. Here in SoCal, dealers are sitting on these X308s for a VERY long time (I can't imagine the market being "hot" for these in your state!). It costs a lot of money to have the car in the inventory that is not moving. Sometimes dealers take real low ball offers, just to move the unit (I know, I used to be a dealer).

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

 

One major item that is the most difficult to correct is the nikasil lined engine. The common belief is that if the nikasil engine made it to high mileage then it's ok. However, I view that approach similar to sitting on a grenade - you just don't know when it's going to explode. Jaguar did replace the bad motors under warranty, keeping the issue hush-hush to avoid major recall. Vehicle history could tell you that.

I'd look for 2001 and newer.

 

I think the real question is: how would you rate your wrench turning skills (0=can't change oil, 10=rebuild engine in sleep)? I would think you would definitely have to be greater than a 5 (have a full set of tools and am not afraid to tackle anything with the help of my new Jaguar brethren on this wonderful web site). If you are below a 5, the cheap purchase price is merely and introductory price that enables you to spend more money in the future.

As Daniel said, read up on the common problems and if you are still convinced you want it, roll in and offer him a super low ball offer.

B

 

Thanks Beep777, Tirefrier and Danielsand for your replies, I may wait now for another XJ8-L. I do most of my own car repairs including replacement and rebuilds of engines and transmissions so I do not mind a challenge it's just how much money you can end up spending on any vehicle if you happen to get a bad one that scares me.
I think I may start looking for a 2001 XJ8-L in the next few months.