I am interested in buying a 1997 jaguar xj6 and I have someone who is selling theirs for the exact price I can afford. He says theres nothing wrong with the car but it has 220000 miles on it. Should I buy it or is that too many miles for this car?

 

There will always be something wrong with a car that has 220k miles. Simple as that.

 

Naah, a lot depends.


My 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee is at about that number. Shiny and tight and very dependable.


Maintenance means a ton. And freeway miles vs stop and go as well.


All thjngs equal, I'd take a freeway flyer over a stop and go "grandma" car.


Carl

 

"It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand", mine had 225k on it and ran like new.

It depends on the car, as said above. All high milage cars will have needs, just some more then others. I don't take any notice of milage.

Check the service history.

 

nowadays cars last a lot of miles, don't go by the mileage, go by the condition it is.

 

"Nothing wrong" ? Really? Nothing at ll? *Every* system works entirely properly? No faults or weak spots anywhere?

I'd be very reluctant to take the seller's description literally.

Don't get me wrong. It's plausible that the car is basically in good order and there are no serious problems requiring immediate attention. How long before notable problems crop up is anyones's guess.

Aside:

Sorta reminds me of my ex-wife's Toyota. 14 years old. Way over 200k miles. She loves that car. She claims 'there is nothing wrong with it' and 'it has never needed any repairs'. I drove the car a year ago. The wheel bearings were howling. The suspension clunking. Air bag light on. Seat heaters inoperative. Trunk won't stay open. Trans is getting soft. Etc

But, by golly, it unfailingly gets her from point A to point B and shows no signs of every actually giving up the ghost. In her mind 'there is nothing wrong with it' !

Refusal to have the car repaired isn't quite the same as 'nothing wrong with it'

Cheers
DD

 

So I should check if he's taken care of it? And make sure nothing is wrong with it?

 

That would be advisable. As for nothing wrong with it, unlikely with an old car.
You just have to decide how much of nothing wrong you can work with.
When I bought mine it was unregistered and unroadworthy(safety cert'd), I just drove it around the block to make sure it moved, apart from that I could work with the rest.

 

Im going to go check it out today and hopefully it will be in good shape. ill come back and let you guys know. im really in love with this model

 

Just remember, if this is the first one you have looked at there will more around to see. It won't disappear overnight so take your time looking. Old Jaguars don't sell fast, so if the seller tells you he has a few buyers in the pipeline ask him how long his pipeline is.
If you miss out I can almost guarantee you will find another as good if not better for the money.
The key to buying old cars is patience.

 

Make sure he has records. Sure some of us have 220K miles, but we had them for a long time and have serviced them mainly ourselves. You have to consider a rookie and hope he has enough mechanical and body knowledge to buy high mileage. If he has to have outside work, he needs trusting mechanic not a take you for what you got person. Check for rust, wet floors, smells not normal and running and driving, take your time and even if you have to take owner on drive, drive for and hour if possible. Just fill tank on return in case you do not buy it. Good luck!

 

I will check back later on

 

Thank you everyone for the advice. I didn't buy it. It was in disgusting shape. Paint was bad. Car dull of cigarettes and leather was destroyed. No power steering. And no brakes. The engine and trans was in great shape but everything else was bad thank you guys and I will settle for a honda for now. But I will get my dream job. And I will get that jaguar.

 

"Nothing wrong with it". A bit misleading, huh?


Bad leather and bad paint enough for a pass. Not to mention getting rid of the smoker stink!!


Compared to the foregoing, no power steer and brakes are "minor" points.


A project car for cheap at best, more likely, a parts car.


Keep looking, they are there. But, when you see the right car, remember, "snooze and you lose".


Top price for a good car beats bargain for a mediocre car. Unless you have a lot of skills and equipment. Oh, and not only time, but more money!!


My car wasn't a cheapie, but solid.


As well, as my Jeep, a bit pricey in view of miles, but has been rock solid.






Carl




Carl

 

Hey guys. found a 1999 xj8 the exterior and interior is beautiful. just gorgeous.
but he said he left it idling for about 2 hours and it overheated and that it may need new head gaskets. i looked on ebay and the gaskets are not that expensive but idk how much it would be to put them on or if i can do it myself. BTW 130000 MILES