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FWIW, by comparison, the cost to replace my front and rear suspension was $1,195 for parts plus $1,989 for labor, for a total of $3,184 plus tax. My indie tech's labor rate is $130/hour. That's about 1/3 of the cost from Reputable Garage. I suspect that their parts were much more expensive.
Yes they were. $6k for labor and parts.
you did it the smart way.
So I did some poking around for a jag place to do a PPI.
turns out, per carfax, the place he uses for maintenance is by far the best place in town.
is it weird to use the seller’s shop for a PPI?
When I had my PPI done, mechanic put the car on the lift. He showed me everything he checked and answered my questions. Drove the car and gave me his feedback. Suggest you do the same if possible.
Be sure to use this 165-Point Jaguar CPO Checklist for your Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI).
If something needs attention, the tech should note the approximate repair cost (time and parts).
The cost of a PPI can often be recovered by negotiating a lower purchase price based on the needed repairs.
In addition to the above mechanical condition PPI, I recommend a separate PPI from a paint and body shop qualified to do Jaguar aluminum repairs. They can tell you if it has been in an accident and, if so, the extent of the damage and if the repairs were properly done. Note that the X150 body and chassis are both aluminum alloy, and much of the factory assembly was done by industrial robots. Watch this video:
Only you can do your Due Diligence. Never trust what a used car salesman tells you, especially if that car is being sold "As-Is, Where-Is". The written contract of sale prevails, regardless of what the salesman told you. The salesperson's words have no legal force or effect.
Be sure to use this 165-Point Jaguar CPO Checklist for your Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI).
The cost of a PPI can often be recovered by negotiating a lower purchase price based on the needed repairs.
The salesperson's words have no legal force or effect.
Stuart
Thanks as always Stuart. Saved off that CPO checklist from one of your other posts.
This jag is being sold by the owner. This is his daily driver. I won’t buy from the small time dealers. I’m sure some are fine, but they never seem to have maint history. “We didn’t ask” seems to be the common theme.
Even though he did pretty much all the major stuff in the last 2y/2k miles, I’ll take it by for the PPI.
Mostly bummed because our schedules don’t align until 8/16. He’ll be on the campaign trail half the time.
Patience is a virtue, but when I make a decision, I’d like closure quickly.
I'm puzzled. You said that won't trust small time dealers, and that the seller will be on the campaign trail. How can you trust a politician?
Lol fair. The answer is discernment. I trust nobody 100% (except my wife).
He and I run in somewhat overlapping circles.
Collecting and working on old cars is his passion. Has 15 climate controlled, storage kept 60-70s classics which he pays someone to start and drive a bit and got this at a show/club as his daily driver 4 years ago.
Trust but verify... he has all the paperwork for the major service done in the last 2y/2k miles.
I've been to several small dealers and all except the first one was a nightmare. They knew nothing about jags and didn't bother to get service histories from the previous seller, if the previous seller even had one. My guess is auction (not BaT) which can be a red flag.
Always going to be a risk buying a jag from a stranger. Just have to make it as much of a mitigated risk as possible.
For anyone interested, there is a 2008 portfolio conv for sale on Cars.com, by an individual in PA. Almost exactly the same as the one I chose. Alcon, Adaptive CC options.
Just has the American Oak(?) interior as opposed to the spun aluminum and the one I'm looking at has the dealer option original black painted rims.
Same mileage. just over 80K. He has all records of major maint being done +differential.
Last edited by Circumnavigator; Jul 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM.
No manual came with mine either, but the dealer did download and print it and send it to me in a binder. I subsequently bought the real books and leather cover on eBay.
See a few on eBay for around $150 for a 2008 xkr convertible.
would it be different for the portfolio?
See a few on eBay for around $150 for a 2008 xkr convertible.
would it be different for the portfolio?
Good question. I was going to say no, but maybe they did print something special? Or maybe the single printing has a section highlighting that package. Someone with a Portfolio may chime in.
I went and had a look at the XKR and it was in great condition. They put it up on a lift for me to check underneath. All looked great.
the interior was excellent.
New control arms, tie rod and sway bar ends.
All new brake rotors and pads.
New Compressor.
New tires.
63k miles
I drove it 1,000 miles home and it ran like a dream averaging 23 mpg.
The problems that I didn’t spot are
Garage door button broken.
The tilt/ telescoping wheel works great on manual but won’t retract on auto.😢
Any ideas to fix that?
The ride is a little different than my old base XK8
and definitely more power.
Beautiful car and love the color.
@ConcertBoy - congrats on your 2009. Sounds like a great deal. Am guessing it was expensive since you're in SoCal. It def makes sense to make sure expensive repairs have been done with the higher mileage cars. At some point, service includes valley hoses (and supercharger maintenance). Suggests on when this should be done? Enjoyed your XK8 comment. Have an 06 XK8 and the XKR. X100 and X150 from different galaxies. The XKR gets driven, the XK8 gathers dust.
Why is it "amazing" if you don't know the details of all the recent work the seller paid to have done or did himself ?
That's fair market value. Unrelated parties, willing seller and willing buyer, both under no threats or intimidation. Free enterprise at work.
It was on BaT.
The Carfax and the sellers reports were fairly detailed.
There are cheaper high mileage cars out there but you are correct, it is a lot of car for the price.
@ConcertBoy - congrats on your 2009. Sounds like a great deal. Am guessing it was expensive since you're in SoCal. It def makes sense to make sure expensive repairs have been done with the higher mileage cars. At some point, service includes valley hoses (and supercharger maintenance). Suggests on when this should be done? Enjoyed your XK8 comment. Have an 06 XK8 and the XKR. X100 and X150 from different galaxies. The XKR gets driven, the XK8 gathers dust.
The XKR has a more sports car feel than the XK8. I did like the luxurious ride and handling of the 8 but the 4L has nowhere the power.
I still getting used to the idiosyncrasy of later XKR like the double locking, locking with the fob and locking with the door handle.
The XKR has a more sports car feel than the XK8. I did like the luxurious ride and handling of the 8 but the 4L has nowhere the power.
I still getting used to the idiosyncrasy of later XKR like the double locking, locking with the fob and locking with the door handle.
Your car doesn't actually have Double Lock. The second beep just tells you the car is already locked. Double Lock is illegal in US spec cars because the interior occupants would be trapped inside.
