Looking at an 04 8, 53k, foam green, no nav, clean carfax, from a dealer, 16500. Fair price?

 

Coupe?

 

I don't conider myself an expert like many of the people are on this great forum are, but I thought I would respond because I recenly purchased a 2004 XK8 with about the same mileage, and in FL, so I thought I may have some relevant comparison. It seems close to the right price. It depends of course on condition of several things. I picked up mine for about 1500 less and negotiated new rotors and pads, and a new/used rim. Also, to give you an idea of condition for comp, my tires were worn evenly, but had probably less than 20k miles left (hard to say on that, but I did replace them after I had my upper shock mounts replaced), my paint is EXCELLENT, leather is normal wear, very nice..., convertible top: looks like 7 years old, but not torn or anything. My car did come with the convertible top cover (the cover that is intented to be in place when top is down - avail on ebay for a few hundred). All else is in working condition. But I did not purchase mine at a Jaguar dealer, and this dealership just simply didn't want it around anymore. I suspect a Jaguar dealer is going to want more than a non-Jaguar, just my feeling, nothing firm. Expect that with this age, you will probably be looking at some suspension parts needing replacement if not already done, in particular, the front upper shock mounts - almost a given that these will need replacement, search the forum for this to know more (more than $500, less than $1k), front sway bar bushings (a do it yourself job if handy), possibly front upper control arm bushings (another $1k at a dealership) and also lots of info on the forum.

Good luck!
Steve

 

That sounds like a fair price. The real question is, are you happy with it?

 

Ragtop, I should have said...and would/will I be happy? An XKR would be the goal but just don't feel good about dropping that extra $$ right now, I can and would love it but exercising prudence.

I'm off to see it tomorrow, about 2 hours away. I should have the the local Jag dealer do a pre buy inspection. What should that run, 1hour labor?

 

Right in the ballpark according to edmunds.com. Buy it and have fun. Lots of help here if you have any glitches, but really, how can you get a sportscar of this caliber for that money? My 99 is a hoot and doesn't cost me a whole lot, not any more than my 98 Volvo XC70 or 2005 325i.

 

I saw Jag dealer inspections run between $125 in Chicago area to $240 in the Dallas area. They do a very thorough inspection, and will document all findings.

 

Will they do a service history/recalls etc you think?

 

That is a fair price, I bought my XJ8 last year for 16,400.00 with 76,000 miles.

 

The condition of the car and how well taken care of is critical to being able to answer the question. Assuming the over-all condition is excellent, it is a very good deal. While navigation is worth a little more, the lack of it looks much better in my opinion. I have it and would prefer not to but the car I picked up is in such amazing condition I let that go.

Also does it have premium sound and/or upgraded Xeon lights? Those upgrades can add anther 1-2k of value to the car.

 

No idea.

Check the carfax for service reports and see if there's a license bracket of an indy repair shop or dealership... If you have any hints of where it was serviced you can go there, most places are willing to at least verbally tell you what has/hasn't been done.

When I bought my XK8 the license bracket and carfax service reports told me where to go to find out that all of the issues that earlier cars had were already addressed.

Anyway, if it isn't exactly what you want, you can probably find an XKR in similar condition for about the same price... and driving or flying a couple states away shouldn't be out of consideration. I think it's worth it.