Hi guys, I'm visiting from the S-type world thinking about adding an XK8 or XKR to the fleet. This car :

2000 Jaguar XKR Convertible - Ottawa Cars For Sale - Kijiji Ottawa Canada.


appeals to me but it seems too good to be true, keeping in mind this car is in Canada where our resale prices are considerably higher than US. Although the seller mentions 'needs some light TLC' I can't imagine given the rest of the description it's anything major. I'll write the seller asking what he meant by light TLC, but in the interim would any of you have some words of wisdom to share? Note also the pics shows a Florida plate with palms trees, so this might just be a scam.

 

New belt tensioners? You should confirnm it is the timing chain tensioners as there is no timing belt.

Also, what I can see from the photos:
-Wrinkled A-pillar trim. Very common, probably needs recovering of A-pillar trim, header and headliner due to deteriorated foam.

-Missing screw on rear trim. Indication that the top hoses and/or cylinders were probably serviced at some point.

-What is behind the screen stuck on the dash?

-It probably was in a rear end collision...the 'XK' and 'R' badges do not appear aligned.

 

You may also ask why there is such a color different of the leather on the steering wheel from the airbag.

 

Always interesting to get the background on a vehicle for sale, especially one being advertised in Canada with Florida plates.
Also interesting to see a picture of the back seat when one is offering the XK series for sale - like that is the seat everyone is "scooting" in and out of. Where are the close up pictures of the front seats - especially the driver's seat?
Possibly get a carfax from the serial number. While these can have errors, it may give you an indication where and how it was originally titled and some history. Is the person advertising the vehicle the owner or broker?
I also see a XK series in the background in one of the pictures.

 

In the pic with the top down I notice that the left side quarter glass is down and the right side is still up. And the ones with the top up, the quarter glass doesn't look to be all the way up on either side. Something isn't right there.

 

It still could be worth getting in touch and going round to kick the tyres.
Canadians spending half the year in Florida are not uncommon the guy is also offering house sitting services so may be down on his uppers.

 

Wow- what an eagle-eyed bunch! Thanks for all the comments.

Norri is right that many of us winter in Florida, but the number that drag back a car with them is few. Generally speaking such cars set off a few alarm bells and are not seen as a positive feature which in turn affects value. I'd sooner have a car that was originally sold here than an import via another country, but that's just me.

In this picture:



There appears to be some paint shade variation from the bonnet to the bumper cover as well as a mismatch in contours and gaps. Is this consistent with age, or is it a sign of damage and repaint?

If (big if) this car was for sale in the US, what would you estimate it's retail value at?

Thanks!

 

The apparent paint mismatch on the front end vs. the hood may not be a problem. Somehow there seems to be an issue with light reflection when taking pictures of these cars. Mine looked that way in its ad, but was fine in person and has no signs of body work or paint respray when viewed in person. Some colors look worse than others.

I passed on a coupe because of this issue, but had a chance to see it after I bought mine and it was fine. (the interior however was not so fine, so I would have passed anyway.)

The gap lines however might be worth a better look.

 

I always mess around with my vehicles, altering their power capability, etc.

Knowing this, I purposefully sought a 'cheap' XKR, finding mine on eBay for $8600 USD. It had a minor repair on a fender (I could tell from the paint) and scuffing on the front and rear bumpers. It had over 130,000 miles, but ran well.

So far, I got to drive around the country with it prior to the engine replacement which is currently underway with AVos' supercharger kit being installed. The original engine was pulled at 150,000 miles.

After putting in all new radiator, hoses, air conditioning components, stereo, and engine replacement /enhancement, I'll have spent around $25,000 on the car. I will still need to get it painted and have new leather put on the front seats. It's worth it to me, because I'll basically have a $120,000 Jaguar for $35,000 by the time that I'm done... and it's paid for. =)

It seems to me that if you want to modify a Jag, you should get a cheap one and spend the money on the mods. If you want to keep one near stock appearance and performance, you should buy a more expensive one with fewer miles.

 

The hood is made of steel. The bumper cover is made of rubber. Only at certain angles will the paint look matching. From that angle any XKR will look discolored.

 

Thanks again- I've sent the seller a note expressing interest, we'll see what happens.

 

+1

In addition, for the paint on the front of a 2000 to look that good, it must either have been refinished or gone no real distance.

I'm lucky to get two years before the stone chips on the bumper make a repaint necessary.

Graham

 

Ask about the wheels. The car does not have the original wheels. A 2000 XKR should have the staggered Double Five wheels on it. 18" x 8.5" on front and 18" X 9.5" on the rear. It looks like it has 17" wheels from an early XK8. I'd be very cautious...why would someone put smaller wheels on an XKR?

Jon

 

These windshields have been known to crack as a result of jacking up just one front wheel. The recommendation is to always lift both front wheels at the same time....

 

Not sure what your windshield crack has got to do with the is car that I'm thinking buying (?)

In any case the seller hasn't responded to my emails- possibly he's a lurker here

 

Mike,

If he's a lurker, it could be he's just too terrified in case you start to interrogate him what oil he's been using.

Graham

 

Or fuel octane level, or additives, or ethanol.

 

Nothing ... and it has been moved.

The left headlight appears to have condensation.

 

The ad specifically mentions Florida title with retitling to Ontario after the sale. If the vehicle is not already titled in Canada that would constitute an importation and all of the attendant paperwork and inspections. You need to address that specifically and not accept any weak verbal assurances. It may be impossible to conclude the sale if it has already been brought into the country illegally.

 

Ah-ha! That's a greatly revised wording that's been added since I first asked up above. The local title and registration issue makes it a non-starter for me.

Oh well- I knew there was a catch.