A friend is considering a 2003 XK8 conv with 55k miles.

I drive a 1998 van den Plas, so don;t know much about the car he is considering. Are there any known issues? IS there anything in particular he should ask about? He thinks he can get the car for $15k...

thanks in advance!

Julie

 

Convertible top hoses may give you the green shower. Dry out and leak above the windshield. All other problems with 2002 and prior resolved. Usual other problems are seat,mirror etc... Switches craping out. Suspension squeaks and rattles from worn parts. Buy and enjoy. For 15 grand paint and interior should be almost perfect eyeball wise.

 

Yea for 15k if from a indvl seller it should be pretty clean in and out. Ask for maint hist. If they have time pull a car fax, car like this well worth the money.
As said above most all the issues in 97-2002 were fixed but the conv top lines. Seems if the car was garage kept and or lived in a cooler climate (less heat etc) the lines faired better. Front suspension is a issue on these, front shock tower mounts wear fast, as do bushings up front. Even though the miles are low it is still a 11 year old car.

 

If they can, take it for a longer test drive then you would most used cars. Better chance at catching a light going off.
Final advice, if they want to own a jag be prepared to pay $$$ in maint. Just seems to be the way it is for some. If you want peace of mind, get a Honda!!!

 

my only +1 is the shock tower bushings - if you can pick at them and they disintegrate with yer fingernail - its a no-brainer replacement.

 

Mine are totally gone. It is coming up out of the top of the shock towers like confetti. At 95k I am wondering do I just do those bushings and hope for the best, are my shocks and springs old or got more miles in them?

 

I have been covering all the stuff I had to fix on my 04 which now has just over 50K miles. In this thread.

 

What's your front ride height? Should be at least 15.5" measured center of wheel to the fender arch. Spec is 15.75".

Mine was at 14.5 and new shock towers and shocks brought it up to 15.5. Shocks are cheap &110 each so you might as well replace them along with your mounts.