Found a xk8 with a bad engine. Would you take the risk and buy it? And more importantly, how much to expect to pay for rebuilt engine?

 

Who knows without some more clues?
How old is the car,condition,what's the problem etc?

 

I would take the risk if I was in for it.
It is just personnal preference if you want to go for it or not.

 

Good '97-99's are not that expensive. Why fool with one you have to START with by putting in a new engine?

 

Only if the XK8 is a late model in otherwise perfect condition and at very low cost does it make any economic sense.

Crunching the numbers, if I was offered a 2003 or later XK8 needing a replacement engine at 50% or less the market value of the equivalent running vehicle, I'd be prepared to take it on and break even or make a little on the deal.

If it's something you want to do and are prepared to take a financial hit, anything can be rebuilt.

Graham

 

good runners give loads of agro..why jump in at the deep end with a load of trouble?..run away

 

If the engine is shot and the car was 'left', then the owner had little money/interest. Either way, the car was probably badly looked after/maintained.
Even SIMPLE jobs on these cars can cost a fortune and I bet the car you're on about doesn't just need an engine!
I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.
Roy

 

If it is the blue one I would walk. I looked at it also and I think you can find something better

 

Cars with bad engines are the devil to get running again. Fuel pumps ($400-500) often give up after sitting, and if it won't start, it takes some real sleuthing to get to the bottom of it as you have nothing to go on like you would if it was running when the engine blew. If its just a toy and you get in real cheap, it could be a nice challenge. If you need to get it running and for a price, look at a running car.

 

I bought mine crash damaged, undrivable and not running. I bought it extremely cheaply.

It has all kinds of problems... Water in headlights, reverse warning alarm doesnt work, rear lights have a problem, trac doesn't work, ASC doesn't work, ABS doesn't work, Failsafe mode flashes on and off -but doesnt actually go into that mode- sometimes the dash reminds me of an old fashioned disco. It is also missing a wiper, auto light sensor doesn't work, rain sensor doesn't one of my running lights doesn't work [tomorrows job] . Plus its hard and expensiveto buy parts here in Mexico.

I am really glad I bought it. Drives pretty well now after 800US and some hours messing with it [although I have some steering shake to cure] and it is simply a gorgeous car. You decide, you know what I would do...

 

Actually it was the green. Thought about it and decided what I need is something different than taking a month to replace timing chains and tensioners and reselling. I just want something I can add some pipes to and drive around a few times a week.

 

@cerberus66
What gets better mileage your disco or the xk?.....lol.....

 

Maybe a good candidate for the LS kit?

 

If it's stupid cheap, buy it. These cars are often worth more for parts than they are as running. If you can get it for $3,000.00 or less and you parted it out, you would make a profit.

 

A 7 year old thread resurfaces. The "infinite scroll" strikes again!

When I replied to this the first time round I'd been on the forum less than six months and was nowhere near my first 1000 posts.

Graham