Team,
I'm going to look at a 00 XK8 with 145k miles this weekend. It is clean aside from "Alternator does not work, car will start but cannot be driven on roads" Extra alternator also included. It's $2700 USD, so in my mind if worst comes to worst it could get parted out or scrapped and no huge loss.
BUT, what should I try and look over besides the minimal things to be considered?
Thanks!

 

Does the front end look low? If so, pop the hood and look at the upper shock mounts for visible signs of crumbling foam and/or an off-center shock bolt - will require replacement and probably caused some inside tire wear.


Ask if the Secondary tensioners have been replaced
Is it coupe or convertible? If convertible, have the hydraulic hoses been replaced?
Has the transmission ever been serviced?? If not - could be in for a surprise as these are not sealed for life transmissions. Fluids degrade over time due to hi temps, A-Drum is known weakness - all fixable but can you repair yourself or will you have to farm out to a shop
Visible leaks, bulging coolant hoses, the standard stuff to look for
Is the Check Engine light on and if so what are the codes?
Good luck

 

Look in the wheel wells and under the car for rust..

Z

 

No location, but if you know of a friend or person with one, see if they will have a look at the one you are looking to buy.
This Forum would be your go to place for instruction on any repair.

 

Any car that is 22 years old and has 145k on the clock is going to need work. I think the big question is do you have the time, tools and knowledge to bring the car to a reliable state? If you are dependent on having a shop do the work then you maybe better off spending more on a better car. If there is rust, if the car has been in a accident or is really a "project" then I would not do it. Right now the cost of these cars is pretty reasonalbe and you can find a nice car that in the long run will likely cost less.

 

My natural suspicion immediately makes me wonder why the vendor doesn't just fit the alternator.

Almost certainly there will be more to it than this. The battery is likely to be useless and the instrument pack could light up like a Christmas Tree. Beyond that you need to check timing chain tensioners, cooling system, transmission and front suspension.

Putting a Jaguar right always costs more than buying one that is right in the first instance.
1. do you want to do the work?
2. can you do the work?

Even at the asking price, a good engine and transmission would get your money back. If it still looks an attractive prospect, hit the vendor with a really low offer and see just how desperate he is to sell. I think the answer could be ..... very!

Graham

 

145.000 miles is not high mileage. A cars reliability depends on the maintenance history and whether the known issues have been looked after. My ‘02 XKR is a good example. The known 4.0 L issues had been fixed by the previous owner.

Purchased showing 116,000 miles, and now at 176,000 miles it’s shown to be very reliable, needing only about $100 on parts that weren’t the usual consumable.Pretty good for over 4 years and 60,000 miles of daily driving .

Z