OK here it is, 2003 XKR, 53,000 miles Clean carfax except it has had 4 owners. A couple of questions:
What would be a good price for this?
Since it's a 2003 does that mean I will have no problems with the tensioners or the guides and what about the water pump.
I remember hearing the 2003 was the best year for the 4.0 engine and I believe it was also its last.
Any other mechanical issues I should be aware of with this year.
Also what should I look for when driving, starting and drooling on it.

As always thanks in advance for your help.
Rick

 

Rick,

(I've moved this post from the end of your Intro to the XK8/XKR section so you get a better response from members with the same model.)

Hope this one turns out to be OK.

Graham

 

You should check the details, as a 2003 I would have thought it should be fitted with the 4.2 engine.

Do you know the VIN?

If it is the 4.2 then most of the problems, of the early cars, have been corrected.

 

It is a 4.2L you are right. I'd say that's a good thing unless there were issues with the 4.2.

 

A 2003 in the US will be a 4.2, so you are correct, no tensioner problems. The 2003+ has most of the mechanical problems designed out so what you will most likely find will be wear items.

The car is 10 years old, so expect things like suspension bushings, brakes, various fluid flushes and a trans fluid change to be needed or coming up soon. If you are expecting catch up maintenance and are wanting some DIY time with the car, then all of these can be done at reasonable cost. If you go to a dealer, then cost can be an order of magnitude higher.

I bought mine with similar mileage and it needed most of that stuff, but I could see it going in and used it to negotiate on the price, so came away ok. If you aren't comfortable judging the condition or sure what to look for, then a pre-purchase inspection from a dealer or reputable independent is a good way to go.

 

Book values for a convertible run from a low of about $13,000 to a high of $21,000. A coupe might fetch a bit more since there were fewer produced.

IIRC, the 2003 convertible still had the "green shower" issues with the hydraulic hoses for the top operation.
Vector

 

As you can tell by my signature, today went very well.

The body of the car was pristine, it started right up and ran well very well the only small negative was the drivers seat is a little rough and will need some work in a couple of years and the center console top had a couple of cracks. I gave the owner a down payment and will pick it up in a week depending on the weather.

 

Congratulations. Obviously, there are several companies that make replacement seat covers for reasonable prices, including topsonline (aka Vic's Upholstery Supply in Panorama City, CA) There are a couple of console covers on ebay for about $12 that even if the wrong color can easily bee dyed. Welcome to the forum and to JAG ownership. This is a great place to learn about your car.

 

Welcome to Jag ownership. You should have a blast with an XKR, lots of power. Send pictures when you pick it up.

Stay with the forum. The guys (and gals) on here are great and will save you money and frustration as you sort out your car. I know they have saved my butt several times already!

 

And by the way, at topsonline.com, although they advertise the price based on purchasing all four seats, they will order a single driver's seatcover as I have recently done that.

 

Timesnow,

I just picked mine up for $12.5K with 101K miles and in very, very nice condition. Would you mind letting us know what you ultimately paid for her? I'm trying to get a feel for the "real" vs. advertised prices of the cars.

If that question is verboten for the forum - I apologize.

 

Not at all - we're all nosey by nature and no-one's obliged to 'tell'!