Well I picked up a Jaguar XK8 1999 model convertible Friday and had
it for the week end. (Traded my Cobra for it) Well just in a weekend
of driving that Jag a multitude of issues developed.
I went back to the dealer this morning and discussed the problems with him
and he said there was nothing he could do to fix them. (A Caddy Dealer)
So I said I wanted to rescind the deal and take the Mustang back.
Well I almost fell over cause they agreed!
What a relief. Jaguars have a lot of problems with reliability and I learned my
lesson. I won't ever buy another one thats for sure.

I did love the looks and they rode nice, but I can't did with the unreliability
of the cars. I have no confidence whats so ever in the car I had for
the week end.

I wish ever one that owns one to enjoy them and I wish for the best in
probability of zero problems.

 

How about some details about what would make you return a car after a couple of days.

Doug

 

That didn't take long. I think you got a little excited about getting this car ago, and it got the best of you. The 97-99s are a very twitchy, but we tried to give you a headsup in your original post about getting this car once owned by a female (not good in this day and age) who probably didn't care what kind of messages she was getting as long as it drove. Big red flag. I agree it had alot of little quirks..key being one of them, and apparently the diagnostic problems were not worth it to you for your purchase price. That will come with many 12 year old cars, however, not just a jag. If I were to read the jagforums, not just the xk8 section, I would find alot of good information dealing with the Ford takeover during the late 90s, and how it took a few years for the quality control to improve. Nowdays, after that influence, these cars are just as reliable as any other foreign or domestic car manufacturer. I believe this whole-heartedly.

So this one wasn't for you...if you look hard, you can find good 2001-2002 models that will be more suited for you. If you want low/no maintenance, you need to look at much more expensive model years.

 

I think the biggest issue for him was that the selling dealer (Cadillac) was not willing to even look at his issues with the car. I would want to get my car back too! Doesn't matter what make it was. But he also needs to remember that he was getting a 10-11 year old car!!

 

Hmm, putting 165k miles on my '95 Vanden Plas with under $1,000 in repairs comes to mind...

 

Heck,

That's true of ANY 11 year old luxury car that's not been properly looked after. BMW, Mercedes, etc... any of them can have lots of expensive problems at that age.

You buy a cheap old Jag just like you buy a cheap old BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc... you buy one that's been cared for and you have a qualified independent look the car over.

I just bought a Ducati and picked it up yesterday, a 99 750 Supersport with just shy of 5,600 miles. But, it was a) Cheap and b) FULLY serviced by one of the best Ducati shops in the country 34 miles ago (Timing belts, fluids, valve and chain adjusted, dyno-tuned, etc).

Buying an old XK8, especially an early one, as a pig in a poke is a bad idea.

 

rld, that's the car that I want to own!

Lew, that is true...definitely leaves a bad taste, but he mentioned That's what prompted my response.

 

How about the name of the dealer?

 

Yes, it is bad to judge the whole Jaguar line of cars based on one old problematic car. If you are not ready to spend some money on a used car, don't buy it!! I bought my 01 XKR in January of 08. It had many minor issues I sorted out quickly. Within a year I had replaced a lot of parts that are expected of an 8 year old car. It is now in supreme condition and I plan to keep it that way.

When I bought my 88 Rolls Royce, I expected to put some money into it. I did!! But now it is also in supreme condition and I plan to keep it that way also. No issues with it in 2 years!!

 

seems like you landed on a lemon bud. sorry for your experiance and im sure the withdrawal was justified to you. you know the passenger seat giving your wife a hardtime, and the abs sensors and stuff. seemed kind of overwelming.

i just got into my 2004 xj8 5 weeks ago and in those 5 weeks its been non stop correction and maintenance. when a car is purchased used the first few months of ownership involves alot of things being done.

brakes, cel's, oils, little quirks here and there, cleaning. on top of that your MY jaguar had a host of issues to offer anyone purchasing the car.

IMO i feel you did good getting back into a car your comfortable owning and driving, but i wouldnt think getting into any other car of its age and mileage and stature will be any different.

once those small issues would have been corrected the car would have treated you well with just basic oil and filter changes. such as i hope mine will treat me.

-Vic

 

Like to see how that COBRA is doing after 12 years on the road. Im sure it will have it's many headaches also. It's like most cars, you have to learn which years are the troublesomeones and stay away.

 

You know, I bet if you bought a used jag from a jaguar dealer, all the codes will have been corrected before you even took it for a test drive. You'll spend probably $2k more than anywhere else, but thats piece of mind. Anyway, good luck wherever your steering wheel takes you in life.

 

Bought my 2000 a year ago 47K - absolutely no issues. Strong runner. No codes. Only an alignment needed.

 

I appreciate all comments and advise receive here. I lot of good advise
for sure.

The dealer (Ed Morse used cars) here in Tampa wouldn't address any
of the issues with the XK8. It was a 99 Model.

My Mustang Cobra is a 98 model and in perfect condition. I bought it
used and only put plugs and wires, a cooling fan new pads and rotor on
the front only. New wheels and tires weren't needed but to my taste, so
I put em on.
The top - Perfect, and it went up and down without worries of a top latch
hydro busting. I knew the original owner! (Happened to be my Son) LOL
It only had 74000 miles on it (4 months ago). IN comparing New cost and
Maint cost for both cars, I can't understand the poor reliability of the
XK8! I agree, my opinion is based on what I have read here and from
others I have talked to in my circle of people I know, but I did love
the looks of the XK8 and the ride, but I wouldn't have any confidence
driving it out of my home town for that matter, but I would drive the
Cobra across country in a heart beat and not have a worry on my
mind the whole time.

Thanks again guys for the comments and advise, I know a lot of you
have some very nice cars without any issues and I hope it stays that way
for your sakes. But the Jaguar just wasn't my cup of tea so to speak! LOL

 

Also, don't forget Jaguar didn't get their respective act together until Ford fully infiltrated their ranks (Lucas...BAD) in the mid 90s.
I owned a 96 XJ6 which was obviously still the 'old' Jag designs, parts, etc... it costs money.

Since then, I've owned a 2002 X-Type (Lease) and currently a 2004 XK8 Convertible, and when you inspect these vehicles (and work on them) you'll find a nice difference.

The early XK8s are more like the Jaguar of old.

The newer XK8s are more like..dare I say; Ford reliability (albiet currently owned by Tata Motors (India)).

 

I bought my 97 XK8 sight unseen other then thru ebay. Had the normal Carfax stuff and a few things faxed to me ahead of time about the car. Pulled trigger and flew out to AZ and drove it back home to Cincy.