I've read and research XK8 and have found a 1999 with 18500 miles in like new condition. Below is the car fax report.

I know this is subjective but I'm looking at buying this car in Florida and having it shipped to Hawaii sight unseen.

I've read some posts to be concerned about low mileage older pre 2002 cars due to several issues.

Ant comments and suggestions are welcome. Yes I know I should have the car inspected before buying which I do plan to do.

Thanks for and comments and concerns someone feels I should have with this year car.



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
03/16/1999 36 Service Facility Pre-delivery inspection completed
09/13/1999 41 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept. Vehicle purchase reported
10/01/1999 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #79560053 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
10/18/1999 250 Service Facility Tires rotated and balanced
05/15/2000 1,500 Service Facility Windshield replaced
11/07/2000 1,550 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
12/04/2000 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Title issued or updated
10/19/2001 2,782 Service Facility Recommended maintenance performed
Battery/charging system checked
03/21/2002 3,896 Service Facility Shifter gasket replaced
10/22/2002 4,958 Service Facility Battery replaced
Battery/charging system checked
11/19/2003 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
12/21/2004 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
Vehicle color noted as Green
11/17/2005 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
03/24/2006 11,575 Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin Naples
Naples, FL
239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101
naplesluxuryimports.
com Four wheel alignment performed
12/06/2006 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
12/04/2007 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
12/01/2008 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
12/14/2009 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
12/06/2010 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
11/30/2011 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
05/01/2012 16,085 Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin Naples
Naples, FL
239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101
naplesluxuryimports.
com Recommended maintenance performed
Cup holder replaced
Inside rear view mirror replaced
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Drivability/performance checked
Power steering checked
10/15/2012 16,515 Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin Naples
Naples, FL
239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101
naplesluxuryimports.
com Convertible top operation checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Body electrical system checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
Wheels checked
11/30/2012 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
04/12/2013 17,206 Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin Naples
Naples, FL
239-280-5101[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-280-5101
naplesluxuryimports.
com Tires rotated and balanced
Drive belt(s) replaced
Front strut bearing(s) replaced
Drivability/performance checked
Steering/suspension checked
07/31/2013 17,585 Auto Haus, Inc.
Naples, FL
239-261-3600[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-261-3600[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-261-3600[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-261-3600
autohausfl.com Vehicle serviced
10/24/2013 17,960 Auto Haus, Inc.
Naples, FL
239-261-3600[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-261-3600[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-261-3600
autohausfl.com Vehicle serviced
12/02/2013 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Naples, FL
Title #0079560053 Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Green
03/21/2014 18,491 Auto Haus, Inc.
Naples, FL
239-261-3600[IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]239-261-3600
autohausfl.com Vehicle servicedCall
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Hopefully the mods will move this over to the XK8 forum (this one is for 2006+ XK owners, so they may not have XK8 experience).

However, I only sold my 2007 XK8 recently, so I do know a bit:

• The Nikasil coating on the 4.0 engine bores is vulnerable to acid erosion. This can happen if a car has been run on high-sulphur petrol and done lots of short journeys so the engine doesn't get up to full temperature. The traces of sulphuric acid created as a combustion byproduct condense on the bores and eat into the Nikasil. This eventually reduces compression and allows oil to get past the piston rings, so you get oil smoke out of the exhaust. However, most places (definitely all of the EU, not sure about the US) have banned high-sulphur gas because of pollution. So, if the engine has survived this long and isn't blowing smoke, it should be OK - a compression test will confirm it.
• The cam chain tensioners were originally made of plastic, which goes hard & breaks, causing the chain to come off and the cams to stop turning, leading to big damage. The tensioners (and preferably the guides & chains) need to be swapped for the later versions - this cost me £1,000, but that's cheaper than an engine rebuild. It's not mentioned in the CarFax, so unless there is other paperwork to prove it's been done, budget to get it done.
• The water pump impeller was also plastic & suffered from the same weakness; probably smart to upgrade to a later all-metal pump while you're getting the tensioners done.
• The floor in the footwells is double-skinned; water gets between the layers and they tend to rust out, so checking under the carpet is a good move.
• Rubber components on a '99 car are now 15 years old, so seals and hoses need a good check. The passenger door seal on mine split, letting water into the footwell.
• The aircon condenser is likely to fail at some point; I replaced mine twice in 13 years of ownership.
• The dark grey paint on the alloy trim finishers around the windows often bubbles & flakes, showing the bright alloy underneath.

Hope this helps - the folks in the XK8 section will probably have more comments to make.

 

Jandreu
PM me I'm on Maui and know of a car here locally for sale etc

 

I don't think he will be able to yet as he hasn't got the post count necessary.

 

+1 to Ngarara... he covered everything I was going to say.

A few words about having an inspection done. From personal experience, many of the 3rd party inspection companies out there aren't worth the investment. They spend 4 hours taking pictures of the car, basically. What I did, and had great success with, was contact the local JCNA chapter (Jaguar Club of North America) for advice on a local, reputable indy mechanic who was very familiar with the XK8. I had him inspect the vehicle I was looking at along with the local Jaguar dealer (probably overkill) and he caught a few things the dealer missed. So for inspections, I'd go that route.

 

Unless the car was kept right at the beach, rust shouldn't be much of an issue. The water pump issue was gone by '99, so replace as needed (leaking). Tensioners and guides +++++. If this is a convertible. the hydraulic hoses may be ready for replacemnt; mine are still okay. Install a pressure reducer from Gus (www.jagrepair.com). Nikisil won't be a problem on such a low milage engine. Of course you will have component failure strickly through age, but those can be addresses as they appear.
Have fun and welcome to our world!

 

Not necessarily - some cars are low mileage because they've only ever been driven a mile from home to the supermarket. Those were the ones that were most likely to suffer the Nikasil problem. I dodged the bullet because I was doing two 1/2 hour trips per day when the bad fuel was still around, so the car always got to normal temperature.

However, if the car is OK now (no smoke, good compression), it should stay that way, because most fuel is now low-sulphur.

 

My biggest concern would be, who are you buying it from? Sight unseen is asking to be disappointed in the car, or perhaps the whole thing is a scam. Buyer beware............

 

Thanks all and sorry for posting in the wrong section. This is the car I'm looking at, exactly the color I want and man with just 18K on the OD I think one like this might be far and few between.

I did see all of the issues talked about while searching threads, there's a YouTube video of the car here

https://www.carsforsale.com/used_car...?vid=226070265

 

And the price is....?

I get the feeling this guy wants too much for it. Also notice he did not open the (possibly broken) cup holder. Those things always go and when they do they cost $300 for a used one.

 

Price is $17K, add shipping to Hawaii and I'm looking at 20K. To much, will see if they will let it go for around 14K.

 

Its a nice example, but there are others out there in nearly as good condition with a few more miles for closer to 11-13k. But it all depends how handy you are with regular maintenance and odd repairs since higher mileage cars of any flavor will need more. Fixing the small to medium stuff yourself can save you a lot of money.

Does this dealer or your bank offer an aftermarket warranty? I would seriously consider that if it covers the transmission. Trust me on this.

 

At 18k miles over 14+ years, it barely made it to the end of the driveway some days, let alone got up to running temperature. And all the hoses, plastics and rubber bits have still aged regardless of the miles driven.

+1 to both comments. Overpriced IMHO. I would wait on the next one.

p.s. is that fading on the top when he opens the driver's door? Might be from rain, but the body and windows have no water on them.

 

Would be paying cash so no bank involed, also any seller warranty is useless to me as I would be shipping the car 6000 miles.

Yes I'm very mechanical, however this would be my first "exotic" so makes me a little nervous. Otherwise a nut is a nut and I can turn them with the best.

Been looking and the mileage is the big selling factor to me, the condition this car is in is out standing. Mechanics can be repaired but when it comes to inside wear and tear this car "appears" to be showroom condition. Yes, I noticed the top coloring but I just can't believe this car had the top down very often, the roads in the video are wet and I would think the car was wiped down for the video so the discoloration on the top "may" be moisture.

Regardless I plan to ask for more photos and if possible I'd like to hook up with Skipe or face time with the dealer for a real time look at areas I'm concerned about.

Price is high and I will not pay the 17K so unless they are willing to deal this is all a non issue. I'm looking for around 17K all in including shipping to Maui.

 

+1 on that - but, of course, that will apply equally to any '99 car. The key to this all is going to be hands-on inspection by someone who knows what to look for.

Just to give you a (possibly irrelevant) data point: I sold my '97 XK8 coupe, with 80k miles on it but an extensive service history (as in every receipt for anything other than petrol) for £4,500 (~$7,500) in August '13. The car was my primary transport until I bought the XKR in April '13, and had been very reliable. It has 32k miles on it when I bought it in '00. The only let-downs, i.e. "failure to proceed":

• Gearbox front-clutch failure at about 50k - reconditioned 'box fitted, £3k
• Gearbox valve failure at about 65k - valve swapped, pretty cheap
• Water pump failure at 75k - few hundred £ to replace

All my work is done by an indy shop; I lack the time & facilities to do my own maintenance - don't even have a garage. Apart from the issues above, the other expensive work was all related to the original list of gremlins I gave you - precautionary tensioner/chain change, welding in the footwells, aircon condenser. Well, that and the fact that the car was a moron-magnet; every rear panel was replaced at one time or another after cosmetic crumpling in 3 separate incidents.

What can you take away from that? Well, don't be overly swayed by mileage; as long as it is well-maintained, the XK8 tends to suffer more from age-related rather than usage-related failures. In my opinion, a younger, higher mileage car (and I don't mean 100k miles) may actually give better service than an older, low-mileage example, simply because it reduces exposure to age-related issues and because very low miles can equate to un-driven & somewhat neglected.

 

Jandreu,
I think the car is beautiful, love the rare color, and you will be hard pressed to find another in that condition. However, it's overpriced, even at $14K. Over 4 years ago I bought my nearly mint condition 2002 XKR for a little over $15,000. The only things that kept it from appearing new were curb rash on the wheels and a small scratch on a rear quarter panel. The interior was "as new." I had the wheels repaired and the quarter panel painted and was into the car for $16K. But remember that's an XKR and 4 years ago!

Bargain hard, it's a beautiful example, and you'll love it. I still drive mine every day and will soon pass 150,000 miles with it still looking like new (I drive a lot!). Good luck with the negotiations.

 

Thanks guys and I'm am listening, particularly about a newer car with higher mileage. The big issues for me is shipping and inspection. Finding what I want in Hawaii is not realistic, CA has a large amount of cars and shipping is cheaper and The possibility of seeing the car first is better as I travel occasionally to the West coast for work. A lot to consider ......

 

Just remember that anything under 50k is low mileage for these cars. With something in the 30k-60k range on miles you know it was not driven a lot, but at least enough to keep it happy and maintained.

First rule of Jag club is these cars hate to sit idle.

The newer models (2003-2006) have lots of improvements over the earlier cars and have not aged as much. The last two years of the run saw many cars "optioned-out" as Jag began to deplete stock in anticipation of the new XK models.

Should be tons of available cars on the West coast. Nothing beats seeing one in person and being able to drive it. Hang in there. The right one will show up.

 

I have 1999 XK8 convertable. It has over 120,000 miles and I think it is just starting to run strong. I would forget the Nikasil stories. Many high dollar cars have Nikasil engines. The problem with that car is the price. It is most likely worth the price. The problem is there are many others just as good that are cheaper. I would want the price reduced by $5,000. Sorry to burst your bubble but I think thats the way it is. Martin

 

I have the exact same car. Year and color. I love the color! It has not been a simple car to own but it sure looks good.