Hi, my name is Terry and I'm thinking about purchasing a 2000 XKR that I have found locally. It has 70,000 miles. I have never owned a Jaguar before and I am wondering what advice you can give me about what to look for and what questions to ask. I have some mechanical knowledge but I am no master mechanic. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Sorry, I posted this in the wrong forum. Could a moderator please move it to the correct forum. Thank you.

 

The only thing I can offer you is a warm welcome to the forum Terry.

You have come to the right place for that advice and hope you will soon become part of the Jaguar family,

Best of luck,Neil.

 

I don't think I would mess with Jag 14 years old and 70,000 miles. Review your budget and go for a 2007 or newer for the latest in Jaguar XKR body style.

 

Hi Terry,
First of all, don't take comments like "I wouldn't mess with Jag 14 years old," seriously. I have both models 2002XKR and 2010XKR, and while quite different cars, both are terrific. Truth be told, I actually prefer my 2002 for overall daily driving and ride quality. I know it's heresy to say that, but true.

I bought my 2002 with 62000 miles on it, so it is comparable to what you're looking at. I have just reached 150,000 miles, and the car runs stronger now than when I bought it.

The first and most important thing you need to know is whether or not the plastic secondary tensioners have been replaced. If not, they need to be done immediately, and you need to adjust your budget to include this repair. Failure to do so invites a catastrophic engine event. If it's a convertible, you will want to know if hydraulic hoses have ever been replaced as the infamous "green shower" will eventually happen to the OEM lines.

You should also check all front end bushings, shock mounts, ball joints, etc. as they can be the source of a jiggly ride quality.

Finally, figure on changing transmission fluid and filter as well.

It is always best to purchase a car with as complete a service history as possible.

Owning these cars does not come without some drama, but I've absolutely enjoyed having mine for the past 5 years and 90,000 miles and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Good luck.

 

I would just check for overall condition and service records. I have a friend who purchased his 1999 XK8 new and now has 65,000 miles on it. He has always had it dealer maintained and had very few problems. I would not hesitate in purchasing his car.

 

Welcome to the forum Terry,

I've moved your question from XK/XKR 2006 Onwards to XK8/XKR 1996-2006 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to advise.

I hope the 2000 XKR checks out OK.

Graham

 

As far as economics, why enter into a used car purchase that is 14 years, if you have to go thru the items and repairs listed above. Tbergs list of potential repairs and service costs sounds expensive to me. Get a quote from a bona fide Jaguar dealer to inform yourself of the potential costs for Tbergs recommendations. All of them. I bet your looking at several thousand dollars. Repairs on a Jaguar add up very fast. You have an outlay of cash before you even drive the car for an extended period.

I stick with my original response. That is, re-consider your budget, and be sure to complete due diligence on any used car. You may be able to step up in class and a newer model year, with lower mileage and newer body style.

As with any used car, you take your chances. Proper investigation and inspection would be warranted on a car that is 14 years old.

Sounds like Tberg has had good success with his 2002 and 150,000 miles. All cars are not like that. What will find about these forums here, is there are lots of opinions. It is best to take them all seriously, as one the opinions will be ultimately correct. I have to formulate my responses on what the situation is and "what would I do?".

 

Get a newer jag and be in debt to someone and never actually own the car or buy an older car out right knowing the fact it is your car.

get a 2000 xkr if you like the styling and can afford it.

 

While your comments have some validity, I think you miss the point of a "14-year old" car.

The point to these cars is to own a classic GT car that is fun to drive, reasonable to maintain, and has stunning looks that still turn heads. If economics were the only factor, then buy a 2-year old Toyota or Honda. I traded in a 3-year old Honda Accord which cost me zero dollars in maintenance a year for my blue cat. I budget $1k a year now for maintenance and have never regretted owning my XK8 over the Honda.

The blue cat has 114K miles on it and it is no where near the highest mileage car on this forum. I drive it every day and it is a very reliable car.

Terry,
Do your homework, check out the car's history and budget some money for preventive maintenance. How much depends on how mechanical you are. If you need to go to the dealer for all repairs, then indeed a 14-year old Jag may not make economic sense.

There is a DIY sticky on the main page that covers most of the common ills.

 

I owned a 1999 XK8 for 13 years (now have a 2010 XK coupe). There are some downsides to buying XK/XKR with 70,000 miles and 14 years old. I personally would not buy one before 2003 even if it was low mileage. Jaguar had a lot of problems with the 1997-2002s and the 4.0L engine including nikasil bore coatings, water pumps, cam chain tensioners - expensive problems if they have not been addressed by the previous owner. A couple of these problems could make the car a boat anchor. Unless you can do your own work or have a qualified independent Jaguar Tech inspect this vehicle and help with maintaining it, I would not touch it. You can buy these 4.0Ls cheap and there is a reason for it. They are beautiful, but they can bite. JMHO

 

I had 1998 and now have a 2004. Quickly found it was cheaper to trade up than to do all of the things the 1998 was going to need. Given the cars in the first run (1997 to 2006) are very similar in price now I'd recommend looking for a 2004-2006. They made a massive number of fixes to the 2004 year that would cost a fortune to do yourself. I personally don't like the look of the 2007+ cars but that is a matter of taste (and a number of folks would likely shoot me for what I've done to my car so my taste isn't often in the majority). My typical rule of thumb in buying a used car is buy the latest in the series because that will have all of the corrections from the manufacturer and should be the most trouble free. But, as with any older car, a well maintained version will be better than any version that wasn't well maintained. In a car that old it isn't really the miles as much as the age that you'll worry about, rubber starts to fail after 10 years especially if it is in very hot climates. In fact it is often worse to have a low mileage car that old because if a car isn't driven regularly corrosion and rot will creep into areas that would otherwise be protected by lubricants and more regular care.


Anyway best of luck whatever you do. With the exception of making the trunk too big, you'll find the 1996-to 2006 XK to be one of the best looking cars on the road. The only thing that will eventually occur to you is that with 4 people the second 2 would likely be more comfortable in the trunk than in the back seat.

 

 

The mans looking for a £6,000 car and your telling him to go for a £17,000 car lol

 

Yours is just like the one I'm looking at.

 

It all depends on what has or has not been done to the car. And what you are capable of doing yourself and with the help of a good independent mech. If you are good mechanically and have a good indy go for it. If going to a dealer to get work done is your wat forget any Jag that is not under a new car warrantee. You can't afford it.

If at least the secondary cam tensioners have not been upgraded forget it. Totally failure could happen on the next start up. The nikelsil cylinder liner is no porblem as long as you always let it worm up before shutting down. Make sure the coolant system is in good shape and check it often. The front struts may need to be overhauled. I did mine my self. And do a lot of forum reading. You are welcome to contact me with any concern you might have by PM.

Have fun.

 

Wise words. i was close with mine and caught it in the nick of time

 

BUYING GUIDE: JAGUAR XK8/XKR

 

Hi Terry,

Don't worry about all this too much, these cars are bullet proof as long as they have been agency maintained.

Just make sure you have Full Agency Service History and a Clear Accident History, you can check both these things with the Chassis Number at the main dealer and Carfax... If in the USA.

If you had a smooth test drive, no pulling under braking or jolts in gear changing.... No clunking from Drive to Reverse..... and made sure 'kick-down' is all good.

Enjoy it...