hello friends; had my 1999 xk8 for 6 weeks,its had a steering problem , a sway bar link clanking noise and a engine failsafe message with a red alert. the car has only 16,000 miles. all above covered by the dealers 1,000 mile warranty thank goodness! I started on a 500 mile vacation and got 30 miles when that engine failsafe message popped up and got towed in. Since then my abs and traction message has appeared but turned off when I restarted the car. I have zero confidence in this car. To start a long trip I trust it about as far as I can throw it........HOWEVER , I ALSO LOVE THIS CAR LIKE NO OTHER!!!...........Why is it that the troubled kid in the family is also the most loved? Thanks.......just venting!

 

I don't know the answer to your question but these cars are worthy of all your love. The selling party's warranty should cover the issues and they do not appear to be particularly severe. Having the CEL codes would allow a better understanding of what is going on but it sounds like you already have it in the care and control of the dealer.

I would ask for a list of codes presented.

. . . and welcome to the forum!

 

16K! What year is it? How many service stamps are in the book?
Bob

 

Having only 16K miles on a 1999 vehicle is probably the main part of the problem. Sounds like it was a garage queen. With most cars (and especially these) they like being driven rather than sitting around gathering dust.


Doug

 

Mick, your Jag will never be as reliable as a new Toyota, but I've learned on my car that most issues aren't show stoppers. Obviously the failsafe message is a little different, but once that problem gets resolved you'll probably have a car that you could use as a daily driver if you want.

I bought mine a little over a year ago and a month later I took it on an 8000 mile cross-country journey. I had a couple of problems along the way, but nothing that kept us from enjoying our vacation.

 

Jaguars accelerate intentionally, unlike Toyotas.

 

Owning a Jag has been a nerve racking experience for me at times. I don't have deep pockets and am not mechanically inclined. I was going to sell mine at the beginning of this summer season but once I got it on the road after the harsh winter here in CT I totally changed my mind.

I have come to understand that owning a Jag is like owning a horse. There's no joy in it unless you love taking care of it.

 

Also remember that these cars are starting to age. There are always going to be some issues on a car that is 5-15 years old.

 

badkitty, that was very well said. The reason many of my answers are that the early cars are best owned by hobby mechanics. Mind if I quote you from time to time?

 

That was so good I stole it for a signature!

Vector

 

Haha! All yours guys. I'm honored. Listen, anything I can do to support this forum is a small price to pay for all the help I get here.

Where'd you find that icon Vector? Perfect!

 

I just dug around a bit, lots of emoticons there just click "more."

BTW, I do have horses too, that's why it rang true for me.

Vector

 

Could we not replace the word HORSE with the Word GIRL ???? Just a thought from overseas...

 

If these messages appear on startup it can be indicative of a battery in need of either a good charge, or being replaced.

 

If battery is kaput, replace and ignore my following statement, if battery tests A-OK...then proceed to evaluating your ABS wiring and/or module for uberclassic causes for those lights. For more information, please turn to our XK8/XKR FAQ thread. thank you for your cooperation.