G'evening folks

I've been lurking here in the shadows every now and then for the past couple of months anyways, trying to do some research before buying the first of my dream cars. My original post was never posted for some reason so I have to rewrite. I'm hoping that I can get some advice on this automobile.
Year: 1999
Model: XK8 Convertible
Colour: Silver
Interior: Black
Top: Black
Price: CDN$15 999
Mileage: 208 000km
http://www.carclublondon.com/show.ph...=Search&page=1
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030136.jpg

History

This car was the dealship owner's wife's daily summer driver for the past couple of years. I can verify that because I visit a couple of times a month and it has usually been there with a personal plate on it.

Issues

The windshield is cracked on the passenger side, down low. The total length of the crack is between 8 and 12 inches and has not broken all the way through the windshield.
Cost to repair: $450 (actual quote, part and labour)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030129.jpg

The front end has some minorish cosmetic damages. There are paint chips and it's beginning to peel in two places. Scuff marks scar the nose of the car above the grille, the license plate bracket is cracked in places and there are some usual stone chips/scratches on the car.
Cost to repair: $300-400
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030131.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030132.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030133.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030134.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030153.jpg

The rust issue is not as bad as some XKs I have looked at and walked away from, but it's definitely not the cleanest either. I don't see any major problems with this as it's Canada and you can't really escape the stuff.
No estimate cost as this point.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030138.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030139.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030140.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030141.jpg

Brakes are wearing out. They were not very responsive and would definitely need to be replaced to pass a safety.
Not sure of the cost. Likely in the $200-300 range. Please advise.
Seats have some cracks, one tear and a couple scuffs. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Rear seats are as good as new.
Cost to repair: $600 per seat in leather.

Pluses

The car drives just as great as the other dozen I've tried. I found no issues with the way it drove. Acceleration was quick and smooth. No rattles, buzzes, clunks or anything other sound beyond that of the road and the hum of the engine.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030150.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030151.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...a/P1030152.jpg

The electronics worked. Telescopic steering wheel is a dream. No issues with the power seats. A/C and heat both work well. Radio runs like new. The top drops and latches properly. Warnings for the bonnet, boot and top being open all work. Door, seat belt and fuel tanks warnings work.
Interior carpet, headliner and plastics are all clean. The boot has no issues and the spare wheel/ Pirelli tire has about 10 years worth of dust on it, it doesn't appear to have been used.
Unknowns

I'm not too sure about the maintenance history of the vehicle however the owner assures me he kept it up. I have asked for as much paper information has possible. I will also ask for a check on the tensioners tomorrow when I meet with him again.
Cost to replace: Unknown. Please advise.

The condition of hydraulic hoses seems fine as there don't appear to be any leaks. However after reading on here it's a good bet to replace those too as soon as I get the chance.
Cost to replace: Unknown. Please advise.
My offer will be substantially lower than what they as. I will ask for $10 000 as is. $11 000 safetied and e-tested. $12 000 with brakes and a new windshield. $13 000 with brakes, windshield, tensioners and hydraulic hoses. $14 000 for a totally new paint job (black) and rust prevention in addition to the above.
Any advice, suggestions or other observations will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Fedora

 

My initial thoughts, after doing the km to miles and CAD$ to US$ conversions is that cars in better condition, with less miles and lots less rust can be had in the southern US for a lot less. The difference being much more than the cost of airfare to Disney World plus a few days in the sun.

Have no idea what the import costs would be.

Perhaps you could get one of the forum members to check out a prospect found on eBay or AutoTraders within a reasonable distance of home.

 

Flat out terrible deal. Try getting in touch with jag_genius, he's at a Canadian Jag dealership. Maybe he works with a sales department that would present you with a better example, or assist you in finding one without going through the importation red tape.

 

I agree with test point and Jag Tech I bought a 2001 XKR out of Dallas, one owner, well maintained,everything worked, and in excellent cosmetic condition. Flew to Dallas and drove back to Illinois. cost for direct flight $390.00 (2 1/2 hours) drove back 1000 miles, motel overnight $70.00. This car spent its years in the Dallas area all its life, after cleaning the under side it looks like the day it came off the line. Find a reputable Southern Dealer that will let you out of the deal if it isn't what he describes. You will have a cat that You will be satisfied with.

 

Thanks folks.

I just have a problem making the trip out there and have it turn into a bust. I mean a three hour round trip to London isn't bad... 20 bucks in gas and some time isn't bad... but a flight to Houston from Detroit is a lot of time and some money.

I've been watching the prices over the past couple of years and they are steadily going down, this year they went up a bit, with the exception of this particular speciman.

It's very hard to find decent sports cars of any kind in my area... even V8 Camaros and Trans Ams are difficult to come by these days.

It's unfortunate that prices for cars here are generally higher than the same car in the US, even after the conversion.

Jaguar of London has the full service record for it since it was first built. Apparently the original owner is a real estate giant in London and used it as a commuter from London, Ont to Montreal almost weekly. The second and current owner apparently keeps it stored in the dealership showroom during the winter, brings it out in May and packs it back up before September.

Where do you suggest I begin my online quest in the South? Which dealerships have you used in the past?

I think I've hit the point where I'm tired of waiting for that one perfect car and this seems to be close enough. I looked at it today and my lady couldn't stop smiling. She thought it was definitely me.

 

With all of the things that are wrong with it that you'll have to fix plus the rust and reading your messages, you're trying to talk yourself into the deal and want some of us to back that up.

It's your money, it'll be your car and problems to deal with. Being an East Coast car, that rust is from salt on the roads and it's NEVER going to stop eating away the metal.

Good luck, we'll see more of you here in the future!!

 

I notice that too. I kinda sorta feel I'm making a bonehead move, but then again I feel like I can't wait much longer. I keep thinking he needs to take atleast $2000 off the price for the high milage and rust issues, in addition to fixing the windshield, brakes and putting in new fluids.

 

Im going to have to unfortunately support the 'non-support' of the vehicle. Basically...that car is going to cause you nothing but problems. When you say this is one of the nicest of the bunch you have seen and driven, I am either concerned your quality of your selection is bleek or the cars just don't last very long up there. i suggest expanding your search, if not in the US, then farther out than where you have been looking... giving an email to our canadian members may result in some better options as jagtechohio suggested.

You're best bet is the southern US, but you can find some decent deals in the midwest also. lots of jags for sale around here.

I'd also be willing to look at (inspect) a car or two for you in this area (dallas-fort worth), and we've got members in most of the larger cities here in TX that might help you.

 

The original asking price was US$14.4 with 130k miles for a 1999.

I know nothing about the following cars and have no interest in them but it is typical of cars in the area. Bet they have no rust. While there may be a shortage of cars in your immediate area, there are lots of XK8/Rs for sale at excellent prices.

1998 XK8, 100k miles ASKING US$7,990.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1252363332.html

2002 XKR, 90k miles ASKING US$14,500

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1269249372.html

 

And this is exactly why I posted here to recieve this kind of objective opinion. That car shall be avoided unless the price is dropped considerably. I thank you much for you help in assisting me with this purchase and I will broaden my horizons a bit more. If you do come across anything that may be of interest, please feel free to keep the rest of us informed.

Thanks again!

Fedora

 

I got a great car from ebay. You may want to check there if nothing else to see the going prices.

 

Above all, like has been said, don't get impatient and settle on a poor car. I had limited my search initially to a 300 mile radius and the process had been going on for 4 months. I had just started to expand my search to a larger area when the perfect car popped up 30 miles from me. You never know what is going to pop up.

 

My experience exactly! I was trying to look only at potential vehicles that were roughly within driving distance of my house and it turns out there were plenty of candidates in the southern California area. Still after several months of looking I did not find quite the right car at quite the right price. Then I stumbled on a private party within a couple of miles from my house who had the perfect car at the perfect price. Actually, this has happened to me in the past a few times so I chalk it up to some car-buying Karma that I must have.

Doug

 

I agree with everyone else. Take a look on Auto Trader, there are lots of cars out there with lower mileage for the same amount or less!

 

Well... I'm in Ontario... so I thought I'd check around and in five minutes I found several XK8's for sale. One in the auto trader stood out....it has a third the mileage for the same price as the one in the first post

http://www.autotrader.ca/result/deta...yID=&r=ontario

Another one.. a '99 with 174000k is $13,900

http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars...AdIdZ131758504

and another...

http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars...AdIdZ140714642

The cars are out there... just have to look

 

I have a nasty habbit of constantly surfing Kijiji and autotrader.ca... multiple times a day. Craigslist isn't all that big here, just like Kijiji doesn't seem to be too big south of the border. I always seem to forget about autotrader.com though.

Catman, thanks for those. I contact dude/gal from Ridgeway when that add was posted and they never responsed.

My dream car is triple black: black exterior, interior and roof (if applicable). I can't stand red, tan or gold Jaguars or tan, beige, cream (yellowish-white) interiors. Tan tops just kill it for me. I hate saying this, but tan just seems old manish. Not that there is anything wrong with being in one's mid age or older, just it doesn't seem as sporty.

I did some browsing and WOW. You guys south of the border absolutely kill us in pricing.\

This one really has my attention. It's only an hour away too.

This one has my attention as well. It's only on the other side of Michigan.

I have a question though. In Ontario, private sellers are obligated by law to provide a Used Vehicle Information Package. Does the US or any states have anything similar?

 

As far as I know there is no law requiring a used vehicle info package. Certain states require inspections for emissions, and safety. Certain counties in the states require it. other places do not. It all depends where you live.