So the time has come for me to give up on my 99 XK8 convertible. I bought the car in 2014 with 104k miles. It's now got 113k miles and I've had to replace: hose compressor to evaporator, timing cover and valve cover gaskets, ABS module, intake snorkel, sub pan, another side valve cover gasket, broken valve cover and PVC line, fuel pump relay and filter, evaporative purge tank and I am still not even able to clear the fault codes (technician's next step was to start tracing electrical) much less pass an inspection. Ahhhhh! The car is absolutely pristine except for the sickly engine problems but I am unable to keep financing the fixes at this point. I REALLY don't want to hand it off to Car Max but I also don't feel comfortable selling it privately with all these issues. I was hoping for some suggestions from the community - it's breaking my heart to see it sit in the garage as I pass it to get into my husband's Honda CRV!!!

 

Before you get rid of it, maybe you should keep trying just a bit more. If you told us what codes and what's acting wrong maybe these guys could help.
Throwing parts at it gets expensive and can get old fast.
Lots of us work on these cars ourselves, which of course saves a ton of money....however....even if you don't do the work yourself, I have figured out finding the real problem and correcting it is key.
If you rely on someone else to figure out what's wrong you can fall into the "throwing parts at it" thing really quickly.
Seldom do I have to rely on someone to diagnose my car. I have lots of mechanics. Many are parts changers. Most don't understand everything about these cars. The guys here are your best bet, but they will need more info.

 

+1

You've had your share of issues, but, like Om28v, I'm wondering if either pressing on a little more - or, alternatively, parking it for a while is an option?

If you sell with problems and without your state inspection, I imagine that you're only going to get parts-car money for it. That could be a painfully small sum.

At least get the codes read and post them here (the actual codes, not anyone's interpretation). I understand that there are places that will do this for free or very cheaply (you closer neighbours will advise better on that).

That way, you'll get some honest, informed opinions on what could be wrong, and most likely a better understanding of what it may cost to put right.

Good luck,
Mike

 

Post the codes - few, if any, defeat the combined brains of the forum!

Graham

 

As mentioned above, post your OBDII codes in full. You will in turn receive plenty of highly-experienced advice....

I have an iCarSoft i930 scanner specifically for Jaguar. But they tend to be spotty performers. It will communicate with both of our Jaguars, but it refuses to communicate with fellow forum member cjd777's 2000 XK8....

Don't know who is working on your car, but I believe the best indie shop in the Triangle area is Flying Circus English Cars in Durham. The owner is Toby Briggs, as trustworthy and kind a British car specialist as you will find anywhere. I have picked his brain on the phone for various issues I have had over the years and he has always offered me excellent advice free of charge. There have been a couple of times when I could not resolve my issues myself and took the vehicles to him for diagnosis and resolution. He found and fixed the issues both times for a very reasonable cost. He is my local go-to Jaguar guy when I am in over my head....

Call Toby at (919) 596-4250. He may be able to help you....

 

Thanks for the suggestions. What I should have asked: is there a market out there for buying problematic cars such as mine? I really don't have the funds to go on with this and have finally resolved myself to selling it. I was just hoping for a bit fairer price than I would get from CarMax. I know about the ususals: craigs list, ebay but wondered if anyone knew of a better way. Thanks again....

 

As a member with more than the minimum required number of posts, you can advertise in our PRIVATE For Sale / Trade or Buy CLASSIFIEDS forum:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/p...classifieds-9/

Cars with problems will always attract lower values and it's worth putting some time into determining the cause(s). You may even find it isn't going to be an expensive fix.

Graham

 

If you weren't 3000 miles away I would offer to come over and plug my reader into it to see whats going on, but maybe someone closer might be able to accommodate you before you let it fly..................
If you can get the codes read, and if you are still determined to let it go, then advertise it on here, with the codes. You may get a better price than elsewhere, you never know.

 

Probably craigslist with the words "Handyman Special" in the title. Maybe look into whether your local JCNA club puts out a newsletter than accepts classified ads.