Should I buy this $3000 Jaguar XJ8L?

"Das Shtig" (Shtig) 01/22/2014 at 16:53 • Filed to: None

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I came across this $2999 1998 Jaguar XJ8L on Craigslist last week while shopping for some new wheels. The current owner is a dealer who bought it at auction and has been using it as his daily driver for nearly six months. He knows nothing about it as far as previous records go. It doesn't leak any fluids as far as I can see. I'm currently sitting at Jaguar of Orlando having it inspected. But does anyone have experience with these? I don't have $1000 a month for replacement parts and I'll be doing the servicing mostly myself. Advise me, o mighty advisors.

N/A POWAAAHH > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 16:57

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I mean, leg room.

505Turbeaux > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 16:58

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XJ8L is an interesting model, Vanden Plas length without the super nice interior. Need to know miles on it, the V8 AJ motors have a higher than usual incidence of bottom end issues around 120K or never, even with service on a regular basis. Go over the front wheel bearings well, you are buying a $120 tool to do them yourself or paying the dealer $700 a side. I would stay away unless it for some reason came from auction with service records. Price is about average, the only reason I would say to go for it is it being a weird model

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 17:01

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It's white.. Long version.. Yup, buy now.

WhereAreMyPants > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 17:02

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Nice price!

But you can't afford to maintain it. That's a very reasonable price for that car, but 90's Jags will make your eyes water, if you want to actually keep them running. Parts are expensive. Really expensive. Shops that will work on these are expensive. Everything, especially the electrical components, will break.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 17:03

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Do it, and sell drugs to pay for whatever breaks.

Das Shtig > 505Turbeaux 01/22/2014 at 17:06

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Duh, sorry. 133k miles

Das Shtig > WhereAreMyPants 01/22/2014 at 17:08

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This is what I thought. But reading online and consumer reports, I'm hearing this model is pretty reliable. Do you actually know what you're talking about or are you just speaking in generalities?

WhereAreMyPants > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 17:19

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Halfway in between, honestly. I've had personal experience with one of these, of this generation, but not much involvement with them in general. The one I dealt with was an absolute nightmare. When it wasn't in the shop, it was beautiful, very nice to drive (particularly for long-distance), and staggeringly comfortable. When it was in the shop, it was like digging a hole, filling it with money and lighter fluid, and playing "let's have a match fight".

It sounds like 505Turbeaux has a little more broad expertise on these, so I'd definitely pick their brain.

505Turbeaux > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 17:39

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Good deal having it inspected at a dealer. They will tell you everything wrong with it. It has either had everything done or it is due for a big service. Only one I ever saw with those miles from auction that was worth it was a VDP that was traded in by a senator from NH who had it serviced to a T from new. I wouldn't pull the trigger till you hear it fire off from dead cold and don't hear any knocking. Wish I were closer or I would have gone over it for you. Remember tell them to go over the front wheel bearings with a fine toothed comb. If you buy it and end up with wb issues in the future I have some spare knuckles around and the tool to do them and can mail some off to you.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 18:02

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Am I too late for the show? Anyway, what is the mileage on it?

RotaryLover > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 18:09

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Do it and never look back! loloololololol. Seriously if go see the list of what goes wrong on these cars and see how much it will cost ya. If you can pay it then go ahead and roll into your jaaggggggggggggggg.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Das Shtig 01/22/2014 at 18:09

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would be perfect for an LS swap

PS9 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/22/2014 at 21:01

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Breaking Jag?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > PS9 01/22/2014 at 21:44

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It'll do that all on its own.

/yes I got the joke

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > 505Turbeaux 01/29/2015 at 21:59

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Know anything about the 96-06 XK8 roadsters? I'd like to pick one up as a 2nd car but naturally don't want to buy a headache. Fleabay has a bunch of them for low to mid teens.

505Turbeaux > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 01/30/2015 at 08:33

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My stepbrother had a 98 I think - not as robust as the XJ8. Get one with records and recent service is my call, and prepare for general expensive service. Not a bad car by any means, but my stepbrothers was in the shop alot before 70K miles when he sold it for myriad issues

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > 505Turbeaux 01/30/2015 at 09:23

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What's the issue with the AJ V8? You mentioned bottom end - is it a bad oil pump or bearings wearing out prematurely?

505Turbeaux > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 01/30/2015 at 09:29

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usually bearings wearing out. It doesn't happen to all of them, just some right around the 100-120K mark. If you drive it that long!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > 505Turbeaux 01/30/2015 at 09:30

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Rod, main or both?

505Turbeaux > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 01/30/2015 at 09:32

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just the big end bearings. The start knocking pretty good. I think the oiling might have not been 100% up to snuff on all the engines

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > 505Turbeaux 01/30/2015 at 09:35

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Good to know, will have to run this past the XK forum if/when I start seriously looking. Thanks.

505Turbeaux > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 01/30/2015 at 09:38

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oh yeah, I have worked on alot of jags, and while not an issue on all cars, I have seen it numerous times