2003 Jaguar XJR MILAN/BREMBO?

Question

Is there any reason NOT to buy this car ?
56kmi miles for $25,950
I want it badly, but not sure if its a smart move. oh yeah I make 100k a year, and gas millage does not matter.

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Answer 1

Well I own two Jags, a 97 XK8 and a 97 VDP. Nothing devalues faster than Jaguar and so as used car buys they are pretty good deals quite often.

That said, the XJR shares the same V-8 as my car has, though the XJR and the XKR are both supercharged. There is one very typical problem with the timing chain guides failing which can lead to catastrophic damage to the engine. Were it me, and were I buying that car, I would plan to immediately invest in changing the timing chain guides and chains at a cost of something around $2,200 to $2,500 at any respectable Jag shop.

Other than that, there are the usual Jag gremlins in the electrical system, with periodic warnings appearing on the dash for no apparent reason. One needs a sense of humor about these, as usually they come and go with little apparent rhyme or reason. I am yet convinced that British engineers still regard electricity as a passing fad, and do not spend much time trying to address these minor inconveniences. I share the joke, and usually they go away in a day or two, or even when you sometimes just turn the car off and then back on after letting it sit for a few minutes.

Finally, I should mention. While the Jags are much more reliable since Ford bought them in the mid-90's they still do break from time to time and parts are terribly expensive. Last year I had to replace a windshield wiper accuator on my wife's VDP and it cost over $500. Still, few cars are quite so satisfying in my experience as driving a Jag.

Answer 2

I'm a Jaguar technician and that is a very good price for the XJR.
I would check with Carfax to make sure it does not have a salvaged title. The XJR usually has less problems than the XJ. Also, maybe ask if you can test drive the vehicle and take it to a Jaguar dealership. Maybe they can look the car over for any unseen problems. But! That price, for that car... I'm suspicious. Another thing... the car is out of warranty, and maintenance is HIGH.