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Jaguar XJ-Series

2801 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2012 at 10:12 AM

You are in the Jaguar XJ-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jaguar XJ-Series, Sedan

Messages Page 199 of 281

#1977 of 2801 Buy a Jag at Your Peril by siennadad

Oct 01, 2004 (7:50 pm)

As an owner of 4 jags (1998 XJ8, 1999 XJ8L, 2000 XK8 conv and 2001 VDP), I've enough horror stories to avoid Jaguar at all costs. I now drive the XK8 conv (22K mi) which I bought w/5K miles 3 yrs ago. The car is sweet, but when it breaks (and if you're out of warranty as I am), be prepared to bend over. The hydraulic lines burst 3 wks ago, flooding my interior w/green, slimy hydraulic fluid. I at first thought my top was leaking water, but it just stopped working. Dealer wntd $2K to replace the tubing (runs from trunk to the top of the windshield header). I called Jag corporate to plead for assistance, they told me to pound sand. My wife's '98 XJ8 (which she claims to love, but I can no longer see the humor) broke down the same day as my 2000 convertible. Motor started thrashing like a bull and sounded like can of marbles. Dealer's verdict? Timing chains need to be replaced, also $2K. Jaguar told me to pound sand on this one too. The car has less than 80K miles. On a recent trip to Florida, it kept dying while driving on the highway. It used to happen very infrequently, but on this trip it would die every half hour. Imagine, driving along and the engine cuts out. Took it to dealer, they cleaned the throttle body, no help. Two days ago, Jag finally issued a factory recall. Maybe this time they'll fix it. Bottom line, if you are considering a Jag, be prepared to be reamed when the car's out of warranty. I've had my share of having dealer replace bulbs at $30 a pop and bringing the car several times in course of 2-3 months for service. I have enough rental car receipts to fill a notebook! And the creme de la creme: someone vandalized my convertible and cut the top. Dealer wanted $7,500 to replace. Yup, $7,500. I used to love Jags, but will avoid them like the plague. STAY AWAY FROM THE BRAND!!

#1978 of 2801 Re: wood cracking [bwilfong] by siennadad

Oct 01, 2004 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: bwilfong (Aug 24, 2004 12:26 pm)
It's happened a lot on my 2 jags. Fortunately, I had dealer fix it when the car was still on warranty. If you still have warranty, complain to the dealer, they'll send it out for repair. If you're out of warranty, there is a co in CA that refinishes the wood panels for Jag (factory authorized). I've used them and they charged $140 to refinish the airbag door. The repair was flawless. The co is called Madeira Concepts as far as I recall, but if you need add'l info email me (rencapcorpaol.com) and I'll look up the details and will respond by email on contact info

#1979 of 2801 Siennadad..... by nvbanker

Oct 02, 2004 (10:52 am)

Which European brand doesn't cost a fortune to keep running out of warranty? I haven't found one yet. It's the cost of driving European class luxury. And by the way, price the power steering hose for a Lexus out of warranty.....
 
I just replaced the rear brake calipers on my Infiniti I-30. It has 90K on the clock. They had to be replaced because they couldn't be separated to put new pads under. They had corroded too badly - and this car has always lived in Las Vegas - no rain, road salt or rust here. Bottom line, $1500 to do the rear brakes. But I didn't call Infiniti, expecting them to do something about it. How long do I expect them to guarantee every part on the car? I agreed to the warranty period when I bought the car. I don't think I have a valid complaint against Nissan.
 
Look, you are like me, you like to drive nice, upscale cars. It's gonna cost us, if we keep them out of the warranty period. That's the way I see it.

#1980 of 2801 Oh, and the convertible top? by nvbanker

Oct 02, 2004 (10:53 am)

You don't have comprehensive insurance on the car to cover that? That little repair would cost me exactly $100, and State Farm would pay the rest. If you're too cheap to put insurance on the car, a nice car like that, I don't know how to help you pal...

#1981 of 2801 Reply to Siennadad by pathdoc

Oct 02, 2004 (11:14 am)

I've han two XK convertibles over the last seven years. I have had a 2001 XKR for the last 3 1/2 years which has been relatively trouble free with the exception of the same leak in the top hyraulic system that you describe. This happened about two months ago and when I took it in the car ahead of me was a 2000 XK8 with the same problem. I found out that there had been about 6 in the last month. I think there is some inherent problem with the system and may be related to a change in the fluid used. My 1998 XK8 top froze up and they changed the fluid and indicated that they changed the fluid type due the original fluid solidifying after a period of time.
 
I am trying to decide if I should keep the XKR after the lease is up next year and I think it will depend on what type of extended warranty I can get.

#1982 of 2801 Siennadad by wbreaux1

Oct 03, 2004 (12:59 am)

I appreciate the frustration. I have a 2000 E320 with 94k miles. I have had a few thousand of repairs in the past year that probably would have been covered by warranty. I swore off extended warranties as a general matter a while back since nothing ever seemed to break. I think if nothing else brakes before 100,000 miles the warranty probably wouldn't have saved me much net, but I'm not sure how much they cost.
 
The Mercedes has had a a number of things wrong, including 2 window regulators at several hundred dollars each. The best was one of the headlights was out. The light had melted into the assembly so $550 to fix.
 
I like lux cars (am thinking of getting an XJ8L) but realize more now that they do cost to keep going. It's a decision we have to make. Maybe an extended warranty is a good idea so we'll at least know how much it costs. Then of course nothing would break. . .

#1983 of 2801 by nvbanker

Oct 03, 2004 (1:06 pm)

Every time I have purchased an extended warranty, I've never needed it.

#1984 of 2801 nvbanker by leadfoot4

Oct 05, 2004 (5:37 am)

If, somehow or other, the karma of buying the ext. warranty prevented anything negative from happening to your car, maybe it was a good investment after all!!

#1985 of 2801 2004 VDP by mgmmm1

Oct 08, 2004 (12:15 am)

Having leased the 2004 VDP last week(Slate-Ivory),(my fourth Jaguar), I wanted to pass along some info. I had the 1993 XJ-6 but only for a year. Have (still) the 1995 VDP with many, many repairs. Never got stranded ,but did I pay the dealer serious cash over the years.(The price of luxury! I guess!).
Last year we got the S-type(2003) which has great ride manners and refinement in the Jaguar tradition. But the front seats, although bucket, are not comfortable. Otherwise, the car has been pure joy to drive.
So last week I got the 2004 VDP, they had great deal on it, with owner loyalty and incentives, I leased it for 745/month/24 months, including taxes. I had to come up with 1500 at inception. This at Bergen Jaguar, in Paramus New Jersey. The XJ-8's could be had for even less(slow sales...)
The car is great, very luxurious, soft supple leather, rides great(although I don't think as good as the 2003, maybe because it's lighter? and the air suspension?as opposed to regular suspenison?) Ergonomics are fine and rear space is great, for a change. BUT the same problem the front seats, although bucket, not comfortable, despite having a 16-way power adjustment. Otherwise the car is refined elegance with great roadside manners and definitely worth the price(for now !anyway!)
Thought I'd pass that along.

#1986 of 2801 XJ8 or XJ6/VandenPlas by audra

Oct 19, 2004 (4:50 pm)

I am eager to purchase my first Jaguar sedan, which must be a pre-owned, though cost will not be too much a factor.
 
My personal taste dictates that I choose either a '96/'97 VandenPlas or a 1998/99 XJ8 ( I do not care for '98/'99 VdP because I do not like the wheels ), though otherwise I find them very lovely with the contrasting piping on seats and the charm of the folding picnic tables.
 
I also would like to purchase the car that would probably beset me with the fewest problems, over-all. My feeling is that, because the XJ8's are the most "American-ized" of all Jaguars, thus far, they might represent the very best choice for me. I would like you all to share your opinion on this issue.
 
Additionally, and on another subject, entirely: how "steal-able" are Jaguars? ... meaning, are they especially sought-after by car thieves? I understand that certain cars are prime candidates to be targeted by thieves, and was wondering if Jaguars figure on their "list".
 
Thank-you always for our wonderful forum; I remain very grateful to continue to have access to your ideas and opinions. Audra

Messages Page 199 of 281

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