I know there are other brands in our collective garages. I'm wondering if there's anyone here who is also into or knowledgeable about Jaguar? I tried the jaglovers forum and found it a pain to navigate and read. Mercedesshop is the best! I'm spoiled.

If any of you have recommendations about other Jaguar-related forums that might be better, I'm looking for suggestions. I've never bought a Jag before, but I saw one last night I'm not sure I can pass up.

Thanks.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Try Jaguar Club of North America's forum.

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350SL, 300CD, 450SL, 450SLC, 560SEL, 560SL, SL500SL500R

What you need to know ?...Jaguar is one of my specialities...



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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

I'm considering the purchase of an XK8 (either '97 or '98) and wondered if anyone had a check list of common problems with these cars. Just things to look for for the non-expert.

I'd like to find a good, trustworthy mechanic in the Northern VA area for Jaguars.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

As with any car service records are important. The Jaguar AJ8 engine was introduced in the XK cars and early engines 97-98 has issues with the alumn cylinder liners. There was a factory service recall and was of limited time, meaning if it hasn't already been done you cannot do it under warranty now.

Otherwise these cars are very reliable, the earliest cars I believe 97 will usually show the greatest number of quirks, the later cars get progressively better.

As to overall reliability, the post Ford Jags are much better built than the earlier cars ever were.

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Stable Mates:
1987 300TD 310K mi (Hans)
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee OM642 165k mi (Benzrokee)

DON'T.



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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

id like a jag.. i love the body lines.. but not their problems. i love it when i take groceries to a customer that owns a jag and i ask them so how do you like it. they say.. oh i love my jag-wire... and i come back.. yea id love a jag-you-ahr but i actually prefer the engineering of mercedes benz..

I looked again this morning after I posted my question and checked out the JCNA forum. Thanks for the suggestion.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Why do the British drink warm beer?

Because they have Lucas refrigerators.

The old Jags are known for crappy quality components, bad engineering and lots of electrical problems. I don't know now the reliabilty is since Ford bought them, but I think it could only get better.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

Do you know what year it was that Ford acquired Jaguar? I'm considering buying a 1997 XK8. There seem to be a couple of mechanical issues to look for initially.

Also, it seems that finding a good indie Jaguar mechanic in N. VA may not be so easy. Next car will either be this one of a 560SEC. Depends upon which one I can find the best deal on.

BTW, I was told once that the British never really got into computer manufacturing because they couldn't figure out how to make PC's leak oil.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I have owned an '88 XJ6 Vanden Plas and an "88 XJS V12. Those were the best Jaguars since Ford bought the comapny arund 1993-1994. I had no problems whatsoever with those two. I sold them both with 155k miles. Both Very clean, everything working and such. They can be very problematic though if not taken care of the right way. After those 2 cars, I switched to mercedes. So basically any jaguar after 1994 is part Ford and no more pure British engineering.

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

Jaguar didn't start making the V8 until Ford took them over, so an XK8 is definately during the Ford days.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

I love them, my grandparents have always had a least one in the stable.

It really wouldn't take to much of a push for me to get a Jag insted of a MB next time around.


The XJS are really amazing cars, with the V12 they move right along!

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200