1998 Jaguar XJ8 from North America
Summary:
Buy a 2001 or newer with the Select Edition Warranty
Faults:
I have had stalling problems at high way speeds like everyone else. But, it has been fixed for free with the recent campaign letter that I received from Jaguar to replace the throttle body. Plus make sure that you have your part load breather cleaned at every Oil change and make sure that your dealer performs this. If you do both, your stall nightmares should be over. I can't understand where these complaints about acceleration performance are coming from. When in sport mode this car performs like it's animal name a fast Jaguar. In normal mode it tries to be economical, so of course you are not going to get the best performance results.
I have had my transmission replaced at 75,000 miles. The dealer wanted $7,000 for a new one. I shopped on-line and found a re manufactured one for $1,600 with a one-year warranty. The dealer charged me $1,168 to install it which $400 was for the expensive transmission fluid since the transmission was shipped with out any. The car is a dream to drive and it drives like no other car, but at 75,000 miles and replacing a transmission is kind of ridicules.
General Comments:
This car is exhilarating to drive, and I would not buy anything else for my daily driver. I have owned more than 11 cars in my lifetime and I am 28 years old. I have owned BMW's, Mercedes and Lexus and I do not think that BMW and Mercedes are any better. From my experience I have had a lot more problems with BMW and Mercedes especially than I have had with my Jaguar. The problem with Jaguar is that the dealers want to charge outrages prices for service just because you have and can afford a Jaguar. If you shop around for service and parts, you will save thousands.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 21st October, 2004
6th Jul 2005, 06:41
I'am looking at purchasing a pre owned 1998 XJ8in Canada. Car has only 40000 miles to date and it is from a reputable dealership. Are there any specific recalls or recommendations you can provide for this vehicle?
What is your opinion too buy or not to buy?