JAGUAR XJ8 SPORT 1998

1998 3.2 XJ Sport

115,700 miles

MOT April-2019

Black, cream half leather interior

Electric Windows

Air Con

Remote central locking

Remote boot release

Electric mirrors

6-disc CD changer with Steering Wheel Controls

Trip computer

My step-father owned this car from 4 years old, and owned it until 2 years ago when he passed it on to me, on 106,000 miles. He always had it serviced annually, but wasn't very good at keeping the receipts. Service book has a handful of stamps, last one at 90k in 2009.

I've had the following work done:

Dec-2016 - service, new alloy thermostat tower (to replace the original plastic one - a common issue) (Swallows Jag specialist)

April-2017 - Inner Wheel arches welded, MOT (Swallows Jag specialist)

March-2018 - Oil Service, MOT (local garage)

Good points

It's been very reliable, and gets 28mpg on a run if driven carefully. (Around town, it's nearer 16mpg.)

It hasn't had the uprated tensioners fitted as far as I'm aware, but it starts with no nasty rattles.

Comes with 2 keys and 2 remotes.

And the bad bits...

The rear view mirror is cloudy, a common issue. A replacement costs about £80 I believe

Small burn on the driver's seat

Electric aerial doesn't fully extend, or fully retract. I replaced this when I got the car, with a £10 eBay job. Proof you get what you pay for. The reception of the radio is fine though, hence I haven't replaced it.

Small rust scab on 1 rear wheel arch. When I got the car I cleaned out all the arches, must have been 18 years of crud in there, and applied dinitrol to the inner arches.

Paint work has quite a few swirls, scratches and scuffs. And then last night, some kind soul decided to run a key down the passenger side. From front wing right the way back to the boot.

Alloy wheels are ok, but could do with a refurb to make perfect.

It's a good, reliable car, it's never let me down, seems mechanically very robust albeit a bit scruffy.

Car is based in Bristol (BS6) and has to go next weekend (7th/8th April) as a new car arrives the following week.

Mileage will rise slightly as I'm using it this week for Easter holiday-related trips. Will porbably be on 116k by next weekend.