good morning all,

long story short. I am debating between a jaguar xk and the 350z.
I came across this in my travels and am just looking for some information.

http://www.goauto.ca/inventory/listi...32/1921/#specs

I have read through the forums quite a bit and it seems these are fairly reliable cars that can be treated a touch badly and not need major repairs done. Ie. I can buy used with some confidence. Looking around at other ones in the area (private and dealer) the 15k price tag seems reasonable. Hoping to be able to talk them down to 12-13k.

I have looked at it in person once already. But I did not know anything about it as I was looking for XKs. So I had no clue what to actually look for.

One concern would be if this one is the 2004.5. I will check the vin when i go into the dealer to test drive. but I think i see the "knee pad" which gives it a good chance of being the 4.5? Anyone able to tell from the pictures?

The only thing wrong (according to them) is the electric seat adjuster. It does not allow the back rest to move back and forth. But they are going to fix this before i drive it as its reclined all the way back and all you see is the headliner. Is this indicative of other electrical problems? or just an oddball thing?

on the website they claim is a 5 speed AT/MT but the salesman is determined its a 6 speed manual. anyone able to clear that up for me? and how do you switch between auto and manual?

Anything I want to specifically look for during the test drive? I have already checked the oil and struggled to get the dipstick back in.... at least is not 45 feet long as well......

But the biggest thing for me is does this car appear to have any mods done to it? I am a huge fan of stock but as I read things i learn people love to alter these.

Thanks for your guys' help, its greatly appreciated.

 

and how do you switch between auto and manual?

Sorry that made my day. The main gripe I think is the transmission. If it is manual make sure that it shifts smoothly, the pre 06 models had terrible synchro problems. Make sure the engine isn't knocking and you're good to go.

 

It's a 6MT.

 

they claim its a "Transmission: 5 Spd Automatic with Manual"

and i could not for the life of me figure out how to switch it to "auto" mode

thank you for clarifying it as the 6 speed manual

 

Your on a Z forum so asking which car to get so it will be one sided. Saying this I would go 350Z over the XK. Think about it, ~30K car (Z )dropping to the ~12-18K over 10-5 yrs. XK 50-70K car dropping to ~12-20 in the same amount of time. Seems like a big price drop and there is a reason for that. They have poor reliability. I know this first hand. My Mom has a 2000 XK with ~60K miles on it. One of the valves went bad = $600. Mechanic said the other seven will do this and will need to be replaced. Just two weeks ago her transmission went. She paid to have it fixed, most likely a ton $$$. The 350z does have its issues but not as much as a ford hybrid Jaguar.

 

Actually clicked the link, an auto would show which gear you're in right under your rev gauge.

 

I suggest the 3spd manual with auto mode

 

1) According to DavesZ#3,

https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...4-5-350zs.html

2004 Coupe VINs up to D*4T160000,E*4T060000)
2004.5 (Coupe VINs from D*4T160001, E*4T06000)

Vin of this car, T062661, falls under the first category. It's available under the history check report on the link provided.

2) Look at the speedometer - No little screen to show if you're in D, P, gear on semiautomatic etc. indicates its a manual. In an automatic car, you'd push the **** to the right to put it in semiautomatic mode.

3) Antenna isn't stock. Also appears to a blue hose in the engine bay.

Good luck.

 

On the tranny...does it have a clutch?Answer to that.
As mentioned,the 5AT will display the gear position on the dash .
To change a AT to the manual shift mode,you move the shift lever to the right,
this will engage the gate that will allow shifting in manual.You flick the lever forward
to change gears.Rear ward to downshift.When you stop,the car will default back to
first gear.The oil dip stick is a bit difficult to reinsert.Its good to have a flashlight
that will show you the metal "v shaped" guide leading to the dipstick opening.
The back rest is adjusted manually with the large **** at the side of the seat.
What model XK are you looking at?As a ex Jaguar owner,I can tell you that old or new,
Jags are not a trouble free car.There is no comparison to the reliability of the Z(Nssan).
Furthermore,a majority of Z owners modify their cars.When you think about it,thats
one of the major reason why this forum exists!How many modded jags have you seen?
Boring...Jaguars still sell mainly to older guys.For some reason,Corvettes share the same
consumer...reliving their youth per se...

 

blue radiator hose, tinted front side reflectors in bumper are tinted. Thats all I see thats not stock.

 

Oh i figured you guys would be a bit biased towards the 350z. I was not actually asking which of the two you guys would prefer. Just looking for opinions on the car. I am actually leaning towards the 350z as it seems to be a bit more of a barebones sport car that hopefully will be a bit simpler to repair. I currently own 2 older (87s) jaguars. and the mess of wires in those things is annoying to say the least. I would get the 2003 xk model if i got one today as they seem to have solved most of the major issues by then. But I really want to get a 2007. but I will have to wait some time before their prices come to a reasonable rate. So in the mean time; amuse my self with another car that should not depreciate to badly in the years to come!

I LOVE stock, and know very little about the 350z. As has been mentioned before, the odds of a jaguar being modified, slim to none. Odds of a 350z being modified by 72000 miles are a bit higher.

I wanted to make sure the drivetrain had not been modified. I just want to drive this thing and not have to worry about extra HP damaging things prematurely.

good call on the history report, so it would seem this one is the 4.5. that is good news.

I can live with a non stock antenna, radiator hose and a bit of shading. thank you guys for all the help. I will call the salesman and see if he can find that giant **** to get the backrest to come back to a driving position.

And to glr, I have 3 vehicles with MT/AT. they are a great choice for the 80s!

 

It appears it's NOT a 4.5 though:

2004 Coupe VINs up to D*4T160000,E*4T060000)
2004.5 (Coupe VINs from D*4T160001, E*4T06000)

T062661 .. So up to 4160000

 

2004.5 (Coupe VINs from D*4T160001, E*4T06000)

If I understand this correctly, this car has the E vin and should be a 4.5 or am i missing something?

 

Ah I missed the "E" part, so it should be a 4.5

 

Simple . . . does it have a clutch pedal? If there is a clutch . . . its a 6 speed! If not, its a 5 speed automatic!

 

the 350z is a great car but realistically the car has been modified and might possibly have an electrical problem. I love my car but i realized after i purchased it, i have an electrical problem where the entire passenger side speakers just make a high pitched volume. so please make sure you have everything checked out and are willing to deal with any inconsistencies BEFORE and AFTER purchase because this car has been modified. even if its slightly. our cars are made to be driven so you can be sure that this car has been slightly beaten. just beware!

 

thank you for the advice. I plan to do a vigorous test drive to try and spot any mechanical/electrical oddities before I spend a fair amount of money. thats why I am doing as much research on it as i can so I know what the common fail points are. As with any used vehicle you pays your money and takes your chances.

With the reading I have done it seems the biggest issue with these cars is the front tire wear (hopefully this one does not have it being the 4.5) and the 6 speed tranny. Hopefully with the engine being unmodified it has not suffered too badly from previous owners!

 

I hate HATE AHTEA HATHAEEHTAOJOW#QAWLJALJSLDJAS

how dealerships put all that mother****ing grease EVERYWHERE look at that interior, **** COVERED in ****jingjaoeuaopiwjdaliwjdaksdjasd GREASESAEWOAJELIASJDA GREASE!

 

The only visible modifications were the antenna, radiator hose and the front reflectors, none of which would cause any electrical issues.

 

Manual 6 Spd... Looks pretty decent shape from what the pictures show.