Jim Oaks
Just some guy with a website
Administrator
Founder / Site Owner
Supporting Vendor
Article Contributor
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
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GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2000
- Messages
- 14,462
- Reaction score
- 11,456
- Location
- Nocona, Texas
- Vehicle Year
- 1996 / 2021
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 4.0 V6
- Engine Size
- 4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6-inches
- Tire Size
- 33x12.50x15

CHEAP 300 Horsepower Cars UNDER $5,000
When you only have $5,000 to spend on a car, your options are pretty limited. You can either get a barely working, high-mileage Corolla, or maybe a Honda Pilot. Boring! I don’t know about you…

I did a search online and found this 2005 Jaquar XJ8 listed for $3,900.
The seller told me that it had a check engine light due to a circuit low fuel pump code. The seller also said that the airbag light was on because of a bad clock spring in the steering wheel, and that the headliner was sagging.
I met the seller and took the car for a drive. Even though it has some issues it drove great.
Looking the car over I also noticed that the ballpoint in the upper control arms were wore out, as well as the struts to hold up the trunk lid.
I thought about the car over night and purchased it the next day for $3,500 which was the lowest value KBB put on the car. For the price I felt comfortable that I could get back whatever I spent in new parts.
Now that I have it I ordered (2) new upper control arms from Rock Auto for under $200 for the pair, about $35 for new trunk lid struts, and $240 for a new clock spring. I found used clock springs on ebay for $100, but decided to spend the money for a new one so I'm not replacing it again later.
The Jaguar is a 294 horsepower rear wheel drive sedan that was rated to do the 1/4 mile in 14.3 seconds and 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
I think I want to replace the stock mufflers with either Flowmaster or Magnaflow's. I want it to sound like a performance car but not be obnoxious.
I also want to upgrade the headlights to LED and mount a pair of LED spotlights under the front bumper to light up the Texas 75 MPH 2-lane black top at night. I see a "Cannonball Run" car when I look at it.