Jaguar XK8 thoughts?

I liked the looks too. Then I drove one. Didn't like the way it handled, and IIRC, it didn't seem to have much room in it.

 

I bought a new one in 1999 - British Racing Green and a Coupe... I actually kept it for 4 years - which is the longest I have ever owned a car...

I had absolutely no problems with it - other than the standard things like oil changes, tires, etc. I had to do nothing to the car.

The performance was average, the looks then were great - a little outdated now - but still nice classic XK lines.

The price point is pretty low for what you get - good luxury sport coupe.

PS. My wife loved mine as well - actually she stole it from me one night at a restuarant from the valet - and the rest - well we are married. (she stole it on a bet from the other partners in my firm - which she also worked for)...

Not a bad choice - and will always have a warm spot in my heart

Rich

 

Good cars, heavy though. Coupes are rare. Get the R version if you can get your hands on one.

Make sure to change the timing chain tensioners early so you know they will last. Earlier '98 and '99 had nikasil degradation issues if the owner stuck to the minimum oil changes and used high sulfur fuel. If looking at an earlier '98 or '99 model make sure to have a blow by test performed.

The SL500 is a better car than the Jag but it doesn't have the looks or British appointed interior.

Some XKRs are in a constant war with their rear differentials and rear tires if constantly pushed. Otherwise, they are very affordable and stout GTs.

You either love or hate the J-gate. Its not bad for an auto but it begs for a manual (aftermarket conversion) and lowering, to make a nice/fun car an extremely fun car.

PM me if you have any questions.

Sunny

 

My nieghbor bought one of these. No disrespect intended, but it was a reeal POS. Nothing but trouble. My turbo 348 was twice as reliable..............

 

I drove an XK8 convertible. Didn't really want to make me look for the nearest track... but it was a handsome car. The coupe looks even better, IMO. Back seat is a joke - small kids only.

Depreciation on these is huge. Actually, a lightly used XK is probably one of the better deals in the luxe 2-seater market. I would certainly buy a certified used one - Jag knows people are worried about reliability and their CPO program is really decent because of that. Or, lease it and turn it in before the warranty's up.

Jon

 

I drive a 2003 XKR daily, no problems, but I'm having a hard time warming up to the car. It's plenty fast, but I had to put an exhaust on it, because it sounded like an electric motor when I punched it I couldn't stand that, also don't like all the wood trim, I know it's traditional Jaguar, but not on a hot rod. The super charger lag is also dissapointing. As far as looks, I think it looks like a Z28...Not that good. I really miss my XJS, now that's a JAG, no mistaking it!

In short, FORD SCREWED up Jaguar.

 

I politely disagree with the Ford statement.

In my opinion, a more accurate statement is that Ford has extended the life of the brand through money infusion and improvements in quality but embraced an aggressive marketing strategy by doubling the model line in a desperate, short sighted attempt at gaining market share.

Jaguars 90's successes with the XJ and XK were ruined by continually changing management, and direction, from within Ford and the PAG.

Nothing Jaguar can do now comes without risk and they are clinging to a forcast of profitability in 2007 boosted in part by new XK8 sales when it is released next year.

What Jaguar needs to in order to succeed is a lengthy topic for another thread.

Sunny

 

We had a Black XJR. Fun Car. I would imagine the XK(R) feels even sportier. I'd say do it! Just, reliability isn't stellar. Reliability wise, it's no Lexus, but it's on par with Porsche.

Ford Screwed Up Jag? HAha, nope. Ford made Jag more reliable. Pre Ford Jags were horribly unreliable.

Too bad they still use that damned J-Gate shifter. A proper 6-Speed or SMG would be preferred.

 

Lovely car, definitely not a sports car. The biggest enjoyment comes from putting around nice scenic roads ...
We have the worst year, a 1998, and the car is still great. Needs some attention here and there, but overall an awesome experience. Back seats are worthless, steering is ridiculously over-assisted. If you're after a sports car, turn away. If it's a GT you want, now we're talking.
Here are some pics I shot today . It is a beautiful car.
http://img279.echo.cx/img279/1341/dsc000668qw.jpg
http://img276.echo.cx/img276/7227/dsc000624th.jpg
http://img267.echo.cx/img267/9271/dsc000700ev.jpg
http://img262.echo.cx/img262/8655/dsc002350zk.jpg

 

Check out the latest R&T. There is a good article on "old vs. new" that highlights the jag.

 

I've owned 2 XK8 convertibles and had no problems. As a summer car, hard to beat! Buy them used with warranty and get one of the best deals going. In Canada, the cars sold for around $108,000 new. 4 years later about $30,000.

 

I almost bought one for my wife too..

Pay the few dollars extra for a preowned certified example.

I'd suggest the XKR coupe.

Nice quick sports coupe thats shouts sensuality.

Very nice car indeed.

 

Same "chassis" or so. But the AM has a V12 and manual transmission ...

 

I wouldn't suggest the XKR for the little lady, unless she can find a place to use 390 HP, it's not necessary, the extra bucks you pay is not worth it.

And don't confuse a financial bailout with improving Jaguar. Better to just kill it than to make fords with a Jag badge.

 

What lag? Surely by its' very nature a supercharger is lag free as it's constantly driven, unlike a turbo which can suffer from lag.

 

Not on this car, it definetley whines up before take off, and even then the dash lights up like it's a no-no to do it, computer crap!

 

Have driven a bunch of them the R is the way to go if needed but the lines are pure and classic if a little out of step with "modern"

it is a full on touring coupe not really a track car by any standard too heavy. the Supercharger has NO lag but one hell of a punch when it spools

I had on out on the road circuit at Motorsport Ranch for a number of hot laps the only thing other than the weight was that manual was like death the old J gate is useless for trying to drive to the limit. with the Trac off it just pushed slightly but when you got the balance point and uptick on the supercharger worked it was pretty well manored.

Odds are the track performance is not the reason for purchase. The looks are stunning even today as one of the oldest designs on the road. as a driver for runs to the lake or just to go to the boutiques it is great. very few cars have that instant "Classy look" that everyone GETS.

I would still work an extended warranty into the purchase but the newer jags are really getting the bugs ironed out well.

Ford coments GAwd people are opinionated when they really don't know anything, Jag would be history without ford and sonny is dead on with his assessment of why things have been dicy

 

Ian Callum and team designed the DB7 for Aston Martin before moving over to Jaguar to design the XK8, so your eyes are NOT deceiving you.

Only some of the DB7's were equipped with the V12, the Vantage, the stock DB7 received a supercharged 3.2L inline six that benefits greatly from removing the Eaton supercharger and replacing it.

Both the DB7 and the XK8 are based on a modified XJS chassis.

Italiacars, I think that you're the one who's confused. The supercharger spins with the engine at IDLE but the pressure is not routed into the engine for a) fuel efficiency, b) heat, and c) emissions sake.

The supercharger is spooled by the turning of the engine through belts and pulleys and does not need to repressurize like a turbo system with a blow off valve to release dangerous exhaust gas pressure, which causes the turbo to spool down. This is why superchargers are generally "lag free" but the trade off is efficiency and fuel economy.

By nature, the Eaton supercharger only has a peak efficiency in the 60% range when the car is on the move and breathing deep. Case in point, the DB7 mentioned above using an Eaton supercharger gained 100bhp by switching to a more efficient Whipple screw type supercharger and a different intercooler.

Eaton is the Mustang of the supercharger world. Its not the best blower for the job but its cheap and widely available.

As to the financial bail out doing nothing for Jaguar, it brought to production one of the least appreciated and most reliable luxury sedans ever, the '95-'97 XJ6 and XJR. Its also one of Jaguar's shortest ever production years.

I've put 90,000 HARD miles racing my Jaguar through canyons, highways, and city streets and its driven daily and my only car. I've spent $500 fixing things that broke, around $250 of that for a failed ignition coil for my entire time of ownership (almost 5 years).

The icing on the cake is that I haven't performed a dealer stamped service interval in 75k miles. I take it to a specialist for regular fluids changes, do the brakes myself, and have them grease the points every couple months. Thats as good if not better than a Lexus.

I am no automotive expert. But I have been obsessed with Jaguars for the last 7 years and know a hell of a lot more than most. Your comments couldn't be more incorrect.

Cheers,
Sunny

 

My buddy has one. Interior is nice. It's a HEAVY car though. As far as problems, he had a sagging headliner (probably because the first owner was a smoker), and he constantly has problems with his electric windows. They're supposed to go down when you open the door and go back up when you shut them to form a tight seal, but they sometimes don't go up/down upon opening/closing. I think he's also had a fuel pump die.
If you get service done at a Jaguar stealership (at least the one in Plano, TX), bring your own Vaseline. I think they charged something like $300 for an oil change and another $150 to top off fluids!!! I would've pitched a *****, but it wasn't my car.

 

Anybody remember LeMans circa '56-'57?
Team Limo here: http://www.matmoranmotorsports.com/index.html
Go get 'em Sunny.

Cheers,
Tom - Obsessed with Jaguars since 1956
1978 XJ6L - Changing the oil myself for 28 years.

 

Well one last comment, I''ve owned three Jag's so I think I know something about them, where they've been, what Ford is doing etc. I'm not confused about anything, opinionated maybe, but not confused . With regard to the supercharger, maybe it's not supose to lag, but it does.

 

...Would be a good decision. XKR is a nice, sexy GT with reasonably good performance.

We have a 2001 XJR (same eng/tran as XKR) and have never felt that there is any lag with the s/c setup. In fact, even from off-idle, it's very responsive and pulls very well through the midrange. Rated 370 SAE net hp and 0-60 in ~5.4sec makes for a fun ride!

Oh yeah, this is my wife's daily driver. Trust me, she enjoys having the s/c!

Had an XJS some years ago. Bleeccchhhh! Underpowered, overweight, poor handling...but sexy body & interior. XKR is light years better on all fronts.

My $0.02...

 

Husker, you and I think about the same cars....all the time!

Here's one option, get an XK8 and put some body pieces on it.

Found HERE-> http://www.jaguarxp.com/Merchant2/4.16/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JAGXP&Product_Code=prx6726

It's a hot car, but just needs a bit of finishing. I think with the kit it's practically an Aston Martin at a fraction of the cost.

Wes