Not strictly new, but my new car is

Olde English · May 26, 2017

Now I've had it for a month, thought it would be a good idea to post first pics of my "new" 2005 XK8 4.2S. It was sad to see the XF go, but this is the car I've always wanted.

JOE-DOT-COM · May 26, 2017

HI Stewart and Welcome

Looks great, I like the color, not seen it before

cheers

Joe

Carole Simpson-Hadley · May 27, 2017

Good morning Stewart

That looks a cracker....might you attend the Gaydon breakfast meet next Saturday? We are hoping to attend in our '07 XK X150 (8K miles) and are really looking forward to meeting other like-minded types.

What is the actual colour name of your XK8 and what colour is the trim? We prefer light trim (ours is ivory) as it seems to be easier (surprisingly) to keep looking pristine.

That was a brave move to change from the XF, but we know which we'd prefer! (clue....'05 was a very good year!)

As always, happy growling

Olde English · May 27, 2017

Good morning Carole

I hope to be attending the breakfast meet, but I have a carpenter in on Friday and he might overrun, which means I won't make it, unfortunately due to calendars, this was the only time available.

My XK8 is the final run out "S" model, the colour is Satin Silver and the interior is Charcoal (with white double stitching), standard Jaguar grey lining. It is more pleasing than black as it is noticeably lighter once inside, the dash trim is in carbon fibre, not my ideal choice (I am quite an old fashioned wood trim kinda guy) but it does make the cabin look more modern.

The XF was a lovely car, but I have always wanted a V8 and in particular, an XK100 rather than 150. I guess at heart I am just a little retro (note, not old fashioned!! ). Now I am totally enjoying "Jagownership".

Carole Simpson-Hadley · May 27, 2017

Hi Stewart

The XK8 looks grand and that seems/sounds like a good combination. We don't like dark colours at all, either outside or inside. Our X150 is lunar grey (which is as dark as we want to go) with, as said before, ivory trim, which is very light in colour. Our S-type is Seafrost which carries the lines well, again with ivory trim with some mushroom areas. We agree ref the wood trim, although our X150 has aluminium/carbon fibre dash trim which, somehow, in this case, we prefer to the wood - seems to suit the car better. Whatever, we weren't going to turn down the opportunity to buy a '07 car with only 6600 miles on the clock (now, after 13 months, increased to 8700 - high days and holidays!). The S has wood dash trim.

A friend of my partner owns a black XF with very dark grey interior headlining; he says it's like riding in a coffin!

We both wish you well with the 8, and if you do attend Gaydon on June 03, we hope the weather is good allowing us to attend in our XK; if wet, it'll be the S! We should like, eventually, to add a XJ8 to our stable, noting that MkIXs, early XKs (140/150) and E-types are decidedly out of our range!

As always, happy growling and you won't find it difficult to keep the smile on your face!

Olde English · May 27, 2017

Thank you Carole

I must admit, I too prefer lighter interiors, the XF was barley/truffle, IIR. We looked at other 8's with light interiors, but the wood trim wasn't right, as soon as we sat in this one, it was just right.

I would like to add a MK2, but unfortunately even that is out of range (at the mo )

I do hope to get up to Gaydon and will be doing my utmost, even turning into a Chippies mate to help him finish, but if not, I'm sure I'll be at the next.

Carole Simpson-Hadley · June 5, 2017

Hi Stewart

Not sure if you made Gaydon last Saturday.......perhaps the chippie went on a go-slow?! We did see a gold XK8 coupe and my partner artfully took a look at the reg plate, then remembered that your forum pics had the plate blanked out. Either that, or you are royalty and don't need plates!

As you'll see elsewhere, a good gathering and the weather was very kind, considering it was wall-to-wall rain the days before and after.

Hope the 8 is perpetuating the Growler grin; ohoh my partner is eyeing up that MkV advert again...time to shorten the leash

Olde English · June 5, 2017

Carole

Yes did get along, reg is S20 LNG, perhaps that's the XK8 your partner artfully shot? I saw your XK, recognised by the cover note in the windscreen, and very nice it is too.

Mucho growler grins going on here, I will post a shot with me and Sandie together (note, Sandie is most definitely the pretty one)

Carole Simpson-Hadley · June 5, 2017

Hi Stewart

Aha, seems my partner was correct...it was your Sandie that we were examining, and very nice too.

Sure you'll agree that the event was well worth attending and next time, should you attend, we'll know who to look out for. We are wondering whether to travel from home (just a little west of Birmingham) in convoy next time, so that we can take both the XK and the S. Sisters, and all that.

We are also hoping that somebody will turn up with a MkV, VI or Mk VIII or IX next time....just so we can drool!

Continue grinning........well known side effect of Jaguar ownership with no known cure other than selling the Jaguar.......that's not going to happen. Last person to suggest that had an incident .