Looking to purchase XK8 Convertible

[acepower84]

This is my first post on the forum so please accept my apologies in advance if i have posted in the wrong section. 

I currently run a Skoda Octavia VRS and will be replacing this with a car that my wife can use around town. I am also looking at purchasing an XK8 convertible, preferably an earlier model. I have no experience or knowledge with jags myself, although my lasting impression of an uncle's XJR 4.0 V8 (X300 shape) have always made me want one.

My main reason for posting is what should i be looking for when searching for the right car. There appears to be quite a few cars on the market and many seem to have required some sort of welding for mot purposes.  This frightens me as i have had to mend plenty of rust repairs on old Ford's (and still doing at this present moment of time!). I really dont want to be buying a rust bucket as a daily/leisurely driver. Please note my budget is not an open cheque book as my old fords tend to chew that up most of the time.

Failing that, i have also been looking at Lexus SC430 mainly for reliability issues but i fear it will not tick all the boxes for me and may regret not buying an XK8 instead.

Look forward to hearing some of your views.

Altaf  (a very frightened potential jaguar owner).

[tommac]

If you are looking at an earlier model the most important thing is to check the history and make sure the timing chains have been sorted. Earlier ones had plastic tensioners .If they go in mid flight it can do a lot of damage to engine.

Rust,rust and rust--no getting away from it i`m afraid. Check sills ,subframes ,floorpans and behind rear wheel arches.  Good news is that it can all be sorted.

Owning one of these is great but it will cost you. If you are scared of that prospect then my advice is look elsewhere. Harsh but true. BUT its a fantastic car.

I splashed on an XKR a couple of years ago and even though it costs a few bob now and again the novelty value has still not worn off. Good luck

[acepower84]

54 minutes ago, tommac said:

If you are looking at an earlier model the most important thing is to check the history and make sure the timing chains have been sorted. Earlier ones had plastic tensioners .If they go in mid flight it can do a lot of damage to engine.

Rust,rust and rust--no getting away from it i`m afraid. Check sills ,subframes ,floorpans and behind rear wheel arches.  Good news is that it can all be sorted.

Owning one of these is great but it will cost you. If you are scared of that prospect then my advice is look elsewhere. Harsh but true. BUT its a fantastic car.

I splashed on an XKR a couple of years ago and even though it costs a few bob now and again the novelty value has still not worn off. Good luck

Thank you for your honest opinion and outlook as that is what i am after. I understand its not going to have Japanese reliability and neither has my Skoda but i can live with that. What would you consider is a reasonable amount to set aside within the brain in terms of running costs for the year excluding fuel?

Car would be seldom used for work, around 5 miles a day and maybe the odd long commute. All in all around 5000 miles per year. 

I have read some of your posts and you appear to have some good knowledge about these cars. I would think that i could pick things up quite quickly with a lot of help of here and other sources from the internet so i am hoping that some jobs can be tackled at home. 

[tommac]

difficult to answer but when I bought mine ( actually swapped it for my S type --lucky me) I sent it straight to a Jag specialist (on a transporter ) and told them to make it right. Cost me 2k but they sorted everything. Most expensive was a knock sensor that needed replacing. (had to remove supercharger and loads more) Wheel bearing, suspension and discs. Oh and Oil cooler that was leaking. Thankfully haven`t had to spend anything in last 2 years since then but I don`t drive it very much. A lot of parts not as scary as you might think. Checkout a couple of sites eg     http://www.xk8-parts.com/

Next job, noticed a few bubbles behind rear arch so will get that done in spring and fitting remote roof control

 

PS Am actively thinking of adding an XK8 to the stable for my wife---of course

[Guest]

5 hours ago, acepower84 said:

What would you consider is a reasonable amount to set aside within the brain in terms of running costs for the year excluding fuel?

Hi Altaf and Welcome to the Club,

Since coming back to Jaguar by buying my second S Type earlier this year I have been considering acquiring an XK. A Coupe as I am one of those people that just cant see the point of a Rag Top in the UK - poor weather and spiteful vandals being the real concerns - and there can be an appreciable difference in maintenance costs if the Rag Top is heavily decayed or damaged and worse still the electronics and mechanical gear goes to pot.

To answer your questions as well as I can though, the biggies before you even turn the ignition on will be Car Tax - circa £300 per year, and Insurance which will depend on where you live, how old you are and the quality of your driving history - bluntly put you could end up paying more each year for insurance than you paid for the car - the comparison sites will give you some clear indications.

Assuming those figures don't put you off, with the kind of short journey mileage you are anticipating you could expect the XK to return something around 15MPG and that could be a trifle optimistic.

Then comes the dreaded maintenance. If you're happy and competent to do a lot of the work yourself than you can keep servicing costs down to just the consumables, and with the kind of mileage you're anticipating, you would probably get away with a full service in the first year of ownership and then perhaps every 2-3 years after that.

If you're careful and buy a car that has good tyres and well maintained brakes you may also get away without replacing these anytime soon BUT if they need to be replaced you can figure on at least £150 a corner for tyres and £175-250 for Discs and Pads (probably more for the XKR).

After that lot you're in the lap of the Gods - we all spend our time hoping that nothing major breaks and that nothing structural rusts through.

I hope I have not put you off buying a Jag they do reward those prepared to offer some genuine TLC but just like any good lady you will need to invest in them.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Leo]

Steve, I have had my XK for well over 3 years now, and all it has cost me is one indicator Bulb and one brake light Bulb, about ten quid total.

OK, the Road Fund Licence is 500 quid, and you may be right about MPG, but I never check that: I only do about 3000 miles a year, so the cost of petrol is not a major concern.

I simply love my XK, and intend to keep it until it is too low for me to get in and out unaided!

[acepower84]

Thank you to everyone for giving me replies within such a short period of time. It may be a case that i should possibly start my journey with a coupe instead to get a grip and then maybe delve into a convertible later on.

I have two young children aged 6 and 4 so i would have thought that i should be able to get away with storing them im the back seats...I have just been to see a Lexus SC430 and it' a very small sized interior. Definitely a two seater car. I would hope that an SO would be slightly bigger and roomier inside.

My current Skoda road tax is £270 so its not a marginal increase.  I guess the type of driving would be sedate and respectful so no boy racer thrashing of the sort, otherwise the pocket will feel the pinch.

I was hoping that it could be insured as a classic considering the ages they are now creeping upto but i could be wrong.

[Guest]

15 hours ago, Leo said:

OK, the Road Fund Licence is 500 quid, and you may be right about MPG, but I never check that: I only do about 3000 miles a year, so the cost of petrol is not a major concern.

I simply love my XK, and intend to keep it until it is too low for me to get in and out unaided!

Whoops, clearly I misread the DVLA tables! Ah well, an extra 200 quid a year for an XK - who cares.

Cheers Leo, sounds like it will be more than just me using an engine hoist to get in and out.

[tommac]

the older ones (pre 2006) are only £250 p.a and I pay £195 insurance but I live in the sticks.

[Leo]

On the plus side my insurance is only around £200, so similar to tommac. Given the very low depreciation it has been a cheap car to run - so far.......

[Guest]

Cheers Tom and Leo,

More grist for the mill to convince (well, maybe allow some defence against counter arguments from) The First Lady that a decent XK Coupe would be a good investment.

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,

If you need any help with insurance at all for any model you're looking at then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

[XK98]

I just acquired a 1998 XK8 Convertible....beautiful car. I'm new also to the forums...only advice I can render is do a lot of research on the car you find....I got lucky to a get single owner/ dealer maintained 98 from a wholesaler here in Southern Maryland for $4000 USD. Good luck on your search. By the way, would you believe this car was MSRP @ $72,000 in DEC1997

[frankc]

Good luck with your car hunt.   If I may id like to pass on a bit of advise I give to all those who want to buy these cars.   Join several forums, nothing wrong with this one but just widen your options.   When you find a car you like take someone who already owns one with you.  Hence the suggestion of many forums.  There is bound to be someone near you.  They would be more than likely to look at your possible new purchase with objective eyes rather than what I call "I want one!" eyes.

 

 

[johndee]

Hi Acepower

Check out a couple of my videos and they will help you make your mind up.

Consider subscribing as well because I am currently editing up a whole series of video's called the secrets of the XK8. Its Free! and if you click the bell icon you a notification every time i put a new one up.  

Executive summary though. The XK8 wont be the cheapest or most trouble free of your options to own. But it will make you smile more than any Lexus. PS Franc C is right re "I want one" eyes. so enjoy the decision making process and dont rush it.

Good luck whatever you choose.      John

 

[tommac]

Great videos and timing. Already have XKR convertible but looking to add an XK8 (coupe probably) to the growing stable

[acepower84]

Well, its been quite a long time since I last posted and I have also checked out John Dees videos which have been very helpful.

 

I never did end up buying a jaguar, instead opting for a four door sedan, a Lexus GS450h on a 2008 plate. Had 7 months of bliss and then the timing chain decided to give up. Ended up selling it to Copart and had to get some temporary wheels after that. I am still undecided what route I will be taking but more than likely if I do purchase an XK8, it will be a coupe to start with.

[Steve Nelson]

Hello

I have a 1999 XK8 convertible in silver metallic with black leather and leaping Jaguar Cats on all four headrests in silver.   It is a Darden Model having been originally fitted with the special Darden exhaust system -improved suspension - lowered ground affects. it is distinguishable by the larger exhaust pipes that are oval shaped as well as the ground affects. It has only 34,000 miles and is in fabulous condition. It has CD system -cassette -air bags andI am selling it for $15,500 US.  My email is stvnlson@gmail.com and phone is 7035171345 in Florida.

[acepower84]

Its been nearly 3 years since i last posted and i am happyto say i have finally purchased an XK8 coupe! Its in British Racing Green and is supposed to be a special Emerald model but im sure other members on here will know better than me. I will more than likely start a new members thread very soon with pictures of the car.