RE: Jaguar XK8: Catch It While You Can
Thursday 9th January 2014
There's quite a vibe surrounding Jaguar coupes at the moment. Blame it on the imminent arrival of the sensational F-Type Coupe, the launch of which Jaguar rather cleverly held back several months after the roadster in order to get two bites of the publicity cherry. Do you blame them? Of course not - but why the coupe before the roadster, considering the closed car costs less, is likely to handle better, and is almost certainly will sell more?
Handsome £5K XK8 catches Keith's eyeFor those of us in the real world who'd love a piece of leaping cat action, but can't stump up the £50K you'll need to buy one, the alternative lies buried in the PH Classifieds - a car that time forgot, and which to anyone with eyes in their head, still looks absolutely sensational - the 1996-2006 XK8.
The big cat is aging rather nicely thank youGiven that the earliest cars have now reached the age of consent, and the classic fraternity simply hasn't cottoned on to them yet, the shabbiest, leggiest XK8s are dangerously close to dropping into SOTW territory. But don't be tempted to go down the route of plumping for one of the £1,500 snotters out there unless you're very handy at DIY - it may seem like a great idea after a night at the pub, but the horror of bodged electrics, rotten footwells and four unevenly-worn Ling Long tyres will cure your hangover faster than any cold shower and raw egg cocktail.
A tad 'pink chinos' but the V8 will always appealFor me, the perfect catch-it-while-you-can XK8 comes in at the price point above, the mainstay of those PH Classifieds browsing sessions we're all guilty of. If you cash in that £5,000 ISA that's doing very little at the moment, and trade it for a bit of weekend and summer fun, a good, honest and cared-for XK8 is well within your grasp. A 4.0-litre auto that caught my eye is a good example - it's in Wales so the drive back should be nice. It's bang on the money at £4,995, and with what's described as full-specialist history and a mileage on the right side of 100,000, it has the potential to be a lightly-used keeper. It's vanilla, and all the better for it - aftermarket 20-inch alloys ruin the XK8's balance.
Jaguar XK8: Catch It While You Can
In the first of a new series Keith Adams ponders an affordable alternative to that F-Type coupe...
Handsome £5K XK8 catches Keith's eye
People blithely talk about the XK8 being an XJ-S cast-off, or a poor-man's Aston Martin DB7, but you can forget that right now. The cooking XK8 4.0-litre handles beautifully, and is rare for being an older Jaguar with communicative and accurate steering. Don't even think of taking rear-seat passengers in that slightly claustrophobic creaky wood and leather cabin though. Best also ignore that Ford-derived switchgear, too. That J-gate transmission selector is also an acquired taste. And as for seeing out of it, forget it - just drive faster and don't use the mirrors.
However, get an XK8 on the right road, and it will truly reward you.
The big cat is aging rather nicely thank you
Yes, like all old Jaguars with a four-figure price starting with a one, while it's running it'll make you feel like a million dollars. But the moment it stops working, or you peer under it with an inspection lamp, it's game over unless you're really lucky. Don't get me wrong, there are bargains out there, but treat them as that - great when they're going well, but expendable, come three-page MoT fail sheet time. The ultimate Shed adventure that doubles as a driveway ornament...
A tad 'pink chinos' but the V8 will always appeal
Just check the gearbox works as it should, and it's had that reassuring warranty-funded engine change to rid it of the Nikosil problems that plagued Jaguar and BMW in the 1990s (an easy spot, because they will have fitted a plaque in the engine bay to tell you) - and you should be in business. Please, though - keep it to yourselves until I get one on my drive, first...
Discussion
Nice (if brief) review.
Is a £5k XK8 really a viable non-rusty prospect these days?
When I looked at these a year or so ago, the cheap ones were pretty rough around the edges, and the early 4.0 engine is much more troublesome than the later 4.2.
Since when did Keith Adams write for PH? Hope there's not too much British Leyland fanboy-ism in his upcoming PH articles...
Is a £5k XK8 really a viable non-rusty prospect these days?
When I looked at these a year or so ago, the cheap ones were pretty rough around the edges, and the early 4.0 engine is much more troublesome than the later 4.2.
Since when did Keith Adams write for PH? Hope there's not too much British Leyland fanboy-ism in his upcoming PH articles...
My old man had this before his XK in the same colour - and he did a lot of miles in it and never let him down! It was the 4.2 version mind.
Only thing that did let him down was the typical UK road with large potholes - he cracked a wheel, and couldn't get a single wheel so had to replace all 4 for around £3k!!
Only thing that did let him down was the typical UK road with large potholes - he cracked a wheel, and couldn't get a single wheel so had to replace all 4 for around £3k!!
They are great cars. I had a late unsupercharged 4.2 for several years. Very reliable and surprisingly frugal on a long run, although parts like the Brembo discs and pads were £500 a corner and the Sat Nav option I had became useless as the technology was from 2000 and there are no updates available.
This article is a bit like those ubiquitous classic car articles that state excitedly that you can 'Buy a Rolls for under ten grand'. £5k is going to buy you as car that may drive okay, but is going to cost the best part of £5k to put right at some point soon after. 4.2's are the best ones to go for. You can still find them on Jaguar dealer forecourts although they are often at ridiculous prices.
This article is a bit like those ubiquitous classic car articles that state excitedly that you can 'Buy a Rolls for under ten grand'. £5k is going to buy you as car that may drive okay, but is going to cost the best part of £5k to put right at some point soon after. 4.2's are the best ones to go for. You can still find them on Jaguar dealer forecourts although they are often at ridiculous prices.
Nice article. 
the article said:
and it's had that reassuring warranty-funded engine change to rid it of the Nikosil problems that plagued Jaguar and BMW in the 1990s (an easy spot, because they will have fitted a plaque in the engine bay to tell you)
Any pics of what this plaque looks like?I've always loved these since my dad had the v8 xjr back in 2000. However, someone I know who has worked at Jag for over twenty years, laughed and told me not to touch one with a barge pole (he doesn't seem to think they were built particularly well to say the least). Are there any owners who feel, or have experienced, differently (because I'd still love one)?
I'd like a late one like this:
url]http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/jaguar/xkr/jaguar-xk8-xkr-coupe----------------2003/1880263[/url]
Or something a bit different:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
I'd like a late one like this:
url]http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/jaguar/xkr/jaguar-xk8-xkr-coupe----------------2003/1880263[/url]
Or something a bit different:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
I think that the Nikasil isnt to much of an issue these days - like the BMW's if there was going to be an issue it would have happened by now!
Having said that, these cars like to be run up to temperature on a journey - And Headgasket failure can be an issue.
As mentioned - the (alleged)sealed for life gearboxes do need an oil service at about 90k.
But there must be evidence of a change to 'metal' timing tensioners (not the second generation plastic ones).
4.2 litre engine cars are a much safer bet!
But buy the right 4.0litre car, and providing you keep up preventative and reactive maintenance it will be a fine car.... If my 1998 4.0litre XJ8 was anything to go by.
Having said that, these cars like to be run up to temperature on a journey - And Headgasket failure can be an issue.
As mentioned - the (alleged)sealed for life gearboxes do need an oil service at about 90k.
But there must be evidence of a change to 'metal' timing tensioners (not the second generation plastic ones).
4.2 litre engine cars are a much safer bet!
But buy the right 4.0litre car, and providing you keep up preventative and reactive maintenance it will be a fine car.... If my 1998 4.0litre XJ8 was anything to go by.
monthefish said:
Nice article.
Something like this:the article said:
and it's had that reassuring warranty-funded engine change to rid it of the Nikosil problems that plagued Jaguar and BMW in the 1990s (an easy spot, because they will have fitted a plaque in the engine bay to tell you)
Any pics of what this plaque looks like?
The Nikasil problem is totally over-blown in UK cars, any that are running well today will keep doing so.
Bought a 98 one in September for sub-4k and it has cost me getting on for a further 4k in big bills (bottom end let go, needed engine swap).
Get it back tomorrow, so hopefully all happy. It's a brilliant car to drive, classic looks, sounds insane with a growly exhaust and I love it.
Definitely worth a shot, but if buying one at the cheaper end, really needs a thorough check and a reserve fund.
Get it back tomorrow, so hopefully all happy. It's a brilliant car to drive, classic looks, sounds insane with a growly exhaust and I love it.
Definitely worth a shot, but if buying one at the cheaper end, really needs a thorough check and a reserve fund.
Krikkit said:
monthefish said:
Nice article.
Something like this:the article said:
and it's had that reassuring warranty-funded engine change to rid it of the Nikosil problems that plagued Jaguar and BMW in the 1990s (an easy spot, because they will have fitted a plaque in the engine bay to tell you)
Any pics of what this plaque looks like?The Nikasil problem is totally over-blown in UK cars, any that are running well today will keep doing so.
I like the look of these on paper they are like a cheaper Maserati 3200 or Aston Martin DB7. Problem is having driven one the handling and engine feel a bit lethargic/soft (I drove a 4.0 auto). Also there's more noise than you expect... I could be talking rubbish, but that's what it felt and sounded like to me. Bit dated and dark inside like a Lexus SC430, though much better looking. Brake feel good, steering feel not so good.
XK8 is nice if you want a big GT for smooth, open roads but like I said it's quite noisy for a big car. I prefer the facelifted S-type to be honest (I'll just duck behind a big rock to hide!).
Also personally I could never justify/afford the fuel bills, even if I wanted a big V8.
XK8 is nice if you want a big GT for smooth, open roads but like I said it's quite noisy for a big car. I prefer the facelifted S-type to be honest (I'll just duck behind a big rock to hide!).
Also personally I could never justify/afford the fuel bills, even if I wanted a big V8.
At this sort of money I agree than you could buy one just for the looks. The following generation was improved in several aspects but the styling gained no great consense, especially in Europe. Here in Italy the 1st gen XK8 sold a lot more, you can still see around more old than new cars.
Ok, dynamically it wasn't very brillant and the 4.0 V8 isn't fast by today standards but it would be interesting.
Ok, dynamically it wasn't very brillant and the 4.0 V8 isn't fast by today standards but it would be interesting.
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