RE: Jaguar XK8: Catch It While You Can
Discussion
The 4.2 is the better bet, especially in Supercharged format.
With an exhaust, filter, change of charger pulley and a remap, a reliable 500bhp can be had for a little over £1k.
The biggest problem with these is the presence of the XJ(R).
Lighter, with the same running gear, and the bonus of useable rear seats, the looks are the only real difference.
With an exhaust, filter, change of charger pulley and a remap, a reliable 500bhp can be had for a little over £1k.
The biggest problem with these is the presence of the XJ(R).
Lighter, with the same running gear, and the bonus of useable rear seats, the looks are the only real difference.
disco666 said:
The 4.2 is the better bet, especially in Supercharged format.
With an exhaust, filter, change of charger pulley and a remap, a reliable 500bhp can be had for a little over £1k.
The biggest problem with these is the presence of the XJ(R).
Lighter, with the same running gear, and the bonus of useable rear seats, the looks are the only real difference.
OR the S-type R. I've not driven an R but I've driven a facelifted S-type reckon it would be better value and drive better than an XKR. To me the Mk2 esque profile isn't great but it's not bad.With an exhaust, filter, change of charger pulley and a remap, a reliable 500bhp can be had for a little over £1k.
The biggest problem with these is the presence of the XJ(R).
Lighter, with the same running gear, and the bonus of useable rear seats, the looks are the only real difference.
I always smile when I see one of these on the road. My only difficulty with them is that I far prefer the exterior to the interior....
When new, the DB7 might have made the XK8 look like an ugly sister but for me, time has been kinder on the Jag and the lines are now beautiful/timeless whereas the DB7 looks dated and not a patch on its sucessors.
Again IMO, the XK8 was the first recent car that looked good on 20's (but it doesn't need them). It would be a shame if they spoiled the ride - but I don't remember reading any contemporary reviews that said that they did.
When new, the DB7 might have made the XK8 look like an ugly sister but for me, time has been kinder on the Jag and the lines are now beautiful/timeless whereas the DB7 looks dated and not a patch on its sucessors.
Again IMO, the XK8 was the first recent car that looked good on 20's (but it doesn't need them). It would be a shame if they spoiled the ride - but I don't remember reading any contemporary reviews that said that they did.
iloveboost said:
disco666 said:
The 4.2 is the better bet, especially in Supercharged format.
With an exhaust, filter, change of charger pulley and a remap, a reliable 500bhp can be had for a little over £1k.
The biggest problem with these is the presence of the XJ(R).
Lighter, with the same running gear, and the bonus of useable rear seats, the looks are the only real difference.
OR the S-type R. I've not driven an R but I've driven a facelifted S-type reckon it would be better value and drive better than an XKR. To me the Mk2 esque profile isn't great but it's not bad.With an exhaust, filter, change of charger pulley and a remap, a reliable 500bhp can be had for a little over £1k.
The biggest problem with these is the presence of the XJ(R).
Lighter, with the same running gear, and the bonus of useable rear seats, the looks are the only real difference.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
iloveboost said:
OR the S-type R. I've not driven an R but I've driven a facelifted S-type reckon it would be better value and drive better than an XKR. To me the Mk2 esque profile isn't great but it's not bad.
The S Type R may compete on power terms, but it neither feels special like the XK or classy and cool like the XJ. I often think of getting an XK8 and it was something I was thinking pretty seriously about a few months ago. But then my common sense kicks in - the war chest you need to maintain an older Jaguar could potentially fund a motorbike and another guitar!Blown2CV said:
how is an XJ coupe (for that is what it is) an alternative to the F-type?? 2-door and convertible both yes... but one's a barge and one very much is not.
It's an alternative, in the same way Fifth Gear proffered a Rover 75 as being a cut price alternative to a Bentley.But seeing as you asked, they're both big engined, pretty, Jaguar convertibles, and it you happen to be in the market for a big engined, pretty, Jaguar convertible but only have <£10k to spend on one, it is a very good alternative to an F-Type.
If any Ph'ers are inspired by this piece to look at XK8's, then I'd recommend you consider joining the XK Enthusiasts Club.
Their URL is: www.xkec.co.uk
Simply put, the XKEC membership is a collective mine of information about these cars & the club magazine library has a lot of information in it.
That said, one heath warning re the XK8 - the cockpit & drivers' seating position is not that big. I'm a lanky six foot four and abandoned any thoughts of buying one after trying it on for size. In my case I saved the pennies for longer and eventually bought the replacement XK, the current model (for which Jaguar use the internal code number of XK150...most confusing). The later XK was a brand-new design & the cockpit is bigger.
Their URL is: www.xkec.co.uk
Simply put, the XKEC membership is a collective mine of information about these cars & the club magazine library has a lot of information in it.
That said, one heath warning re the XK8 - the cockpit & drivers' seating position is not that big. I'm a lanky six foot four and abandoned any thoughts of buying one after trying it on for size. In my case I saved the pennies for longer and eventually bought the replacement XK, the current model (for which Jaguar use the internal code number of XK150...most confusing). The later XK was a brand-new design & the cockpit is bigger.
mash said:
If the mileage (334k) is not a typo, that's a good example of the longevity of the XK! Drivers seat looks shagged, but I've seen them looking like that in XKs with only 100k. I guess the wear rate depends on the fatness of the driver...@MaxTorque
'Ah, the good old "it's not quite a classic, it's a total bargain" editorial, that then ends up recommending you actually buy one that is 4x the price of the "bargain" ones mentioned! My favourite!'
Basically, yes
I'd actually buy a £1500 XK8 and prepare for it going badly, badly wrong for the fun I'd have in the meantime - I'm just not sure I'd recommend that course of action to a mate.
'Ah, the good old "it's not quite a classic, it's a total bargain" editorial, that then ends up recommending you actually buy one that is 4x the price of the "bargain" ones mentioned! My favourite!'
Basically, yes
I'd actually buy a £1500 XK8 and prepare for it going badly, badly wrong for the fun I'd have in the meantime - I'm just not sure I'd recommend that course of action to a mate.
@AudiWurst
'Since when did Keith Adams write for PH? Hope there's not too much British Leyland fanboy-ism in his upcoming PH articles...'
Oh no, I'm on strict orders. I have to say that's a bit unfair - I've written lots of enthusiastic stuff about other cars, too - not least TVR, Lamborghini and Audi. Oh yes, on Twitter, I've been called an Audi fanboy many, many times... better make sure I nip that in the bud
'Since when did Keith Adams write for PH? Hope there's not too much British Leyland fanboy-ism in his upcoming PH articles...'
Oh no, I'm on strict orders. I have to say that's a bit unfair - I've written lots of enthusiastic stuff about other cars, too - not least TVR, Lamborghini and Audi. Oh yes, on Twitter, I've been called an Audi fanboy many, many times... better make sure I nip that in the bud
A good article.
I've always loved these cars and last year I finally bought one. It has aged well and a £5-6k will get you a decent one. Buy a good one in the first place, and take it to a good indy and running costs will stay under control. Beware of addons like Brembo brakes and big 20" wheels as these will push up the running costs.
To drive they're firmly in GT category. Its a heavy car and it shows but on a fast sweeping B-road its a truly wonderful experience to drive. The gearbox adapts to the drivers mood so at first, it will be lethargic and lazy to drop down, but tap the sport button and after a couple of generous prods of the throttle, the gearbox will snap out of its trance, toss any care of economy and emissions into the wind and join the game. The 4.2 V8 is great engine, it has plenty of low down torque and surges freely to its 6200 rpm red line. You need to keep one eye on the speed when driving in this manner though, its a big car and its easy to find yourself shifting at a serious rate of knots. Floor the pedal through 2nd and 3rd and by the time the car has shifted into 4th you'll be well north of 110mph...and at the next corner, you'll want those expensive Brembos!
But anyway, I digress...£6k for something that looks like this? What are you waiting for?
I've always loved these cars and last year I finally bought one. It has aged well and a £5-6k will get you a decent one. Buy a good one in the first place, and take it to a good indy and running costs will stay under control. Beware of addons like Brembo brakes and big 20" wheels as these will push up the running costs.
To drive they're firmly in GT category. Its a heavy car and it shows but on a fast sweeping B-road its a truly wonderful experience to drive. The gearbox adapts to the drivers mood so at first, it will be lethargic and lazy to drop down, but tap the sport button and after a couple of generous prods of the throttle, the gearbox will snap out of its trance, toss any care of economy and emissions into the wind and join the game. The 4.2 V8 is great engine, it has plenty of low down torque and surges freely to its 6200 rpm red line. You need to keep one eye on the speed when driving in this manner though, its a big car and its easy to find yourself shifting at a serious rate of knots. Floor the pedal through 2nd and 3rd and by the time the car has shifted into 4th you'll be well north of 110mph...and at the next corner, you'll want those expensive Brembos!
But anyway, I digress...£6k for something that looks like this? What are you waiting for?
Amirhussain said:
Aged horribly IMO.
I was thinking that about two or three years ago, but now they're starting to look good again. As someone else mentioned, they've aged better than their DB7 sister. The blue car in the post above looks terrific.I'm surprised Keith brought up the Nikasil issue, as has already been mentioned, not an issue any more.
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