XKR (XK8) Convertible buying advice?
Discussion
I have just started searching for an XKR (XK8) convertible. They seem to be quite thin on the ground though. My budget is 25k but could stretch to 30k for something really good. This unfourtunately appears to be just under the price that Jaguar dealers start selling them. I would prefer to buy from a specialist rather than a normal dealer or privately. Chiltern of Bovingdon seem to have a fair selection in stock. Are there any other specialists who are likely to have more than one in stock? If necessary I will travel round the country looking at individual cars but I would prefer not to. Are there any good buying guides I should be reading?
Hi
We do have a few convertibles up for sale on our club website (www.xkec.co.uk) if they are of any use to you?
Good buying guides were available in the July 2003 and Feb 2005 copies of Jaguar World Monthly magazine (I can provide you with photocpies if that is of any use)? Alternatively have a look on our website for any information or feel free to post a message on our forum, you will get all the advice you need from there.
Good luck in your search.
You can contact me at mark.gregory@xkec.co.uk.
We do have a few convertibles up for sale on our club website (www.xkec.co.uk) if they are of any use to you?
Good buying guides were available in the July 2003 and Feb 2005 copies of Jaguar World Monthly magazine (I can provide you with photocpies if that is of any use)? Alternatively have a look on our website for any information or feel free to post a message on our forum, you will get all the advice you need from there.
Good luck in your search.
You can contact me at mark.gregory@xkec.co.uk.
Plastic, I am told Chilterns adverts don't reflect their actual stock. So check before you travel. Arun Jag in Pulborough are a nice bunch to deal with, if not a little pricey. But I would also go ask at your local Jag main dealer, the car maybe more expensive, but it will come with a good 12mnth jag warranty.
If you look back thru this section there are lots of other threads which give sound advice on what to buy when looking for an XK.
Your budget will get you something nice. The dealerships may not have anything in your budget, but I bet if you go see a car for £35k and express an interest they will more than likely lower the prices. The out going XK's won't be on Jag Dealership forecourts for much longer, just until the they can guarantee good supply of used new XK's.
Definately stick with the XKR convertible although the coupe is a dream to be had. With your budget I would stick to buying a 4.2ltr 6 speed car and then I can pretty much say you won't have any issues with the car, as all the known problems relate to the 4.0ltr.
Decide on the colour you want, check out the options you require and then just stick to looking for that. It will take time.
Good luck.
If you look back thru this section there are lots of other threads which give sound advice on what to buy when looking for an XK.
Your budget will get you something nice. The dealerships may not have anything in your budget, but I bet if you go see a car for £35k and express an interest they will more than likely lower the prices. The out going XK's won't be on Jag Dealership forecourts for much longer, just until the they can guarantee good supply of used new XK's.
Definately stick with the XKR convertible although the coupe is a dream to be had. With your budget I would stick to buying a 4.2ltr 6 speed car and then I can pretty much say you won't have any issues with the car, as all the known problems relate to the 4.0ltr.
Decide on the colour you want, check out the options you require and then just stick to looking for that. It will take time.
Good luck.
I think that your budget should get you a very nice car indeed. Never be afraid to haggle. Remember also that 2/3 of all XK's built were convertibles so there's a few about even bearing in mind the American market took most of them.
Why don't you do a used car search on www.jaguar.com (sorry if that's not a hyperlink I'm still in the Victorian era) and see what's available. I think you will find a lot of possible cars. You would also be well advised to have a look on the pistonheads classified section - there are more XK's on that, and see who's selling them - that will give you some starters. If you call one or two dealers and chat through your requirements you may find they have something coming in which isn't currently for sale - there are a few cars being traded in at present for the latest ali-cat. By definition the owner will have been an enthusiast and the fact that he is buying another tends to suggest that he was happy with the last one.
I would advise you to look through the options list and decide exactly what you are looking for before you start. Also to have a look on xkec.co.uk, of which Mark Gregory is the Chairman, and read some of the threads.Finally if you really want to bone up on the subject buy Nigel Thorley's book.
Good luck. Fantastic car.
Why don't you do a used car search on www.jaguar.com (sorry if that's not a hyperlink I'm still in the Victorian era) and see what's available. I think you will find a lot of possible cars. You would also be well advised to have a look on the pistonheads classified section - there are more XK's on that, and see who's selling them - that will give you some starters. If you call one or two dealers and chat through your requirements you may find they have something coming in which isn't currently for sale - there are a few cars being traded in at present for the latest ali-cat. By definition the owner will have been an enthusiast and the fact that he is buying another tends to suggest that he was happy with the last one.
I would advise you to look through the options list and decide exactly what you are looking for before you start. Also to have a look on xkec.co.uk, of which Mark Gregory is the Chairman, and read some of the threads.Finally if you really want to bone up on the subject buy Nigel Thorley's book.
Good luck. Fantastic car.
Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 7th June 12:26
Thanks for the replies. A few good places to look now added to my list. The options dont really bother me as it will not be a daily driver unless there are some must have options? Colour is a tricky one. I think they look great in dark colours but stone chips on the nose are very obvious.
They look good in most colours, really, especially the XKR with the louvres, though my own preference is black. I don't claim to be a world's expert on this, but the options are kind of important.
Let me give you a few examples.
Do you want the rather flash 20" wheels, maybe Detroits or Montreals? Eh, you say? Go and have a look.
Are you after an '04 facelift model or not? Both look good, but different.
Are you concerned whether you have the grey maple veneer, aluminium weave, classic burr walnut, piano black or elm?
Do you want the cross drilled brembos or the red calipers?
Do you want the Recaro seats or standard sports seats?
Do you want Adaptive Cruise Control? If you like it it is fantastic, and makes motorway cruising in traffic very relaxed.
The premium sound system is really one of the best I have experienced in any car. Worth having.
Do you want the aluminium package?
Do you want the handling package or 'supersports suspension'?
Do you want satnav - or to put that the other way round, if you are not fussed about satnav if you get it you don't get the nice row of round dials which you get in the non-satnav cars, which look particularly good in combination with the aluminium package.
I hope that I have convinced you that it is worth having a bloody good look round. PS I do think that they are a little thin on the ground as people realise what a car you can get for the money. Better than a DB7 imho.
Let me give you a few examples.
Do you want the rather flash 20" wheels, maybe Detroits or Montreals? Eh, you say? Go and have a look.
Are you after an '04 facelift model or not? Both look good, but different.
Are you concerned whether you have the grey maple veneer, aluminium weave, classic burr walnut, piano black or elm?
Do you want the cross drilled brembos or the red calipers?
Do you want the Recaro seats or standard sports seats?
Do you want Adaptive Cruise Control? If you like it it is fantastic, and makes motorway cruising in traffic very relaxed.
The premium sound system is really one of the best I have experienced in any car. Worth having.
Do you want the aluminium package?
Do you want the handling package or 'supersports suspension'?
Do you want satnav - or to put that the other way round, if you are not fussed about satnav if you get it you don't get the nice row of round dials which you get in the non-satnav cars, which look particularly good in combination with the aluminium package.
I hope that I have convinced you that it is worth having a bloody good look round. PS I do think that they are a little thin on the ground as people realise what a car you can get for the money. Better than a DB7 imho.
Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 7th June 21:23
cardigankid said:
I hope that I have convinced you that it is worth having a bloody good look round. PS I do think that they are a little thin on the ground as people realise what a car you can get for the money. Better than a DB7 imho.
Certainly lots to think about there. I have in the main been a classic car person where optional extras are wether it has electric windows and AC. My original short list was DB7, Maserati 3200, XKR. XKR won hands down on value for money and servicing costs. I think they all look great.Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 7th June 21:23
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