Jaguar XK8 or...
Discussion
Hello all,
Next year I'm thinking of splurging 4-5k on a special car (look, it's a lot to me, OK?
)
I like the Jag XK, like the swoopy looks, (even though it does look a bit bozz-eyed from some angles), I like that it has a decent amount of power and that it's nice and wafty as well. I hear they can also do just over 31mpg on a run. I mainly commute by motorbike 10 months of the year, so I'm not desperate for low fuel consumption at all costs - hence the 300bhp 4 litre V8! But I'd like to realistically average 25mpg+, so no V12 XJS! Not too worried about manual or auto 'box, though I'd prefer a manual if both were available. I also wouldn't mind a ragtop, though for the XK, that's out of my budget. 2+2 would be nice, but I'd consider a 2-seater.
I was wondering if anyone has any other options? Thinking of the Porsche 944 too, but it's a little too close in spec to the Lotus Excel I'm currently restoring.
Next year I'm thinking of splurging 4-5k on a special car (look, it's a lot to me, OK?
)I like the Jag XK, like the swoopy looks, (even though it does look a bit bozz-eyed from some angles), I like that it has a decent amount of power and that it's nice and wafty as well. I hear they can also do just over 31mpg on a run. I mainly commute by motorbike 10 months of the year, so I'm not desperate for low fuel consumption at all costs - hence the 300bhp 4 litre V8! But I'd like to realistically average 25mpg+, so no V12 XJS! Not too worried about manual or auto 'box, though I'd prefer a manual if both were available. I also wouldn't mind a ragtop, though for the XK, that's out of my budget. 2+2 would be nice, but I'd consider a 2-seater.
I was wondering if anyone has any other options? Thinking of the Porsche 944 too, but it's a little too close in spec to the Lotus Excel I'm currently restoring.
crofty1984 said:
Hello all,
Next year I'm thinking of splurging 4-5k on a special car (look, it's a lot to me, OK? )
I like the Jag XK, like the swoopy looks, (even though it does look a bit bozz-eyed from some angles), I like that it has a decent amount of power and that it's nice and wafty as well. I hear they can also do just over 31mpg on a run. I mainly commute by motorbike 10 months of the year, so I'm not desperate for low fuel consumption at all costs - hence the 300bhp 4 litre V8! But I'd like to realistically average 25mpg+, so no V12 XJS! Not too worried about manual or auto 'box, though I'd prefer a manual if both were available. I also wouldn't mind a ragtop, though for the XK, that's out of my budget. 2+2 would be nice, but I'd consider a 2-seater.
I was wondering if anyone has any other options? Thinking of the Porsche 944 too, but it's a little too close in spec to the Lotus Excel I'm currently restoring.
Have you driven an XK8? I wanted one for years and then finally drove a couple when I was in a position to buy. Disappointment does not even begin to cover it. As I understand it at the £4-5k end of the market you have to be very wary of seriously structural rust problems now, and there are a lot out there with no (or fictitious) service history at all due to dreamers buying them and getting rid at the first sign of trouble.Next year I'm thinking of splurging 4-5k on a special car (look, it's a lot to me, OK?
)I like the Jag XK, like the swoopy looks, (even though it does look a bit bozz-eyed from some angles), I like that it has a decent amount of power and that it's nice and wafty as well. I hear they can also do just over 31mpg on a run. I mainly commute by motorbike 10 months of the year, so I'm not desperate for low fuel consumption at all costs - hence the 300bhp 4 litre V8! But I'd like to realistically average 25mpg+, so no V12 XJS! Not too worried about manual or auto 'box, though I'd prefer a manual if both were available. I also wouldn't mind a ragtop, though for the XK, that's out of my budget. 2+2 would be nice, but I'd consider a 2-seater.
I was wondering if anyone has any other options? Thinking of the Porsche 944 too, but it's a little too close in spec to the Lotus Excel I'm currently restoring.
For me it was a real case of never meet your heroes. XKR was better simply due to the power and noise, but it still felt ancient in every way. The later 4.2 cars with the 6 speed ZF gearbox are better, but I think you need to look at spending £8k or more to get one though.
Edited by dme123 on Tuesday 9th December 16:00
I have had a 944 Turbo and an XK8 4.0, if you like driving and want something special then the 944 wins hands-down, if you want a wafty everyday car with some presence and the ability to raise her skirts for a canter then go for the XK8
If you go for the XK8 get a 4.2, the difference the gearbox makes is huge to the drive and economy - I wish i had spent the extra. i averaged around 23.5mpg over 22k miles with siome fairly sensible driving (and not so sensible) I probably averaged around 26mpg in the Porker.
Big difference in build quality too, there were a few annoyances on the XK8 like trim not lining up, etc!
the biggest issue was rust, my 13 year old XK8 was in a much worse condition than my 24 year old 944 when I sold it, I spent about £900 getting it through its MoT, although I did spend £600 on the sills on the 944 too.
Here is my reader's cars thread for the Jaaaag:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
If you go for the XK8 get a 4.2, the difference the gearbox makes is huge to the drive and economy - I wish i had spent the extra. i averaged around 23.5mpg over 22k miles with siome fairly sensible driving (and not so sensible) I probably averaged around 26mpg in the Porker.
Big difference in build quality too, there were a few annoyances on the XK8 like trim not lining up, etc!
the biggest issue was rust, my 13 year old XK8 was in a much worse condition than my 24 year old 944 when I sold it, I spent about £900 getting it through its MoT, although I did spend £600 on the sills on the 944 too.
Here is my reader's cars thread for the Jaaaag:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
To be honest, you're looking at a '90s V8 and automatic gearbox in an XK8 at that price.
It will be a great car, but don't expect 25mpg+ unless all of your drives are gentle cruises.
If I were you and you really want one, wait and save up more for a later XKR. The supercharged V8 is more satisfying than the normal V8 because of the way it just feels that the surge will never end.
That said, even an XKR of that generation isn't cutting edge. It's just a lovely car.
It will be a great car, but don't expect 25mpg+ unless all of your drives are gentle cruises.
If I were you and you really want one, wait and save up more for a later XKR. The supercharged V8 is more satisfying than the normal V8 because of the way it just feels that the surge will never end.
That said, even an XKR of that generation isn't cutting edge. It's just a lovely car.
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