XK8/XKR with a budget of £5k. Expectations?
Discussion
Hi,
I've always wanted an XK8/XKR. I've finally decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I have a budget of £5k.
However, I would like some feedback from others who have been in my position as to what to expect at this price range. Admittedly, I haven't been to look at any yet but I will if I see something I like locally.
Looking through ebay/auto-trader, there seems to be one or two decent looking cars at this price, but also a lot of tired/scruffy cars.
So is an XK8/R likely to be viable or am I likely to be getting something limping into its inevitably terminal borkage?
Also, how much should I care about mileage? Normally, I wouldn't but after looking at some of the adverts, I'm concerned that the interior don't seem to wear the miles very well. What about the mechanicals?
Also, I've seen a couple of adverts where in the photos there is 'Check Eng' light on the rev counter, but the seller makes no mention of warning lights or problems. Is this simply because they've got the key at position 1 or does this mean that the car has a DTC stored?
I've always wanted an XK8/XKR. I've finally decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I have a budget of £5k.
However, I would like some feedback from others who have been in my position as to what to expect at this price range. Admittedly, I haven't been to look at any yet but I will if I see something I like locally.
Looking through ebay/auto-trader, there seems to be one or two decent looking cars at this price, but also a lot of tired/scruffy cars.
So is an XK8/R likely to be viable or am I likely to be getting something limping into its inevitably terminal borkage?
Also, how much should I care about mileage? Normally, I wouldn't but after looking at some of the adverts, I'm concerned that the interior don't seem to wear the miles very well. What about the mechanicals?
Also, I've seen a couple of adverts where in the photos there is 'Check Eng' light on the rev counter, but the seller makes no mention of warning lights or problems. Is this simply because they've got the key at position 1 or does this mean that the car has a DTC stored?
been looking for a nice one too had a few over the years and love them, in short you should get a decent car for 5k coupe that is, the warning light will be on until engine is running, for that money should find many around 98 99 year, you prob know that the timing chains must be upgraded so look for one with the work done with receipt to prove also gearbox issues once over the 80k mileage rusty rear ends and floor pans also find a garaged one with up to three owners and a full history with receipts, a genuine private sale is best in my and others views. let me know how you progress in your search best of luck im no expert but others will back up my comments hopefully lol
Should be plenty of 8s around at £5K but not many Rs These cars are at the lowest part of the depreciation curve (hopefully). Ignore everything except service history. Look for work carried out on gearbox, tensioners, suspension and rust especially underbody. Nothing is impossible to fix but you can easily fork out a sizeable chunk of your funds again if anything needs doing. I've just spent £1k on a service but that did include plugs, alternator and a load of suspension bushes.
I paid £6k for my 88k 2001 XK:
I got the dealer to give me a comprehensive 12 month warranty and also sort the rusty rear arch out...the first time was a rub 'n' spray, but the rust came back through so he took it back in and cut the cr@p out and repaired it properly.
I spent £1500 as soon as I got it on new tyres and disks/pads all around to baseline it
10k miles on in 6 months and it is going well, the only issue is one of the ABS sensors is not communicating properly so I lose my ABS/Traction/Stability control most of the time, which coming from '80s/'90s Porsches is no issue as I am used to regulating the car with my right foot. but I must get it sorted before its MoT in July
See full write-up here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I got the dealer to give me a comprehensive 12 month warranty and also sort the rusty rear arch out...the first time was a rub 'n' spray, but the rust came back through so he took it back in and cut the cr@p out and repaired it properly.
I spent £1500 as soon as I got it on new tyres and disks/pads all around to baseline it
10k miles on in 6 months and it is going well, the only issue is one of the ABS sensors is not communicating properly so I lose my ABS/Traction/Stability control most of the time, which coming from '80s/'90s Porsches is no issue as I am used to regulating the car with my right foot. but I must get it sorted before its MoT in July
See full write-up here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by Fat Albert on Wednesday 8th May 23:42
Well the shortlist at the min looks like this:
Really like the look of this one, but seller doesn't appear to be contactable. Tried calling a few times and a couple of emails. No response.
http://www.autohousebedfordshire.co.uk/used-cars/j...
This has just been listed today.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281105796940?ssPageName=...
This one looks nice:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200921520616?ssPageName=...
And an XKR:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321122180146?ssPageName=...
Think I am going to try to plan a day where I go and look at as many as I can.
Really like the look of this one, but seller doesn't appear to be contactable. Tried calling a few times and a couple of emails. No response.
http://www.autohousebedfordshire.co.uk/used-cars/j...
This has just been listed today.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281105796940?ssPageName=...
This one looks nice:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200921520616?ssPageName=...
And an XKR:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321122180146?ssPageName=...
Think I am going to try to plan a day where I go and look at as many as I can.
That's always the way isn't it!!! Mileage is 103k but it really does not look or feel it. Interior is mint. Not even any wear to the drivers seat bolster. No marks on the paintwork either. Collected it this evening. Lovely drive back, well after I had pulled away from the dealer and then realised I was running on fumes in a v8 with no idea where the nearest petrol station was. When I finally found one I got 64.5 litres into a 65 litre tank!
andyps said:
Enjoy it! I love my 4.2 convertible but am disappointed to see how the prices have dropped in about 16 months since I bought it. At £10k mine was just about the cheapest around at the time, but it was in Scotland in December so a convertible wasn't the best time to be selling one.
Convertibles seem to command a premium. I wouldn't feel to bad if you paid £10k 16 months ago. The cheapest 4.2 convertible on ebay is £11k and there's a £9k one on auto-trader. On paper, at least thats depreciation-free motoring I'd say!!!gamefreaks said:
Convertibles seem to command a premium. I wouldn't feel to bad if you paid £10k 16 months ago. The cheapest 4.2 convertible on ebay is £11k and there's a £9k one on auto-trader. On paper, at least thats depreciation-free motoring I'd say!!!
I'm reassured by that - haven't looked since I got mine as I am very happy with the car and accept that it will cost me money, I just don't need to know how much!!Nice. I notice it's missing cruise control. Can't believe it wasn't standard on these!
On the lookout for a convertible, I find that price doesn't seem to have much relation to condition. I've seen nice look cars for £7K and tatty ones for £10K. Might take some time to find the perfect one.
On the lookout for a convertible, I find that price doesn't seem to have much relation to condition. I've seen nice look cars for £7K and tatty ones for £10K. Might take some time to find the perfect one.
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