XJR8 ?

[macp]

So I have been pondering buying an XJ8 3.2 for sometime but waiting for the right car to come up.This has given me time to think and I started looking at the XJR8 and thinking wow that is so much car for the money.I dont want to spend anymore than 4.5k tops on a Jag which is only going to cover 8-10,000mls per year.I have driven a 3.2 V8 which was lovely and I have driven an XKR which was mind blowing from a performance point of view.

So maybe I should go for an XJR ?

[QuiteQuietCerb]

or an xj8 4.0?

[SimonV8ster]

XJR - only a grand or so more than your current budget gets a post nikasil engine one.

[macp]

QuiteQuietCerb said:

or an xj8 4.0?

Is the 4.0 that much quicker than the 3.2 ?

[macp]

SimonV8ster said:

XJR - only a grand or so more than your current budget gets a post nikasil engine one.

Have seen a few nice looking cars from 3 to 4k and if there was a problem with nikasil they should have failed by now.

[Mattmeister]

macp said:

QuiteQuietCerb said:

or an xj8 4.0?

Is the 4.0 that much quicker than the 3.2 ?

yes, but an XJR is 'that much' quicker still...

[benebob]

I didn't even bother looking at the XJ8 when I bought my R. The tranny issues of the XJ8 and lack of a price difference steered me towards the R. Speaking of the 308s by the way.

[QuiteQuietCerb]

i think 3.2 240bhp 4.0 290 and 4.0r 370?

[QuiteQuietCerb]

i think 3.2 240bhp 4.0 290 and 4.0r 370?

[romneycoddy]

Have you considered a manual 216 bhp 3.2 XJ6 94-97 which give 30+ mpg easily on a run at motorway speeds? ( You'd be lucky to find a 4.0 litre one - too rare ) They suit some people better than autos but are hard to find. Mine, a 1995 Sport manual was purchased at 121k and ran beautifully for 6 years till I sold it last year at 167k for under £2k. Just ensure the wheel arches arent rusty- otherwise a superb car. 0-60 is 7.9 secs I think. You can't have a X308 manual, sadly. There was a good basic 114k manual 3.2 X300 for sale with Jaguar Enthusiasts Club last week.

As for 3.2 V8 X308s autos - I am told they also can do more than 30 mpg on a motorway run with 240 bhp and good ones with steel liner engines from late 2000 on seem to sell from £3000 up- very reliable if the chain tensioners have been replaced on earlier 98 and 99 cars.
The XJR6 is great fun (0-60 in 5.9) but wont give the magic 30 mpg and hard to get even 27 mpg in it so long trips are more costly ( if you care) Tyres for an XJR cost £200 each for a decent brand- £90 more than a tyre for a n/a XJ
Just some thoughts- and buying privately from an enthusiast can often mean its well cared for. The Jag community is supportive too. Go for it.

[CHJ]

If you can afford it, in my mind there is no question - go for the XJR8.

To quote from Practical Performance Car Magazine March'08 buyers guide ...
"Is this the ultimate value performance car? It might well be. Beautiful, elegant and sophisticated, yet devastatingly, brutally fast - a powerhouse so impeccably clipped it can deliver its blows without compromising its refinement with any vulgar, bad manners."

Just about sums it up

[johnxjsc1985]

Did they intoduce an aluminium bodied car or is that another model.

[330p4]

I have ran both 3.2 & 4.0 X300 & X308 and in my experience the 4.0 cars are slightly more economical or perhaps its the way i drive.
Ian

[jas xjr]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Did they intoduce an aluminium bodied car or is that another model.

That is the xj350