XK8 - I want to buy one for an old friend
Discussion
I have an old friend whose lifelong desire is to have a luxury car.
His life hasn't been easy and he can't afford one but if the price isn't too bad, perhaps I can get him one.
I can save him from the insurance and possibly the tax as a fudge through one of my companies but I don't want to be on the hook for maintenance, though I am happy to set it up with all servicing, new tyres, MOT, essential and non essential stuff really.
How do you get through the s
t to find a decent one or is it worthwhile looking via a different source that I don't know ?
Any help much appreciated.
His life hasn't been easy and he can't afford one but if the price isn't too bad, perhaps I can get him one.
I can save him from the insurance and possibly the tax as a fudge through one of my companies but I don't want to be on the hook for maintenance, though I am happy to set it up with all servicing, new tyres, MOT, essential and non essential stuff really.
How do you get through the s
t to find a decent one or is it worthwhile looking via a different source that I don't know ?Any help much appreciated.
So if I understand you correctly - you're asking how do you buy a decent XK8 which is going to save your friend any hassle or dramas.
I'd start by looking at dealers closer to you - talking to them and asking what support they'll give if there are any issues.
I wouldn't just present the car to your friend - I'd run it for a month or so as a shakedown so you can be sure you're not giving him a lemon.
A friend of mine did similar - but the car was a Triumph TR6.
I'd start by looking at dealers closer to you - talking to them and asking what support they'll give if there are any issues.
I wouldn't just present the car to your friend - I'd run it for a month or so as a shakedown so you can be sure you're not giving him a lemon.
A friend of mine did similar - but the car was a Triumph TR6.
May I just say what a wonderful idea. The thought of being able to give a friend such joy is really quite inspiring.
I would start with a well cared for example, so ignore mileage and focus on service and maintenance history. It may be worth looking into a specialist who could do an inspection on it prior to our buying it.
I would start with a well cared for example, so ignore mileage and focus on service and maintenance history. It may be worth looking into a specialist who could do an inspection on it prior to our buying it.
MikeM6 said:
May I just say what a wonderful idea. The thought of being able to give a friend such joy is really quite inspiring.
I would start with a well cared for example, so ignore mileage and focus on service and maintenance history. It may be worth looking into a specialist who could do an inspection on it prior to our buying it.
It is, isn’t it. I would start with a well cared for example, so ignore mileage and focus on service and maintenance history. It may be worth looking into a specialist who could do an inspection on it prior to our buying it.
Definitely a chat with your local XK specialist: they’ll often know if customers are thinking of selling a car.
Do make sure they’re an XK specialist though: we recently arranged for brother-in-law’s XK to get a bit of refurb/recommissioning work done and the local generic “classic car” workshop seemed to get too much very high end work to be competitive compared to the guys who really understand XKs and what is economically viable for customer with them.
What a great idea.
i would present it to him as a year long 'experience' and get a third party warranty to cover that period. If that is possible?
Then at the end, it is your friends choice whether to keep (with all the potential bills) or get rid and buy something cheaper to run.
Quite often, the dream and reality don't match, so he might be thankful for a 'get out' clause....
i would present it to him as a year long 'experience' and get a third party warranty to cover that period. If that is possible?
Then at the end, it is your friends choice whether to keep (with all the potential bills) or get rid and buy something cheaper to run.
Quite often, the dream and reality don't match, so he might be thankful for a 'get out' clause....
Can I be your friend? I’m a big fan of vintage Bugattis 
It might be worth signing up for any XK8 forums or Facebook pages. Partly for the advice but also it can be a good place to buy cars that have genuinely been lavished by people with the right knowledge. Car and classic is also a good place to go hunting. It’s not a fool proof strategy but you can read a lot about an owner/car by how an ad is written. 2 lines about a car and it’s a lottery. A couple of paragraphs or more detailing relevant maintenance etc is a more promising start.
It might be worth signing up for any XK8 forums or Facebook pages. Partly for the advice but also it can be a good place to buy cars that have genuinely been lavished by people with the right knowledge. Car and classic is also a good place to go hunting. It’s not a fool proof strategy but you can read a lot about an owner/car by how an ad is written. 2 lines about a car and it’s a lottery. A couple of paragraphs or more detailing relevant maintenance etc is a more promising start.
There are usually some nice examples for sale in the Jag Drivers Club magazine.
Are you after an X100? Start with this to get informed on the pitfalls
https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/jaguar-xk8-x100...
Main problem with the early ones is the underside which corrodes, and interiors get tatty if unloved.
The basic mechanicals are strong.
Great cars that still look brilliant! I had a couple in the 90s when they were newish cars.
Are you after an X100? Start with this to get informed on the pitfalls
https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/jaguar-xk8-x100...
Main problem with the early ones is the underside which corrodes, and interiors get tatty if unloved.
The basic mechanicals are strong.
Great cars that still look brilliant! I had a couple in the 90s when they were newish cars.
They're beautiful cars imo, some of the best jag have ever come out with, but low on maintenance and reliable aren't two things that spring to mind.
Does it have to be a Jaaaag? Some other alternatives could be a lexus SC (would be my choice), GS (can get a hybrid for relatively cheaply), LS. Then theres the usual merc S class, audi a8, or e class / a6.
I think pre 2006 have 'cheaper' VED, so £415 as opposed to £700+ (and going up in April, so remember to sorn and retax)
Some leftfield choices, citroen C6, and an alfa of some flavour, eg 159, spider. Again not known for being bullet proof but a well cherished example shouldn't be ruinous
Does it have to be a Jaaaag? Some other alternatives could be a lexus SC (would be my choice), GS (can get a hybrid for relatively cheaply), LS. Then theres the usual merc S class, audi a8, or e class / a6.
I think pre 2006 have 'cheaper' VED, so £415 as opposed to £700+ (and going up in April, so remember to sorn and retax)
Some leftfield choices, citroen C6, and an alfa of some flavour, eg 159, spider. Again not known for being bullet proof but a well cherished example shouldn't be ruinous
Edited by jaydeeuk1 on Saturday 21st December 11:05
I know a successful guy in London that wasnt using his XK8 and when his financially struggling brother was staying with him he used the car and loved it.
He swapped his XK8 for his brothers old clio, he had no use for the clio so sold it cheap to get rid of it.
The brother ended up in despair with it as even minor stuff like fuel and an A service was just too expensive for him, he wanted his clio back in the end as the jag needed injectors and he couldnt afford it so had sat on his driveway being neglected.
He swapped his XK8 for his brothers old clio, he had no use for the clio so sold it cheap to get rid of it.
The brother ended up in despair with it as even minor stuff like fuel and an A service was just too expensive for him, he wanted his clio back in the end as the jag needed injectors and he couldnt afford it so had sat on his driveway being neglected.
You say his lifelong desire is to have a luxury car. Does he actually want an XK8 or is that your idea? I'd be considering something that fulfils the luxury car criteria but isn't going to rinse him on maintenance costs if he isn't specifically after an XK8.
My lifelong desire is to have a Ferrari but I couldn't justify the cost of running one even if it were given to me.
My lifelong desire is to have a Ferrari but I couldn't justify the cost of running one even if it were given to me.
Get the later X150. Much less troublesome, much better car. They're also getting really quite cheap, dreamer sellers aside.
Getting very hard to find an XK8 that isn't rotten now, you need to really know your onions to buy a good one. They really weren't particularly high quality, as much as I love them, the interiors have become very brittle indeed with age and the leather is often worn through or split at low mileages.
Getting very hard to find an XK8 that isn't rotten now, you need to really know your onions to buy a good one. They really weren't particularly high quality, as much as I love them, the interiors have become very brittle indeed with age and the leather is often worn through or split at low mileages.
I think the later XK is the better buy if he's going to be running & maintaining it (depending on budget of course) I think the later car is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...
Great thing to do for a friend by the way.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...
Great thing to do for a friend by the way.
It's a lovely idea, but could just as easily ending up giving your friend a headache as making him very happy!
Still if you do it what a great gesture and I hope it goes well.
I've always loved the shape of the XK8 and maybe when I need an Auto it might be an option. From what I have read the later X150 models don't suffer so much from rust.
Still if you do it what a great gesture and I hope it goes well.
I've always loved the shape of the XK8 and maybe when I need an Auto it might be an option. From what I have read the later X150 models don't suffer so much from rust.
A dealer close to me imports Jags from Japan. He has some great stock at a range of price points.
Japanese imports benefit from no rust and VED is a blanket £325 a year.
https://www.concoursmotorco.com/used/jaguar/xk8/40...
https://www.concoursmotorco.com/used/jaguar/xkr/40...
https://www.concoursmotorco.com/used/jaguar/xk/42-...
Japanese imports benefit from no rust and VED is a blanket £325 a year.
https://www.concoursmotorco.com/used/jaguar/xk8/40...
https://www.concoursmotorco.com/used/jaguar/xkr/40...
https://www.concoursmotorco.com/used/jaguar/xk/42-...
From my experience with a 2007 AMG C55, expect to spend £1-2k a year for maintenance. They need servicing, parts break and need replacing, IME it's not one big thing just a load of medium sized bills that add up.
Definitely go X150 over X100 as aluminium avoids the rust problem.
I'd want to get a pre-purchase inspection. I like the idea above of a JDM import as it'll be low mileage and probably well cared for so will be a somewhat better starting point.
Before handing it over I'd try and find a really good specialist and have them go over the car and fix anything that needs doing.
If your friend is lucky he may get away with a couple of years not too expensive maintenance before the bigger bills start appearing.
I should think a Lexus would be lower maintenance, if not set on the Jag.
It's a nice idea, as it's a real experience to have a 'proper' car with a smooth, powerful engine and a nice interior.
Definitely go X150 over X100 as aluminium avoids the rust problem.
I'd want to get a pre-purchase inspection. I like the idea above of a JDM import as it'll be low mileage and probably well cared for so will be a somewhat better starting point.
Before handing it over I'd try and find a really good specialist and have them go over the car and fix anything that needs doing.
If your friend is lucky he may get away with a couple of years not too expensive maintenance before the bigger bills start appearing.
I should think a Lexus would be lower maintenance, if not set on the Jag.
It's a nice idea, as it's a real experience to have a 'proper' car with a smooth, powerful engine and a nice interior.
A nice thought but not practical. Having set him up what happens when a sizeable bill comes along, as it I inevitably will. He is also likely to feel patronised or that your rubbing his nose in it for being poorer than you.
Your friend will be too embarrassed to say he can't afford the running cost and feel unable to sell the 'gift'.
It will/could destroy yours friendship.
Your friend will be too embarrassed to say he can't afford the running cost and feel unable to sell the 'gift'.
It will/could destroy yours friendship.
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