Saturday 14th October 2017

PH Service History: Big Cat Diary

The F-Type's all good and well, but Alex been pining for a different kind of Jaguar sports car

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Whither the Jaguar XK? It seems like just a few years ago that we were excited about the launch of Jaguar's new coupe, with its aluminium bodywork and mesmerising lines. As a replacement for the ageing XK8, it hit the spot perfectly, crisping up the older model's more rounded edges and replacing its olde-worlde interior with something rather more modern.

Racy is available if you want. Alex doesn't

But in 2014, production came to an end, just as the F-Type Coupe came into being. Don't read too much into that, though. "The F-Type was never meant to kill the XK," said Ian Callum in a recent interview with Autocar, adding that having both an F-Type and an XK in the range was "always the plan".

A replacement, then, is on the cards - albeit a little way off, meaning lovers of grand tourers like me will have to wait longer. How tedious. If you're impatient, like me, you might be tempted to take the plunge on a late example of the last-generation model. Oh, sure, these feel a little dated now, but they're still just as comfortable and satisfying to drive as they were when they were released; indeed, there are few grand tourers that combine such elegant looks with such comfort - not to mention, such accessible prices.

OK, so if you want something new-ish, you'll still need to stump up quite a bit of cash. £37K, for example, gets you into this admittedly very tasteful 2013 Portfolio, with just 16,000 miles and a full history. But that feels a bit steep when an XKR with barely any more miles can be had for similar money - assuming you're willing to settle for something a couple of years older.

But this, this is much more like it

But it's further down the age and price range that the XK starts to make more sense. Early 4.2-litre examples can now be had for well shy of £15,000, which seems to me like a lot of car for the cash. However, I'd stretch myself a little more to get hold of one of the first 5.0-litre cars; this one, with reasonable miles and a promising-sounding history, is nibbling its way south of £20,000.

The advantage of going for one of these XKs is that you get the significantly improved AJ133 engine that later formed the basis of the cracklingly angry lump sitting in the nose of the F-TypeSVR. Of course, here it's rather tamer; nevertheless, 385hp is not to be sniffed at, and while the XK is still a bit of a slusher, that 62mph comes up in just 5.2 seconds suggests it's still quick enough to provide plenty of entertainment. It sounds better than the older 4.2, too.

Still too rich for your blood? How about an earlier XK8, then? I'm a bit biased here, as an XK8 was the first half-decent car my old man bought, but I think they're pretty cars despite that slightly lumpy back end. And while, of course an '8 is not as quick or as good to drive as the later cars, it's still a lovely old tourer, with that 'Spitfire wing' slab of wood giving the interior the impression of an old country pub.

Or for just £5,000...

£5,000 gets you a decent-looking example; in my book, that's a bit of a bargain right now, as it can't be too long before the numbers thin to such an extent that the values start to climb again.

The Jaguar XK, then, is alive and well in the classifieds. And while none of these iterations will give you the last word in handling dynamics, all of them have an appeal that only a big Jag can offer. Fingers crossed the same can be said of the new one (and, ahem, that it depreciates quickly enough that we can all afford one soon).

Alex

[Notanotherturbo]

The F Type is a completely different kind of car. I bought one of the last 4.2 XKRs about a year ago and love it. As a quick , pretty and comfortable tourer it's almost unbeatable even against new cars. My only criticism is the nav/phone interface is terrible, but I don't use it as a daily so not so much of an issue. I considered everything available in my price range and it came down to the Jag or a leggy Continental which I ruled out on running costs. Quicker than an AM Vantage and much more comfortable, prettier and more charismatic than the German rivals. A few gratuitous pics :0)

[Notanotherturbo]

Mr Tidy said:

Every time I see one I can't help thinking how good they look!

If I have a problem with them it is their size - they are big for a 2-seater! (And there was never a manual option).

They aren't that big, my E24 6 series is longer and feels much bigger on the road. I know it is a cliché but it is one of those cars that shrinks round you.

[Notanotherturbo]

Mr2Mike said:

The 6 series is a four seater with a fairly decent sized boot though.

Boot is about 50% bigger , rear seats pointless in both cars unless you have very small children.

[Notanotherturbo]

HannsG said:

Can a tall 4 year old and 1 year old fit in the back?

I have no idea - I don't allow children in any of my nice cars :0).

[Notanotherturbo]

HannsG said:

Really? What's the point if you can't enjoy it with the little ones and see them shriek with delight when the pedal goes to the metal.

Hi have no little ones, or big ones for that matter. My cars have become my surrogate children. Quite similar - expensive, rewarding and frustrating in roughly equal measure :0)