Thanks for letting me jump right in with questions when I first joined (out of pre-purchase need). I barely introduced myself back then, so now long overdue, my name is Marinko and I live along the Foothills of Colorado, North of Denver. My love for cars started years back with my very first, which was a fun VW Scirocco. I still can’t believe how this Cat became a part of our home… there is no short way to explain. I promise to show restraint on future posts.

We needed a new kid’s car this past summer, so I told my family that my favorite way to purchase used vehicles is to catch them before they make it to Craig’s List. So let’s pray, and keep our eyes and ears open, and see what comes our way. It couldn’t have been more than 3 days later that I am having an impromptu conversation at our favorite local Micro Brew (Oskar Blues) about our shared enjoyment of driving, especially along the twisties of this outdoor playground called Colorado.

As it turned out, one of my Bar Fly Buddies had a 2001 XKR Convertible that was beginning to sit in his garage more than pressing its rubber paws in the Rockies. Eventually, unsolicited, & out of the blue, he makes a funny comment about selling it to me... wow, no way, could it really be true that this is the car that crosses our path first? Seriously, I’m supposed to bring home a kid’s car, and I come home with an XKR for myself?! How in the worldam I going to pull that one off with my Lovely?!

What transpires next further enhances the providential nature of my Colorado Catcounter. For the next 6 weeks at the start of a gorgeous Colorado summer, 500 year flood aside, I am not only putting on 1800 test drive miles, I get to cut my teeth on some minor repairs for the beauty as precondition of sale. During the first day I test drove it, I was able to put it in restricted performance mode, which embarrassed my Bud and prompted the extended test drive. He seemed a bit relieved to let me take my first steps at diagnosing the problem for either the purchase, or to help him out (at his cost) if he keeps it in the end. How often does that happen? What a unique summer I have had playing with this precious Cat!

So with the wonderful help of the coolest forum around, yeah JaguarForums, I believe the restricted performance issue to be a workable J-gate shifter cable fix. And with the shared knowledge of the forum, I have my growing to-do & mod lists, and even a wish list (like the Avos TS of course, haha). I did a few of the minor repairs and battery replacement before the purchase. But things like the shifter cable, tensioners, hoses, fluids, spark plugs, engine sensors, maybe some engine paint, exhaust, etc, are waiting for winter hibernation. I had just enough margin from his last service to so far enjoy about 7k summer miles before starting the winter reconditioning soon.

It is a 2001 Platinum XKR Convertible with Oatmeal Interior and Navigation. I started test driving it at 67k, & bought it around 69k. What a beautiful treasure! I still can’t believe such a rare gift came my way in such a manner. What a joy it has been driving the XKR this summer, helping brighten up some challenging times. It's a truly special and undeserved blessing! I am so Thankful!!!

I loved the ride and feel from day one, and I continue to learn how this Supercharged Kitty likes to prowl. I keep it in Sport Mode as this gives me the best throttle response and control of the growl. I would call myself a spirited driver as opposed to an aggressive one. I do love the Supercharged acceleration at all speeds, but my favorite aspect of driving is snaking through the twisties with nice lines, which this Cat loves to do. I was a student of the apex, entry braking, and exit acceleration while riding a Honda CBR 1000 a few years back. And the XKR provides BIG SMILES with every nice and smooth line!

I like stiffer suspension, but the trade off with comfortable commuter driving makes me wonder if I want to stiffen it up or not. So many cool projects to consider. I am not afraid of the maintenance and necessary sweat equity. It’s just a small price to pay for such a work of art, not to mention it gives me a safe place to express my OCD!

I have yet to reach the Cat’s driving limits, as I am waiting to upgrade to the latest metal tensioners and do a major service before pushing too hard. Mine has the second generation beefier plastic tensioners, but I don’t want to take the risk. Mind you, I’ve made the Cat squeal of course, but just a bit. At 74k now, it really needs the major service, the tensioners, & a few other things.

Man, I could go on and on… what a Jagventure I have embarked on! I am never going to forget this summer! I plan on keeping this baby forever! So nice!!!

And JaguarForums is simply the best!!! I hope I can do right by being an active and contributing member…





Cheers, & Drive On Lads!

 

Welcome and great intro! You have found a beauty and with the help of the best tool in your tool box - jaguarforums - you can keep her purring for a long time!!! Enjoy

 

Welcome to the forum BosXKR,

Good to have you here with us at Jaguar Forums.

A great Intro and well worth waiting for.

I know you've already found your way to the XK8/XKR tech forum so there's no need for a link from me. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top there is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

You can also visit the US Central Region forum by following this link Central US - MT WY CO ND SD NE KS - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Marinko,

Good to have you with us.
Great intro, but what about the kid's car?
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

Thanks, & Norri, as far as the kid's car goes... it's a bit more complicated than this, but I essentially passed on the love down to them. They are now driving my previous toy animal, a 2007 Mustang V6 with Pony Package. It's not one of the bigger engines available, but decent enough to have plenty of fun! I was thinking about adding a Supercharger to the V6 (I know, is it worth it), but then the XKR came along.

There are some terms and conditions for the kids to fulfill of course, but I was glad to do it! They have been cranking in school and other endeavors. Plus, it just didn't feel right separating these "distant cousins" now reunited, haha. But most important of all, I must pass on the good vibes to keep the good vibes flowing!

Needless to say, they are enjoying the Stang as much as I am the Cat... NAH, I'm enjoying the Cat much, much more!

 

Definitely a Win Win situation. It must make you the most popular Dad in town!

Graham

 

Hey there and welcome aboard ....... good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums
What a great intro, thanks!!

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