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Hi all; long time reader, first time poster. My Jag story started back in 2004. Growing up, one of the things my dad and I did together I was most fond of was going to buy his next car. He rarely kept cars (always new, always on a lease) for 18 months, so I got to practice a lot. In 2004 he was looking to offload his Audi A6 (4.2), after toasting about five wheels on Chicago potholes at $1,000 a pop. We went to our local Land Rover dealership, as the LR3 had just come out. Like most LR dealers, it was attached to a Jaguar showroom. As we walked around, the Jag Man approached my dad, and tried to sell him an XJR 100 (X308) that had been stewing in their inventory for years. I think the sticker was about $75,000, and I believe the ask was “give me $62,000 for it and I’ll name my firstborn after you.”
To this day I cannot understand how he walked away from that. He ended up with an LR3, that, unsurprisingly, was gone 18 months later. That XJR was still, to this day, one of the most gorgeous things I’ve ever seen. I still remember the big “R” on the steering wheel, red stitching, unffff. Incredible thing, that.
In the intervening 18 years I’ve gotten a drivers license of my own, and a number of cars along the way. Of the nine to date, my ‘19 Golf R, and my E46 were my favorites. Mostly German Marques, though I did have a Mini Countryman which I don’t count as properly British given the munich-sourced engine. in all of that, I’ve never let the XJR (or Jaguar, generally) too far from my mind.
Two weeks ago I had a line of a gorgeous XJR out Las Vegas, but the seller backed out on me at the last moment. Devastating, frankly. Then, on a lark, I saw a local listing for an XK8 (X100), and practically sprinted over to see it. At 135,000 miles it was a bit of a gamble, but the P.O. has had it since 2005, replacing the engine (due to tensioners!) at 52,000 miles, and a complete rework of the transmission in 2016. Anthracite black with oatmeal interior. Paint wasn’t perfect but everything else runs and operates as it should (apart from these blasted shock mounts). Just got her back from the detailer today for a paint correction, and I’m fully in love. An incredible GT, I’ve named her “Bagheera,” and when the detailer asked me how long I planned to keep it, I could only answer “Until it kills me.” Already 500 miles into my ownership. Very happy to be here, already amazed with the depth of knowledge in this forum. Cheers and happy motoring!
It sound like you've already found your way to the XK8/XKR forum so there's no need for a link to it from me. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the US Central Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-central-36/ to find other members in your region.
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
In 2004 he was looking to offload his Audi A6 (4.2), after toasting about five wheels on Chicago potholes at $1,000 a pop. We went to our local Land Rover dealership, as the LR3 had just come out.
I've suspected that's a big part of the reason that SUVs have become more popular than sedans. At some point in the last 20 years, automobile manufacturers decided in unison that all luxury sedans would henceforth be "sport sedans" and started equipping them with spring rates well over 300 lbs/inch along with cartoonishly over-proportioned wheels wrapped with black rubber bands. Even with complicated air suspensions and magnetic fluids, ride quality went to **** and an entire multi-billion dollar "wheel repair" industry sprung up practically overnight. And the young people who were the intended targets of all this can't afford new luxury sport sedans. Meanwhile, the government can't keep up with the decline of the road network and the only way now for older adults to get a luxury car with any meat on the rim is to buy an SUV. But back to your Jaguar, welcome aboard and I'm sure you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
I've suspected that's a big part of the reason that SUVs have become more popular than sedans. At some point in the last 20 years, automobile manufacturers decided in unison that all luxury sedans would henceforth be "sport sedans" and started equipping them with spring rates well over 300 lbs/inch along with cartoonishly over-proportioned wheels wrapped with black rubber bands. Even with complicated air suspensions and magnetic fluids, ride quality went to **** and an entire multi-billion dollar "wheel repair" industry sprung up practically overnight.
That’s a good point! I will say, that 4.2 pulled like a freight train. Probably one of my favorite cars that he ever owned. Never going to get over that my sister learned to drive on that and I learned to drive in an RX350. Didn’t seem fair. The wheels were literally the only reason he dumped it, and he hasn’t even considered buying a sedan since.
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
Thank you, Nori! Signature is set up, I am using a tablet and smartphone mostly so I will keep reminding myself to input separately as well. Cheers!
Hello, Steve,
Congratulations (Finally) on your new BLACK Jaguar XK8! If I had a bigger garage I would add one... in BLACK of course.
It sounds like all the generic issues may have already been addressed and resolved. If so, 135,000 miles is just broken in and well loosened up for a modern engine. With proper care you should be able to double that easily.
I like that answer, "I'll keep it until it kills me." I may adopt that one.
New To The Forum (And The Brand)
