So, here's my story:

I'm in the market for a car (my current is a 2001 Mitsu Eclipse Spyder convertible) and would like to pull the trigger early 2014. In researching available 4-SEAT convertibles, there are only a few choices available. I started at the lower cost models: Mitsu Eclipse, VW EOS, Mini and unhappy with the choices, I started moving up my price range. As you move up the pricing, more choices become available - ie Audi A4/S4, BMW 318, etc.

But I don't love any of them. If I'm going to pay my high-end ($30-$35K), shouldn't I get a car that I can fall in love with?

So, that's why I joined this forum and in my first day, it's already been a great source of info. You guys are awesome. (BTW: Thank you vanremog and Havebook) for great posts for newbies like me).

OKay - here's what I think I've learned so far and here's what more I need to learn in the next few months:
1. I need to be thinking about a XK8/XKR (appears to be the only recent convertible offering). I need to decide on pre-2006 or post-2007.
2. I need to ascertain, is this a feasible everyday car under the following conditions?
- Uncovered parking in the Texas sun. convertible seal/leaks are a concern.
- reliability : how many days a year will it be in the shop? As I said, this will become my "everyday" car. If it's in the shop, I'm carless.
- auto-shop access : I have a couple of auro-repair shops within walking distance and they've been fine for my Mitsu, can they handle a Jag? My mechanical abilities are limited, the most complex task I can do is brake pads.


Please don't feel the need to answer this here, I'll post these questions in the appropriate forum later. But if you know of relevant info, please feel free to direct. I'm still early in the research and that's part of the fun.

 

Welcome to the forum yukhateeee,

Good to have you here with us at Jaguar Forums.

The first decision is whether you need a 4-SEATER convertible or a convertible with 4 SEATS!

The back seats in the 1996-2006 XK8/XKR are only suitable for small children - those in the 2007 onwards are good for a brief case.

You've probably alread found your way to the model tech forums but if not, follow this link XK8 / XKR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK8/XKR forum and this one XK / XKR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK/XKR forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

You can also visit the US Southwest Region forum by following this link Southwest US - AZ TX NM OK - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

welcome to the forum and the Jag family - plenty of info and support here simply follow the links Graham has provided or use the search feature.

As an XK8 owner - mine is my daily driver in the South Carolina sun (Charleston area) - purchased with 91K on the clock almost 2 years ago and am at 122K enjoying every minute in the car!

As Graham said - do you need a 4 seater or a vert with 4 seats? My daughter is all of 5 ft and found the back seat very uncomfortable but with toddlers it might not be so bad.

You will find this forum to be the best tool in an owner's tool box - enjoy!!!

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums yukhateeee,

Good to have you with us.
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

 

Thank you. Keep the comments coming.

I plan on spending time on both of those forums (ie pre06 & post07) and as I get more educated, I'll post questions in those forums. Thanks for the tip about owners in my area, I think I'll see if there's a club nearby to meet current owners and pick their brains.

I'll admit, what I've read so far in the XK8 / XKR 1996 - 2006 is scaring me off a little. I like 1996-2006 styling better, but all the typical issues with a 7+ year old car on top of the Jag issues makes a "daily driver" seem iffy.

I think my choices are currently (oversimplified, pricing per autos.yahoo.com) are:
1. 2004-2006 XK8 (less 50K miles) $20K-25K range - more issues, more down days
2. 2007-2008 (most cars are 07) (less 50K miles) $30-35K range - less issues but +$10K more

For $10K, I'll definitely spend more time getting educated on XK8.

Thanks for the heads-up about the small back seats. They'll be used rarely, perhaps more by dogs than humans.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1996-2006 being too old for use as a daily driver. Most of the horror stories about Jaguar come from people who have never owned one or have bought a cheap one needing work and then wonder why it costs a fortune to put right.

With any Jaguar, service history is absolutely critical and a well maintained older example will be perfectly reliable.

Prior to my current XK, I had a 2005 XK8 Coupe and before that a 2001 XK8 Coupe. I'd happily have either again but preference would be the post 2003 with 4.2 litre engine and 6-Speed transmission.

Graham

 

Modern Jags are, for the most part, quite reliable. Once you've identified and corrected the few common issues, they can be quite reliable daily drivers. I drive a $4500 99 XJR with over 150,000 miles as a daily driver, with a 60 mile round trip to work every day. All I've had to fix so far was the fuel pumps, although it is in desperate need of front shocks now.

The supercharged cars have the much more durable Mercedes transmission (at least in earlier years) so an XKR might be the way to go.

 

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