Hi all, I am a newbie to the site looking for a V8 Jaguar. Current thinking is either a 5.0 NA XK, a 4.2 XKR or if i could stretch to it a 5.0 XKR.

Budget wise I am thinking £10k but could stretch to £12k if i really had to.

Thoughts on model choice and budget welcome!

 

Welcome to the forums Jim,

You will find plenty of discussion on the pros and cons of 4.2 versus 5.0 litre versions in X150 forum. The "R" owners wouldn't have anything other but I'm less entrenched. I suggest driving both NA and SC versions to make up your own mind.

Definitely a good time to buy as UK used prices have tumbled significantly in the last few months. Service history is absolutely critical with this model and probably more important than age or mileage.

Graham

 

Is mileage an issue?

I wonder if an older 4.2 (SC or NA) with 80k on it would be safer than a 5.0 with 120k on it.

I guess not, they should all be bullet proof?

 

The only Jaguar that could claim the "bullet proof" accolade would be the X300 of 1995-97!

That being said, my last XK was a 2007 4.2 Coupe and it was the most reliable Jaguar I've owned in fifty years. Other members also report very little trouble with the early 4.2. The package was right from introduction and it didn't require the usual couple of years development work to iron out any initial faults.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with high mileage provided the maintenance schedules have been followed rigorously. These cars can bite you if neglected. An SC is likely to have been driven harder than an NA version but that normally only goes through tyres and brakes at a faster rate.

Electronics are sophisticated and there is a lot that can go wrong. If you are a DiY'er then all the information to fix things is available on the forum but repair costs, even using independents, soon get expensive when paying for expertise.

Graham

 

Ah I did have a 1996 X300 Graham, a 3.2 Sport...

I was thinking high mileage should be fine, I have seen 2010 models for the same price as 2006 models due to mileage. I think I'd need to buy on condition rather than mileage and age.

 

I put 120K miles on my 1996 3.2 XJ Sport in three years and it never let me down. I've never worried about putting miles on a Jaguar and regularly used examples usually turn out to be more reliable than weekend specials.

Motor Traders are hitting used XK and F-Type values on mileage. Possibly because both of these models are second or third cars for their first owners and so the "typical mileage" is usually very low. One used as a daily driver therefore appears by comparison to have a massive mileage.

Graham

 

Yes, either the low mileage ones look expensive or the high mileage ones look cheap:

• 2008 with 98k for £10k: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...had=New&page=1
• 2006 with 64k for £12k: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F153734369962

I'm tempted to go newer and high mileage, any thoughts on which way to go?

 

It has a good spec and that is still only 7K miles per year. Full history is good but no mention if it's dealer/documented or of the number of previous owners. I hear alarm bells if a vehicle changes hands too frequently or too quickly. Could be nothing but worth checking.

Graham

 

True about the miles. I don't like too many owners either and "CLEAN CONDITION IN&OUT" doesn't exactly read as "excellent condition" to me either.