So, I'll begin this post with the kind I'm getting, a 2010 XKR, black on black. This is actually going to be my first car I know there's some electrical issues I have to watch for, but otherwise the XK is a very bulletproof car, especially for a Jag, right?
I should be getting it in mid April, so I'll post pictures when that occurs.

 

Like first car ever, first car? Congrats. Are you a new driver? The 5.0L XKR is s pretty powerful car and you can easily end up over your head,so be careful.

If you are not mechanically inclined and/or a new driver, take it to a shop. Make sure your tires and brakes are in top condition. Have the battery tested. Baseline if there are any leaks (repair if needed) and you should be good.

Stay safe.

 

Yes, first car ever. The only cars I really have experience driving aside from this though are a 1973 Corvette and a 2018 AMG SL merc, so I'm not new to high performance cars. Thank you for the advice though! There's a Jag specialist not too far from my house, so I'll probably take it there.

 

Like any other car, have a compitent mechanic look it over.....better yet have it inspected by a local Jag dealer, if possible. There have been reported issues with the 5.0 water pumps but you can research everything on the forum. Don't be discouraged though, I've yet to see anyone say that is a deal breaker to owning one.

You will absolutely love this car....and all of you neighbors will be green with envy!

 

If it were me, I would have a pre-purchase inspection done by a Jaguar dealer. Specify that you would like them to go through the certification routine. Then I would have a Jaguar approved body shop do an inspection as well. Total cost $500-$600. Well worth it for a 5 figure investment. Both of them will provide you with a report on the vehicle's condition and what work, if any, they would recommend.

 

Read a bunch of battery threads so you can enjoy your car. Forget electrical glitches... make sure your battery is up to the job and you will not have electrical glitches.

Enjoy.

 

First car a '10 XKR? Have you sat in one or driven one? Not something I'd let a novice in. Tiny window opening create blind spots galore, real easy to get in over your head or make bad decisions in traffic.

I'd recommend something in the cross over game. Smaller compact body, great visibility and better safety features on the newer stuff.

I know from watching my 21 y/o son drive that he doesn't process traffic situations nearly as well as a more experienced driver does. We discuss stuff all the time and he's gotten better but not ahead of most situations. Pilots have an expression, to stay ahead of the aircraft, so that they do not become overloaded by stuff that's going on. Same deal on a car.

XK is a larger car with blind spots and mystery corners. OK, enough of the father / son conversation. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

Gads... and a first car to boot... Congrats!
Please Please Please don't go nuts with the power until you sort out what tires your running, and how the brakes/suspension are working.
Look for local sports car clubs, and maybe get yourself signed up for a high performance driving school. Spring is here, so even clubs that run local autocross should be in swing.

I don't want to sound like harping, and I know nothing of you or your driving skills, but this is one hell of a car to be in control of. The last gentleman I knew that was new to his XK and his 'first car' met with a very unhappy ending 2 weeks (maybe it was 2 months?) into ownership. Nothing more sickening than seeing the undercarriage of an XK in my rear view mirror on a group drive, just because he didn't know the car, didn't know his tires, and didn't know his limits. Too busy playing and not driving. Just a few dollars on a track would have given him so much more skill and knowledge.
Other than that, watch for water pump issues, and again congrats!

 

So battery, and water pump. Got it! Tires would definitely want to make sure are good.

A bit of background, my mother is an enthusiast, and has been for over 30 years. She got me into sportscars whilst looking for a vette. We came to realize that whilst a vette would be cool, they're impractical, and just unsafe. I've really only driven high performance cars, but usually been around older ones (70s corvettes, 50s Tbirds, etc.) I'm now getting my first car, and I've been deadset on an XK for quite a while. I'm aware of the power issues, but I'm not usually the type to want to drive fast (There is the mantra that its better to look fast than to be fast

Jaguar is one of my favorite automobile manufacturers, and personally, the XK150 is best looking Jag made since the E-Type.

 

I've ridden, and driven in an 09' and a '10 XK, though not an XKR.

 

If he drove a AMG SL550.............he isn't going to be all that impressed with a '10 XK's power. I've owned two SL550 with the 429 hp and the AMG version is 518 HP if memory serves. No I don't and have not had a AMG version, just the SL550's.

Blind spot? no problemo. Just adjust the side mirrors to show the vehicles in the blind spot. And I don't mean adjust them to show what's behind you. You've a rear view mirror for that. I literally hate/dislike getting my car from the Jag service dept and notive how they adjusted them to show behind me instead of the 'blind spot'.

Lots of XK ragging on the 5.0 water pumps on this site. I had a '07 that was clean as a whistle in the engine bay, but the bottom of the water reservior has a nipple that turned to cookie crumbles and leaked fluid. Fortunatey after a drive up to Fargo ND and back to Tx.

Also the thermostart in the '07 gave up the ghost and I removed and replaced it myself. No batt problems on my current 'o7 nor the previous '07. I can't speak about other yrs bu the 4.2 '07 is/was a solid car.

 

Congratulations on the ride. Your face will get sore from all the smiling. As with a lot of the folks on here, I wish I could have had an XKE when I was getting my first car or even my fourth. You will absolutely love this car but to get the most out of it, spend a few dollars more and go to one of the performance driving schools. Keep us informed of your progress. BTW, without pictures, it didn't happen.

 

+1 to various good advice above.

In case you want to DIY this site has lots of useful info.

If not... I'd want to find a good indy not to save money but to have everything done right, including the things that may not be in any maintenance & servicing schedules but do need doing/checking. If not an indy, i.e. a dealer, try to find with a long-term tech/mech so they really know the car.

 

Oh definitely. Even before I laid my eyes on an XK, I've been looking at driving schools. Wouldn't want to end up upside down, or in a ditch!

I'll be supplying pictures ASAP!

 

I have done the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy; both phase 1 and phase 2. 1 is a half day session and 2 is a full day session. I took them at the same time and believe I got more out of them that way rather than going on two separate spread out occasions. I strongly recommend them if they work for you as to dates and location.

 

The main thing with the XKR is that you have to be careful with it breaking traction, especially in the wet, or say trying to accelerate into traffic on a roundabout. It tends to oversteer first and the back steps out then the dts kicks in and slows you down which can be a nuisance.

Apart from that it is pretty easy to drive, my missus used to take mine out quite a bit though every now and then she comes out with a story of an adventure she had in it which usually involves fishtailing of some sort.

I didnt have any issues with mine except for the adaptive headlamp warnings which not uncommon and it can be an expensive fix. I'd get the codes read before you buy.

But all told, you woudl be getting a lot of car for the money

 

 

What happened to the tow plug? Looks good to me.

 

 

Welcome to the brotherhood and good luck.