Hi All,

After 40 years of safe cycling a car cut me off two years ago and slammed me and my triumph to the pavement! I survived with a titanium left wrist, definitely took the hint, and am now looking to indulge my British heritage in a bit more secure manner. I've been specifically looking into picking up a Sunday driver. I'm mechanically inclined (despite the additional hardware), have worked on BMW and Volvo's, and love to tinker so I'm looking for an XKR to have some fum with. I want to spend about 20k on a good car and have my eyes on this

Cars for Sale: 2006 Jaguar XKR Convertible in Westwood, NJ 07675: Convertible Details - 358231812 - AutoTrader.com

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

I realize that it is a 2006 but..........

In my opinion, two many miles on the car.

 

You really have to drive it and see if it feels normal over patched pavement. be picky. Mine had 86000 miles when I bought mine and despite prior owner putting in new cats shocks and most bushings, it was floppy. $1100 in lower control arm bushings fixed the problem though. a proper PPI in my case would have revealed need for that and new brakes BUT two independent jag shops (e type restorers really) missed the bushings issue while dealership spotted it and was confirmed by gen purpose mechanic who did my work.

I also found a wide latitude in engine sounds. I don't like the supercharger to be the dominant sound. I lucked out and mine was quiet but others were loud and I was turned off.

 

Looks like the carbon fiber fascia. NICE!!

 

Looks like a beautiful car. Test drive it and if it has a lot of jiggling or what feels like cowl shake, then front end bushings need replacing. Not a deal killer, just make sure you allow for it. Check and make sure the convertible top goes up and down smoothly and without groaning. Otherwise, engines are pretty bulletproof. As for mileage, mine runs better now at 132,000 miles than it did when I purchased with 60,000 miles. Good luck.

 

Pictures are a little fuzzy, but looks really good. No engine pics though. The Victory edition had all the options and then some, so it will be loaded up.

77k is not high mileage for these cars. For a 2006 that's only about 10k a year. Bonus is it says all regular maintenance, which implies they have records. Maintenance records are always the best thing to determine how well it's been cared for over the years.

Check out the stickies at the top of the forum page for the DIY link. It has info on what to look for in the XK8/R models. Very useful if it is your first time with a Jag.

 

And it has the steering wheel you're looking for Phil. Would only cost you $22k and you'd have a parts car.

 

Darn, and I just bought a sport wheel!

 

Ok I give up I click FAQ etc and dont seem to be able to find the info for a first time buyer. I have looked through all the DIY links. If I wanted to find out how to change my plugs or what code means what then great. But not found the actual "this is what you should be looking for when buying a XK8" bit yet. Could someone post the link for the fist time XK buyer please? Thanks

 

Try this one Jaguar XK8 and XKR buyers and owners guide and tutorial - TheJagWrangler

And these https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-advice-24282/ https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...001-xk8-10043/

 

Thanks for those links. I actually came across 2 of the 3 during my searching. For some reason I had it in my head there was an actual sticky thread for buying a XK8. So thanks for taking the time to put those links up.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, very helpful info! Last resto (camaro) I did I replaced all bushings with poly's so hopefully the Jag is similar. I haven't heard back from that ad but I did look at a white car that was clean and straight Sunday unfortunately it had a blue convertible top that I thought clashed bad. Will keep you all updated. Thanks again!

ps- I'm also purchasing a used truck from a dealer with a carfax however as you probably know those reports only state 'vehicle serviced'. Though I had been told otherwise I was able to contact the service facilities and get the specific details on what was done. Ymmv, hope this helps!