Wow, I'm drooling. Newbie question: is 1997 a good year to buy an xk-8?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-jaguar-xj8-3/



JW
ps: Mod, if this is not allowed, feel free to delete the post.

 

If you are a competent mechanic with a well equipped shop you could restore this car to working condition for a few thousand dollars and a couple of weeks of effort IF the electronic modules have not been compromised by not being used for years. The 97 cars had several components unique to that year.

 

My XK8 is very similar to this one. 1997 in British Racing Green, I also got it with relatively early miles (35k). You will likely need to do a lot of maintenance. I needed/still need to do basically every accessory, as well as various electrical problems and A/C leaks. Overall nothing too bad, with the proper care it will serve you very well

 

After reading the comments on BAT the car seems to be just serviced and is in a driveable condition. Likely spent all its life indoors so no weather issues. No doubt the car is a rare find and in almost show quality shape. Also in the US coupes are harder to find as rag tops were more popular.

The only issues I would have is 1997 was the first year of production and like all new cars there were "bugs' to be worked out. Timing chain issues are one area of concern. I noticed you own a Mercedes of the same vintage so maintenance requirements on the XK8 would be comparable. Cost would depend on how much of the work you can take care of yourself.

The "best" years for the XK8 IMO were 2003 on when the car was updated with a improved engine of 4.2 liters and a 6 speed ZF transmission. I would check out those cars and see what is available especially if the bidding on the 1997 car is in the same price range. If performance is a issue the later cars were also better in that regard. And if performance is a BIG issue then perhaps the XKR version is your best bet.

Good luck,

 

Wow she looks beautiful and a rare find! I wonder how much she'll reach....

I just got my 1998 Convertible (WISH I'd been able to find a coupe at the time but hey ho), so I'm no expert at all but it seems that if you're after a car you can actually use, quite often the lower miles are not such a good thing. Seals degrade, computers get bored from misuse and reap revenge for their neglect!

So as others have said, I'd budget for changing all the fluids and seals and tensioners (Oh My) as you possibly can, along with the battery for sure. And make sure she gets well up to temperature before attempting a drive!
Good luck!

 

I'm a DIY guy but mostly mechanically, not electrically. If any electric gremlins show up, I would freak out.

 

In fact, MY 2003 would be my first choice. I am still waiting to sell my e39 bimmer. Once it is gone, I would more actively seek xk8/xkrs.

 

Agree w/ David. 2003-2004 the best of both worlds but it's getting hard to find one. Classic styling but the 4.2/6 and many small (but useful) changes. I've driven a couple of XK's but keep coming back to the X100.

 

I saw that and was wishing it was local or even if it was just a day-trip drive away it would be very tempting. I just love the shape of the X100 coupe and to have one in that iconic color would be very nostalgic for me. Up till I was about 12 years old, my uncle had an XK120 in about the same shade of dark green. I'm actually shopping for something different than the standard muscle car for next car show season and nobody ever brings an X100 except to Jaguar club events, not even a convertible. However, I've posted before about my experiences and issues with these seven-day online auctions that seem designed specifically for COVID era non-contact sales. Sadly, since its not local or anywhere close I won't be bidding against you but I have an appointment on Thursday at a specialty classic car importer to inspect something else from my very very long wish list of dream cars so good luck to the both of us.

 

Well, I decided not to bid. Looking for MY2003.

Good luck with your search!

 

Early cars had a lot of inherent problems that were mostly sorted out by 2002, then the new engine made better sense in '03, but only continued to '04.

 

Quote: "This 1997 Jaguar XK8 Coupe was purchased new at Kempthorn Motors of Canton, Ohio by its current owner, who has since added 8,400 miles."
Why was this car driven an average of 350 miles per year? One mile per day? Can any Jaguar owner have such self control?

 

So, never even warmed-up after more than 2 decades of "running"?

 

IF I was looking for an XK8 AND I wanted a coupe AND I liked the green color, I would buy this car all day long... it is in near perfect condition cosmetically and was obviously stored indoors and probably in a heated garage. Sure there will be some gremlins, but I would rather deal with those than have to worry about rust and wear from the elements for almost 25 years. I think this car will go for fairly good money...

 

If I lived in the States I would buy this car in a heartbeat.

 

+1
If it goes for around the present $5.5K bid, then another ~$2.5K (DIY) for all fluid changes + known issues + deferred maintenance will give someone a lovely car.

I suspect the lure of low miles may push the final price up well beyond what the car is really worth as-is, though.

 

Run………

 

OMFG This 8k-Mile 1997 Jaguar XK8 Coupe auction you were watching on BaT just sold! Check out the listing by clicking here.The winning bid was $20,000.

I tend to think BAT is a great place to sell and a lousy place to buy classics.

 

The winning bidder seems to be a budding BAT high roller. This is the first auction he won apparently, but had previously bid $305,000 on another car and has only bid on sub <10K mile cars. Probably no concern over any "recommissioning". Its probably going into a "collection" where even the original gaskets will be preserved.

And sadly the Renault Alpine I inspected on Thursday turned out to have been in much worse shape than the online pictures and video had lead me to hope. (Moral to the story, always inspect in person.) Oh well, the hunt for the next classic continues. It could still be another Jaguar, who knows...

 

$20k.... well, if MY03-06, it would be much more reasonable. My hunt for an xk8 (MY03-04, coupe, preferably) is still on-going.