Check out these links:
Link 1 | Link 2

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: Make sure the timing chain tensioners have been replaced with the newer metal tensioners. With them it's not a matter of "if" they will fail, it's a matter of "when". And when they do, you're looking at a couple of grand in repair costs if you're lucky. If you're unlucky, you'll need a whole new engine.

Bottom line; unless the tensioners have been replaced, I wouldn't pay more than $5K for a 97. If the dealer can show you proof that the tensioners have been replaced, then $6K to $7K is fair if the car is in good condition.

 

Originally Posted by Reverend Sam
my cat clicked the "post" button before I was ready


Don't you just hate when that happens ?

 

Unless they were replaced I would nto touch it at all. Save you coin and get one that you know has been delt with. I am of the belief that if your in there replacing that then do the water pump, change plugs, change over the water pump housing to a metal one, I did not do that cause I did not read up on it HERE. I did all that stuff, paid to have it done, it ran me 3500 and change. NEXT issue is that the 97 is known for Main Conputer issues that brings the car to it's knee's. That is a 400 but fix. When it acts up, it will make the car appear to have multi other issues when it is just the computer.
Frankly, find one with a maint history.
Finally you MUST have a stomach for these cars in that you WILL spend money to keep it going, and most everything on them is not cheap and if you can't turn wreches well, then you will spend even more. You want a non fixer, that will always go, bark up another tree. Just my .02

 

LOL!!! My fat cat likes to sit on my lap. He got up right as I was typing. The next thing I knew the screen changed and my typing was gone. I was like "WTF???"

 

. . . and to more specifically answer your other question . . . there is really nothing you can do to add 'performance modifications'.

Perhaps you should look to another type of car.

 

Yeah... unfortunately since these cars are so unusual, there aren't really any performance mods. However, even with "just" an XK8, the performance is stunning. Tonight I was on a two lane road following 2 cars doing about 50mph. We finally came to a passing zone and the car in front of me started to pass the lead car. Once I was sure he was going to make it I floored it to pass both of them. The acceleration is breathtaking. As I passed the second car (the one who had just passed the other car) I glanced down at my speedometer and I was already doing 95mph. I kept the pedal to the floor for another second or two and when I pulled back into my lane I was doing 105. I have a giant grin on my face right now thinking about it.

 

If you can do your own mechanicals, then you might have a good deal. If you are limited to changing oil and rotating tires, then you are in for an expensive ride.

 

This is an old, sophisticated, expensive car. Cars like this have a lot of soul but they can get "3 week syndrome" which means every three weeks it needs some kind of repair. For some, the excitement of ownership and the beauty of the design is worth the work, for some, it's a hardship to keep up with. Parts are readily available and there is a lot of help to get things done, but you have to love it. The chances are fairly good that the car is for sale because someone got tired of dealing with it. I had a 96 XJ6 that had the syndrome and it got tiresome so I sold it to another Jag lover. I think that this car would be best as a fun car, not a daily driver.

 

All the above is true!

To me, a happy owner needs to love the car for it's intrinsic value, enjoy diagnosing mechanical and electrinic issues, be very handy with a wrench and resourceful in sourcing parts.

My local dealer told me to expect to pay about $2,500 annually - in dealer dollars - to keep the thing on the road in summers. He was being dramatic but is probably not far off. I keep it at a fraction of that by doing all my own work and relying on this forum for advice.

I enjoy working on my XK8. It's a simple car to work on, relatively accessible and good parts are easily available at discount prices. It's like a math book - one problem after another to learn about and solve.

Like a lot of older, high end cars it requires above average maintenance, especially by today's standards. However, it's not much different than Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac, BMW and other brands of the era, really.

 

I have had my Jag for 3 years, love it most of the time, ha ha ha. But Stunning in it's power in XK8 form (no xkr) maybe in Sport mode, and how it looks, but my 05 Magnum with the small Hemi will eat the car up alive on the road.

 

Minimize you risks for expensive and frequent repairs with a 2003 or later. These model years are very dependable and most of the common issues are easy to fix and inexpensive if you do them yourselves. The motor is dependable and will run for many miles if you keep it maintained. Don't be afraid of a high mileage 2003 or later and you will have lot's of fun and sleep well at night.

 

I put 118,000 miles on my 1997 before the tranmission started to act up. I just replaced it with a 2005. Sure it was a bit expensive to repair in the last 2 years that I owned it. But I paid $18,000 for it 6 years ago. That workes out to $3000 a year. Put $2000 into it in the last 2 years. But I got the $2000 back as a trade-in.