Hey guys,

First of all, awesome forum. I knew the web still had one or two redeeming qualities. Thanks to all of you who put your knowledge out there for the rest of us.

I am very close to purchasing a 1997 XK8 Coupe, BRG with 109,000 miles. A reputable Jag specialist is going to spend about 4 hours with the car next week to give me a full report on tensioners, cylinder linings, fault codes and everything else.

I have two quick questions.

1) How many of you use your XK8 as a daily driver? I live in a smallish town, the roads are easy and I drive about 20,000 miles per year.

2) If I start with a solid car (or as solid as it can be with 109,000 miles), and if I stay on top of the maintenance and love the car up when it needs it, what kind of service life can I expect? When will it just crap out beyond my ability to keep it going? I know this is a difficult one to answer, but any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

My 2006 is a daily driver. Just over 50,000 miles. I have only owned it since late last year. With proper maintenance - no reason it can't go a long time.

I think there was a poll a while back regarding how many on this forum use their cars as daily drivers. Don't remember the results.

Jack

 

Spring, Summer and Fall Daily Driver here.

If there isn't salt or snow on the ground, I drive it. I drove it today in pouring rain, I just don't like salt damage. Little niggly crap goes out on mine, but nothing that a little time on the weekend can't fix. Keep in mind though, that if you have to pay labor, be prepared to pay a lot.

In 5 months, I've done tensioners, spark plugs, fuel pumps(XKR has two) and little stuff (like replaced the "I don't know how it got bent" antenna and glued the top of the sport button back on the button). If I paid what shops/dealers charge for parts and what the labor is on just those jobs, I'd have paid $4k+ in 5 months and 4500 miles. I paid $600-700 for all the parts and did it myself. Plus I was able to do "while I'm there" stuff that's easy then, but a dealer really puts it to you to do.

 

I would drive mine every day if it was a coupe. However, out of consideration for the light colored soft-top, I try not to drive it in the rain. That works out to probably about 50% usage around here.

It sounds like you are at least starting out right by getting the critical things checked out. As 80sRule indicated, if you are not a self-wrencher it can get spendy to have a Jag. A little know-how, this forum and some courage will save a lot of $$.

As a data point, I just changed out the thermostat and housing on my wife's 2005 XJ8, a job that takes about ten minutes on a Chevy. Spent about 6 hours on that one. I'd really love to have a little "chat" with the guy that designed that &^#$@& installation.

I haven't tested it personally, but I've had folks tell me that a well maintained Jag will get over 200,000 miles.

Good luck and enjoy having one of the sweetest rides on the road.

 

Mine gets driven daily, just got to combat the salt.

Nobody knows how long they will last, the oldest at 15 years are still going which is a good sign.

 

My 97 is a daily driver and while I have other rigs as a backup I run the XK8 between Portland, OR and near the Canadian border once a week, about 600 miles round trip, 12 months a year.
Having a pre-purchase inspection is always good. You mentioned the tensioners, how about the transmission? My car had both done when I got it at 120k so I'm planning to run it to 200k. If the transmission has not been overhauled/updated you'll need to budget for that at some point in time.
I'll repeat what others say, if you can do your own work they are a wonderful car to own, drive, and occasionally work on. If you have to pay someone this will quickly become a raw nerve .. with salt. I am in the final throws of sorting out a worn out throttle body. That's just a wear item that will eventually need attention as well. You can find good parts cheap on EBay and don't have to pay the otherwise ultra high prices.
I've had mine for over a year and a half. The only time it let me off on the side of the road was when it blew a heater hose (octopus) that had 14 years and 130k on it.
As a bonus, if you're a freeway driver like me, it will get decent gas mileage, if that has any value to you. I've averaged 24mpg over the past 30 tanks this year.
Mike

 

My 97 has 147k miles on it now. It's been well maintained and despite a few minor issues which don't keep it from driving, it's been very reliable. If your car has been well maintained, you should easily get 200k out of the motor. Transmissions, from what I've read and talked to with several mechanics is that 75-125k miles is about what you'll get out of it. The exception being the tensioners, but the nikasil lined motors should have amazing life expectancies.

 

the transmission would appear to be the weak link, but if you're proactive, and do the a-drum upgrade, keep up on fluid changes, I see it lasting just as long as the engine.

 

Before my current 2000 XK8 convertible, I drove a 1999 XK8 coupe as a daily driver for about six years. When an idiot driver crashed me out of my ride at more than 135k miles, it was still running strong. I was just about to replace the tensioners but aside from that it was a great car. The tranny was still good as most of the miles were on the freeway with relatively few gear changes. Aside from tires, fluids, brakes and a few small bulbs, it was in original condition. I have actually spent far more on maintenance/repairs for my Acura MDX SUV than I have on both XK8s. The Jag is a remarkable and fun car provided you treat it well. Good Luck!

 

Hello guys-

An update: I just spoke to the car's previous owner...found his old registration in the glovebox. He owned and drove this car for the past nine years. Loved the car, took very good care of it and regretted losing it three weeks after he traded it in. I could hear the wistfulness in his voice, as he told me:

Transmission: replaced in 2008
Tensioners: upgraded in 2003
Throttle Body: replaced in 2004

That's all GOOD news. And it will save me some money at the pre-purchase inspection tomorrow (Monday). I'm thinking this baby might just belong to me. And the price feels right...$ 5895...fourth cheapest XK8 on cars.com (nationwide).

You boys may be seeing me around some. Unfortunately, I'll have more questions than answers. But I'm very grateful to those of you who are willing to help guys like me. Thanks.

 

With that list in the done column you've probably got a good five years driving at your rate. That means it shouldn't let you off on the side of the road unexpectedly. You'll still have plenty of stuff to fix...

That car will grow on you like it did to the previous owner. Welcome to the club.
Mike

 

At that price, it's a steal. Go for it.

 

2003 the tensioners were done. At that point would they have been the upgraded ones?
Also you may want to want to save about 400 bucks to get the ECM (main computer found on pass side motor compartment up on the firewall under the cover you see with the hole in it) rebuilt eventually as that is a weak point on most 97's and a new one from Jag is over 2k and is new old stock, meaning it is built in 97'ish time frame with the same weak points on it as the one you have. You are better to have it rebuilt once it starts acting up as the place that rebuilt mine used more up to date/modern components in the rebuild.
Mine started acting up with TB/ABS/TRANS FAULTS for no good reason slowly over time until it stops running. That is how that went out on me.
Not trying to scare you. You have most of the MAJOR stuff fixed and the price is great.
And from what I have seen here the tops hoses on the 97's are not the same as the ones in the newer cars they have issues. As I was told, pull the side over in truck (around the cd changer) and look at the black hoses coming off pump. If there is NOT stamping of names on the hoses (mine did not, this info is in one of my threads for my car) you have the early year hoses that were less prone to go out/blow.

 

Also as explained here, the top motor puts out a lot of pressure, more then needed the techies say here. I was told that if you put top up and down off the battery, car not running there is less pressure on the system. There is a fix lsited here on the site for a device that reduces power to the top motor thus less pressure that helps save the hose system.

 

Hello guys;

Well, the Jag specialist has checked out the car and just faxed me a one-pager.

1) There is worn suspension in the front, not a huge deal. Will need to address.

2) Leaking valve cover gaskets

3) Some oil in the air cleaner- the technican feels this is probably a ventilation blockage, and not a blow-by issue. A relief (if true!)

4) Leak in the A/C system.

5) Codes:

P1517 (Cranking / Neutral Drive Malfunction) - "possible causes are rotary switch to ECM or switch failure."

P1796 (Trans Control Module to instrument pack circuit (CAN network)

P1731 (Inconsistent gear ratio)

P1730 (Gear control malfunction 2, 3, 4th - "possible causes are trans oil level, output speed sensor problem, input speed sensor problem, or transmechanical failure."

The car is driving quite nicely, both in normal driving and when pushed (hard).

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your help - I've got to make the call on this car by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

 

I just pick up my 97 BRG xk8 coupe with 75k on it coupe of months ago, and I am using it every day.

 

You can come buy mines right now

 

The tranny codes would give me pause, and a worn suspension, if rebuilt with all new bushings and mounts will cost you $1500-$2000 using an independent shop. I see some other high-price repairs if you can't tackle them yourselves...what if the leak on the A/C is from the compressor or condensor, not just an o-ring on a fitting?

If you still want it, just be prepared for the worst.

 

Alright guys,

I'm in. Recognizing the need for some work, I bought the coupe for $ 5895. How badly could I screw up at that price? On cars.com, this was the second cheapest coupe in the nation, and the first cheapest is WRECKED.

I've got a great local shop with 30 years of Jag experience set to overhaul the front suspension at about $ 800 complete.

The tranny is behaving nicely (except for a 4th to 5th shifting issue at high speed when the car is in Sport Mode and the pedal is to the floor).

I've wanted a low, sleek, muscular luxury coupe all my life. And I used to love tinkering with cars back before my kids were born, so I'm buying my old hobby back as well. I won't be able to do ALL of the work myself, but I can certainly do a lot of it.

I'm thrilled with this car. I love it. And I'm really grateful to all of you tech-heads out there who are willing to share your wisdom. You'll be seeing me around, for sure.

 

Congrats! It's a wonderful car


But....