I drive my '02 XKR every weekday and, occasionally on the weekends.

 

I have Two, A 2000 XKR with 20k which I do not drive except on special occasions and a 2003 XK8 which is my primary transportation. No Warranty. I think I have been much more fortunate than many since I have been driving the 8 for over 5 yrs and the only repairs beyond the normal wear items and p\m I have had is the replacement of a fuel pump. that however was an OUCH! with costs over $1000. I do all of my own maintenance and repair and love my jags reliability. As an aside, my wife has a 2005 Dodge Magnum RT and if not for its warranty we would have spent far more to keep it on the road than I have on BOTH my Jags.
So drive it take reasonable care of it and I think it will be around for as long as you want IMHO.
NOTE: I live in Colorado and drive rain or shine. I am pretty happy with the car in snow, it seems to do pretty well up to about 6" then its garage time though.

 

great addition JLW, two XKs... you don't see that very often.

I bet the jags get much better gas mileage than that Magnum all day long, right?

 

Bought 02 XK8 Coupe in 07 with 40k. Drive her every day. Now have 120k+. I live in NE (near Cape Cod), and drive her every day (I even put her through the car wash all winter...although I hand wash her when I can).

Put high school kids in the jumper all the time (yea yea...short ride...no seat belt...).

Only repair has been thermostat, front bearings, front end bushings and fuel pump.

I drive her through snow, rain and put boat stuff in her.

She is amazing.

Like a beautiful women...treat her well and she will take care of you

Best of all I and my kids love the uniqueness of her..."Max...your Dad's Jag is outside waiting for you..." very cool.

Drive them and they will reward you.

 

We drive our 97 XK8 probably 4-5 times in a 7 day week. Mostly to work drives on the HWY, a short 10 miles each way. Had it about 18 months now. Knew before I got it to expect the timing chain to break on it, it did, and had front brakes done. Otherwise been a great car so far.

 

Interesting thoght H2Oboy, Yes the XK8 will sip gas in comparison to the Magnum. The R however not so--- but I think the XKR suffers from the weight of my right foot when the 8 isn't asked for that level of GO FAST!!!

 

I live in Norway, and I have used my 1998 xk8 coupe all winter. Plenty of snow and cold weather. -33C at most, and the jag has proven to be very reliable... It's got 85 000 miles, and I had the secondary tensioners changed when I bought it. Se no reason apart from the gas mileage in terms of using it every day. I drive 10 000 miles a year.

It is actually a very competent winter car, with very reliable handling. You need good tires though.

 

My mechanic uses my xk8 coupe as a daily driver.

 

Indeed they do make great daily drivers. Although I agree that were I to have to drive in the snow, I'd think differently. Of course, for me, anything short of a snow cat is no fun to drive in the snow. After an experience in an old Mustang on I70 in Colorado many years ago, I avoid snow. I think you have to have grown up with it.

I've often thought about getting another something or other and keeping the XK as a standby but then I find that the days I don't drive it, I miss it. So thus far, I've passed on anything new. And I used to buy a new car nearly every year.

I was tempted to get the extended warranty when I bought it off lease but I passed. So far, so good. Other than a smog hose (A $2 hose that cost $200 to replace) and the third brake light that's lost a diode (another $200 part), nothing drastic has gone wrong in nearly 50K miles.

Although the oddball steering wheel retraction system continues to lose it's mind now and then.

The only complaint is the Navigation system that's been endlessly debated. But then, I don't use it much anyway.

Of course, maintenance is five times the cost of an average car. What with the goofy hoses and other oddities that befit British cars and yes, tires sure are pricey. I recommend the Michelins over the factory P-Zeros.

For sure though, if you can, do any maintenance yourself. Though you do have to be careful. I manged to bust the world's most expensive heater valve replacing the dopey heater hose.

-Joe

 

Thanks, JLW1890, for stating the obvious - "R" in XKR stands for Response - and that's why I bought it. XK8s were nice, but when I drove an "R" - it was just different. I don't regret the mileage - and I use the gas pedal a lot! It reminds me of hyperdrive in the starwars movies! Dale

 

I drive mine every day, and after the normal things posted on this site broke I have been fortunate not to have anymore problems, if I did though I would just fix them and carry on, I love this car. I can live with the gas mileage of the XKR it really isnt that bad.

 

I have had two xk8s. I had a 2000 which had 129,000 when I traded it. It had the timing chain tensioners replaced, the throttle body replaced numerous hoses and interior parts such as the hoses for the roof, the heater control module, numerous dash bulbs and other assorted parts. I traded this car and a 99 boxster for a 2003 xk8 with low miles. So far so good. I love the car, and drive it daily, it is hard to get the satisfaction it gives when you need to pass or get away from the sheep bunched on the freeway. Just punch the accelerator and watch the herd disappear in the rear view mirror.

 

As I mentioned in another thread, I bought my previous 1997 XK8 to drive in the winter here in IL. I just replaced it with the 2005 in my sig. Of course the Viper is my summer fun car. The Jag is my daily driver.

 

My 2006 XK8 is my daily driver. I bought in about three or four months ago. It replaced my Miata for daily driver duties. What a difference. I have never had a car like this. I love it. I am dealing with it's little foibles. Part of the experience. Never had to deal with foibles with the Miata, but so far this has been a smart move.

The nice, smart people on this forum are a real bonus.

Jack

ps - took my Superformance 427 Cobra out for a drive this morning. Talk about the other end of the spectrum!!

 

Have driven mine everyday for over 7 years - top down in winter, igloo in the summer!

 

everyday, 22 miles each way.

 

I bought mine in 2009 with 42,000 miles and use it most every day, winter and summer, in Chicago. With common sense, it's a fine daily driver and works better when used frequently.

I took care of some cosmetic repairs, hoses, wear items and the usual things required of a 10 to 11 year old car. It pays to be handy with a wrench and code reader...and sourcing parts - this forum is great.

Then the tensioners and timing chains went south at 65,000 miles generating $4K in repairs. Disappointing, really, for a modern engine.

I just crossed 69,000 miles tonight. All in all, I like the automobile and receive a lot of compliments.

 

I lived in Kuwait. Im driving my 98 XK8 for 8months now with 55deg max in summer time.
got no problem on her. perfect for daily driving.