I'm starting a new job on Monday that's 32 miles on LA freeways one way. The morning drive is not too bad as far as stop/go but the home commute will be stop go a lot for 32 miles. Anyone have any experience with using these cars like that? I plan on doing it for a maximum of 4 months until I can get past the probation and moved closer.

My car was inspected by a local jag specialist and he can't find any major problems with the car so it's in excellent condition mechanically. I just had new radiator hoses, thermostat and thermostat cover put on too. The only warning light I've gotten is the ABS one that goes on and then off for a few weeks so it's wiring but I can drive the car while I repair that anyways. Again anyone have any experience using these on full freeways for a commute that far?

 

I use mine as a (more or less) daily driver to make a 25 mile commute in Phoenix without any problems. Except in a few spots at certain times of the day, traffic is generally moving and not as much stop and go, however.

An XK8 isn't especially delicate and I wouldn't be afraid to use it like a car. Stop and go isn't particular good for any vehicle, but the most important thing is to have a healthy cooling system.

I'd have the exact same concerns for any 10yr old vehicle, Jag or not, and it sounds like you've already done due diligence to keep yours in top shape.

Enjoy the new job!

 

Congrats on the new job! With a good checkover like you've already had done, I think you're fine. Your biggest things to keep an eye on are the cooling system and brake pads. Agreed with Charlie that the XK8 isn't that delicate and it's up to the task. I can and do daily drive mine (10 mi. suburban traffic, stop-and-go), and it's a nice place to be. No real concerns. Pity those that spent twice as much on a new Camry in the next lane over.

 

The only think I can add to what the others have already said is that you should get WhiteXKR's RealGauge mod. As you probably know, the temperature gage is really an idiot light and this mod turns it into a real temperature gauge. I'd be hesitant to drive it in stop and go traffic without and actual temperature gauge as you can get into trouble and not know it until it's too late otherwise. It's a cheap and easy mod to do and I highly recommend it. Therte's lots of information about it on this forum and you can checkout WhiteXKRs site at TheJagWrangler - Home - About Us.
Mark

 

I used to commute daily 20 miles each way in my 2001 XK8. In the UK that means a lot of stop and go with plenty of sitting for long periods in traffic jams. Didn't have any problems.

As others have said, make sure the cooling system is reliable, including the operation of the fans.

Graham

 

Ok, I won't worry about it too much as far as the car just the cost of gas!! It's only for a few months anyways until I decide to move.

 

Not as a daily commute, but managed to put 24000 miles on the clock one year. It was the year I had mine converted to LPG (propane in the USA). At the time it was a £0.33ppl and almost a third the price of unleaded in the UK (£0.89ppl). It could manage 350 miles on a single 60l fill (£20) which in real terms was circa 55MPG

 

artstar - I bought mine w 91k on the odometer last year as a replacement for my daily driver. I have a 28mile one way trek, mornings are great but at 5am no one else is on the road, Evenings have a lot of stop/go if it rains or later into rush hour (Charlestonians can't drive for crap in the rain). It has been a joy to drive - 17k since I've owned it and looking forward to many more years of enjoyment.

 

PS: Get your air-con checked and recharged if needed

 

I going to agree with everyone so far, reasonable maintenance and they are very reliable. Mine is a daily driver although my commute is pretty short. I do not hesitate to use it like any other car and it runs much better when driven.

Enjoy and move closer when you can.

 

Artstar,
I bought my 2002 XKR about 3 years ago with about 60,000 miles on it. I use it as my everyday driver, and it replaced my (at the time) new Buick Enclave, which I gave to my wife to drive. I hated driving the Enclave as it was not nearly as nice a drive as my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. I have since put almost another 60,000 on it as I am closing in on 120,000. It has had many of the typical XK problems and drove me nuts for a while, but seems to have stabilized, and is always a joy to drive with the top down, everyday that it's not raining here in Los Angeles.

 

I've owned my XKR since January of 2011. I've put 14k miles on it since; that's a lot for me since my daily drivers usually get 6-8k a year.

If there is no snow or salt on the road (so I dont drive November to March) I drive it everyday, rain or shine. It's been a very reliable car; the only stuff that's went was the roof hose and an oxygen sensor. They are more maintenance intensive than a Toyota Corrola, but still significantly more reliable in my opinion than the XKRs competitors. Parts are really cheap for these cars too; the car was 85K new and parts are more in line with cars that cost less than half of that. Last summer I put 1k on my A8L and maybe 6k on the XKR.

I drive 9 miles each way to work on a great driving road. I get about 19mpg, which is an improvement to what I get in my A8L. I love the style, performance, luxury and overall driving experience; but the best part of all is being able to drive it everyday. Jaguar really won me over; enough that I'm looking to buy my mom an X308 XJR.

 

It is my wifes main ride, my main ride is a 2012 Honda Goldwing GL1800

 

My wife's 2006 XK8 has served as her daily driver since February 2012 - a 46-mile round trip commute five days a week that is mostly highway. She also drives solo to Tampa and back six or seven times per year to visit her elderly parents - a 1,500-mile round trip. So she's putting 23,000 to 24,000 miles per year on her XK8. I have managed to get it mostly settled in now thanks to this forum. Had to fix some of the usual suspects (headrest motor cable repair, new battery, new tires, new intake air duct, new brake pedal switch, cleaned all four wheel speed sensors twice thus far, etc.). I believe these XK8s hold up better when they get frequent use (fuel pumps tend to quit when they sit for long periods of time). Perhaps not as much use as she gives hers, but she loves driving it and usually refuses to drive our S-Type now unless I tell her she must because I need to service her XK8....

So enjoy your commute in your XK8. You may actually be doing it some good....

 

+1

Postings to XK8/XKR tech section certainly support this view.

Graham

 

I use my 90,000 mile XK8 as a daily commuter for a 30 mile one way trip with no probems.

+1 to the suggestion to install the Real Gauge temperture and oil pressure upgrade.

+1 to the observation that these cars work better when driven daily.

Personally, I use non-ethanol premium fuel and average 20+ MPG combined city/highway.

The XK is a pretty stout vehicle, you shoud have no problems.

 

I have put on about 16K in almost 2 years. It is parked under the stars at all times.

It has been trouble free (other than having to replace the Roof Hoses, before I even got the tags on it). I find it a lot more reliable than the Jeep Cherokee (which I keep for snow days, though we have probably only had 2 inches over the past 2 years). I also find it better on the gas at approx 19 mpg (which would be better if my drive to work wasn't so short, though it averages 22-24 when I go on the Interstate to see my grandkids). The Jeep averages about 16-17 mpg and just beats me to death.

The only nagging problem is the Windshield Washer's, which I haven't got sorted out yet.

I agree with the RealGuage Mod from White XKR, best 'peace of mind' going...

I find the XK8 to be a very reliable vehicle with just moderate upkeep.

 

Wife use it as a daily driver and also a weekend get away toy. We have driven over 20,000 in the last 16 months. Had a problem around Christmas with an electrical connection getting moisture on the pins. Little dialectic grease and a wire tie and the problem was solved. The wife got upset and she purchased a 2011 Buick Lucerne and a car payment. Now the Buick sits in the garage. Jags are made to be driven not hidden. Plus I would rather clean a dirty car then a dusty one every Friday.

 

First day, lots of new things and a lot of driving. 40mins for 32miles in the morning and 1hr10mins for the same distance going home. She ran like a champ through LA traffic! A good thing is that the company has it's own parking structure so she's parked inside the whole day so no sun damage. 64 miles per day for probably 3-4 months shouldn't be too bad. 5920 miles, so around 69k miles at the end of that time, not too bad. But like I said gas is going to be a killer but se la vie.

 

We were driving both cars every day when we were working and now we switch between both. These cars are happier when they are driven. They want to be driven!