Hi,

This is related to my other post about starting a search for a convertible. I came across a Volvo C70 and that is a nice looking car also. Do any of you have experience with both the XK8 and the C70 (2004 - 2009) and can give a fair comparison, if the cars can even be compared?

Thanks.

 

You have to WANT to own a JAGUAR and there's only two ways to do it:

1. a well stocked bank account
OR
2. a well stocked tool box

An older model is not a "change the oil once a year" kind of vehicle. They were expensive to buy new and the cost of maintaining them properly only increases as they get older. Correcting issues ignored by PO's absorbs a lot of our members time and money. Cooling system, suspension and brakes all wear out. If you either don't want to or can't DIY the maintenance, it will cost a lot of money even at an independent specialist.

If the reason to consider the XK8 Convertible is because "it is a nice looking car also", the ownership experience is likely to be a huge disappointment and the VOLVO is the better choice.

Graham

 

That being said, that particular Volvo is a rather heavy car for its size, being a hardtop convertible with a lot of chassis modifications to stop it from flopping about, and because of that it will likely require a full suspension refurbishment (shocks, bushings, anything else with rubber in it) at this age. My dad has a 2006 C70 (that he's trying to sell, incidentally), and before he bought it I insisted he take a look at an XK8 first. He decided against it mostly because the XK8 didn't come as a hardtop, which he was very focused on, and also it was harder to get in and out of, being significantly lower to the ground. The Volvo's hardtop is a pretty cool piece of machinery to watch unfold as you put the top down. It also has a rear seat that's usable for non-amputees, which can't be said of the Jag. Overall though the Volvo is much less involving to drive, being FWD and having a 5-cylinder turbo engine, and IMO is far less good-looking.

 

 

Depends on allot of variables, like former owners and if the car is a lemon. Had a 92 855T wagon, 5 cyl, it was a lemon, trans, batteries, lots of little things... and I loved it....fast in the day, reasonable mileage, comfort, practical; handled well.... I then got a 1999 S70 t5 sedan, went 180,000 miles before lack of maintenance while my daughter owned it caused a sell. I loved that car. 24 mpg average, more on trips, seemed quick, reliable, got 50k on my first set of brakes, handles well. timing belt and plugs plus normal fluids and filters was all she needed. More or less reliable than a Jaguar....please much more reliable, even the lemon was....and they both had the best seats this side of a orthopedic surgeons recliner.

 

I thought my 2007 Volvo C70 was the cat's meow until I got a 2002 XK8 last year. I still like the Volvo but it doesn't give me the same driving satisfaction that the Jag does - not surprising as the Volvo listed new for a little more than half what the Jag cost new. Having said that, the Volvo is one of the quietest, least windblown, high speed, top down experiences out there.

 

pvxkowner,

What is a Volvo?

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

I own an XK8 and a V70 (basically the same car as a C70, which is based on the Ford Mondeo). The two are not really comparable. The Volvo is a boot with car, its practical, reliable and very well built, but as its a 2t front wheel drive family car/caravan puller offered in a convertible option, It is not a sports car and is not fun to drive, and frankly is quite generic and soulless.

The jag is a sports car with a boot, and like most British cars is equally well engineered bodged up with old components when the money ran out! It definitely has a soul and is fun to drive.

Personally, I think sports cars should be fun and have character. As humans we always seem to want everything, but if it is too much about reliability/build quality then something is lost..

 

Really! Pull up in both vehicles see what gets more attention. Just saying...?

 

;>

 

My mantra in life is to make your decision by the heart, informed by the head.

So what does the heart say?

 

Hi,
I tired unsuccessfully yesterday 5 different times to post this reply so here goes again....#6.

Thank you to ALL for the replies. They have been helpful.

bcprice36....made me laugh ha ha kind of like my Detroit Lions...are they truly an NFL team?

Shoreguy...I Know exactly what you are saying.

Diddion.....this is what I am trying to do.....the Jag makes me smile and the Volvo, although a nice car, is just there. There is a Youtube video by a guy named John with a channle "Into the Garage" and he has a cl;ip of his 1997 with the custom exhaust. I listen to that and the Jag just speaks to me.

Well, back to my search..I have decided on the Jag. There were three and I tired to put the Autotrader links to them for you to easily find but was unsuccessful with my previous posts. So, I will just tell you about them and perhaps, if desired, you could just go to the ads to see the cars.

1) 2004 for $7,200 with 99,877 miles by a private owner in Palm Desert, California: I did find out after my original post attempt yesterday morning that this car had been sold for $7,000
2) 2006 for $7,900 with 93,373 miles by a dealer in Decatur, Georgia: my wife and I zoomed in on the drivers seat picture an dit looks stained and dirty. We think it looks like it was stored outside with the top down so we don;t believe we should consider this one.
3) 2002 for $4,850 with 119,000 miles by a private owner in San Clemente, California: I have spoken and emailed the owner, and this is what he told me: $2,500 engine upgrades: mostly seals and gaskets to eliminate leaks. Car was bought about 2.5 years ago as it was his wife's dream car. She was diagnosed with a medical issue soon after purchase that is exacerbated by a convertible - something to do with outside air, pollutants, unsure..sad. So, car has sat in the garage.and medical bills need attention. He states similar cars sell for $7,000 - $9,000 but money is needed so he wants a quick sale which is why the price is $4,850. However, people who have looked at it are low-balling him at $2,500 - $3,000 and why he has not let it go yet. I am interested in this and my wife and I are trying to think of a solid offer for him. What are your thoughts? I did pull a Carfax and a Faxvin report last night and, with the exception of the accident in July 2004, there are no other issues on either report. The cra was purchased new at Hornburg Jaguar/Land Rover in Santa Monica, California in December 2001 and was regularly serviced there thru September 2010. The coolant bypass pipe/hose, coolant reservoir, and thermostat housing/gasket replaced in September 2006, the engine timing/front cover gasket replaced was replaced in March 2007, and the fuel pump was been replaced in December 2007. It had 40,816 miles in July 2005, 69,325 miles in June 2008, and 111,359 miles in January 2012 when it failed the California emissions test. However, it did pass the test in October 2013 when it had 116,479 miles. I have no idea what transpired between the fail and pass. The mileage in January 2016 was 119,248 when it passed another emissions test and it still has about the same amount of miles today. I think this is definitely a car to pursue. What do you all think?

 

There is no car like XK! I don't know a car which can be compared to it. Nothing is even close to XK!
Later indian models don't look like Jaguars anymore.