I finally got around to listing and tabulating the cost for major expenses on the XK8 over the last thirteen years of ownership. Note that some project costs might appear higher or lower than expected because the cost listed the right hand column were overall project totals, which often included 'while you're in there' items. Also I had a fender bender which cost an extra thousand dollars for used highlight bucket and some paint work. Finally, the extra costs of installing a new top and headliner were completely optional; but the upholstery shop made the car's top and interior look factory new.

 

Showroom gorgeous!

 

What a nice lift in your garage. Well done....

 

Better get your Flame Suit on.

I also document all expenses for my vehicles and posted about this with examples several months ago. I was criticised by several members because "it's a hobby!" and I shouldn't be calculating the cost. Each to their own but I like to know exactly what a vehicle is costing me. I got out of an X308 after ten months a few years ago because I knew precisely how much money it was burning.

One thing about your post I must ask. The tubs of Squirel Food under the refurbished front crossmember. You buy food for squirrels?

Graham

 

I document work performed on the car, not so much for the purpose of recording how much money was spent; but rather to keep an ongoing record of when I performed maintenance items. I've got five cars, and keeping track of when the oil was changed, the brake fluid exchanged, or the water pump replaced, can be a complicated endeavor. I maintain a similar excel spreadsheet for each car, in spite of the fact I don't have an auto hobby budget. My philosophy is YOLO... You only live once. That being said, keeping track of expenses is a good way of maintaining a solvent household, so I don't see any harm knowing how much money is being burned in the garage.

PS. Yes, in our old house we fed the squirrels peanuts.... and the birds too. However, our new house is on the riverfront where the wildlife is plentiful; and therefore now every one is on their own for dinner.

 

Looks like a bargain to me. $25K, all in ? You could've gotten a new Hyundai SUV 13 years ago and spent as much or more, and been miserable all the while.

 

I also document all maintenance and repair expenses across all four of our vehicles. We have now owned my wife's 2006 XK8 for a full 9 years. I have not calculated the total spent on that car in quite some time because I know it will not make me happy, particularly given the fact that she has not driven it in nearly a year but still wants to keep it because "it is lovely". Sheesh....

I will take the time today to run an updated total and post it here...

 

The 9-year total for all maintenance and repair costs for my wife's 2006 XK8 is currently $9,456.80. 95% of this work has been DIY. We acquired the car at just over 36,000 miles and it now has 121,650 miles. In the past year it has been driven just 1,189 miles (99% by me). This car has been more costly to keep roadworthy than my 1999 Ram, my 2013 Outback, and her 2015 Lexus combined....

 

I should add here that I humbly appreciate all the assistance and advice I have received on the forum over the past decade-plus. Without this forum's expert guidance I would have had to spend at least three times the amount I have actually spent to keep my wife's XK8 performing properly. It cannot be stated enough that by far the best tool in all of our toolboxes is this forum....

 

Nicely done; I have to admit I really don't want myself (or more importantly the Wife) what the total cost of Jag ownership are, but was curious to see what your totals were. Beautiful Cat!

 

I'm thinking if one owns an X100 for more than five or ten years, there's a ownership baseline cost of around $700-$800 per year. Most of us suffer the known engineering faults, and spend about the same on repairing them. Replacing the plastic T-stat housing; and the tensioners on earlier cars, is almost a right of passage for us. Tires, belts, rubber bits are the same for everyone; except that Supercharged car owners pay a rear tire tax as a penalty for their enthusiasm. ;-) And sooner or later nearly everyone is destined to meet the 'octopus' in the bowels of their engine bay. Accordingly, if they have to pay their Indy to do it, then its even more. My point is unless you just bought a car that had all this work done, we're all going to see most of the same costs associated with ownership.

Beyond that, its personal choices and circumstances that buck up the numbers. Initially, I only wanted to repair the worn driver's seat bolster. But a month later, when I left the upholstery shop, I had a new top and headliner, and a full re-skin of the seats and armrests. That was my choice. And circumstances: I had a fender bender that cost me another $800 beyond insurance claims... that was a situation hopefully others won't incur. My point is , for the guys that clean the inside rims of their road wheels, they're going to spend a bucket load more than the guy who complains about his drive thru car wash that increased by a dollar last week.

Certainly the biggest differential regarding ownership pain is whether or not an owner can wrench on the car himself. Labor costs are killer. They are the single biggest reason we see so many otherwise beautiful XK8s languishing away on the used car lots for $6-$8,000. Most members on this site at least try to do their own work; and that helps us to not only to appreciate what a fine automobile we own, but it also mitigates the necessity to terminate our relationship because it's turned into a money pit.

However, all of the above is logic. Deep down inside we all know the real reason we keep these cars in spite of the money spent.. Which brings us to the never-ending parable of that beautiful woman who usurps our paychecks, only to scorn us by leaving us stranded on the side of the road. But like drunk sailors, we all keep coming back...Opening up our hearts and wallets for her because she's just to damned pretty to let go. Amen to that Brother.

 

l think thats a incorrect observation. for me its quite simple, one of the main reasons i can afford multiple cars and bikes is because i do keep track off all expenditures hobby or not.

 

Gordo: Well said. You must be an auto-phycologist 'cause you explained it exactly. No one likes a money pit but the passion carries us through. That is one BE-A-U-T-FUL car.
I love that lift too. I keep a note book in every vehicle I own 'cause I am just not gonna remember when whatever was done last. I have a file for each also but have no plans to add it up. I would just scare me too much. LOL

Jon: I echo your words a thousand times. Even to non Jag people (not that there is anything wrong with that) and fellow bike people I tout the words of wisdom and helpfulness of this forum. I have not seen anything like it in all my motoring internet travel. If you have ever posted an answer here I thank you.

Hi, my name is Tom (hi tom) and I'm a Jagoholic.

 

Hi Tom...Thanks for sharing. I've had a few slips recently, but I've also learned that if you can store it your garage, then it's OK to get another one.
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