I've been reading this forum for several weeks. What great place to learn.
I've noticed that most issues seem to be from the earlier cars 98-02. So, is this because there are more problems (with the exception of the timming chain water and oil pump), or the owners are more intrested in trouble shooting their cars?

 

Around 14000 of the 90000 XKs produced were 03-06 models, so statistically they are going to be less represented. That with improvements each year, and 03-06 models are newer in age and that explains the less posts about problems.

 

Not sure about that. I believe some significant improvements were made during the production run that have a lot to do with incidents of problems.

For example, the transmission was replaced with a more robust unit. Earlier models had the tensioner and water pump issue. Different hydraulic fluid in the top. Troublesome mirrors. Not starting again after a brief startup. Other stuff I must be forgetting.

I can't think of any feature of the older model years that was better than 2003 - 2006. Except maybe - one early year seems to have more robust hydraulic lines in the top.

Jack

 

14000 of 90000 in the last 4 years of this body is a huge drop in sales. I'm amazed that they continued the model with a new version.
Did the 2007 have as many spec changes as the 2003?

 

the 2007 was essentially a new car. I think the motor did not change (might be wrong about that). But the body and chassis (and convertible top) are new.

I don't keep up with the sub-forum for these newer cars. I wonder if they have any annoying issues like the top hydraulics. If they continued with the same motor I would think the drivetrain is bulletproof.

Jack

 

Never mind... I just looked it up. I was wrong.

However, the newest XKR supercharged engines develop FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO HORSEPOWER!!! Unreal. In a car that weighs about 3500 pounds.

 

I'd agree with this. The 97's don't seem to have issues with the convertible top hatch hoses, but they have the potential to develop all of the other problems. As you progress to later model years, some things were corrected, other things were added. Personally, I'd say to aim for a 2004 or newer. That way the only real major issue is the hose. Tensioners, pumps, the bad bushing years and transmission issues have been fixed or made irrelevant. The most relevant issue isn't really the year though, it's how regularly the car was driven and maintained. Cars that have sit for long periods or weren't given proper maintenance are the ones that seem to be the most problematic. So if you're buying used, make sure you have service history. This seems more important with these cars than with any other I've owned, which makes this body style more of an enthusiasts' car, which you've already noted.


One reason I'm sure is that the price tag increased substantially. In 1997 when they were released, the price tag was what, 70k-ish? My 2005 had a sticker price of $97k.

 

Yeah, improvements each year+newer+less cars to have and post about problems=less posts about problems.

I agree with the newer cars being better as you stated in the last part of your post.

 

According to the 2003 Jaguar brochure, there were almost 900 improvements (over the previous years) made in the 2003 MY; most notably the larger engine (4.2 liters) and 6 speed automatic ZF trans.