Having watched "Gone in 60 Seconds" for the umpteenth time, I have identified the XK8 (the coupe version) in bright, candy red. I think they called the car Debra--cool.

Now, I know back in 2000, I'm sure many folks how have seen this film likely have searched on AltaVista which car this was because it was oozing with appeal.

So back in early 2000s, was either the XK8 or XKR considered a genuine exotic car given the original price tag?

I always wonder why this series of cars and the 996 generation of 911s dropped in value so much over the years. I know for 996s, they were mass produced so maybe that is why one can find one for $25,000 or so.

With the XK8s, for some reason they also don't hold value like the 996. Why is that? Both XK8 and 996 Carreras are praised by many owners and are considered by many to be the best kept secrets in automotive-dome.

The 997 is still darned expensive and it was likely mass produced as well, AND it's already an old model of 911 cars. How come this is holding value relatively well, much like a Lamborghini Gallardo (which seems to never dropped below 95K for any model year, for the last 4 years)?

 

I think my first encounter with the XK8/R was in elementary or middle school when it was in one of my video games--either Need for Speed or Test Drive, where it was featured. It did seem very exotic to me, as a child. Seeing one in person was exciting!

The 996 is ugly with its headlights mirroring the Boxster of the time. That, and many people were butthurt over not having an air-cooled 911 anymore. Not surprising it doesn't hold its value!

 

I think the XK8/XKR was (and still is) a "desirable" car but could not be considered an "exotic" car.

The prerequisites for "exotic" are:

1. hugely expensive
2. produced in limited numbers
3. impractical!

XK8/XKR was built in as many units as Jaguar could sell (reaching nearly 100,000 in total) and marketed at a competitive price.

It's design almost ensures classic status and the best examples will certainly become collectible but it will never have the rarity of a true "exotic".

Graham

 

I think many folks would agree water-cooled is more reliable and objectively better. Also, maybe it's me, but I happen to like the 996 headlights, especially the ones from 2003 onwards. I know MANY hate em, and I DO prefer the 997 and 991 headlights though.

 

In regards to cars being considered exotic or not, wasn't the XK8 selling for over $90,000 back in the 90's/00's? Funny thing was, I was having an argument with someone over in another forum about the Porsche Cayman. He proclaims it is considered an "exotic" since less of this car were made than the 911s and Boxsters. I told him it wasn't and LOLed at him. I have to say I don't see many Caymans here, but I have seen maybe 4 or 5 in the last 2 years.

 

We have a weekly exotics car show here and the XK8/R is always welcome. They park the Jags near the Aston Martins (which must irritate the AM bunch to no end). Our cars may start to seem common to us, but many people rarely ever see them, and they attract a fair amount of attention at the show, even among all the Ferraris and Lambos. If nothing else we make the Ferraris look even cooler.

 

He's forgetting that rare doesn't mean desirable. Sometimes, it just means that less were sold. I just can't get excited about the Cayman either.