Hello all! I’m going to test drive a 2003 XK8 coupe. I live in Sacramento, California and i’m wondering,

Has anyone in a similar or the same area dealt with rust? is that something to check for on these in the US? I’ve watched a few buyers guides on youtube (Modurol, Classic’s world, XK-R-US) and a few other videos and am itching to get behind the wheel of one to see if it’s the car I want to move towards! so truthfully any california XK8/XKR drivers please i’d love to hear all about your experience!​​​​​​

though anyone please give info as to what I should look at in a test drive for long term, daily driving!
With incredible thanks!!

 

Is it the 4.0 or the 4.2 engine? The 4.2 is preferable.

I don't think that rust will be an issue if the car has spent its entire life in California but members who live there will advise.

Richard

 

My advice may not be what you want to hear, but has to be said regardless.

you cannot make a good enough decision based on what you learn from an Internet forum!or utube videos.

once you find a car that is interesting to you, and has a decent repair and maintenance compiled, then you must have the car examined by a professional who knows these models completely. Yes, a comprehensive inspection will cost you several hundred dollars. But it has the potential to save you from making a mistake costing thousands of dollars.

Avoid making generalizations. For example, like which is better, 4.0 L cars
or 4.2 L cars. A well maintained 4.0 car that’s had the known issues fixed, and with a maintenance history will be contender. And conversely, a 4.2 car that had hidden faults, should be a reject.

Each car you observe must be evaluated on its merits, or lacking of them. This is something that requires knowledgeable guidance.

Z

 

Let's try a little thought experiment.

Imagine that you are presented with two sealed packing cases and the only information that you are given is that in one box is a used 4.0 litre V8 and in the other is a used 4.2 litre V8. If you had to choose one of the two based on the limited information provided, which one of the two would you prefer?

Correct.

Richard

 

I'll give both a miss thanks and look for the exact car that I want - coupe or convertible, colour (in and out), supercharged or NA and buy the best one of those that I find. If you are comparing the 4.0 XKR to the 4.2 XKR there is zero difference in reliability as the last of the 4.0 cars had the same timing chains and tensioners as the 4.2 cars. Even the earlier XKRs, once the timing chains and tensioners have been updated, are exactly the same in reliability as the 4.2 cars.

One final question for you - you have two sealed boxes with identical non working modules that you have to get working - do you choose the one with a VID block or the one with a VCATs label?

 

Thought experiments don't work like that. You have to choose one or the other. That's the whole point of the experiment.
Don't worry. It's not going to cost you anything as it's just a thought and it's not a car. it's just an engine.

Richard

 

First thing to look for is a good reliable independent mechanic

 

We purchased a ‘99 XK8 with CA-NV provenance and well-documented maintenance. Documented maintenance history beats “gorgeous but mysterious” every time. We were very fortunate. A 4.0 V8 with no supercharger is fine for us — it’s a GT not an F1. The 2nd Gen and later cars don’t have quite the same “echo” to the famous E-series styling. Low miles is not necessarily a bonus as these cars like to be driven, not stored. Be sure your budget includes extra for “yet-to-be-discovered” repairs.

 

This!
wj

 

Concerning rust, mine AFAIK has always been a CA car. Zero indications of rust. I think that's the least of your worries, unless the car lived next to the ocean.

Echoing what others have said, my XK8 sat in a garage for 8 years so I can assure you that getting a car that has been sitting most of its life is no guarantee that it's in good working order.

 

Not to play is an option, as you don’t have any authority { } to be making up the rules of a game which has zero bearing on the OP’s situation. I might as well say here are 3 boxes with only one of them having the Crown Jewels inside. So which box do you choose ? Just as relevant.

The realistic choice is to advise the OP not to buy any car without a maintenance and repair history. Likewise, without extensive knowledge of these cars, hiring a professional inspection is prudent.

As a buyer in a limited market, the OP should be in no hurry. Look at several cars and do a few months of research. Theres a lot of good information on this forum on typical issues and information on troublesome areas that can cost $$$ to resolve.

Z