I'm not sure if this is where I'm supposed to introduce myself, so correct me if I'm wrong.

My name is Jeff and I live in Florida. I recently purchased my second Jaguar. A 2001 XK8 with 230,000 miles on it! I hope that's encouraging to those of you out there who may be wondering about how reliable these vehicles can be. It certainly was to me.

My first Jaguar was a 1985 XJS v12 H.E. This one was not so reliable. But it was absolutely beautiful to look at, and when it ran, wow! 130mph felt smooth as silk.

As to my recent purchase, I was very happy with the deal. I perused many of the "cars for sale" websites for about 2 months and found the interior and exterior combination I was looking for. I need to take care of some clear coat issues on the bonnet, a small dent on the passenger front fender, and I have replaced all four shock mounts. This will all cost me $2100 to have someone else do the work. ($1100 for shock mounts, $1000 for paint and body work). I have removed the exterior body trim from both sides myself and (with the help of this forum and YouTube) repaired both of my electric head rests. I will discuss both of these repairs in a different forum for everyone else's benefit.

So, for the initial purchase price of $3500 minus $1600 from a previous vehicle insurance claim, I should end up with a pretty good looking and good running vehicle for under five grand!

Anyway, good to be here and I look forward to contributing.

 

I was very glad to see some positive words on reliability of XK8 since I am an owner of XK8 with only 75K. So it looks like I may have many good miles left in my XK8.

 

That is fantastic to hear! I just passed 120k a few months back without a hitch! Mine has been very well maintained with all the required upgrades (thermostat tower, tensioners etc.) Sounds like my Kitty is just getting started!

 

Did you happen to receive any service history documentation along with the vehicle? I am curious regarding what engine or transmission work may have been required....

 

Welcome to the forums.… I'm a relatively new member as well with a 97 XK8 that had 70k miles when I acquired it in March of this year and it now has 80k. The members of this forum have been quite helpful in sharing their knowledge and this has allowed me to do some fun wrenching on the car. Enjoy the ride!

 

Jeff, welcome. You made me smile when I read about your jag history. I was coming from an XJ6, hell bent on finding a nice XJS (which seemed to sell out in hours as soon as they hit the used car market up here in New Jersey New York), when I spotted this XK8. I almost dismissed it thinking itd be a Ford like car. But I checked with a serious collector (imagine a 2 story garage filled with Jags).
He assured me the XK8 was going to feel like a Jag, not a Ford hybrid. He said "don't worry, the XK8 will so anything an XJS could and more."

Jeff I hope you find that to be true with your new cat. The problem with these cars is you put too many miles on them, they're just so fun to drive.

John

 

hi Jon89 - I didn't have much to go on other than the very high mileage. There is simply no way in my research about these motors that any plastic stuff could have survived this long. I have watched and read what to look for and listen for regarding tensioners and guides and the motor sounds good.

Also, except for the clear coat the vehicle is in very good condition inside and out. Leather, dash, engine and boot are all very clean.

​​​​​​​Not as good as an original service record, but still....

 

Thanks for the sentiment John.

2 stories filled with Jags! Love it.

Like you, I also started my search looking for something a bit more vintage. I'm glad I went this direction instead. I think in 10 or 15 years (not that I'll necessarily be around to see it) the XK8/XKR will do what the e type has done as far as valuation.

​​​​​​​My XK8 is a coupe by the way. Great lines.

 

I had very little history to go by and so went mainly by the large amount of mileage. I have not seen or read anything that leads me to believe that the car could have this many miles and still have plastic anything. I did listen to the motor at start up as well as when it was warmed and didn't hear a hint of loose chain.

I think a detailed service history would be better, but I'm pretty confident in the overall appearance of the car as well. Leather is great as well as dash, boot, motor and most of exterior. Just the clear coat on the bonnet that needs attending to. Mind you, I've only had the car since the beginning of October, so time will tell.

 

Check the secondary tensioners now. They will go without any warning and when they do it is pricey.

 

That's interesting.

I also started my search looking for something a bit more vintage. I'm not sure at what point I started leaning towards something "newer" but I'm glad I did. I think that the XK8 will eventually do in valuation what the e type did.

 

Thanks Mike, good to be here.

 

Welcome to the forum.


Stu

 

+1 with dsnyder 586 if you don't have a definitive history on the car check the upper tensioners VERY important with that many miles mine broke at 158k luckily engine was ok ,many threads on this forum just need to remove a valve cover and see if plastic tensioners still in the engine, any decent shop should be able to check
Good luck with your new toy
Jeremy