Please help ..I'm in the middle of buying an 05 xkr with 90000 miles on it for 18k ..I want to know if this is the best year to get ? Cost for maintaining ? Or reliability ..first post so thanks in advance

 

In my opinion the 03 thru 06 XKR's are the best years. I have an 03 XKR and bought it in February 2012. The car has all the expensive options that were available when it was ordered by the original owner. If you are mechanically inclined, these cars are not to bad to maintain. I have most of the suspension and mechanical work done by a local Jaguar repair shop. In most cases the Jaguar dealership are more expensive. If you can find a good garage that services Jaguars and has a good reputation then you should be OK. Jaguars are fairly reliable cars but do need regular maintenance. The car you are looking at does have high mileage for the year, but that is OK if it was maintained properly. Does it comes with a clean CARFAX and have all the maintenance records? I would recommend that you take the car to your local Jaguar dealer and have then perform an overall inspection of the car. It usually takes about 1 hour and will cost about $150.00. The inspection will show all the items that need repair and have get a written estimate of the repair charges. By doing proper research you can make an educated decision to either buy the car or walk away. The car might look nice on the outside but could be a money pit underneath the skin. The XKR models are a little more expensive to repair than the XK8 models, due to the supercharger and suspension, but the XKR is the way to go, in my opinion. I had an 01 XK8 for two years and really enjoyed the car, but I kept yearning for an XKR. By looking through the Forum you can get an idea of some of the problem areas to look out for. Good luck with you purchase.

Bill N
03 XKR vert

 

+1

Looks like Bill has given you the same advice as I did when you asked this question in another forum!

Graham

 

I have an 03 XKR with 70k that I drive near every day with no issues that have ever left the car unable to run and drive.

Unless you see proof from the seller there are some maintenance items you can about bet on needing to do soon after buying. Trans fluid, front upper shock mounts, front suspension bushings and a SC oil change wouldn't hurt.

I wouldn't say any of these are more expensive on the XK than other comparable cars but they are wear items and 90k is approaching where they will likely need addressed.

And like Bill said, If you are inclined, you can do much of the maintenance yourself at reasonable cost.

Let the fun begin!

 

I've got a 2004, 89K miles, tempting fate but it seems a very trouble free car.
For example I've used no oil in 3K miles and the oil on the dipstick is still golden.
Minor niglges only, all fixed with the help of this forum.
I'm about to change the transmission oil - more accurately I've got the bits and the local carsmith + I will do it on his hoist. (to avoid ambiguity do it means change the oil - one has to be so careful on this forum)
Go ahead and buy and don't worry.

 

This is the car isn't it?
Cincinnati, OH 2005 Jaguar XKR Base Used Coupe Ft Thomas, KY Florence, KY Jeff Wyler Chrysler Jeep Dodge Fort Thomas

People can give a better opinion when they can see the vehicle.

 

The wheels look like xk8 wheels, also it looks like it has the R option package with the alu pedals, rings etc, but at least in europe this meant that you have a big R stamped in the middle of the steering wheel which this one doesn't have.

 

The wheels are the 18s, same as my 03, so are correct for an R. 8 in front and 9 in rear, so not quite as wide a the 20s but a softer ride.

One thing I did notice was the handedness of he rear badges with the 4.2 on the left and R on the right with the key hole. My 03 is the opposite. I thought it had to do with RHD vs LHD, but maybe it is a model year thing.

 

Did you see this? Jaguar : XK Coupe in Jaguar | eBay Motors
It's an 8 not an R but worth a look maybe.

 

Thanks you guys I never thought I'd get this many responses..this community really is helpful..and yes that's the car in Cincinnati...I really want this car it has the right year trim and color and price that I was looking for ..I fly out there the first of the month to check it out .

 

Do you have a mechanic in Cincinnati that can help with the check?

 

thanks ill check it out ..but I really want an R model

 

Not yet but I'm looking .

 

I have an 03 XKR that I drive not daily - but often enough.

Bought it in 04/10, with 38K miles, first 2 days put 2K miles driving it back home from the Bay Area with no issue.

The car-related expenses so far:
1. Replace front rotors and pads ($300+ estimate, Eurospare rotors from Autopartswarehouse, Hawk pads - same source)
2. Replace transmission pan gasket, forgot how much ....
3. Replace rear suspension bushing, forgot how much; both #3 and #4 done by Classic Jaguar
4. Replace rear rotors and pads (less than $200 ... I think, got really good deal on a pair of Eurospare rotors - from Autopartswarehouse, pads from RockAuto)
5. Oil changes
6. Replace coolant reservoir (leaking, the part is $100 maybe - from autopartswarehouse)
7. 1 time balancing, with state inspection back in 2010 - $50-ish or so, I think I did it at a local Firestone ...
8. Alignment, 1 time, $80-something, at local Lambs Tire
9. Annual state inspections
10. Tires - so far have been the most expensive11. Fuel systems cleaning, by an indy shop, I think $99 or so from my local indy shop
12. Driver seat leather repair, $50
13. Paintless dent repair on a tiny outie, forgot how much .....

Need to do:
- passenger window, all symptoms point to the darn microswitch
- either new bushing or just alignment, not sure yet

Everything else is fine, knock on wood.

Numerous road trips w the car, no issue, took it as high as 130mph top down, 140-ish top up. Last one was from Central TX to Southern NM via West Texas.