I am moving up from my 1998 XJ8L to an XK8, preferably in the MY 2004-06 range. Having had tensioner and water pump issues with the 1998, are there any major or big minor problems I can expect with the XK8?

Also, there seems to be a steady bump up in price for each model year, and then with the 2006 MY the prices start increasing much more. Other than the 5-year-old car mentality, is this any other reason for the break point at MY 05-06?

Finally, what is the benefit of factory installed navigation system, now 5 years old, vs something mountable that is brand new, other than appearance, which is no small thing in a Jaguar.

Thanks

 

Look carefully at/for a late 2002R - metal tensioners after August 2002 build, and a much more reliable transmission - Mercedes. DaleD

 

I figure the later the better. If you recall, Jaguar beat Lexus and tied Buick for first in dependability on their 2006 models, primarily because their platforms where older and most the kinks had been worked out. But any of the 4.2 liter models should be safe. There is no advantage to the navigation, not even appearance. In my opinion the gauges look better and the navigation is outdated and only going to become more obsolete with time. Only thing i would change about the xk8 i bought would be to have the gauges instead of the navigation, so don't pay extra for navigation.

 

Out of all the issues corrected through 10 years of field trials the only one Jaguar never fixed is the convertible top hydraulics until the '07 model. The styling update in '07 may be some of the reason for the spike in '06 sale prices. A lot prefer the older look.

The factory GPS is outdated and not supported. Don't bother. Big changes coming for GPS units. Everything going on-line.

 

I agree with all the comments. Do not pay a penny extra for the outdated nav.

The only thing I will add, is that if you find the perfect car, and it happens to have the factory nav, it can be updated with a Garmin GVN-53, (which is upgradeable with new maps) and a RGB video converter for about $700 less installation. If that is important to you, figure that into the cost.

 

Having or not having the NAV would not be high on my list if I were shopping around. Most important for me would be location of the vehicle, miles on the odometer, followed by model year, then color. Remember, these were not high number production cars so you may not find exactly everything you want in the previously owned market.

Doug

 

I am really happy with my '05 XKR . It seams like it is really a high quality machine.
The later the better I am thinking..

 

When I was researching a purchase I too saw the price bump at just under five years. My thought was there was still some factory warranty left which has some value.

 

the bump in price may have something to do with getting a loan also. It hard to get one on a car older than 5 years so dealers don't want them.

 

I was looking for an 06 but bought an 04. Its the condition and mileage that counts as the cars are almost identical. Mine only had 16k on it. They are out there you just have to be patient until one comes up and they don't last long.