He's right 50% ^

 

Would be more economical to purchase an XKR then to add a supercharger.

 

Its nearly always better to buy a forced induction car to start with, than to modify a car to forced induction.

The cost in labor, parts, and time, to swap the engine, is not worth spending that labor in some other occupation, and just buying a XKR to start with.

I would recommend spending less than 1/2 of what you have saved up. If something goes wrong in a big way, you can afford to completely replace the car. If nothing goes wrong, you can use the replacement car savings to buy a nicer car down the road, or as part of buying your own land.

The electronics on modern cars make changing to a manual gearbox in a car that did not have that from the factory, quite difficult. The two depend on readings from each other, and when you remove one, things go nuts.

One final advice from a younger member, I'm 31. If you go with twenty year old luxury car, its best to plan on being single. There will be parts that will deteriorate based on time, not wear or abuse. I also, bought a roughly twenty year old Porsche for $4,000 at 18. I don't regret it, but it took considerable time as electrical's might of corroded, rubber parts dry rotted, etc. The XK8 has a design that requires less maintenance than the Porsche, which is an advantage, but the age of the car, will eat into your free time, and/or pocket book. I do not regret it, I learned a lot of mechanical and electrical skills. I ran CNC machines at work of similar vintage, so any time a machine needed work, I always watched the mechanic that was flown in. What I learned from the CNC's electrical systems and mechanical make up, often applied to the Porsche. This was a very nice bonus tool at my disposal.

You need to have some form of back up transport, be it public transit, etc. There may be a period where you simply have to wait for parts.

There are reasons the twenty year old luxury sports car is a path less taken, however, as in hiking, the path less taken can bring some unique views of nature impossible to see from main roads.

 

It is always better to hold out for what you want than to try and make what you do not into it. You obviously have the funds to purchase what you want. This is really a matter of patience and researching what is for sale.

I would also ask you if you have driven a specimen so that you know what a GT really feels like. You are welcome to visit me and try mine and I am sure that others would extend the offer too. The reason that I say this is that you might be looking for a different type of car but appreciate the look and described characteristics of the xk8(r). Do you want a coupe or convert? There will be differences in availability and price. And converts will not be as stiff as coupes and will have limitations in other ways. Depends upon what you want.

There was a European manufacturer which performed a manual transmission conversion, however you will pay for that engineering if they are still doing it.

The computer system in this car will frustrate the efforts of any shop to perform a conversion.

One interesting option for you would be to find a good body with everything right except a ruined engine. Here you can have some fun as there is a company that did the R & D to install a different engine and even made a manual conversion for those that wanted that too. You might not get the xkr, but have the option of the LS motors and a manual. This is not my taste, LS motors, but you might like it and eventually perform some sort of forced induction on the LS motor with a company that knows what they are doing.

If you really want an xkr in proper form, make sure that is what you want, see above, and get it as built. The coupe is probably the better investment, but it is a personal choice.

 

I have to add this. When I was deciding to get my dream I considered the new Mustang. It has independent suspension and the turbo four cylinder engine is excellent. With the new suspension it is like a European car. The looks are reminiscent of the classic car and quite nice. I would not call it tacky.

 

He means the Mustangs from 2005 as the Thread is from 2005...

 

Thanks for catching that for me. have not yet become accustomed to old threads. thinking of this like corporate email chains.

 

Yipes, I did not catch that!

Well, the advice offered is still valid should it ever come up in searches.

I was going ??? afterwards at $20K for a 1997 XK8, that would buy a 2006.

I was going to recommend getting a 2005-2006 compared to a 1997, ten years vs twenty years makes a difference.

 

Haha no problem, I enjoy the x100 forums than the x308, just don't tell the guys that at the x308 forums.

 

The kid probably finished college and went on to be a successful professional.
Probably also upgraded to a Lamborghini by now.

 

Senior in 2005 means he got a job and then with no seniority, was laid off in the great recession. He occupied wall street for a while, but got a new job, then found a girl and had three kids.

I'm thinking Toyota Camry or minivan.

 

^probably right.. in this global economy he probably has changed jobs 4~5 times.. still paying off the college loan.. now working for lowes.

(and if he lives in Utah he has 8 kids+3 wives and a mortgage)

*EDIT* Forgot the car... yeah.. probably a M.A.V... mormon assault vehicle.. a Toyota Minivan with 240,000 miles on it.

 

What were you searching for yesterday that returned this twelve year old post?

Graham

 

His reading glasses....

 

I'd laugh but just put my glasses on so I could read this....

 

This thread.

WHY IS THIS THING STILL ALIVE???

 

+1 for above advice. Either buy a "cheap" xk8 and drive it till it falls to bits or hang on for the car of your dreams and get an XKR. Not worth the hassle of upgrading an XK8. It is not just the engine that is different.

I waited over 60 years for the car of my dreams, four or five of yours will pass in a flash. Believe me it will come around very quickly.

So buy a cheap run around to practice your mechanical skills. Then eventually get the car of your dreams, either that or get married have kids. Put on a few pounds. Retire then get the car you really want. Even though they will be VERY expensive by then.

 

Ha-ha; that's about right! When I was about that age (fifty-some years ago), I was disgusted with my dental hygenist's sad story. She and her husband met through an Aston Martin owners' club. They fell in love, got married, sold both their Astons, and bought a Buick to share! What price love?

Funny how we're having fun in this ancient thread and the originator is long gone!