Hello Forum Members -
In my typical fashion, I bought something, in this case a beautiful '99 XK8 roadster, and then decided to learn something about the breed. That's what brought me to this forum, and so far I've learned a bunch. I've learned that this gorgeous automobile, that I've lusted over for years, is a Pandora's Box of woes just waiting to befall me. I've learned that, in spite of its excellent condition and exhilarating performance, I'm just one hydraulic line away from heartbreak and financial ruin. As someone in a post recently stated, and I'm paraphrasing here, "The Kitty is about to drain my kitty." I've learned that my dream of cruising up PCH with the top down had better be no farther than to the local market, not to Monterey as I had envisioned. Or, If I dare go that far I had better have a flatbed following me and a wallet stuffed with Benjamins.
In my 72 years I've owned more than 200 cars (yes, I've kept a list) But never a Jaguar - it's been on my bucket list, an item finally checked off. But in pondering the Forum I've come to doubt myself. Have I made a mistake? Am I driving my Jag down the road to ruin? Is there anyone out there who's ever had a trouble free relationship with their Jaguar?
Help!

 

Welcome. Life's full of risks. There are very few better risks than owning an XK8 in my limited experience. My first trip in my 2001 XK8 was the same distance as the distance from San Pedro to Monterey about 15 minutes after putting the car on a credit card. Priceless.

On the other hand, if the timing chain/tensioners have not been done, ignore everything I just wrote and fix this...

 

Congratulations! These are magnificent vehicles, which I view as mobile works of art. Not only that, but they are refined, comfortable and utterly competent at all speeds, in all weathers, and in all road conditions, and your purchase may give you years of motoring pleasure But it is a mistake to maintain them on the cheap, because the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ really holds - so perhaps act more quickly to address wear and developing faults than maybe you have done on the previous 200 cars. We own powerful cars which are around 2 decades old, so it is inevitable that there will be maintenance costs, but they are rarely Pandora’s boxes. And, despite everything you have read, they can be both reliable and trustworthy and, as true grand tourers, they have the legs and comfort for long and stress-free journeys unaccompanied by flatbeds of any description!

They do respond very well, in other words, to careful maintenance. Despite the impressions that you may receive on this forum, they can be very reliable when treated with that extra little bit of care; this is certainly my experience, and it is the experience of many others, too. The forum can create a distorted picture because, by definition, it is the place to air, discuss and receive advice on all things to do with the car - a distillation on everything that can go wrong. How interesting and useful would the forum be if the posts were along the lines of ‘Nothing to report. No breakdowns or mechanical, failures this year; just replaced front suspension bushes, changed the oil and a new battery’, for example?

 

Welcome!

I think most would agree that you did increase your risk factor of problems by buying the earlier 4.0 version. That being said most of the added risk could have been handled already by previous owner. You did not really tell us much other than "excellent condition" which is pretty subjective. And it is 20 years old in car years, which is like 100 human years.

If you can fill us in on details about mileage, what you know of service history, environment, etc. its likely you could get some good advice on what to worry about and in what order.

In the meantime, enjoy the car. Unless you know that the timing tensioners haven't been updated. In that case, as advised earlier, park it until you get that fixed.

Your concern about wallet impact makes me think you don't plan to DIY much, right?

 

Sr Srfr

Congrats on your purchase. With your car history, I’m sure you’ll enjoy our V8 GT cruiser. It’s powerful, fast and comfortable.

+1 to the above. Rothwell has some very wise words. You’re experienced enough to know a 20 year car will have age related issues. Chain tensioners, Coolant hoses and suspension problems are common and the convertible hoses need to have been changed. The gearbox ATF fluid needed to have been changed. If you have any service history, make a list of car killers issues and tick these off. If you’re lucky a previous owner will have done some of these jobs. If not, there’s plenty of help on this forum, for home DIY. Otherwise you’ll need a friendly garage mechanic and a fat wallet for their labour cost.

These XK cars make great cars for home DIY garage enthusiasts. I’ve had mine for almost 2 years as a daily driver and haven’t had to tow it yet. My Car has been driven all day in the extreme heat of the Arabian Gulf without issues. If the car isn’t used for a few days, it goes on a battery charger in the garage.

There are great road road trip threads posted here, North American journeys mostly. The car can eat up highway long trips, in comfort, which is what it’s designed for. Plus it’s a very pretty car. Sometimes I sit in my garage just looking at it......

 

 

One thing that few XK8/R owners forget to warn you about is the extra dental costs involved. You will find that XK8/R owners do more than any other cars owners is smile and grin. Whenever you see your nicely polished car on your driveway or put your foot down on an empty road it always brings a smile to your face this is turn wears out your teeth.

I have had my car for almost 5 years now. Sure its had its problems. Of course there are some of these cars that are money pits but you will find with the generous help of forums like these you will be able to fix them yourself. A typical problem that convertible owners have is the hoses that unlatch the car can eventually leak. Giving you the infamous 'green shower' from above your head, actually its more of a small drip but 'shower' sounds more dramatic. Jaguar estimated £6000+ UK Pounds, around $7598 US. I did it myself, without any instructions and it cost me £120,$158, for both hoses, and they are MUCH better quality than the Jag ones. If anyone does have this problem I wrote up full easy to follow instructions with pretty pictures on another forum, oh and if you do use them a 'thank you' would be nice on that forum as then I will know it was worth while doing them. Click me to jump to Green Shower article.

So enjoy your car. They really are a delight to own and drive. Be the envy of your neighbours!

You might find this an interesting read, if you have a few days to spare, Franks Story

 

Dale -
The timing chain/tensioners have been done, so I can scratch that worry off my list (for now). Thanks

 

Diddion -
Point made and taken re the Forum. And, I've always been a strong believer in preventative maintenance, even more so now. Thank you.

 

Welcome, Steve and congrats on the new Cat.

As mentioned, PM is the best route to a happy relationship, and you're in a good place here:- 'tis the best forum on the Internet.

 

Rothwell -
I guess I should have added more detail about the car. It has 64k miles and was billed by the seller as the "Most pampered XK8 in California." From the service records I can almost believe his hyperbole; serviced every 2000 miles, timing chain & tensioners done at 60,000 miles, all systems in excellent operating order including every light bulb, gauge and switch. I'm convinced I got a gem, now I just have to keep it that way.

 

Forgot to mention - you're correct that I don't intend to do much DIY. At my age I've done enough wrench turning to last two lifetimes. Fortunately I'm in a position that allows me to entrust maintenance and repairs to the experts with stronger backs than mine.

 

Thanks Graham. Still getting used to the Forum format.

 

Great, then it's sunny and cool in Monterey today (and tomorrow, and Monday, and ...).

 

Sounds like a great car. While idly scrolling thru Craig's List, found a cosmetically perfect CA XK8 convertible for a "it will sell today" price. Needs work. In the shop now for inspection and a quote on repairs needed. I took a chance because these cars seem to be getting harder to find. Goggle search shows them in the 10-15 range for a good car. Sound right? Sounds like you did well. I think a low mileage well maintained Jag is the way to go with these cars.

 

Sounds nice. Is there a CA (or NorCal) owner's group?

 

Gorgeous cars. Saw an "as is" for sale and bought it same day. Went home on a tow truck (the car not me). If this one doesn't work out (cost of
repairs) then definitely plan to find another one. Guess I'm hooked.

 

Yes, many who have a troubler free relationship are not sitting behind a keyboard but are behind the wheel. Like you I bought my Jag with 51,000 miles and had no issues, only cosmetic or routine stuff like a windstop or tranny fluid change. This being said I own five vehicles and don't drive the Jag in the winter. You did not make a mistake, and will be duly convinced by the many positive comments you get from people who admire the attractive curves of the Jaguar body. To wit, a suggestive comment from a woman with attractive curves on her body convinced me of the positive aspects of Jag ownership.

 

Wow... I thought I was dramatic, lol...

 

Sorry, no such animal as a trouble-free relationship with a Jaguar. You must bite the bullet and handle the plethora of repairs that will eventually be required if you own the car long enough....