Could buy an old body (2003) XKR with more horsepower and similar miles (50k) as a new body (2007) XK. Price is about 3k difference more for the XK.

I like the idea of more HP and the reality that the newer body style looks more current and will hold its value a bit better, but not crazy about the low (300) horsepower. That isn't much better than the original 4.0 XK8

The old XKR is much faster and late enough in the production cycle that it should not need tensioners and no woefully bad XK8 transmisson problems. I'm leaning that way but pragmatism is intervening....

Thoughts?

 

That's they type of thought game that I find interesting and can also apply to other car buying scenarios (e.g., buy a C4 1995 Corvette ZR-1 or a plain C5 or C6).

I was dealing with this a bit when I was searching around for a Jaguar XK8/XKR back in 2008. Pricing was generally such that given a certain budget, you could generally buy a newer XK8 versus XKR and, in my case, the choice at the time would have been a 2003 XKR versus a 2005 or 2006 XK8. While I really wanted the XKR my wife would have thought me nuts entirely to buy a 2003 vehicle versus a 2006, and I had seen a 2006 XK8 in excellent condition at about my budget. But as luck would have it I found a local private party selling his basically garaged extremely low mileage 2005 XKR for the same price as I had been seeing 2003 models selling for so my problem was solved.

I think for the example you posed (2003 XKR versus 2007 XK) it would really be a tough decision. I think it would come down to mileage, condition, color, etc. Of course you could have your cake and eat it too if you could stretch a bit and go for a 2007 XKR.

Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Doug

 

I personally like more the older style more but I prefer the later models 2005-6.

If you could get your hands on a "victory" edition XKR for the same as a 2007 XK I would definitely go for the victory.

Pavlos

 

"Old" XKR = More Power and Beauty.

"New" XK = Less Power and Ugly!

 

The newer XKR is just beyond my budget. Could do the XK, but with only 300 hp it isn't much of an improvement over the XK8 that I had (until it got totaled on Monday - moment of silence).

The front end of the newer XKs leaves me thinking: Ford Taurus. And still using a power antenna? WTF?

 

+1

 

If I am not mistaken power antenna disappears 2008+

Not sure when the J-gate disappears probably 2009?

If I was getting a newer XK I would at least want it to look as the current model

 

+1 on the better looks of the classic version.

These are 2 different style cars, I guess you either like the classic or the new one, so go for the one that appeals to you the most!

 

+1 with Paul and Avos (older style better looking).

I would (did) lean to picking the 2003-2006. Keep in mind the 2007 is first year for new model which has changes beyond styling and cosmetics. You will get the newer engineering, but first year models can be problematic in themselves.

Don't assume the value will hold better on the 2007. The older models are creeping up in price and suspect they will continue to do so, if only very slowly.

So pick based on which you like, how you will drive it and how long to intend to keep it. The $3k difference will buy lots of goodies for the XKR.

 

Thanks, guys. Is it also true that starting in 2003 every XKR came standard with Brembos? That's what they say here:

Jaguar XKR Coupe

Although most of the Brembos I see on the older XKRs have red calipers. Either way thos pads have got to be pricey.

 

I think you have answered your own question. If you don't want the 300hp, then your alternative is the XKR.

Personally, I like the old style for its looks, and the new one because I like a DB9. However, your 03 XKR has a lot of issues resolved, but the 07 XK was the year Jaguar was sold to Tata Motors, and because Ford was in a bit of a money crunch, I don't know if the quality was affected at all. Have you scanned the XK section for any common issues for 07 models?

 

What exactly are the prices for the cars you are looking at?

When I was looking recently I was finding 4.2L XKRs for under $20K with that kind of mileage. And I have never seen an 07 XK anywhere close to low $20's, usually high 20's/low 30's. Where are you shopping?

 

old

 

The only 2007 XK I found in that range was 27k, while there were a couple of 03 XKRs around the 24k range for low miles. The ones cheaper than that were pre-2003, not 4.2 liter cars. And they didn't have the handling package or other options.

The 2007XK had a bit more miles and cost was close; the XKRs of the same year are beyond my budget. I'm not all that psyched about the Ford Taurus front bumper on top of the lackluster hp stats of the base model XK. And an aluminum body is going to be a fender bender nightmare if somebody hit and runs me or has no insurance.

Old it will be.

 

So anybody know if Brembos were standard on the 2003 XKRs?

What about Recaros? I've hardly seen any of them but some listings throw that name in the description indescriminately.

 

You mention issues (problems). Just to confirm two things I assume:

1) 2003 does not require the secondary tensioners to be replaced

and

2) 2003 XKR has a better, 6spd mercedes transmission, not the 5HP24 ZF unit that plagued so many XK8s.

Are these two assumptions valid? Are there any other major gremlins to consider?

Thanks

 

I would still lean with you on the older XKR for style and power, but the "Taurus' grill on the 2007 was dropped in 2008, and you can update it the 2007 with a great metal mesh grill for relatively few dollars (as I have done on my 2007). I would also give the 2007 a slight handling edge, and the convertible is amazingly as rigid as a coupe. The paddle shifters on the 2007 also help you make good use of the 300 HP.

That being said, I plan to sell my 2007 XK in a year or two, but I think I'lll have the 2001 XKR for the long haul.

 

As written by Burg

All of the early xk8's had a 5 speed ZF transmissions with did have problems The XKR's had the 5 speed Mercedes which was pretty much bullet proof. With the 2003 and up both the XK8's and XKR's share the same 6 speed ZF Tranny. There is a tremendous difference between the two cars the 2007 X-150 is built like an aircraft all aluminum, riveted and glued The only welds are on the quarters and the roof of the coupes. These welds are computer welded. They actually hand sand these welds down and finish them with no lead or filler. when they are done it looks like solid piece of aluminum. I feel that the 2006 and down are the better looking model and it seems that the prices are on the rise.

 

Brembos are standard for 2003+ XKRs. The pads aren't too expensive and there are aftermarket options for rotors that are WAY less costly than the OEM parts. One of the first things I did was a 4 wheel brake job for ~$600, rotors and pads.

Recaro's aren't standard and seem to be a pretty rare option. Owner comments are pretty polarized, either you love them or hate them.

 

Thanks - that clears up the mercedes/ZF transmission confusion in the XKR series thru 2006. And the Brembo/Recaro question. I think I've only seen one car for sale with the Recaros - they looked nice but fit is probably not for everyone.


I ***presume*** the 6 speed ZF transmission isn't as horrible as the 5HP24? Been down that road once already....