Thinking of adding a Jaguar XKR to the stable... I'm looking at the 2002-2006 year ranges and have a couple questions...

What years are the most solid in terms of reliability?
What issues do i look for?
Is there anyone besides Arden's hardtop for the the XKR convertibles?(i'm favoring the coupes)
Any one know auction prices for XKR's?

 

2003 to 2006 are the most reliable as most of the big issues were fixed by that time and they have the larger, 4.2 liter engine (about 20 more hp). That said, I have a 2002 XKR and have had no issues with it. Check the FAQ section at the top of the forum for the buyers guide; it will tell you what to look for before you buy. As for the hardtop for the convertible, Arden is the only one I know of but I have a coupe and so have never really looked. As for prices, these later models, depending on miles, go for anywhere from the low $20ks to the mid $30ks. Check eBay.

Mark

 

The 2003 MYs and up have mechanical upgrades. Use mjlaris' suggestion and see the DIY sticky for what to look for. I have the 4.0L 2001 and haven't had any major issues using it as a daily driver.

I see you have an XJ and you live in Tampa. Why would you want a hardtop for the convertible? The coupes do have the nicer lines, but in Tampa (spent a year there on a job) I'd just leave the top down all the time if you go with the drop-top.

 

2003+ avoids that tensioner issues and gets a slight upgrade in power. Beyond that, I think it comes down to the right car for the right price. If you are comfortable with DIY and willing to get your hands dirty there can be some real bargains in any year.

I have to agree with favoring the coupe and good deals can be found, but be patient, there weren't that many of the R coupes made. Ebay is a good place to look as is craigslist but like any used car, you never know where they will turn up.

 

Actually, any engine made after the middle of August 2001 will have the 3rd generation tensioner. My 2002 XKR engine was made in February 2002 and has metal tensioners. This means that some of the 2002 MY XKs have the metal tensioners but not all of them so you need to be careful.

Mark

 

If you like your toys, go for a 2005-06 (Victory in US, 4.2-S in Europe). These run-out models came with every conceivable option as standard.

 

First item is you MUST drive several of these regardless of year. Some have jiggley feeling over road imperfections and some don't. Walk away from any that do as know one here has conclusively found the discrete items to fix that. I drove three, back-to-back, over the same roads I've known my entire life and the difference was startling. Best was a 2005 XKR coupe, followed by my 2002 XKR coupe (at 60% of price of the 2005), then a 2003 XKR convertible. The 2003 made me thankful for my 2002.

The transmission for 2003+ shifts down much faster than 2002 and earlier BUT a few different mechanics here in Denver agreed the sturdy 5 speed Mercedes transmission in the earlier XKRs held up with fewer problems than the ZF 5 speed in the XKs of same model year and was still sturdier than the ZF 6speeds in all them 2003+

That mint condition 2005 was so good I would have taken it over a Porsche costing yet twice that of the XKR.

The back seat in a coupe is usable for those below 6' tall and fit.

Be prepared for lots of attention to your XKR from others. Five years of Porsche ownership was nice and anonymous, whereas 6 months of the XKR has women eyeing the car over and over with guys approaching you to chat about it every fourth time to get out of it in a public parking lot.