After 23 years and 49K miles - and a lot more years and miles on me - I'm starting to think about selling my coupe but I have no real idea of what a fair price would be. KBB and the like aren't real reliable or relevant on older cars so I'm looking to the group for opinions. The answers to your first questions are no, I've not replaced the tensioners and yes, I have replaced the t-stat housing. One owner, warm climate (SWFL), no rust, new tires; front brakes and front bushings renewed. Upgraded radio (original included). Needs a third brake light. Interior clean but driver's seat back bolster is worn. No damages. I'm not looking for offers and don't know when or if I'll sell but appreciate everybody's opinions on value.

 

The best guess would be around $8K to $10K, and you should replace those tensioners because if you granade the engine, other than a parts car, it won't have any value. Prices on that year XK8 have pretty much bottomed out and typically hover at dealers between $10-$15K (private parties are generally less). I bought the one I had 6 or 7 years ago for $12K, it was a convertible though. Best of luck but if those tensioners give out it'll wreck your week.

 

Thanks, that's what I was thinking too on both the tensioners and the price.

 

brobin,

You've got a Coupe, what else is there? Fix what you've got....Spend some money on it! Fix the Tensioners and other things that you know it needs....Change it up a little with new Side Light Lens....Change the Amber to Clear....maybe change the Grill to Mesh...Update the Tail Lights and maybe change the Wheels and Tires.....If you trade or Sell it, you will spend that money on something you don't know anything about......Fix-up your Friend>>>>>She's only got 49,0000 miles on her!!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

IMO coupes are at a premium these days, but $8-10,000 would be my guess too. and yes, at least do the upper tensioners.

 

I understand what you're saying but I'll leave those projects to the next, likely younger, and more enthusiastic owner. I won't be buying something else anytime soon as I have a few other cars already. I may just put it on CL and see if I get any nibbles.

 

Try and put it on bring a trailer or cars and bids. a 98 vert with 5k on the clock sold for 20.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-jaguar-xk-16/

 

You are the ORIGINAL owner. Not been a demonstrator or dealer principal vehicle?

I'll not even attempt to put a $ value on an XK8 in the US (very different from values here in the UK) but regardless of location:

1. one owner puts the vehicle at the top of the desireability (and value) list.
2. if you can back this up with full documentation for servicing and repairs, that's another big plus.
3. low miles - forum reading indicates this is very important to US buyers.
4. a Coupe is rarer in the US

Many of our members have spent a lot of time searching for a vehicle with that kind of provenance.

The negative is never to sell a vehicle that needs work. Not doing tensioners is a lottery even though the low miles does reduce the likelihood of imminent failure. Nevertheless, most buyers would factor the cost into negotiations and knock the offer down by more than the cost of you having the work done.

Similarly, fixing the third brake light and the bolster both add to the all important first impression of a well cared for vehicle.

I can understand selling if you don't drive it or there are personal circumstances that make you want to reduce your fleet. However, we'll never see another two door V8 from Jaguar and it would be good to enjoy it from time to time if you don't need the space.

Graham

 

Thanks for that. Yes, I am the original owner and have the original BOS from Jaguar Honolulu. I bought it off the showroom floor in October 1997 about two hours after it rolled in... the first '98 they received. They had delivered a new XJ8 to my home the night before and I stopped by the dealership the next morning to sign some papers. When I walked in they had just put the XK8 on the floor and my mouth dropped. The salesman said that if I wanted the XK8 instead he'd be happy to redo the paperwork. A quick test drive and I drove it home that night. I may be missing a few receipts but have most of the service records and the dealer inventory key tags are still on the valet key.
I was ready to have my indie guy do the tensioners about a year ago and he said that based on the way I drive and the mileage he didn't think I needed to. As for the 3d brake light I just haven't located one. When/if I do it'll plug in & snap right on. In Florida there's no state inspection so it hasn't been an issue.

 

This is rapidly ramping up the curve towards one of THE best XK8's available. With such an impeccable provenance, it's way beyond "used car" and into "collectible" status.

Graham

 

100%

 

I wouldn't sell my XK8 for under $10,000 but I have a hard time finding any source that will value it that high. It's pathetic.

 

If your personal circumstances permit, I would keep it. It is irreplaceable.

My SO bought mine for a landmark birthday when it was 6 years old. I would be around 120 before it acquired any significant value, so it will stay with me until either of us becomes irreparable.

Just my

 

If you grenade the engine, replace the engine, the value on this car will only go up.

 

These are great cars. Price seems to have risen to the 15+ mark for single owner, low mileage, well maintained cars.

 

This is the problem I had buying my 2005 XK8 convertible a couple of weeks ago. The online sources are pretty useless and can be cherry-picked by buyer or seller. KBB showed $6-8K, edmunds had up to $10.9K for private party, and my seller really wouldn't budge too much off his ask, which was in the $14k range. Prices are all over the place with some in the $7,000 range (high miles, multiple owners) and a few nicer examples in the $16-20K range. I bit the bullet because frankly, a no accident car that has had regular dealer servicing was worth it to me for a fun, beautiful, kinda project car.

 

How many miles?

 

Yeah prices on these are weird. Incredible history, but as others have said, the tensioners will be the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if you got $6-7k for it (people will knock you for the tensioners). I also wouldn't be surprised if you got $16-20k for it. I would guess the median is going to be on the higher end, maybe $13k? I have no idea. Sometimes you just need the right buyer. I remember an ultra low-mile XKR went for $42k on bring a trailer a couple years back.

Fwiw, my town charges me excise on my car at a valuation of $6490, but I think on the open market I'd maybe get around $5k (coupe + all preventative maintenance done + rare color, but high miles and rough around the edges).

 

Headed to the Bay Area to look at an 06 convertible. Dealer wants 10 (11.8 out the door). Full service records. 1 owner. Light but/silver + darker blue top. For me, downside is the 94k miles.
Looked nationally to check prices. 2003-2006's (low miles) are in the 13-16 range. Preference is CA so rust free. If I'm patient, are the 2003-2006's still available w/ low miles?

 

Yeah mileage is around where I was (95k). I was actually less concerned about the mileage as the car having been drive often is a pretty good sign. That plus the regular services performed seem to indicate a decently-sorted car. Fingers crossed. Good luck!