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I did for about 9 years; I ran it every day rain or shine, from when the salt washed off the roads to when they put it back on. Worked great. These cars respond well to regular use. I tended not to use my X308 XJR a lot during the summer because XKR; and stuff would break during the sit period.
I bought a 2007 XKR Coupe in late 2018 and tend to use that more day to day now, but enjoy using the X100 on nice days for convertible use. The X100 has features I like over the X150 but the X150 is roomier and easier to get in and out of, especially with tall coworkers, so it gets the nod a bit more; but the X100 is excellent for daily use!
My 1998 XK8 was and now my 3rd XKR, the 2005 and those Coupes in between have been my Daily Driver's since 1998, that's when I bought my first XK8 Coupe in Louisville, KY!....It was Topaz and had Revolver Wheels! .I've told the Story of all those in between so many times that I'm sure your tired of hearing it so I'll bring you up to date on the current one..... .It's 11 miles to my Office, so no matter what....... I put at least 22 miles per Day driving one of the most Beautiful Automobiles ever made! Now honestly, how could you beat that? Other than driving it a little farther?
I enjoy driving it and as a "Hobby" keeping it updated while also visiting with those of you here on the "Forum"! Because of you Guys, I have kept the Coupe up to date with new ideas and new devices that have come along since these Cars were New! This has helped keep my XKR up with the times and up with most of the newest goodies that the Industry has come up with since 2005!
The best ideas have come from the Members here on the Forum, as in most cases I've worked along with some of the other Guys, like some of us are doing right now with a new Headlight design for these Cars. Before long we will have improved the Headlight system of the XK8-XKR so that it will be as good as the new 2020 Coupes. Working together with each other, we have been able to make several improvements to the Lighting systems, such as changing the Tail Light system to the new brighter more efficient LED Bulbs. All these things help make driving the XK8 - XKR X-100 Jaguar Cars a "Fun" thing to do!
Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch 2005 Jaguar XKR - Ebony/Ivory 20" BBS "Montreal" Wheels "R" Performance Handling Package
Last edited by bcprice36; Dec 16, 2020 at 11:15 AM.
My wife's 2006 XK8 was her daily driver from its acquisition in early February 2012 until early November 2018. During that timespan, she took it from 36,000 miles to just under 118,000 miles. She decided to go back to an SUV for her daily driver at that time, so the XK8 is now a fair-weather toy at 121,300 miles....
I've been driving my somewhat new (to me) '01 XKR (85k miles) to work and back every day for the past few months. PO kept meticulous records but I was still hit with a transmission rebuild a couple of months ago. My rationale is that it was going to happen sooner or later, and considering I plan to keep driving it a lot for the next few years it's not a big deal. I also have a '17 XF r-sport but my mother is driving that one right now.
I've been driving my somewhat new (to me) '01 XKR (85k miles) to work and back every day for the past few months. PO kept meticulous records but I was still hit with a transmission rebuild a couple of months ago. My rationale is that it was going to happen sooner or later, and considering I plan to keep driving it a lot for the next few years it's not a big deal. I also have a '17 XF r-sport but my mother is driving that one right now.
Curious what failed on the transmission ? Usually the MB transmission in the pre ‘03 XKR is free of
major issues, unlike the 4.0 XK8 transmission which has some well documented problems.
Picked up the 03 XKR in the fall of 2017. It was a dream come true as I remember drooling over those cars when I would visit the Jaguar showroom and dreamed of owning one someday. I was in college at the time and could barely afford to keep my 88 VDP running but man did I enjoy visiting the dealership to look at the latest and greatest. I must admit, I am not inspired much by the latest offerings from Jaguar so those trips to the dealership are over.
The Jag was not supposed to be my daily driver but I couldn't resist the temptation and she has become my daily driver. She had 75k on her when I bought it and now is at 105k so not too bad for three plus years. I do have a 99 Lexus RX 300 that I have kept as the Jag likes to develop problems from time to time but that is just part of the charm and is a fulfilling hobby at times. Thanks to this group, I have been able to fix at least half of the issues myself and take it to a local independent that specializes in Jags pre-diagnosed to save time and money.
Now that she is almost 18 years old, and a Florida car, she is starting to get some fading on the clearcoat in a few areas. Very minor but heartbreaking nonetheless. I have not decided yet if I am going to repaint her or seek out another 03-06 XKR.
I’d love to use mine daily but the UK weather says no. It rains here a tad more than half the time, and it drops a tad less than half the Atlantic.
Sadly, daily use risks the Tin worm death sentence and underside protection is a real must.
X100's consistently fail our annual safety test – usually Subframe mounts. Chassis integrity or Seat Belt anchorage. A damn shame because some of them look immaculate topside.
Loads don’t get fixed and unnecessarily condemned. They do however, provide excellent parts availability for enthusiasts like us....
Its been my cherished daily driver for 18 years until 2018, have clocked 470.000 km with it in all sorts of weather, icy snowy winter, wet and sunny weather.
Kitty was my daily drive for 7 years. Rain, snow, every day. Put 130,000 miles on her. These cars need to be driven. They’ll need TLC along the way of course, but my total down time was minuscule in comparison to the amount I drove her. BTW: the stability control system drove me nuts in the snow, so as odd as it may sound, that’s when I always turned it OFF! - lol.
My XK8 is my daily driver, and my only transportation (beside the motorcycle). I do get a lot of compliments when I take my recycling to the county landfill every couple of weeks !
My XK8 is my daily driver, and my only transportation (beside the motorcycle). I do get a lot of compliments when I take my recycling to the county landfill every couple of weeks !
LMOA: Thank you for that one JimmyL. I'd forgotten about going to the dump and/or recycling center, and all those folks driving battered pick-up trucks just staring at me taking trash bags out of a sweet, sweet car. Too funny. Loved it.
I have a 2000 XK8 coupe and 01 XKR. They get driven as much as possible in reasonable weather. Right now there is 10 inches of snow on the ground and salt with traction material (cinders) doesn't treat any car well. I have a 2020 Ford Transit Connect for that. I'd rather it get beat.
Daily driving mine in south carolina 4 days a week about 20 miles a day since may. Once the cooling system got sorted she has been reliable, I do have some issues to address rear suspension check engine light,etc she has 140k. the previous owner did not maintain the car. I make sure to drive top down at least a few times a week!
Except for snow, if I can help it, (I've gone to work, 12 hr shifts, and when I looked in the morning the weather said no snow until after I got out of work, then partway through the day they change it! Drrrrrr) I drive my 97 pretty much every day for most everything. I love the feel of it, and the looks I get from people is pretty cool too! Of course I'm perfectly happy to take a back road and never cross paths with anyone! I will say if when the weather get nice, I do swap it for my 93 xjs convertible. Then I alternate them, driving whichever one strikes my fancy! Love them both!
I have a 2001 Coupe that is a daily driver. However, I'm here in Southern California so the weather is always good. Yet, I have not been driving very much because we are all in Covid lockdown here. Luckily I work from home anyway.
Daily Driver
