My wife's 2006 XK8 has been her daily driver for nearly seven years now, approaching 118,000 well-cared-for miles. As much as she still loves her car, her transportation needs have changed and she wanted to get back into an SUV as her daily driver, agreeing to me selling her XK8 once we acquired the right vehicle for her needs. I located and purchased a well-cared-for 2015 Lexus RX350 for her last week, still with nearly ten months of factory warranty remaining. But as soon as she drove the Lexus home, she forgot all about her agreement with me selling her XK8 and wants to keep it as her fair-weather toy. I am not a happy guy at this point....

 

Jon,

It's only money. You now have the upper hand in the vehicle debate if anything should go wrong with the XK8 in the future. Relish the prospect.

Graham

 

Jon,
It's a woman's absolute right to change her mind, and to exercise that right as often as necessary.

Only pick the battles you're likely to win...

Plus side is, your Jaguar CPD will remain current

 

+1. The trouble with owning a vehicle like a Lexus is, apart from having all the panache of toaster. My best advice is to take a deep breath, look to sell a kidney and enjoy indulging your wife (usually pays dividends).

 

Well spoken, all three of you. And Max, you hit the nail squarely on the head regarding the appeal of the Lexus. While it is exactly what she wanted (she has had two previous RX models) and should be relatively easy and affordable for me to maintain, it has all the road feel of driving a bulked-up orange crate. No soul whatsoever. But, it is extremely well-engineered and should serve its primary duty as her daily driver....

 

So while she is in the Lexus, couldn't you be using the Jaguar?

Seems like a win-win to me.

 

you need an attitude adjustment, sooner rather than later for the obvious reasons.

How you get it is up to you.

Z.

 

Rothwell,

At 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, and size 15 feet, I have no room whatsoever in the cabin of the XK8. Anytime I have to drive it I am packed in there like sardines in the can. Neither practical nor fun for me....



zray,

My attitude adjustment took place last night. Extreme roughhousing with our 130-pound Irish Wolfhound pup on the floor of our family room did wonders for both of us. She loves to jump on me with all her might and enjoys it when I wrestle her in kind. I am referring to the dog, not the wife....

 

Update:

With the lingering intermittent door latch assembly microswitch issue now fully resolved (thanks Wayne), the new Mina Gallery aluminum air intake tube kit installed, and the car now sporting a fresh wash & wax job, I think we will keep my wife's 2006 XK8 Victory Edition convertible as a fair-weather toy for the foreseeable future. She has promised to drive it more often to keep the fluids circulating and the moving parts moving. She is no longer afraid of being locked and trapped in the drivers seat. I must admit it is still a gorgeous automobile that is perfectly suited for twisty roads on a lovely top-down spring or autumn day....

Many thanks to all of you who have provided valuable information and assistance in keeping this vehicle in top condition during the past 7+ years of our ownership. Without the guidance and support of this forum I would have kicked this XK8 out of our stable quite some time ago....

Happy motoring....

 

Jon,
It's good to hear you are staying here to guide us and that domestic harmony endures