[peterg1965]

Well, my 'thing' about Jaguars hasn't gone away. I bought the XJ6 3.2 Sport a couple of weeks back, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car, I had it serviced and it drives like a dream, however, it isn't 'me', if you know what I mean? I have decided to sell, and hopefully will recoup my total outlay on the car.

Meanwhile, my eyes began to turn to other Jags and the XK8 looks like a serious value car at the moment. It looks fantastic and is a proper Jaguar sports car. Having done a fair bit of research and looked at loads of cars online (PH/Trader/Specialist Jag sites etc etc) I came to the conclusion that prices are all over the place for late 90's early 00's cars. From my understanding they are well behind 'book' price in the trade (no surprises) by about £2-£3K, some people are living in cloud cuckoo land looking at their asking prices!! I am also aware of the myriad of problems associated with early cars (Nikasil, water pumps, tensioners, suspension etc) but these were largely ironed out by MY2000.

So, I am driving a 2002 4.2 XK8 convertible on Saturday, 53K miles pacific blue, ivory classic leather, at a trader in Warrington. Car is £16999, he has already dropped into the conversation that £15K is likely and he will give me what I paid for my XJ6! To be honest that is not the car for me, it stretches the budget too much, but nevertheless I will drive it for 'research' purposes. He is VERY keen to deal though!

This is the car I really fancy, 2001 (Y) XK8 4.0 Convertible, in Jaguar Racing Green, Ivory leather 75K, Full history, brand new Atlas 19" alloys and Pirellis, up for £9999 from a private seller.






I have spoken to the specialist who has serviced it for the last three years and it has been well looked after. I really fancy it, I realise that they are not renowned for economy, I would drive sparingly, but what a car. I am far from making my mind up, but would appreciate views.... but I don't want to start a spat with Carlos though!

[andy69]

looks lovely Pete

i cant believe prices of cars over in the UK at the moment, they are miles cheaper than here.

[chrisbin]

Go for it Pete. F-in-law had one and it was lovely...no sports car but a nice relaxed V8.

Buy it as a tourer and you'll be v.happy.

Seems you've done all the relevant research and history of that car sounds good as you say. Unleaded at 95p/litre means it makes even more sense!!

[Dave_3]

The 4.2 came with the then new ZF automatic box.

Be VERY careful when looking at one of those cars.

There was a raft of software updates to address the "Lurch" issue.

I spoke with many XK owners about this, and experienced this first hand with my S-Type. All the time denied by Jaguar Switzerland (was even contacted by an ex-test driver who went on record as having experienced this lurch in the testing phase prior to launch).

Got so pissed off with Jaguar I created this web site detailing the whole thing. I also got together with some other owners and directly contacted the then MD and his PA, and the Manager of Europe. And watched as Jaguar, Ford and ZF visited my website. Got a better service after that - but swapped the Jag for the BMW as they would never acknowledge the Lurch and could never address it with software alone (I have been contacted by many owners who were offered a gearbox swap, not me). Pity, in other ways it was a good car.

You'll find some intersting reading and a list of TSBs. I even have a TSB from BMW - I was contacted by a lot of 5 series owners with the same box, and the same problems.

http://www.theLurch.com

If you get a good box (and they are out there) the 4.2 is lovely unit. Not so good on ecomomy, but I knew that. I was getting about 18mpg compared with my 335D's 30 mpg in mostly short city driving.

D.

[kend]

I have been looking at a 2001 XKR convertible for silly money. There are some great bargins around. it is worth trying one with adaptive dampers it makes the ride really good if pushing on.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

The 4.2 came with the then new ZF automatic box.

Be VERY careful when looking at one of those cars.

There was a raft of software updates to address the "Lurch" issue.

I spoke with many XK owners about this, and experienced this first hand with my S-Type. All the time denied by Jaguar Switzerland (was even contacted by an ex-test driver who went on record as having experienced this lurch in the testing phase prior to launch).

Got so pissed off with Jaguar I created this web site detailing the whole thing. I also got together with some other owners and directly contacted the then MD and his PA, and the Manager of Europe. And watched as Jaguar, Ford and ZF visited my website. Got a better service after that - but swapped the Jag for the BMW as they would never acknowledge the Lurch and could never address it with software alone (I have been contacted by many owners who were offered a gearbox swap, not me). Pity, in other ways it was a good car.

You'll find some intersting reading and a list of TSBs. I even have a TSB from BMW - I was contacted by a lot of 5 series owners with the same box, and the same problems.

http://www.theLurch.com

If you get a good box (and they are out there) the 4.2 is lovely unit. Not so good on ecomomy, but I knew that. I was getting about 18mpg compared with my 335D's 30 mpg in mostly short city driving.

D.

Dave,

Really useful thanks. My Merc has this 'lurch' as well, seems slow to change up or down in slow moving traffic, i just thought it was an auto thing.

I think I am right in saying that the later 4.0 XK has a 5 speed ZF box and the 4.2 the 6 speeder.

Thanks all so far, keep the comments coming!

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by kend

I have been looking at a 2001 XKR convertible for silly money. There are some great bargins around. it is worth trying one with adaptive dampers it makes the ride really good if pushing on.

adaptive dampers = CATS I think. Just fitted to the 'R' version.

[NFS]

I got a bit attached to an S-Type R recently.

You have to bear in mind the fact that Jag residuals are appalling. On that basis I don't think 10K for a 2001 XK8 is cheap.

Frankly - if you are going to do it, then you need an XKR.

The S-Type I drove was much nicer than I expected. Very smooth and the supercharger whine was kind of addictive.

But .. with the auto slush box and the 'effortless' power it's far from a drivers car.

I struggle to really understand the appeal. I get the point of powerful cars where performance is king (eg M3), but I'm not sure you can support a 4.2 litre V8 in a machine that is almost exclusively about 'wafting'.

That's why I didn't buy the Jag and also why I didn't buy the 750i I looked at afterward.

The 330i is WAY more fun and if I were in your boots I'd think about an e46 330i cabriolet.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by NFS

I got a bit attached to an S-Type R recently.

You have to bear in mind the fact that Jag residuals are appalling. On that basis I don't think 10K for a 2001 XK8 is cheap.

Frankly - if you are going to do it, then you need an XKR.

The S-Type I drove was much nicer than I expected. Very smooth and the supercharger whine was kind of addictive.

But .. with the auto slush box and the 'effortless' power it's far from a drivers car.

I struggle to really understand the appeal. I get the point of powerful cars where performance is king (eg M3), but I'm not sure you can support a 4.2 litre V8 in a machine that is almost exclusively about 'wafting'.

That's why I didn't buy the Jag and also why I didn't buy the 750i I looked at afterward.

The 330i is WAY more fun and if I were in your boots I'd think about an e46 330i cabriolet.

NFS, you make some good points.
The running costs of the Jag are not particularly cheap, even more true of the XKR. I agree that Jag residuals are v poor. The green XK8 Convertible was was sale a couple of weeks ago at £15K, Glasses actually says £12.5K for that year/mileage and we know that all cars are well behind book. I think £10K is reasonable, particualrly compared with 100's of others for sale at the moment. They are very good looking cars.

Having slept on it, I am inclined to walk away from this and have another think. Much as I would love that car to put away in the garage and get out on highdays and holidays, I can't do that

I will take a look at E46 Convertibles!!

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

I will take a look at E46 Convertibles!!

Wise choice,there's loads available and at good prices

(is it true that the tool kit contains scissors )

[dxb335d]

More wood in that car than there is in a brothel in amsterdam.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

More wood in that car than there is in a brothel in amsterdam.

Very good Carlos! Have you been reading your Bernard Manning Book of jokes again?

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

More wood in that car than there is in a brothel in amsterdam.

Silly question I know, but what were you doing taking time to study the wood panelling in a Dutch Brothel for ... thought the Bananas would be a bit more distracting ?

D.