XK8 - general info / advice appreciated

alfa beta

My wife absolutely loves these cars - and the older and more affordable they get the more she likes the idea of owning one for a while.

So, I'm sorta thinking of getting her one for her fortieth (as a weekend cruiser)

I've been looking in the usual places to get a grasp on selling prices and I think something around 2000 - 2003 with lowish mileage is where my budget lies.

Thing is I know absolutely nothing about jags and even less about the XK8. And before I go considering anything I'd appreciate it if the more knowledgable of you here could point out the potential problems and pitfalls with these cars (and what to look out for when buying an older second hand model).

It may be a crazy idea - and I may change my mind completely - but I may as well start somewhere - and boards seems like a good place to get a good range of ideas / advice

(BTW, there's no need to suggest any alternative - she has a thing for jags and was close to buying and xjs years ago - also she currently drives a 3 litre V6 so she's pretty comfy with a big engine/car too.)

Thanks all.

Big Nasty

I like the sound of your wife!

kildare.17hmr

Fastest i ever went in a car was in an xk8 about 6 years ago, 170mph i was in the passanger seat. Love them cars and always wanted one

Anan1

From memory they did have problems with bore wear on the Nikasil blocks, and some engines were replaced under warranty - that's all I can tell you on the specifics. With a car like that i'd take my time and buy the very best I could find - don't even bother looking at anything without comprehensive proof of having been properly cared for. Out of interest, why as a weekend cruiser? Unless she's doing very big miles i'd have thought it'd make more sense to use it as her main car.

alfa beta

Anan1 wrote: »

Out of interest, why as a weekend cruiser? Unless she's doing very big miles i'd have thought it'd make more sense to use it as her main car.

She changed her car about 10 months ago and did consider an XK8 as an option - but coz she does about 500 miles a week she decided against it. It was just a bit too much money to be spending on fuel.

Had her commute been shorter she'd have gone for one - I've no doubt about that.

Thanks for the other info by the way.

The Recliner

That is pretty solid advice from Anan1 there

Try and get one that has had the block sorted

I had a 1997 convertable one a few years back, loved it to bits, always put a smile on my face and hopefully in a few years time I will be in a position to buy another one

Big Nasty

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

Fastest i ever went in a car was in an xk8 about 6 years ago, 170mph i was in the passanger seat. Love them cars and always wanted one

I thought you were a dealer?

alfa beta wrote: »

She changed her car about 10 months ago and did consider an XK8 as an option - but coz she does about 500 miles a week she decided against it. It was just a bit too much money to be spending on fuel.

Had her commute been shorter she'd have gone for one - I've no doubt about that.

Thanks for the other info by the way.

Would be minimal difference running costs between a 3L V6 and a 4L V8.

If it's only going to be a weekend car it's a shame to have to pay €1683 a year in tax. Would a 30+ y/o (€52 tax per annum) Jag not be more suitable? An XJS maybe?

kildare.17hmr

I am in sales in a dealership but not that caliber of car, its too specialised. We stuck to your run of the mill every day cars for the most part. Deal with commercials now so have very little to do with cars these days

unkel

alfa beta wrote: »

She changed her car about 10 months ago and did consider an XK8 as an option - but coz she does about 500 miles a week she decided against it. It was just a bit too much money to be spending on fuel.

Unless her car is some sort of modern Audi 3l V6 diesel, she won't save much money on fuel compared with a XK8. A few MPG is about it. Let's be generous and say it is 5MPG - this would save a bit more than a grand per year. Nothing compared to other costs like depreciation and the XJK as a second car cost nearly twice that to tax alone

alfa beta

sorry - should have pointed that out - it is a 3 Litre diesel - and she's getting over 40 to the gallon out of it - assuming that you'd get closer to 20 mpg from the jag you'd be talking about pumping an extra 70 or 80 quid a week into it based on her commute and other travel) - you could end up spending an extra €4,000 a year on fuel.

I agree with you on the tax front - but at least thing thing is I'm running a third car at the mo - my beloved old alfa romeo gtv - and the plan would be to put that off-road for a while (or sell it) and run the jag - so yeah there's more tax to pay but at least it's an extra 1000 as opposed to 1600.....still, you're right I guess, it's a bit hard to justify that sort of money for a weekend spin....

I sorta like the xjs idea - you'd be looking at 1982 to get classic tax I guess, is that right? Also - am I right in thinking that if the car is post 1980 you'd have to get it nct'd as normal (even if it's over thirty years old) - I think I read that somewhere, but I might be dreaming. Must go have an xjs browse!

Big Nasty

alfa beta wrote: »

sorry - should have pointed that out - it is a 3 Litre diesel - and she's getting over 40 to the gallon out of it - assuming that you'd get closer to 20 mpg from the jag you'd be talking about pumping an extra 70 or 80 quid a week into it based on her commute and other travel) - you could end up spending an extra €4,000 a year on fuel.

I agree with you on the tax front - but at least thing thing is I'm running a third car at the mo - my beloved old alfa romeo gtv - and the plan would be to put that off-road for a while (or sell it) and run the jag - so yeah there's more tax to pay but at least it's an extra 1000 as opposed to 1600.....still, you're right I guess, it's a bit hard to justify that sort of money for a weekend spin....

I sorta like the xjs idea - you'd be looking at 1982 to get classic tax I guess, is that right? Also - am I right in thinking that if the car is post 1980 you'd have to get it nct'd as normal (even if it's over thirty years old) - I think I read that somewhere, but I might be dreaming. Must go have an xjs browse!

Over 30 years rolling to avail of vintage tax. Anything built before 1/1/80 is NCT exempt, and '82 car for example would have to be NCT's each year.

.... I imagine anyone selling one (especially privately) might be very flexible on their asking price. The very best of luck with this, it seems a great idea to me considering your plans to run it yourself instead of your GTV and have it available for your good lady at the weekends. A fantastic birthday present

CharlieCroker

Op, XK8 tended to be quite reliable. The only issue as already mentioned was the nikasil which resulted in a number if the 4 litres being replaced.

Later models were available with a 4.2 V8 from 2003 which increased power to 295bhp iirc. More importantly, it had cast iron cylinder linings instead of nikasil. This is the engine I'd be looking for. Later cars also had nicer spec.

Just because these cars are now cheaper to buy doesn't mean they're any cheaper to run so AVOID anything that doesn't have a main dealer or specialist service history.

Bigus

Apart from the Block problem they can also give other bottom end problems , but there will be an obvious knock in this case.

Poorly serviced one's will snap timing chains of which there are three, i think

More common are auto gearbox problems so make sure you test drive even full history one's for a good 30mins hot and cold.

Other wise they are simple enough and easy to fix.

Suspension bushes will regularly need replacement in Ireland and this is labour intensive but not specialist.

Mpg will be more like :eek:16