I'm looking to buy an XKR up to 2006 because I like that body style best. From what I've heard, the best years are 2003 to 2006. Is this right? If so, in that range, is there a better model year than others? There are more XK8s on the market at better prices. I'm looking for help here. I'm in San Diego.

Thanks
1950 Ford Woodie
1957 Tbird

 

2010-2011 is not bad. Get the water pump CHANGED.

2012-2015 are a bit more eye candy due to the LED lights and has backup cameras which help parking.

Id get either a 2011 XKR175 or a 2012 whatever and up!

 

obwoodie,
You're in the wrong forum, you should be in the X100 forum. I happen to have both an X100 (2002 XKR) and and X150 (2010 XKR). So while you've posted here, I'll give you my 2 cents. I happen to agree that the X100 body style is more beautiful, sensual, evolved from the XKE while the X150 is more muscular, a far better driving and handling, and more modern car.

While it is true that the 2003-2006 cars got the 4.2L engine with a bit more power, the main advantage of these later cars were the elimination of the plastic tensioners that if broken led to catastrophic engine failure. There is nothing wrong with the 1997-2002 cars so long as these tensioners are addressed. The XKR vs. XK8 choice is based on power and slightly tighter handling and a couple of minor visual cues. My 2002 XKR has approximately 160,000 miles on it now, looks almost new, runs very well, and is a pleasurable cruiser, and a wonderful convertible with a cavernous trunk. The XKR's transmission up to the end of 2002 model year is a Mercedes sourced unit which is stouter than the ZF unit of the XK8 and all of the 2003-2006 cars.
What the first generation XK8/XKR is not is a track car, its loose on handling and has a suspension that feels like a bowl of jello going over dips, bumps, and humps. That said, I love mine, can easily put two sets of golf clubs and all the groceries at the same time in the trunk. It's comfortable (for two), richly traditional and gets more compliments than any car I have ever owned (including some rather exotic ones).

Finally, 2006 models with reasonable mileage in beautiful condition are selling for MORE than the newer models 2007-2008 in many cases. I saw a beautiful black 2006, today, at my local Jaguar dealer with about 47K miles on it at $29,000.00 You can find 2007/2008 examples for well below this price.
The 2007-2009 models carried over the 4.2L engine while the 2010-2015 got the 5.0L engine with very large horsepower gains. There is no comparison between the handling and suspension of the first generation to second generation cars, the 2007+ cars are so vastly superior in this respect.

But....there is something very special about the X100, and I will never give mine up.

 

Obwoodie,
Since you're so close in San Diego, if you drive up to L.A., you're welcome to drive mine (both of them) back to back and get an idea about the differences. Both will put smiles on your face but for different reasons.

 

I am waiting for the 5.0L 2010 XK price to drop below 20k before I pounce. It seems the XK's depreciate slower than XJ. Saw a 2011 XJ Supersport, 50k mi, on sale for $40k.. a whopping 70k depreciation in only 4 years.

 

Wolfy,
I have seen 2010 XKR's in the low to mid-thirties, and I bought mine about a year and a half ago for $38K. 2010 XK are already in the upper $20's. You probably won't have to wait too long.