I guess another thing that attracted me to the Jaguar initially was the value you get. For the X350, you used to be able to buy them for $20-25k easily and get all of the prestige and exclusivity of owning a fine luxury automobile. It is a great deal. But for the XK, it seems much more like you are getting just what you paid for, and not more. Any truth to this?

Then again, I guess the market for GT cars is totally different. Once you start talking about Mercedes SL and BMW 6 series, I think the XK probably looks like a bargain!

 

I don't know anything about the used car market, but for new cars, I consider the XK and XKR to be extremely inexpensive on a relative basis. Basically, for anywhere between $80k to $100k, you can get a brand new Jag, when it would cost between $120k to $150k to get anything else comparable in its class.

 

Out of curiosity, what other cars were you all considering, and what made you decide to go with the XK?

 

I looked at and considered all the usual suspects. BMW 650i. Porsche 991 Carrera S. Mercedes SL550 and CL550. Maserati GT. Aston Martin. I also looked at the Panamera.

I chose the XK because it gave me everything I wanted. Sporty on the outside. Luxurious on the inside. Nice performance. Perfect size.

...at a bargain price.

 

Ahhhhh... I really want an XKR. I can't seem to find a 2007 XKR convertible with around 40k miles for less than $42-45k or so. Any chance that I can get one for $35k in the winter?

 

Alan,

You have identified the 2 most expensive options possible on a used XK, ie, R convertible with less than 40k miles. I hope you can find one in your price range.
Given your past experience with Jags I think you are going to be very pleased. My XK Coup has been rock solid and a delight. Keep us posted on what you find.

 

I think it's interesting that there are plenty of '06 models well within my price range, but there is a huge jump in price once you start talking about 2007 models. I guess the reasons are obvious, but it seems like the resale value on these 2007+ models is so much stronger.

 

'07+ is a different league of car than the previous generation. Makes the previous car seem really antiquated by today's standards.

Have you followed this dealer's site? Off Lease Only Used Cars | South Florida, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami

They had some good deals on XKR's and seem to sell them pretty quick. There were a couple I was interested in, but ended up going somewhere else (Jag dealer) to buy my XK.

 

I think the trick for me is that I'm going to have to do a car transaction in person, as I have a trade-in.

 

Do you have a note on the car? Many big local dealers will buy your car off you at wholesale price. Just unload the car and look national for the XK.

 

While the 07 XK sits at the dealer for its new instument pack and I have $200.oo Jaguar bucks to spend I ask about a transmission service. The car has 49,500is miles and the head tech said don't touch it.
Thoughts?
I did a brief search prior to posting.
Thanks you,
Gregg

 

The transmission service interval debate has raged over on the XJ Forum for some years. It's my opinion that a consensus was reached that 50,000 mile fluid flush is the safe way to go with a filter/fluid change at 80 to 100k.

It's hard to tell because there was such a multitude of voices. I will say that after a 50,000 mile flush on my old 05 XJR - the shift quality was noticeably improved.

 

Yup, but I think I'm nearing the break even point. Certainly by the time December rolls around I will have some equity in it.

 

I'd just do only the filter/fluid change and not bother with just flush considering how close they are in price.

No one talks about the differential fluid change. When is good to do that?

 

The Vette and the XK are totally different cars imho. My buddy is a huge Corvette fan and while his 2010 Grand Sport Coupe is very fast and beautiful on the outside, inside it's pure Impala. It blows my mind that Chevy would put such a collection of cheap plastic interior parts in to their flagship sports car. It really kills the experience in my opinion.

And while I think it's safe to say that the Vette beats the XK in pure performance, the overall experience of driving the XK is far more exciting to me.

So if pure performance is your thing, the Vette provides a lot of bang for the buck. If you want something more comfortable, unique, and refined, go for the XK

 

Wow, that is a GREAT color for an XK!

I agree that the Corvette isn't as exciting. But it's better priced for my budget. I basically have about $1100 a month or so to spend on this next Jag.

This includes every possible cost--monthly payment, insurance, personal property tax, maintenance, and gas. I only drive about 300-400 miles a month, so gas should only be about $100. I think maintenance would be something like $200/month ($0.40/mile). I got an insurance quote, it would be about $200 a month. Assume I have no downpayment, and the purchase price of the vehicle will be about $35k (in the winter), which at a 3% interest rate which I could probably qualify for, would be about $650/month in payments if I were to finance for 60 months. So if the car is worth about $35k, in my jurisdiction, personal property tax would be about $112/month.

So that comes out to $100 gas + $200 insurance + $650 payment + $112 PPT + $200 maintenance comes out to about $1260/month.

Is this a reasonable estimate of what it will cost me monthly to call one of these gorgeous XKs my own?

 

Thanks, it took me a long time to find a gray one.

I think your estimate is resonable (depending up where you live, even bit on the high side), but in all honestly, I just picked this one up on Friday so my knowledge of the actual maintenance costs are limited. But looking at scheduled maintenance, it looks a LOT less involved than my previous BMW.

I'm paying about $100/month for full coverage

 

I'm in the DC area and I'm only 25, so that's two strikes against me! Luckily I don't have any prior accidents/claims.

 

Yeah, I think you're looking at bit higher cost of ownership than I am. Wonder if the insurance on a Vette would be higher for you than the Jag? My buddy and I are about the same age, both homeowners etc. and our premiums are about the same.

 

I imagine the 'Vette's insurance cost would be about the same. However, I think it would have lower maintenance costs than the Jag, but if I'm only driving about 500 miles a month, the maintenance costs should be low, right?