From what I can see the bodywork is OK:- all the shut lines appear to be good. I wonder if it's a Florida car?
Suspension is sagging at the front - more apparent on driver's side - so some work there, but not horrendous. Guess it's down to how it drives and the detail.

For that money I'd definitely take Rothwell up on his offer...

 

Getting back to the basics...

When I was looking I was not bothered about getting the XKR. I did not want the speed, extra hassle etc etc. A good car was offered to me and it was an XKR. I hesitated then bought the XKR. I am so glad I did.

If you want a practical car that goes at a reasonable speed then forget Jags get yourself an nice Ford Escort. However if you want a VERY nice looking car that shifts, but only when you want it/ need it too then get the XKR.

Its not like you touch the faster pedal and it shoots forward out of control. No its a very subtle and strong acceleration. Its absolutely effortless cruising. Then when you need it you can speed up very quickly.

So forget practical. Make it your weekend car. Put a big grin on your face when you feel and hear the supercharger kick in. Its well worth it.

As a foot note. I have had 3 speeding tickets in my VW van and none (touch wood etc) in my Jaguar XKR. Go for the beauty and fun. Imagine having this car on your drive way, would make you smile wouldn't it??

 

Good post frankc. I think that if I had found a really good R while on my hunt I would not have turned it down

But even with the XK8 I ALWAYS use the cruise control on the highway......it's just too easy to look down and be doing 160kph with effortless ease and quiet

 

I would recommend that anybody considering a purchase of either an XK8 or XKR should go find one of each and drive them before deciding.

The driving experiences are completely different, with wide variances in noise level, suspension harshness, and power/economy. As such there trade offs both ways.

Without time in the seat of each it will be anybody's guess if you'll be satisfied with your choice. We can all lay praise on "our" choice as the way to go but reality is either choice is equally likely to be the best one for you.

So go drive a couple and give each a chance to convince you it is the right choice. I am a firm believer that a car can "speak" to your soul.

It will take about ten minutes in the seat of each to figure it out.

 

I concur with that statement. Cruise control is very useful. When I first had my XKR I was driving down the motorway/highway at 2 am in the morning. No traffic on the road at all. You can guess my thoughts. So I thought, just as a one off, take it up to 100 mph. Just to see what it felt like and if there were any problems. I checked all around. Got ready to speed up. Looked at the speedo to watch the needle climb. I was already doing 110 mph! Sugar! (or words to that effect) I assume that as there were no cars around me I did not realise how fast I was going. Lesson learned! My foot was just a little way down the pedal, I feel like I could have gone much faster. Instead we slowed down....

 

+1, personal experience is often best.

 

Great thread. I've enjoyed reading it. Thanks to this forum, when I was looking for mine, a couple of years ago, i narrowed my search to 2003-06 coupés. I considered both 8 and R, more focused on finding one in BRG. Alas, I could not find a late coupé in that color, either 8 or R. I considered an R coupé in Jaguar Racing Green but felt I'd always be dissatisfied with that wrong metallic look and eventually settled on a black XK8 coupé, with tan interior. Someday perhaps I'll have a BRG respray.

I live in a rural region of northern California and any example I found was likely going to be far from home. The XKR was in So CAL and the XK8 I finally found about a year and a half ago was in Portland, Oregon. I basically bought it sight unseen, from a private party, without ever meeting him, just lots of email exchange. So far, so good.

I have been very happy driving the NA 8 and love the balance of power, handling, and ride (mine has 19" wheels, with Michelin Pilot Sport tires). The power seems ample to me, enough to get into trouble if I choose.

Granville

 

I agree with the board sentiment.... wait and find the best example you can. And walk away if there are any red flags.

Hopefully your choice will include full service records. As stated a PPI is mandatory for any serious candidates.

I prefer the XKR, but I would not hesitate to jump on a low mile XK8 like this.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ct...474042007.html

cheers!

 

I don't have a lot of experience with the X100. But do quite a bit with the Corvette. The Corvette is cheap thrills. But to bring it to the level of the X100 would take a fully redone interior just as a start including better isolation. Mechanically the Corvette being simpler probably has a slight edge for being easier/cheaper to work on. As for ride quality, the Corvette being a sports car is to be expected it will be rougher than a luxury GT like the X100. So nothing out of character there. And the cornering was not superior in the X100s I drove. It was a bit soft and more body roll than in a C6 Z06 for example. But then again it's a GT.

But the Corvette is definitely a couple of cuts bellow the X100 and that is reflected on the prices of the cars new.

As for the X100 not being a sports car, the only thing missing in my opinion, after having driven a couple of them, is a manual transmission and a suspension tuned up. Then you are basically there. If you can shave some weight off on top of that, I think it would take a proper sports car persona. A manual transmission, suspension tuned and lighter X100 could be as good a sports car as a Corvette in my opinion.

 

This is great advice!

I'm also a potential XK8 or XKR owner. I haven't decided which one I want yet. I want the XKR power but the XK8 pure sound. I dislike turbo and supercharger noises. If the XK8 had like 360-370bhp I think I would not even consider the XKR. But at under 300bhp, the XKR's power look very appealing.

 

When I was searching around back in 2008 for a used XK8, at first there was no way I wanted an XKR since (1) figured it would be significantly more than similar XK8 and (2) was afraid that there was more to go wrong.

Once I actually came across one in a local exotics lot I was taken by the louvers since it was so reminiscent of the first car I really noticed as a kid-the XKE. I continued my search by including both XK8 and XKR and, generally, my budget would have allowed for a 2005 XK8 or a 2003 XKR. I had the great luck to stumble on a low-miles 2005 XKR for sale by owner within a couple of miles of my house that was priced at least $10K less than what these were typically advertised at and it was a no-brainer.

There is an "exotics" dealer near me that has a real nice looking XK8 right now:

2004 Jaguar XK-Series XK8 ? Monza Car


These guys typically sell on consignment and price things pretty high. But if you can find the owner you may able to deal with them directly.

Doug

 

That looks a nice car, but very expensive; almost £15,000 in real money. :-)

 

Apparently the body side rub strips were added. The '04's didn't have them.

 

They must have fallen off in 2002-2003 when they went to the 4.2 liter motor and bigger scoop. My silver 2001 convertible has the strips along the side, but none are found on my black 2006 coupe. Hadn't noticed the difference until you mentioned it.

 

They were deleted starting with the '04's.

 

I test drove a xk8 and then an XKR, I bought an XKR.
I also bought a coupe due to head room. Im a big guy.
My XKR is for sale if you would be interested in it.

 

There are extras that the XKR has...
Handling package ( option)
bigger brakes
more HP
some cool wheels( Detriots)
hood lovers for cooling (and a cool look)
there are less built...


Cheers,
Andy

 

JRabbit and a couple other Guys on this Thread,

The Side Moldings were on the 1997 thru 2003 XK8 & XKR...They were removed for the 2004 Model and then in 2005-2006, the Nose piece was changed and they added the Lower Side Moldings and Rear Bumper to match the New Nose Piece, which has 2 Grill Openings...It's strange that when I had the 1998, the 2000 and the 2003, I never really noticed the 2 little Bumpers on the Grill.....Now everyone points them out as Buck Teeth....Personally, I kind'a liked them!
I've noticed on Adamesh Parts that they show the front Mesh Grill as changing for the 2003.5 Model year, so I'm not sure what they did to the Grill at that time....It appears they enlarged the opening at that point.

Billy Clyde

 

Thanks for that description. I was wondering myself what were all the styling differences. I personally like the cleaner look of the cars which came before 2005.

Me too. I like both actually. But calling it buck teeth is a bit childish. I think it's like calling the later cars with the single opening grill "edentulous".

 

(You're Welcome, Jeager! I'm happy that you like the older XKR's...Personally, I kind'a like the Cleaner look of the 2005-2006 the best of all......)

Wow! that certainly is a "Big Word" about nothing!

Billy Clyde