Nah.... as a owner of a 4.0 jeep Cherokee and a 5.7 Hemi Jeep commander.. your XK8 should've beat either vehicle.

Enjoy your XK8 it's fast enough for most... if you want faster get a XKR.

 

A very interesting response from auburn2. The average age of a Jaguar owner is reputedly to be 50 (There are threads on this in this forum) The perception of a "grandad car" is interesting. I say that because I have always liked Jaguars and in particular the sport models like the XKE and the XK8. I have always loved these cars since my teen years(Come on how many teenagers craved the E type. even today!) and later the XK8. The ability to own one is different and I say that because of the cost of buying. The XKE was always out of my price range but very desirable. The XK8 was the same until a few years ago when they became affordable. I do believe that many people desire these beautiful cars at any drivers age, but factors like the drivers age, insurance cost and residual value may lend itself to being a car that maybe the more mature driver can afford to run and enjoy

 

I sold a 2007 Mustang Gt convertible when the opportunity for my 2002 XK8 came about. The XX8 felt sluggish to me, especially when trying to jump from 60-80 quickly on the expressway. The Mustang was tuned for a more "muscley" sound and look. It felt much faster as far an engine power and torque, but so much less confident in handling and just overall build that I wouldn't have wanted to push that out on the curves. I think part of it is simply adjusting to different accelerator feels. It seems to me that power is much more than jumping off the line and punching at a given speed. Agility and confidence bring speed as much as horsepower.
Having said that, at only a week into owning my Jag, I can't help but wonder how it is running compared to other XK8s.
I just love my new Jag. So great to feel integrated as part my automobile more than any other car I've owned.

 

XK8's are heavy cars compared to most other sports cars. My 06 weighs 250 pounds more than my Lincoln Mark VIII. I was looking for a 06 XKR but found a low mileage (30K)
XK8 and have been very happy ever since. About a year after I bought it I found out it
is a Victory edition which is very rare and a pleasant surprise.

 

As dear old Dad used to say, "there's a time and a place for everything" . Some people never learn how true that is.

I both enjoyed and became annoyed reading this thread.

Of course we're all free to enjoy our Jags as we see fit. I must say, though, that I remain a bit disappointed that so many Jags are driven as though they were made out of glass.....putt-putting about, choking on everyone else's exhaust. I see it all the time. The last time I *actually saw* a Jag on the road being driven at more than 1/8th throttle was years ago.....an XK150 winding up thru-the-gears while entering the freeway. It was glorious.

This bit of "Driving a Jag is such an elegant experience, and the car is so graceful, and I just love all the admiring glances so much that I don't have to prove anything to anybody" seems the antithesis of what a Jaguar driving is about, IMHO. It doesn't matter that the [insert your model of Jag] isn't the most competitive in its class. 'Fast driving' and 'Jaguar' go together like a hand in a glove.

This isn't to say we should be drag racing every car that comes alongside nor driving like a madman with his hair on fire but, for the love of god, give 'er the boot from time to time. Jaguar gave you 300-400 horsepower with brakes and suspension to match. Use it, enjoy it.

OK, mini-rant rant over. To those who simply enjoy elegant looks and like being seen in a Jaguar, no offence intended....I'm merely trying to shame you into blowing the carbon out of your combustion chambers a few times each month and quit letting those snotty German cars drivers bully you around!



Cheers
DD

 

Well said Doug, and just as soon as I can get those stupid drivers in front of me to move over, I'll punch it!

Don't drive crazy myself (despite what SWMBO may say), but I do enjoy feeling it pull me back into the seat or pull itself smartly around a curve once in a while.

And there's always those freeway ramps.

 

I agree as well, Doug. I rarely drive my wife's XK8 because I'm far too tall for it and very cramped in the cabin as a result. But when I do, I make certain to blow the carbon out as you suggested (much to the chagrin of my wife)....

 

Somewhat old post but i read most of it so I thought I'd give some thoughts.
I have an 03 XK8 convertible. British racing green with cashmere interior. I'm in love. Loved the power. I'm an exdragracer so power is no stranger. The R has more power but you know what else it has? More gear. The XK8 3.06 gears are laughable. R has 3.31s. With an overdrive trans 3.55s/3.73s would make a fantastic improvement. I understand the 5 speeds can do this but the 6 speeds are screwed. It real does aggravate me.

 

 

It's true that 300 horses are not really uncommon nowadays, so I pick my infrequent drag races carefully. Sometimes it's more a matter of quicker reflexes getting you off the line first, anyway. However, most other drivers will probably assume you can beat them because: a) it's a Jag and b) it looks like it's doing 60 standing still. Do you want to take the chance of proving them wrong? Just smile condescendingly and pull away smoothly.