I seem to remember seeing the XK8 on the cover of Car & Driver back in 97 and falling in love.

The next few years after that were spent building a Factory Five Cobra Replica. Very fast with even the stock 5.0L Mustang motor but driving them around on hot summer afternoons wasn't much fun. Hot, loud, and hard to drive with manual steering, brakes. Low back seats also weren't helping my back out. You think XK8's get attention, try parking one of those somewhere - absolutely nuts. And if it rained you got wet. After 4 years I had enough and sold it.

So what to buy to replace it? Had to be a convertible. Corvette? Never been much of Corvette guy. Didn't fit very well in a Mustang. Looked at a newer T-Bird - nice car but left me underwhelmed. Went for a walk one day and saw a XKR in a driveway. Wow - I wonder if I could afford one? Couldn't do the XKR but could and did do the XK8. The maintenance had me worried but I figured I built a car, I should be able to fix a Jag. So far I have been able to - it hasn't been in a shop yet. The biggest problem is getting it out of my wife's hands!

 

My partner Kim said she wanted something with smooth suspension and curves, she also wanted something that was reasonably fast and classy.

The MK1 TT she had fitted the curve request and had been modded to provide 275bhp so was resonably fast, but has suspension made out of rock.

I always thought that the XK looked good and it fitted her critera so that was it.

 

Like everyone else, love the looks, love the wood, cost of good used ones, they are better than they were !!! always wanted one, now with all you on the forum, ebay, it can break and it won't take a lifetime to figure out or get parts, not many around here as well. Have a fairly well rounded skill set so I am not scared to get my hands dirty. Its a summer car so not a daily driver and I plan on keeping it forever, which in my case is not that long (read age into that )

 

Same here, except there was also a lot of hype regarding the XK8 before it came out... there was stuff on tv, stuff in magazines like Popular Mechanics...

I knew all the features of the car when it came out in 97 but knew I'd never be able to afford one. Fast forward to a year ago when I realized I could own one. lol

I was drooling over them then, I still am. Absolutely classic body style.

 

I was looking online searching for a first car for my daughter, and ran across an add for a 1997 XK8 on CraigsList. The clown never called me back, but just looking at the vehicle sent me on a search for one of my own.

Picked up a Cardinal Red XK8 2002 a few weeks ago - actually flew down from Omaha to get it and dove it back. The previous owner is a contributor here, nd. Certified Jaguar technician, so I knew it had been well taken care of. (Thanks, Steve!)

I think my wife likes it more than I do, and I love this ride. Claims it makes her feel like a Princess every time she sits in it.

 

60-70s' a toy car called the Johnny Speed. Got one for Christmas and the love affair started. It was an XKE. 6 volt power source and a 10 ft control cable and box. 3 kids thru college, a cardiologist and a pump overhaul. They said to reduce stress and could not find a better way. Turn the key and lower the top. Life is good. Jim

 

I'm not a 'car nerd' though I certainly can enjoy nice curves and a good engine. I was just a teenager when the Jaguar XK came out, i loved the design and the whole vibe it gives you.

It has class, its sporty and oozes confidence.

 

one word SSSEEEEXXXXXYYYY!!!!!!!

 

When I joined this forum to learn how to fix an S Type I bought for my girl friend, I really didn't know what model was being pictured on the top of this page. I was Jag illerate. I had considering buying a Vette or a Porche, but after being here a short while, I made myself a promise. I must have a convertible XK8 or R. Now we are a 2 Jag household. Sounds reasonable,,, RIGHT??? And, if I live long enough, a C-X75 hybrd.

 

I spent a month looking and researching for a porsche. A dealer here in nashville had one that i liked, and when i went to check it out he had my XK8. the porsche needed to be gassed up and he asked if i wanted to drive the XK while he prepped the porsche...thats all she wrote. In the looks department, theres no comparison. The XK design is hands down one of my top 10 favorite designed autos. aggressive, sleek, refined, and plain sexy. I havent been interested in a porsche since.

 

In about 1966, when I was 13, I came out of the Post Office and a brand new XKE was parked right in front. It was love at first sight.

When car shopping in 1975 I saw a few XKEs on the car lots for about the same price that I was looking to spend. Even the used car salesmen would say, "You don't want to buy that as your only car. It is going to be in the shop half of the time". I bought a 340 Duster.

Sometime around 1997 I was riding down an interstate and passed a car carrier with a few XK8's on it. It looked like a re-incarnated XKE. Second love.

Three years ago I was riding down a highway and saw a beautiful XK8 for sale in a used car lot with $13,000 written in shoe polish on the windshield. U turn.

Upon closer inspection and a short drive, I knew that this car was a piece of junk, but it put me on the search for a good one, which I found in Dallas about 500 miles away about four months later.

I was looking for low mileage and immaculate condition. I figured I'd rather spend a couple or even a few thousand more to get one like that than to buy a high mileage one for a cheap price and then spend more money and aggravation having everything fixed.

It has been three years now and never in the shop, only a couple of very minor things that I have fixed myself. Loving it.

 

Jags are one of the cars that make me want to look back at it as I walk away. I have had a few, including a 63 E-type as my first car, a 96 XJ6, and the two I have now. I've had a lot of nice cars inlcuding a 67 DB6 Volante and none have ever looked like they are moving while sitting still like the Jags do. They are the right combination of brawn and beauty that so many companies try to achieve but so few actually do. I also like the affordability of the used ones. If you find one that is not abused, they can be very dependable.

 

XK8 coupe, stunning timeless beauty.....so smooth and luxurious inside and out. Just had to wait until the kids moved out so I could afford one 😃

 

Had a 1995 740i which was going south fast...Tranny was sticking etc...Went to autotrader one morning and pulled up two Porsche 911's for a reasonable price...Went to check them out and my heart fell to the floor...The cars were junk...I mean Junk...
But 15k was all I could afford....dispirited I checked out jaguar as my dad had one and came across a 1997 Coronado Blue xk8 with Detroit BBS Rims ---- for 12k back in 2007. From dispirit to desperation I flew to the dealership.....AND GUESS WHAT SHE WASN'T THE POS the Porsches were....

I fell in love with timeless, timeless classic beauty...I feel special everyday when I drive xk8....It in fact, is hard to explain without sounding the opposite of humble.....Inexplicable the full body experience of driving a quality xk8.

In my humble opinion...
Phil

 

When I went looking for a used car and saw a Jaguar XK8 advertised in the local classifieds. Had never heard of the Jaguar XK8s or even seen one. Did some research and went to look at it. Fell in love with the modern interpretation of the XKE. Fell head over heels for the car after driving it! Incredible power from a small V8 and great handling, plus it was a convertible!! Regrettably had to give up the car and have been longing for one since. It amazes me that such a beautiful car is so affordable used. Now I'm ready to replace my former love.

 

Here are my reasons leading up to buying my 2003 XK8 last month:

In 1966, by brother, Bob, took me to the Jaguar dealership to look at a new XKE. It listed for a bit over $6000, so Bob bought a Pontiac. I never forgot that beautiful car. Yes, it was like looking at a gorgeous woman, but it also had double-overhead cams, a 265hp engine (with polished aluminum covers), wire wheels, disk brakes, independent suspension, and a cockpit like a race-car wrapped in understated luxury. What young man in those years would not become infatuated with that car?

In 1971, my other brother, Steve, said, “hey, Mike, there’s an old Jag in a shed in a yard full of weeds behind this old guy’s house.” We went and took a look at what was a 1956 XK140MC Drophead Coupe. The body was straight, but the top fabric was completely gone. It had no floorboards, the dash varnish was peeling, and the transmission was sitting outside the car. Short story: after a year of hard work, I was driving the car with new BRG paint, tan top and interior, refinished wood, tires, etc. Not many memories from over 40 years ago compete with the low rumble of that Jag’s exhaust as I sped along north of Bodega Bay, slipping in and out of the fog on Highway 1.

So, yes, when I spotted the2003 XK8 for sale recently with only 50,000 miles on it in Jaguar Racing Green with a tan top, I was very interested. Of course, the cashmere leather, the gleaming walnut dash, the prodigious power, and the quiet rumble or growl of this car’s exhaust absolutely reminded me of the XK140. So, I guess that my decision had already been made years before to someday own another Jag. I also knew that the 03 models had many upgrades to make them more reliable. The deal-maker: these used XKs are incredibly affordable given the original price.

 

I am at the opposite end of this spectrum. I sold my personal XK8 recently. The two happiest days of my life were when I bought and sold this car. I repair Jags for a living and the XK8/R from 1997 to 2003 (US) was the quirkiest car Jaguar has ever made, froth with timebombs like top hydraulics, water pumps, thermostats, TBs, secondary tensioners, on and on. The AJ26/27 isn't one of Jaguar's proudest moments.

The look too on this car is highly subjective. I personally loved the look of mine, but it is not the traffic stopper for which I had hoped. Instead, I found it pretty niche and a rather small crowd that appreciates its looks. I tested this out the last year I owned my XK8 the ultimate way through a group of car valet guys I know. They work in an upscale area where, routinely, any exotic or luxury car you can name parks in their lot. Like all valet stations, they have a "top lot" that shows off three cars. They personally make choices which three cars get shown on the top lot. XK8s always were relegated to the back lot. Of course, so did all X308s, S-Types, X-Types, XFs and even X350s.

The only Jags that were appreciated enough to enjoy the esteem of the top lot were a few rare newest XKrs, typically with the right color and wheels and the very newest XJs seemed to really impress the valets a lot.

Still, I very much loved to looks myself, but glad I got through personal ownership w/o any of the timebombs going off. I'll settle for fixing others' XK8/Rs as long as they're paying the freight.

 

Last night I attended a British sports car club meeting and afterwards a retired Doctor summed this question up. He said the most beautiful sports car ever built was the XKE, and when production ended there was a void until Jaguar wised up and built the XK8 which in his opinion is the second most beautiful sports car ever produced.

Who am I to argue?

 

"I tested this out the last year I owned my XK8 the ultimate way through a group of car valet guys I know. They work in an upscale area where, routinely, any exotic or luxury car you can name parks in their lot."

I'm in no way attempting to disrespect "car valet guys", I used to be one and it was one of my faviorite jobs from my school days. I don't however consider the job a qualifying attribute to judge the beauty of automobies.
I too worked at a very upscale club in south Florida. My taste sure has changed in 30 years.
Could it be that they want to drive their favorites just a little farther from up front for there own enjoyment? When I would valet a Pantera, trust me it went waaay to the back of the lot!

If I were to win the lottery, I would buy a lot of cars, most more valueable than my XK8, but one thing is for sure, I would keep this Jag. To me the XK8/R is one of the best looking cars ever. Just my opinion. Remember, some people like the looks of a PT cruiser!

 

I found it pretty niche and a rather small crowd that appreciates its looks.

I guess that pretty much sums up my appreciation for Jaguar. There are not a lot of coupes especially in Upstate NY, and while it does not get the traffic stopping stares my 61 Corvette does, (did, I don't really drive it anymore),folks tend to walk by the Jaguar, pause and look again. It is not a screaming ricer nor a blingy Escalade.

I remember driving up to Alexandria Bay w/my 61 back around 1986+/-.

Small lakefront party town, (I was in my mid 20's), and cruising slowly past the bars (so everyone could see me), until I noticed a spanking new Lamborghini Countach behind me...I kind of slid down in my seat a bit....lo
and behold there were actually two parking spots in front of the most popular bar in town.. We pulled in together, I got out and started peppering the owner about the car, how he liked it compared to the Muria he had sold to buy this beast (my family did a lot of business w/Grossmans of W Nyak NY so I was well versed in my mid 20's about exotics).

Anyway, we both noticed at the same time how the crowd was milling around my $8,000 61 Corvette, (Roman Red, white coves), and completely ignoring the Countach...I said something to the effect like...Rubes.

He said something that stayed with me forever.....

The Countach is "fashion"...the 61 Corvette is "style". People will still be staring lovingly at your car in 20 years...mine will look like an outdated pair of platform shoes.

The XK 8 Jaguar coupe body design is over 16 years old now....I'd say Jag has mastered style rather than being a slave to fashion with this car.