Search Car Reviews



See all makes



Jaguar XK8

Jaguar XK8 (1996-2006)

Want to get your hands on a cool Cat like this for around £10,000? You can... and we explain how

Text: Richard Dredge / Photos: Tom Wood

December 2006

 
Don’t expect to use the back seats for carrying people; rear space is strictly for luggage only
It looks a million dollars, but you can now buy a decent Jaguar XK8 for less than £10,000. When it replaced the XJS in 1996, the pretty coupé was hot property, but its premium price tag days are now over.

As a result, it’s an affordable alternative to younger mainstream rivals, and thanks to its V8 engine and automatic gearbox, a great drive, too.

Checklist
Gearbox: automatic box is sealed for life, so its oil can’t be renewed or its level checked. Take any car you’re considering for a decent test drive – ensure all the fluids are up to temperature – and make sure it changes ratios smoothly.

Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XK8s is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000 – wear may have occurred, but most affected engines have been replaced by now.

Timing chain: chain tensioners are known to let go, wrecking the engine in the process. Spend £1,000 on new chains and tensioners if the car is still on its originals as a precaution – the powerplant can sound healthy right up to the end.

Suspension: the front wishbone bushes can become loose, as can the wheel bearings, which may result in uneven tyre wear. Renewing the bushes is typically £450, while you should expect a £300 bill to fit fresh wheel bearings.

Wheels: check that the alloys haven’t been badly kerbed – it’s easily done and they’re expensive to replace or refurbish. If the car is fitted with optional 20-inch three-piece rims, it can cost more than £3,000 to buy a set of replacements.

Prices
Early XK8 Coupés start at less than £10,000, while a tidy Cabriolet or XKR can be had for £12,000. However, a smart XKR or drop-top will cost closer to £15,000, and you can pay as much as £25,000 for an immaculate XKR 4.0 Cabriolet. The 4.2-litre examples start at around £20,000 for the Coupé.

What to look for
Standard 18-inch tyres for the XK8 are notoriously tricky to source, as they are often out of stock – so ensure there is plenty of tread left on the rubber of any potential purchase, especially as they are costly to replace. Don’t expect to use the back seats for carrying people; rear space is strictly for luggage only. And be wary of paying over the odds for a recent car – the arrival of the new XK will quickly push values down.

Owner comment
Last year, Tony Morley from Lewisham, south London, bought one of the earliest XK8s. “I paid £15,000 and the car is worth every penny for the beautiful shape alone. It still stops people in their tracks, but has the power and luxury to back up its looks,” he said. “It’s so usable that if I could afford it, I would drive it every single day. Unfortunately, it is pretty expensive to run if you cover a lot of miles, due to the high fuel consumption.”

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

Towards the end of its life, new versions of the XK8 were difficult to recommend because of their big price tags. However, if you buy a second-hand example, you will pay a fraction of that figure – and that’s what makes Jaguar’s luxurious GT a tremendous proposition.

If you want a car that oozes glamour and style, this is it! As with any luxury model, running costs are higher than for a mainstream alternative. However, sign up to the Allegiance programme – for vehicles more than three years old – and you’ll get a 20 per cent discount on labour rates and 10 per cent off parts.

We like: the gorgeous styling, pace and refinement and excellent used value

Watch our for: poor interior packaging, sloppy gearchanges and scruffy interiors

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

2 Comments

Gearbox

The sealed for life gearbox mentioned above has a life span much shorter than the milage of many of the early cars have achieved, many people believing this to be 70,000 miles. As they are now all out of warrenty it is well worth paying the £180 pounds with a specialist to have the box flushed and refilled. you would not believe the difference it will make to.

By ivecoj1 on 20 January, 2010, 2:31pm

Gearbox continued

This is possible as i'm told they drop the sump ot the gearbox to get the old oil out. It is a specialist job however as you need the jaguar diagnostic equipment to keep an eye on the level and gearbox temp when filling.

By ivecoj1 on 20 January, 2010, 2:38pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More JAGUAR XK8 articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Jaguar XK8 engine

Sponsored Results

Recalls

Apr 1997: possible disengagement of differential output shaft on cars built between July and November 1996.
Feb 1998: restricted throttle opening affecting examples built between July and October 1997.
Jun 1999: gearbox may lock on vehicles made between January 1998 and December 1999.

VERDICT

    Towards the end of its life, new versions of the XK8 were difficult to recommend because of their big price tags. However, if you buy a second-hand example, you will pay a fraction of that figure – and that’s what makes Jaguar’s luxurious GT a tremendous proposition.

    If you want a car that oozes glamour and style, this is it! As with any luxury model, running costs are higher than for a mainstream alternative. However, sign up to the Allegiance programme – for vehicles more than three years old – and you’ll get a 20 per cent discount on labour rates and 10 per cent off parts.

    We like: the gorgeous styling, pace and refinement and excellent used value

    Watch our for: poor interior packaging, sloppy gearchanges and scruffy interiors

 

OTHER EXPENSES

Depreciation:52 % retained after three years
Specs:Stick with a franchised dealer for great service and good back-up. However, if you want to reduce costs, try one of the many independent specialists. They’re cheaper than official outlets, and there’s plenty of them, too. Service intervals: all models need attention every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Service cost: independent outfits will typically charge less than £200 for each check-up on both 4.0-litre and 4.2 versions, regardless of whether they are supercharged or not. However, you should be beware that this price can jump to as much as £490 for the 100,000-mile service on a 4.2-litre XKR.
Running costs (ppm):129.6 (coupe)

HISTORY

    Oct 1996: XK8 introduced with 4.0-litre V8 engine and a choice of Coupé or Cabriolet bodystyles. May 1998: Hot XKR arrives with a supercharged V8 boasting 370bhp. Apr 2000: XKR-based Silverstone special edition arrives. Aug 2001: 100 special edition appears, also based on the XKR. Apr 2002: 19-inch Apollo alloy wheels now fitted as standard. Aug 2002: 4.2-litre V8 replaces 4.0-litre. Aug 2003: Special-edition XKR 400 arrives in showrooms. Aug 2004: Parking sensors are now fitted as standard. May 2005: S limited edition made available (based on either XK8 or XKR) with fresh choice of interior and exterior colour schemes.
 
- Advertisement -