Want to buy a Jaguar but don't have enough knowledge

[Penny111]

Hello

I'm here because I want to buy a Jaguar but I'm not very car knowledgeable and you clearly know EVERYTHING! I'm out of my depth and am hoping you'd be kind enough to give me a prompt in the right direction.

I am looking to buy either a XK8, XKR...I think. It's the one without the lip on top of the boot and it's the one with the bigger boot. I'd prefer a coupe in metallic dark blue with a cream interior. I know I have to look out for rust but not sure where on the car apart from the sills. I prefer an automatic but not sure if the opinion is for or against them.

I've had a look at the one's for sale on here but as soon as the adverts start talking about technical stuff I lose interest. I just want it for shopping and visiting friends/family up to two hour drive away. I can't remember the last time I went over 50mph.

Any assistance gratefully received.

[8bit]

Penny111 said:

Hello

I'm here because I want to buy a Jaguar but I'm not very car knowledgeable and you clearly know EVERYTHING! I'm out of my depth and am hoping you'd be kind enough to give me a prompt in the right direction.

I am looking to buy either a XK8, XKR...I think. It's the one without the lip on top of the boot and it's the one with the bigger boot. I'd prefer a coupe in metallic dark blue with a cream interior. I know I have to look out for rust but not sure where on the car apart from the sills. I prefer an automatic but not sure if the opinion is for or against them.

I've had a look at the one's for sale on here but as soon as the adverts start talking about technical stuff I lose interest. I just want it for shopping and visiting friends/family up to two hour drive away. I can't remember the last time I went over 50mph.

Any assistance gratefully received.

You probably want to start with the Pistonheads buyers guides (at the top of this forum section but here you go - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The XK8/XKR (X100) is the older, steel-body car which had a 4.0 or (later) 4.2 litre V8, supercharged in the case of the XKR. The XK/XKR (X150) are the later, aluminium-body cars, far less rust issues on those. These had 4.2 and later 5.0 V8 engines, again the R models were supercharged.

Probably worth reading the guides and looking at some in the classifieds then coming back with specific questions once you have a better idea what you're looking for.

[Simpo Two]

Hi Penny - this one is sold but is this the model/look you had in mind?

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2020-1...

I think they all have automatic gearboxes, so that's one variable dealt with!

The other main ones:

Year
Mileage
Service history - you want this
Supercharged or not (I don't think you'd benefit from one)
Price

It's a good idea to test drive a couple - doesn't matter what colour of course - just to see if you like the feel of them, ask questions and start to know what you're looking for.

[Penny111]

Thank you - most helpful.

I did look at the Guides 8Bit before and the classified Jaguar ads page and I couldn't make the leap from reading to buying. A dealer would think Christmas has come when I walk in. Thank you for the aluminium tip, I'll need to look for corrosion as well.

Simpo Two - that's the car and I even like the colour! Very smart of you. .

Ok let me do some research and see how I go. I'm going to get in a few test drives in if I can and start getting used to inspecting service histories, looking for accidents, unexplained gaps in MOT etc.

Thank you both! I'm now actually looking forward to my search. Will get back as soon as I have some news. I'd like it before the end of October so better get a move on. TTFN

[8bit]

That car that Simpo posted the link to is the earlier model, the X100. Steel body so yes look for any signs of corrosion, under the car too if you can. If budget allows get a 4.2 rather than a 4.0, the 4.2 V8 is a more modern unit and it comes with a better transmission (actually I may get shot down for that because I don't know if all the 4.2s came with the newer ZF transmission or if early ones had the old Mercedes auto as the 4.0 did).

[Simpo Two]

8bit said:

That car that Simpo posted the link to is the earlier model, the X100.

Yes, the one she's after.

To briefly explain...

'Jaguar XK8': 1996-2005. Styling as per my link. Known as Jaguar XKR if supercharged. Official model number is 'X100'.

'Jaguar XK': 2005-2014. An entirely different car though in the same niche. Confusingly also known as Jaguar XKR if supercharged. Official model number is 'X150'.

Both models have their followers!


Perhaps a good way to proceed would be to find one that looks just right, have a look and a go in it to make sure, and if it still checks out, then hire an independent inspector (I think the AA do this) for extra peace of mind.

[8bit]

The OP never stated it was an X100 she was after, just an XK8 or XKR. The latter is ambiguous as there were XKR models in both generations.

[Simpo Two]

8bit said:

The OP never stated it was an X100 she was after, just an XK8 or XKR. The latter is ambiguous as there were XKR models in both generations.

Well..

1) She said 'It's the one without the lip on top of the boot and it's the one with the bigger boot.'
2) The X100 comes in both XK8 and XKR, the X150 doesn't.

Add them together and it's fairly conclusive, as proven by 'Simpo Two - that's the car and I even like the colour! Very smart of you. .'

Then you started talking on about 'earlier models' which risked unravelling the progress, so I thought it was time to nail some facts down.

She wants an X100 coupe in blue over cream, case closed

[8bit]

The X100 does have a spoiler on the boot lid.



I wasn't aware their boots were any larger than the X150.

[reddiesel]

It isn't .

[Penny111]

I've made an appointment tomorrow with a dealership which has a few types. I will report back.

[8bit]

reddiesel said:

It isn't .

What isn't?

Penny111 said:

I've made an appointment tomorrow with a dealership which has a few types. I will report back.

Good luck and have fun!

[reddiesel]

The Boot isn't any larger on the X100 Niall

[reddiesel]

Penny111 said:

I've made an appointment tomorrow with a dealership which has a few types. I will report back.

Desperate to know who this Dealer is Penny ? Guaranteed someone on here will have experience of them and their stock .

[reddiesel]

The Boot isn't any larger on the X100 Niall