Faults:

Steering rack had to be replaced.

Upgraded chain tensioner, water pump.

Replaced front wheel bearings, valve cover gaskets.

Cruise control stopped working.

General Comments:

If all of the common upgrades are done to this car, it is very reliable.

For the money, I don't believe you can buy a more beautiful or elegant car for the many.

The previous owner sorted out the car. I have maintained the car religiously and it has been a joy to own. I have also installed a performance intake and exhaust system so it sounds much better too.

The Sapphire Blue exterior and Cream interior is one of the most striking color combos.

I love this car! I just wish it had a 5 speed.

Faults:

Nothing, except a couple of the power seat adjustment controls don't do much of anything except make a vague humming noise.

General Comments:

The convertible model may not be the most practical in the Jaguar line-up if you have a family, as the back seat is pretty much unusable for anything but pets (with very well-trimmed claws) and groceries (that don't leak)... but if it's just for you and a special someone? Oh my goodness, who cares!?!

I swear, the 2003-2006 XK8 has to be one of the best deals out there in the luxury used car field. These are the best years of the 1997-2006 run -- they finally got it right, mechanically and reliability-wise. Originally priced in the lofty $70,000+ range, a nice one can be found for $11-19,000. The substantial V8 is surprisingly good on gas, especially on the highway. Parts and service are not really an issue, but it's a good thing to find a repairman who knows what he's doing and has some passion for the brand.

All that practicality and financial stuff aside, let's be honest -- the car is sex on wheels! The rich leather, build quality, appointments, history, the "British-ness", and gazing upon that amazing, full-width slab of burl walnut in front of you when you're cradled in the driver's seat -- priceless, really. You're driving a true modern classic.

A checklist:

Drop-dead gorgeous from every angle -- check.

Powerful and smooth -- check.

People will assume that you're much more wealthy, intelligent, confident, sporty, and sybaritic (you should look that up) than you really are -- check.

People will point, nudge and whisper, "Oooh, he/she drives a Jag convertible!" -- check.

They might also assume that you're a Newport Beach trophy wife (or husband), a successful hair stylist, a celebrity, or having a midlife crisis -- double check -- but again, who the heck cares!?!

Faults:

When I purchased my XK8, the previous owner had replaced the tensioners prior to my purchase, so I thought everything was OK, but what I didn't know is that the transmission was faulty on the 1997 XK8, and the hub in the transmission would become brittle and break. The good news is a friend of mine owns a repair shop, so it only cost me 1200.00 to repair the transmission, and he installed the new upgraded hub. 10 years later, the car drives and looks like a dream.

The only other problem was the front end bushings went bad, but that was a very low cost (200.00).

So for 10 years of driving and 1400.00 in repair costs, besides oil changes and brakes, I would say not bad Jaguar.

General Comments:

The beauty of owning a 1997 black Jaguar coupe is most people think it's a late model car, and it's as rare as a black pearl.

The lines and styling of this vehicle are timeless; people still walk up to me and say I love your Jag. I have to race my wife to the car keys, because she loves the looks, and the great gas mileage. The interior is well crafted.

When you see a modern day 2012 Aston or Jag, you see the legacy of the 1997 XK8.