2nd Aug 2010, 18:58
I traded a Porsche Boxster for a 1999 Jag XK8 convertible (needed a backseat for the kids). It's an "okay" car, but I'm not thrilled with it. It has 65,000 miles and I'm aware of the timing chain guides needing replaced.
The ride is smooth enough, but man, it is so cramped in the cockpit. It does appear a little cheapy plastic-like inside. I think my problem was that I also bought a Lexus LS430. NIGHT and DAY difference. The LEXUS is proper luxury! The Jag is just a nice driver.
22nd Oct 2010, 19:03
Well it looks like we XK8 Convertible owners agree... beautiful car, but the engineering is Yugo class...
I have a Lexus ES 330 with 100k on it, and it has never had anything wrong...
What a sham that Jaguar lacks in quality, but looks and drives like a dream... if you can keep it on the road...
3rd Nov 2011, 23:15
I own a 1998 XK8, and I don't know where you are getting your car parts, but you are paying way too much.
I bought the cam sensor kit & gaskets for under $250.00, then had the work done for another $200.00. I bought lower ball joints (both sides) for less than $150, and had them installed for $175.00.
You have to look, and not just run to the dealer to get your car repaired. They will take you to the cleaners.
There are things you can do to save money, and you need to get to know what the weak points of the car are, so you can stay ahead of the problems, and not let them get the better of you.
I love the car, and will own it for many more years to come.
Hope you do better in the future.
19th May 2010, 20:23
Our 1998 XK8 convertible has many little expensive problems. This at only 105k. We have had many cars go over 200k without problems. (Fords, Lincolns, my kids Toyota's and VWs.) This is our 3rd Jaguar and Ford claimed these were much improved. They are not. Tata has a large cross to bear.
Top works slow, if at all, now it will not lock down.
Transmission fault comes on if put in manual shift mode. Automatic trans shop couldn't fine the problem. $480.00.
Replaced the plastic Y coolant piece between the cylinder heads for $300.00 plus for a single plastic part and total well into $550.00.
Power steering hose problems, not fixed yet, several coolant hose problems attacking one at a time as we find them.
LOCKED in the passenger seat with the top up. Passenger door would not open. Still not found the problem. Wife had to crawl through the driver side as the top decided not to work at that time, so we could not open it to get my wife out. Had the car caught on fire, the person in the passenger side could be burned alive trying to get out. And yes I have heard of Jaguars catching on fire.
We no longer trust this car.
My brother's several Mercedes have gone well over 200 to 300 k without any problems except for doing routine maintenance. My older brother's Peugeot diesel went over 300k with no problems. He donated it years ago and it is still running.
When it runs it is a lot of fun to drive. It just cost a heck more per mile than our big 36' 5 mpg pusher motor home. About ten times more...
We have a love it, really hate it relationship with this car.