Jaguar XK8

[kevin]

assuming I will not win the lottery or inherit vast fortunes I can't ever see me being able to afford a decent E Type.
Having had a good mooch about, I could afford one of the early XK8s, some lovely low miles examples available if you search about.
Any1 had any experience of them?

(Should say I'm not suggesting the xk8 is anywhere near the car the e type is, just takes a much lower budget to acquire one!)

Kev

[rich.]

ive been thinking that for a while, although prices need to crash before i can get one

[TerryG]

I'm sure Luxo will be along shortly as he has one. You can't compare one to an e type (largely because you can't compare anything to an e type) but it is a good looking car in its own right.

[Luxobarge]

Yep, owned one for about 9 years now, superb bit of kit. When I've got more time I'll post back with things to look out for if you like, but mine's been pretty good during the time I've had it, not an expensive car to run in my experience.

[Fatbloke]

I like the XJS. Have you thought about one of those? I know it has it's abusers but I think that is because it followed the E. Nothing would fare well on that basis.

I'm a child of the 70's so am a fan of the XJS.

[Adam43]

I have never owned one of these, but I understand that they are pretty reliable. I think there are some issues with very early engines, but these were very quickly resolved.

The suggestion of the XJS is a good one too

Edit: a quick search shows too problems with early ones. Cylinder liners and timing chains. More details here with info on how to identify which cars had the early engines with the poor cylinder liners:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/xk8/models.html
Scroll to the bottom.

The timing chain problem is easily noticed and I've heard it said that the other problem is nothing to worry about as any car with it will have a new engine by now