2001 Jaguar XK8 Classic 4.0 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Fabulous British GT with terrible reliability problems. buyer beware!
Faults:
Power steering pump (common weak-spot apparently)Rusting sub-frame, suspension bushes, catalytic converter, rusting arches, 2nd gen tensioners
General Comments:
Fabulous British GT car with good handling and a effortless cruising ability but totally ruined by shocking build quality.
In order to get real performance out of it you have to use the J gate which for some reason works better out of sport mode than in it! I suspect that the torque converter just isn't up to it which is a great shame.
Also runs beautifully on 18" alloys as opposed to the 20" things some people are going for. These just ruin the ride!
The first fault was a leak in the power steering pump caused by a failed gasket. This was followed by a whole series of other faults that took the shine off the ownership experience. The final nail in the coffin was the huge amount of rust found on the underside of the car. It was like looking at a british leyland car from the 70's!
If you are going to buy one of these make sure you check the underside very carefully and make sure it has the 3rd generation tensioners.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th January, 2009
26th Oct 2009, 12:48
I agree with the comments on poor reliability. I ran a 1996 XK8 for about 8 months, - not more that 3000 miles. During that time the following costs clocked up. Water pump failed, front bearings needed replacing, door lock assembly came loose, catalytic converter loud rattle, finally the gear box fault light came on. The XK8 is a great car to drive, just make sure that you have a bank loan lined up to cover the cost of repairs.
27th Mar 2011, 16:42
There was no 96 XK8.
18th Jun 2014, 20:02
You are correct - no 1996 XK8.
17th Dec 2019, 16:54
Yes, get a Porsche if you have 4 times the amount of cash to buy it. I have had two 924s, one 944, and three 911s. I've also got a Jaguar Mk2, Jaguar XJS convertible, and a Jaguar X Type 2.2 Sport. All these cars are in excellent condition.
18th Dec 2019, 01:14
Makes sense buying more 911s. Any other type of car you drive afterwards is a disappointment. You become part of the car, not driving a super car. The only Jag I like is a 60s XKE. But tinworm, electric issues, and carb issues override the classic beauty. You can buy a early 70s and do a small block Chevrolet or Ford V8 without cutting, or buy restored for around the same price. I still would prefer original weekend use vs daily driver with domestic power.
23rd Jul 2009, 15:12
Update to this review:
This car literally fell apart. Rust on the sub-frame was so bad, it was coming away from the rest of the chassis! Shock absorbers went, power steering fault again! This car looks beautiful but is built terribly and is not worth the money. Buy a Porsche.