1997 Jaguar XK8 consumer reviews

Great performance vehicle with great acceleration and overall beautiful exterior with timeless design.

If you could go out with Angelina Jolie, but she asked for a $250 lobster dinner, would you really care about the costs? My 1997 Jaguar XK8 Coupe is by far the sexiest beast I ever owned (out of 53 cars). This is a car you can fall in love with inside and out. And it runs like it is the last day to get a speeding ticket. However, she needs proper maintenance and a maintenance budget. I simply found a specialty shop and had them replace all the components that usually break after 20 years over time. Upper and lower timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, all four(!) timing chains, water pump, thermostat, valve cover seals as well as a few hoses. $3,500 later she is ready for the next 20 years. Yes, a reliable Saturn coupe would cost a lot less in maintenance. But you won't arrive at work grinning ear to ear every morning.

I bought this convertible 3rd hand in 2009 with super low miles at 38,000. It is my daily driver, and is now up to just 65,000. It's comfy, but low of course. The HP is decent, but not by today's standards, still it's a fun drive. Not the best at cornering, but the nice wide wheels do good enough gripping the asphalt. It has back seats, but only kids up to about 8 or 9 can sit back there. A very unique looking car, came out at the same time as the DB8 I think and the styling at the time was pretty awesome, still turns more heads than any ole Porsche or BMW. It had it's share of poor mechanical designs such as the plastic timing chain, but if changed out early, these issues were not a problem. Some of the interior design was not great, such as the cup holders, and the stereo and speakers despite being Harmon Kardon, did not last long or perform all that well. Anyway, it's been a fun convertible to own and for the most part has not cost me much at all over the years, a great buy at $8,500. I'm now at the point of wondering whether it has any chance of becoming any sort of classic vehicle as we approach 20 years old. I presume they didn't make THAT many of these back in the day.

You want a classic sports car auto. A head turner with beauty and power and also a great ride. The Jaguar XK8 Convertible is the beast in British sports cars from 1997. But some here have criticized its reliability----you have to do your homework and know the used auto you are buying. I have had a 97 Jag XK8 for 12 years and love it.

This is easily the worst car I have ever owned. I can't even begin to count the money I have spent on this thing just to keep it on the road. This car is a disaster!

the car looked great on the Fidelity Ventures of Dallas Texas..but up close..someone used a power washer on the convertible top.the fibers on the top are cut..and will soon need a new top...they didn't detail the section from trunk top to inside the trunk...the drivers door has a short in it and it will not lock with the single key i have..the dealership refuses to send a key-less entry even though it is clearly advertised in the add.. so here we sit with a car we cant lock..and the closest dealership is 3.5 hours away..the owners manual and the maintenance schedule books were missing...but other incidental documents from previous owners were in the car..kind of odd..and some how from the dealership to my home the license plate holder came up missing as well....all these things from what we can tell costs considerable amounts of cash and time invested to make it right..when it should have been done right the first time with the dealership who refuses to make right whats in black and white..our fault we guess from dealing with shady online dealer

1997 lovely looking car with many mechanical problems.PLASTIC timing chain tensioners,PLASTIC water pump impeller,PLASTIC thermostat housing.All very weak and very costly to replace.I love my car but hate to always be fixing it!Many problems with 97 and 98 models.Buyer beware.Many other problems too many to list surprised other owners forget to mention these things!

Great car good to look at good to drive a wonderful car to own.I fix my own car so i am lucky very unreliable many problems on the 1997 model which i have.If you are not rich or do not do your own repairs do not buy this car.You have been WARNED!!!

I sold my first gorgeous sapphire Blue coupe after owning it Since 2006. I found myself really missing this stunning car. I located another in Vermont about 400 miles away in Pacific Blue. Very RARE Coupe. I bought it without seeing it. Picking it up Saturday. Clean car fax with 72K on the clock. Over 8500.00 in Jag service receipts.Great value in these mildly driven well maintained cats. Ill let you know the outcome, while Im praying for a happy ending. I love these rare Coupes!!! Paintxpert from Stratford, Ct.

I bought it 3 weeks ago with 89,000 miles. runs, drives, and handles like new. super style and ride.