Jaguar XK

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The XK8 was good albeit too closely related to the XJS for comfort, so when Jaguar started with virtually a clean sheet, the result was a grand tourer that looked sharper, drove better and offered more practicality, even if the rear seats remain pointless.

IN BRIEF

Gone was the old steel bodyshell, succeeded by an aluminium alternative that promised greater efficiency and much sharper dynamics. With a snarling V8 and rocket- ship performance, the fabulous looking XK is an undisputed classic, despite its youth – and you can buy one from just £11,000.

DRIVING

Compared to an XK8, the XK is a whole new ball game with a fine ride/handling balance; CATS adaptive suspension, is fitted to the majority. Unless you’re a speed freak, an XKR is a bit pointless (especially if you opt for a 5-litre variant) although the blistering fast XKR-S will enjoy classic status before the rest. We’ll stick our neck out and state that while the new F-Type is wonderful, it’s not a huge advance on the XK which at least have a roomy cockpit and better boot space, particularly the coupé with its E-type style rear hatch. It’s the closest Jaguar has come to reinventing the E-type – yes that includes the F-type.

BEST MODELS

From the outset there was a choice of coupé or convertible with Jaguar’s AJ V8 in 300bhp 4.2-litre form or the 420bhp supercharged XKR. A facelift for 2009 saw an all-new 5-litre V8; 380bhp in the XK and a mighty 503bhp in the XKR. Other changes included a slightly redesigned nose, LED rear lights and, crucially, JaguarDrive, offering adjustable chassis settings. If that wasn’t enough, the cracking XK-RS appeared in spring 2008. Originally it was limited to just 200 units, but three years later the formula was rightfully revived as a regular production 542bhp model. The special edition XK60 (May 2008) fittingly marked 60 years of the XK brand. These cars aren’t worth a premium, but a Portfolio edition, which also came out in May 2006, with every creature comfort you could possibly want may be worth a bit extra.

VALUES

XKs are still depreciating fast – so the newer the car the more it’s going to shed value. The trade ‘books’ them from just £14,000 on the forecourts and as little as £11,000 at auction or private sale. This is unbelievable value even if you add some £2500 more for a convertible model, which is roughly what a XKR coupé retails for. The most costly are the 5.0-litre models, but even these can be picked up for around £22,000 at a specialist – which is a third of what the Jag cost brand new only four years ago! You can pay as much as £58K for a nearly new, but why waste money?

BUYING ADVICE

All XKs and XKRs need attention every 10,000 miles or 12 months. The engines are chain-driven so cam belts aren’t required, but the XKR’s 100,000-mile service costs around £600 as a fresh supercharger belt is needed. Thanks to aluminium panels, rust isn’t an issue as such. However, those alloy panels corrode readily once the paint is scratched, so check all over, paying particular attention to the tailgate and doors, along with the wheelarches, for bubbling. Footwells can fill with water if the window seal isn’t lubricated. There were service recalls, see they have been attended to.