2001 Jaguar XK8

Description

When Ford took over Jaguar, all kinds of good things started to happen, including this 2001 XK8 convertible. It's definitely got the Jaguar look, a combination of ferocity and elegance, and with only 70,992 original miles, this one has been well-kept and treated as something special for most of its life.

The luscious red paint was freshened a few months ago, so it has a nice shine but it isn't the original finish. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing as most automakers of the period were struggling with new paint regulations, and there's no arguing that it doesn't look great today. This car is going to impress a lot of people when you show up. The medium red suits the Jag perfectly, flashy enough to get some attention but not in an undignified way, which isn't the Jaguar's mission. Instead, it has a glow that looks expensive, and combined with the sinuous curves of the XK8's sheetmetal, few people will guess that this car is 14 years old. An upgraded mesh grille borrowed from the XKR makes it look a bit more aggressive, and details like the headlights and taillights are in excellent condition, usually the first place age starts to show on cars like this.

The cream-colored leather seats are pure Jaguar elegance, delivered in a way that only the British seem to have mastered. They're all-day comfortable yet supportive enough for spirited driving, and thanks to quality materials, they show only modest wear that's totally in line with the car's age and mileage. In fact, for a convertible, it's really impressive. Contrasting dark tan carpets hide dirt and help keep it from being too bright inside, and the wood-paneled dashboard is actual burled walnut, a specialty of English cars. Full instrumentation and every luxury feature you can imagine are included: automatic climate control, a power tilt steering wheel, power windows and locks, cruise control, and a great-sounding AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, and it all still works! There's a back seat area that looks unused, and it's probably the most beautifully upholstered package shelf in history. The trunk is surprisingly deep and well-shaped, and the power convertible top stows under a matching tan boot to give it a trim look.

Jaguar's 4.0 liter V8 was one of the first fruits of the Ford-Jaguar partnership, but it shares no components with any Ford engines. It purrs with buttery smoothness yet rips to redline when you plant your foot, and with a flat torque curve, it makes even this heavy cruiser feel light on its feet. The engine bay is quite tidy, a sure sign of a fussy owner, and it's been fitted with a performance chip and a custom exhaust system for a little extra horsepower when you need it. These engines aren't known for being finicky, so it remains a superb driver that's entertaining from behind the wheel. A 5-speed automatic transmission and a supple independent suspension are willing dance partners no matter what you're doing, and the brakes are powerful enough to keep this heavy cruiser in check. Cool 2-piece BBS wheels were undoubtedly expensive and now carry 245/45/18 front and 255/45/18 rear performance radials.

A handsome Jaguar that'll never go out of style, this XJ8 convertible offers huge luxury and performance for pennies on the dollar. Hard to argue with that. Call today!