Used 1997 Jaguar XK-Series Consumer Reviews
Used XK-Series for sale
Such A Sexy Beast (with a Maintenance Budget)
Andy S, 06/23/2017
updated 06/28/2019
1997 Jaguar XK-Series XK8 2dr Coupe
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent Vehicle
happy/camper, 03/08/2002
1997 Jaguar XK-Series XK8 2dr Convertible
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Acceleration is excellent, with 0-60 achieved in approximately six and a half seconds. Braking in this car keeps the driver comfortable as well as perfectly glued to the seat. Body roll is limited by front and rear anti-roll bars for controlled cornering. The road never feels jarring, and vibration is eliminated altogether, even through the curved tree branch of a steering wheel. The exhaust note is a true purr, and throttle is available instantly at any time.
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Black Lemon
Art De Tomaso, 11/19/2003
1997 Jaguar XK-Series XK8 2dr Convertible
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car less than a year ago with less than 50,000 miles and replaced the front bushings, the steering rack and cylinder, the water pump, and now the engine cover gaskets. The inside mirror that has a photo cell inside also has failed and will cost me over $200, and I have been told that all XK's of this year have chain tensioners that are prone to failure.
best hi-performance car buy
tlee, 08/26/2003
1997 Jaguar XK-Series XK8 2dr Coupe
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Replacing my Benz, I wanted a hi- performance, unique automobile that did not make me look like a middle aged old fool in a fast car (I'm 44). The Jaguar XK fit the bill. There are tons of bmw's, vette's, Z's and porsche's on the road, but few XK's. I feel great every time me and my '97 blue XK with only 27k drives up and by those 'other' cars, looking pretty and sophisticated. Ford has done a superb job improving upon Jag's reliability without ruining the styling, but few know it, making the XK the best hi- performance used car on the market today.
xk nice to look at ,hope it doesnt break
kasalimeno, 08/11/2003
1997 Jaguar XK-Series XK8 2dr Convertible
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
this car is by all means georgous ,but the reliabity is terrible . it hit 50000 miles and is falling apart. the trani dropped and is costing $7500 out of warranty . i thought jaguar was trying to improve thier reputation ...? i will not have another one .