XK8 Owner thinking of a 1999 996

Hi all. I currently am driving a 1997 Jaguar XK8 w/ about every upgrade I can do. I am thinking about purchasing a 1999 996 and was wondering if there is anything I should look for. My wife thinks I am crazy as my car is a very rare coupe w/ 20" wheels. She thinks I should just be happy with it but I have owned it for 2 years (the longest I have ever owned a car in my life) and I am craving more performance. I thought about stepping to a DB7 but insurance is 3 times that of a 996 any imputs would be appreciated. I live in Chicago and it would need to roll in the winter a few times. I average about 6K a year on my current car. 1997 XK8 Jaguar 2003 G500 MB (Wifes ride)

It's certainly a very different car. Much as I love the 996, I should ask you whether you'd be happier moving to an XKR, as (unless you want to move to a stick) a '99 tip 996 won't be a whole lot faster than your XK8. I've only driven an XK8 for a few miles, but I'd say that the biggest difference is the road feel through your seat - the 996 is much firmer. The steering is a lot firmer than the Jag, but not excessively so, and it's even more communicative. Interior space is probably quite similar, but I think the '99 996 interior is less special then the XK8. I'm sure you'll get a lot more commentary in short order!

I was thinking about XKR 4.2 but the coupes are very hard to come by in an XKR form. I have drivin the 996 tip and it is alot more responsive and belive it or not is alot faster than my XK8. I love the styling of my XK as it gets alot of attention every where I go. But the Porsche is a very differnt driving machine. Thanks for the input

How's reliability been on the Jag? An eight-year-old 996 might have a few niggles.

I had an XKR Silverstone before getting my first Porsche. The Porsche is much more of a sports car than the Jag. Try to get the newest model year 996 you can. Early 99's had many well documented problems. Repairs will be more expensive too.

Perfect just a water pump and normal maintainance oil changes etc...

I own a '97 convertible XK8 and a '99 996C4 Cab and both cars have their pros and cons. The best feature of the Jag is the leg room and creature comforts, including softer ride. The Porsche makes the driver/passenger sit more upright and the steering wheel doesn't lift up to clear the driver when he exits the vehicle; it is also more designed for sports car driving than elegant cruising. The best features of the Porsche are a more powerful and responsive engine, better road feel/response, and the option for a 6 speed transmission. The Jag my feel as fast as the P-car but that is because of the reclined seatting position of the Jag. I would say that the Jag's 4.0 engine is well made, reliable, and easy to maintain plus the combined gas mileage is better than the P-car. I get about 23mpg avg for the Jag and 18mpg avg for the Porsche. Good luck choosing and I agree with earlier posts about getting a later model Porsche; 2002+ .

I have both a 01 XK8 and a 99 996, and they are very different. If I had to keep one it would be the Porsche. Here's how I see it the Jag's a great car to go to work in listening to the news and the Porsche is the car you race up a canyon in on an early Sunday morning.

ericdee, Your car doesn't look like a '99. Did you modify your front end?

As documented in this forum the 99 is much maligned but the great majority are problem free. Too bad you live so far away - I'd let you drive mine a while to give you a good long feel for what you would be getting. the advantage to 99 996 model is they are very light (under 3000 lbs) for their HP (299). but then I'm biased.

Yes it's been 02 facelifted.

I picked up '99 about a year and a half ago. It had 13k miles on it then and has about 26k miles on it now. Lots of fun, runs like a banshee, never had any problems. I figure if the '99's had any issues they would either be fixed or scraped by now.

Have you considered the Z8 Alpina which is the only available automatic. These have great lines and probably a good compromise between the porsche and xkr having 400 h.p..

Despite the rumors most '99 have been as trouble free as newer models.

I have a 2001 996 C2, and I wanted to ask someone here in the forum about this facelift. Could you hook me up with referrals? How much did it cost you? It looks awesome.

I have 2001 black Vette, 2001 996 C2, 1991 Mercedes 300E. I always wanted to get an XK8 and get rid of the Vette. I test drove an XK8 the other day, and the car had a very soft luxurious ride. I always admired the long-body style of an XK8. I think the XK8 came out in 97, but it still looks good. I didn't get an XK8 yet coz I wanted to ask an XK8 owner about its reliability. Are British cars like Jag and Range Rovers really that bad? Rovers came in dead last in dependability test.

You own two great cars I admire. XK8 and G500. I stayed away from XK8 because I wanted to ask a real Jag owner if Birtish cars' reliability issue is really true. How many miles on the XK8? Even though XK8 design is from 97, it still looks great. I am thinking about trading in my Vette for the XK8 or XKR. I'm 6'2", and I always admired the long-body style of XK's. It was the German-made Porsche that won my vote in getting my 911 over XK's. Have you reached your decision which car to buy?

JJ, They have their share of problems, but not as bad as people think they are. Here check out this link: http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_49451.html This is worst case.

That's what I think too. It can't be that bad. Otherwise Jaguar and Range Rovers would be out of business. I see that Porsche and Vette owners have one time contemplated on XK's. And XK's are still coveted among the enthusiasts. I am somewhat familiar with the XK heritage dating back to 1920's. Would you say that your XK had more problems than your Porsche? Does the XK body style and the brand name compensate and justify those trips to the dealers for problem repairs? Well, I think your answer would be yes since you had it all this time ha ha

JJ, The Porsche acts up as much as the Jag, couple times a year. Normally it's no biggie, i.e. bad sensor that type of thing. Can get out for less than $500 most of the time.