- Seller: David B (Contact)
- Location: Guilford, Connecticut
- Mileage: 110,000 Shown
- Chassis #: SAJDA42B81PA22054
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 4.0-Liter Supercharged V8
- Transmission: 5-Speed Shiftable Automatic
If you’ve been dreaming of a refined grand tourer that blends old-world luxury with modern muscle, this might be just the car you’ve been waiting for. Available here on Barn Finds Auctions and located in Guilford, Connecticut, this sleek cat wears handsome Titanium paint over an Oatmeal leather interior and has just 110k miles. It’s powered by a supercharged 4.0L V8 and is backed by a clean title. Asking price is $11,500, and based on its sorted condition and impressive maintenance history, it may well be one of the smarter buys for anyone wanting turn-key performance and timeless looks.
This XKR has had a bit of a winding ownership trail, but the good news is that it’s been in the care of a well-known private Jaguar dealer in Connecticut, MotorCars Inc., for much of its life. Originally delivered to New York City, it lived in Long Island and Connecticut before making its way to the current owner, who’s had it for the last five years. During that time, many of the known XKR trouble spots have already been addressed: upgraded metal timing chain tensioners and chains, new hoses, an upgraded metal coolant neck, and a serviced convertible top system. All of this work was handled by MotorCars Inc., giving confidence to the car’s mechanical condition.
The 4.0-liter supercharged V8 delivers nearly 400 horsepower, and when properly maintained, as this one has been, it’s known to be a strong and reliable performer. The car starts, runs, and drives well, with crisp handling and responsive power delivery. Even better, it’s turn-key ready and still wearing a set of 2016 Michelin Pilot Sport tires that have seen mostly garage time.
Cosmetically, it’s a looker. The Titanium paint has a subtle blue tint that sets it apart from more common silver finishes, and aside from a few minor stone chips and wheel scuffs, the exterior presents very nicely. The Oatmeal leather interior is in great shape, with expected wear on the driver’s bolster and some light cracking in the shift knob and glove box wood trim, but nothing that detracts from the overall feel. Features like heated seats, power everything, an Alpine sound system, and a power top round out the comfort and convenience side.
There is light rust starting at the lower edges of the rear wheel wells, but the rest of the undercarriage is very solid. The car includes all the usual Jaguar refinements, burlwood, navigation, Bluetooth, valet mode, and remains a classy, comfortable, and quick cruiser. For a fraction of its original cost, this XKR offers a lot of style and performance wrapped in a rare, well-preserved package.
While searching for my first Corvette I looked at a few XK8s and was mightily impressed. The interiors are definitely a few steps up from the Chevy and the looks are the best attempt yet to capture the allure of the E-type. But the timing chain issues scared me off. With the sorting already done the price is very attractive for this car and the buyer won’t be disappointed.
That engine is an interference meaning that if the timing chain breaks, it will be toast on the pistons and valves. Even though the ad says the timing chain issues has been resolved, I don’t think it’s worth north of 11k.
If the timing chain and gears and tensioner are now upgraded it’s worth a look. Does that one picture show wood trim that’s sun damaged? Otherwise looking good. Always liked these.
Hard to tell if that shot of the wood trim shows it’s degraded somehow or just a trick of the light hitting the maple grain, which can have a somewhat shimmery effect that looks enchanting in person but isn’t really captured well in photos.
These Jags were always good looking cars and they came out at the same time as the Chrysler Sebring convertibles which to me look like a fraternal twin! A Sebring can be had for much less….. and of course… it is much less car, too!!!!!
I’ve always thought the same thing, is the Sebring a poor man’s jaguar?
I had an S-Type R with this engine and it was a blast to drive. Mine only had 125K miles or so and it used oil at an alarming rate. No tensioner troubles, just oil consumption. Jags of this time period are very well put together though and handle amazingly. If you’re going to get an XKR though this is the one to get.
My friend has one that’s maybe 6 years newer with the same engine, it screams. I think his has an aluminum body.
The tires are 9 years old. Industry standard is 7 years. Anything older than 7 years a tire shop will not touch. And with the tires being Michelin, I would really be concerned about the sidewalls. (.Michelin trait of sidewalls. Not lasting as long as tread. Ask any tire guy thats been around for a few years.) before picking up this beauty, and driving it home, make sure that you have an extra grand in your pocket for a new set of tires. Beautiful car but with timing chain and oil burning issues and needing tires right off the bat. It just doesn’t scream take me home. (To me at least)
Had an XJR with this same motor. What a beast! What a blast!!!
Maybe I’m just a little jaded but this looks like a good deal.
Mmm. That is one fine looking automobile.
The Jag designer did his best to pull all the same heart strings of the XKE!
I had a 2001 XJR sedan; same engine and (bullet proof Mercedes) transmission as this one. the problem was not with the timing chain, it was with the guides. By 2001 these issues were mostly delt with, and the dealers mostly upgraded the guides to metal. If the engine was taken care of just like any car, then there will be no oil burning. You do not want to buy a Jag that has had its maintenance deferred; again, just like any car. The difference is that parts and labor come at decidedly greater cost with a Jag. This is a nice one, and the supercharged ones (designated R) are more rare, are much more fun that the non-blown ones, and to me generally better cars.
Hey Guys and gals,
I’m representing this car for the owner.
I’m not sure where people are getting that THIS car has chain issues or oil issues. It doesn’t. The pre-2002 Jaguar 4.0L engines had plastic chain tensioners and a plastic water neck, these posed problems early on in the model. They were corrected by 2002. This one has had the upgrades done. New chain and tensioners, metal water neck, all the hoses than can give problems have been replaced.
She isn’t going to win any concourse events, but she’s an awesome driver.
While the tires are 10 years old, and the supposed industry standard is now 7 years, reality, from real tire experts, not the salesman at the local Town Fair, is that what degrades rubber is UV light .. the sun. Tires that are protected and spend most of the tie stored in a garage, will last much longer.
Thank you for all the positive comments, she is a very solid car, ready to enjoy .. it doesn’t need anything.
Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
I have roughly another 400 photos and several videos for anyone interested, on my website.
Thanks for posting Elizabeth!
Elizabeth, I agree with the ,stored inside out of the sun as far as an average tire is concerned. However, that is not the complete story as far as deterioration is concerned. I can virtually guarantee you if you were to inspect the backsides of the tires on this car. You will see cracking sidewalls. Being in the tire business off and on since 1976 I have seen this way too often on Michelin tires. Even the people with very expensive motorhomes that either park them indoors or cover their tires while in storage or even parked in a campground are surprised by the cracking on the backside of the tire. OR when the tire blows out. My ex-wifes Audi A6 twin turbo had Michelin tires when we got it. I kept an eye on the sidewalls. Then one day I drove it to work and when I got out I was looking at a large Crack in the sidewall. I put new tires on that day and was amazed at the cracks on the inside sidewalks. This car was on a lift every 6 months with the tires inspected by me. The tires were very dangerous and only 5 years old and always properly inflated. And the tread was only at 50% wear. (I’m anal about my tires because I never know when I will go blasting around a turn at 10/10ths or pass a car and then let the speed increase to where if caught I would go to jail. (Had the car up to 160 mph twice after the Michelins came off. )
Change the tires on this car immediately!
I recall hearing 20 years ago from an O-ring manufacturer that rubber batch formulas changed and the performance specifications were less. I know the ozone layer over the USA has improved since then, but I see more tires with dry rot than I’ve ever seen!
It’s amazing how much car you can get for just north of 10K.
These have always been attractive to me, and like most people would do when looking at something like this, I would spend a good amount of time on a couple of the enthusiast forums to learn about the ups and downs of ownership.
It’s not just dry rot. (Like sitting and not being used.) For example, trailer tires sit and sit and sit, then they get loaded up and dragged down the highway at 70 mph. Very hard on a tire. ( all cords take a set of some kind) plus all tires, being used or not start to deteriorate just after production. (Inner inner which holds the air in, outer skin like the tread area and sidewalls) I saw a brand new tire blowout on the tire machine when it was being inflated for the first time. It had been in storage at a tire dealer for 9 years. Never exposed to sunlight or a severe temperature hot or cold. Tires are great at what they do, but because of the cost and generally their short life. Agricultural tires live a long life, but are not subjected to any centrifical force. All situations can not be planned for/built in in production. Some tires “live longer” as in age than others and some have longer tread life than others. (Michelin tires tend to have long tread life but short sidewall life) Experienced tire guys will know about tread life, but longevity is a whole new/different ball game. And remember 3 years is about average for a particular tire model. So what lived a long time last time doesn’t mean the same brand/model even exists the next time. I had a set of Goodyears on my 2500 series GMC that lasted 63,000 miles before the tread blew off. (Literally) because the tire was still holding air and it caused damage to my truck. Goodyear stood behind it and covered the tire and damage. The tires were produced in China. The replacement tires were produced in America. The tire is now obsolete and the replacement tires still have 70% tread left and now have 68,000 miles on them. And are 5 years old. As you can see, I take care of my tires. And the ones currently on my truck will get tossed at the 7 year mark and still have at least 50% tread on them. The point here is you can not trust a tire past 7 years of age. It doesn’t mean that you have gotten away with an old tire. It just means you can not trust it to be there when you need it the most once it gets old.