These are my opinions on Jaguars....

Jaguars are pretty cars...they are not known for their reliability and
durability, on the whole.

Usually used Jaguars sell for a pretty low price, compared with the new
sticker price.

I have always enjoyed convertibles, but you must remember that they will be
a bit noisier
(sometimes a LOT noisier) than a standard sedan, the tops deteriorate over
time and can be pretty expensive to replace on some models, and they may
leak a bit.

If you have to stretch, financially,  to buy a car like this, you might want
to reconsider.
If you get a good one and it holds up well, you will always think I lied to
you.  If you get
a bad one, you will always wonder why I was not more assertive.

Ford has improved the Jaguar reputation considerable.  They were once
known for producing truly shoddy cars.  Their products are pretty
close to the competition now.

Unless you happen to be moving to southern california or florida and
enjoy baking in the sun while driving I would not buy a convertible.
I've been to the San Francisco bay area numerous times on business
trips and it does not strike me as the appropriate climate for
convertible cars.

Convertible cars bring their own set of maintenance and ownership
problems including periodic replacement of the top, doors get loose,
windows get rattly, AC and heating are not as effective as in a
sedan.

If you want a Jaguar, then the first thing is to insist in reviewing
maintenance records to assure that all work has been done as
scheduled.  Next thing to do is have an experienced Jaguar mechanic
give the car a thorough pre-purchase inspection.  Finally check the
CarFax report.

Well you aren't buying Honda reliability.  All in all not a bad car
but they do have more issues than the "appliance vehicles".  If you
can get something with a factory extended warranty I would do so.

I own a Saab convertible so some of these things translate over to you
with a Jaguar as well.

It cost a damn fortune to fix when it breaks and it breaks more than
you are going to think it should.

No one wants to work on it except the dealer and maybe one or two
specialist  shops.

Parts cost are astronomical.

It's enough fun to make up for three items above.

If you are going to get one by all means get the convertible.  There
is more wind noise in a convertible with the top up and it might leak
a little here and there but the fun of the convertible makes it
totally worth it.  I don't really notice any difference in the heat
and a/c over a standard roofed vehicle and I am in a pretty hot part
of the country.

The top may need to be replaced sometime but it isn't like yearly
maintenance (I just sold a '68 Chrysler convertible with the original
top).  My Saab  top is 8 years old and shows 0 signs of needing a
replacement.

Wear and tear on the top mechanicals is a non issue as well for me.  I
can't see any sign of wear on anything to do with the top and mine is
up and down a lot.  The mechanism is pretty dang strong.

Sounds like your friends are kind of being fuddyduddys.  As long as
you go in to the deal knowing that the car is an expensive toy and not
a basic transportation device you will love it.

            Steve B.

Kim wrote:

We live in the SF Bay Area, CA.    We want to buy a pre-owned
(1998 to 2003) Jag XK8 Convertible.    Prices seem to range from
$18k - $30k.  We would really like to get a convertible but some
of our friends say convertibles have extra problems...

1. The rag top may sometimes need expensive replacement.
2. The inside temp (Heat/AC) may be hard to control.
3. There may be a lot of noise.
4. The raising/lowering mechanisim may need expensive repairs.

Can anyone who has had such a car please comment on:
 Convertibles vs hardtops?
 Best model years or years to be avoided?
 General reliability of the car?
______________________________________________________

Get the convertible.     It's a good looking car, you will have plenty
of Bay Area sunny days to tool around with the top down, the top
and the retraction mechanism will last years if not abused, the car's
Heat/AC are designed to do the job with a ragtop, and the extra
noise can be overlooked for around-town driving or short trips.

Regarding the possible repair costs, you already know that the Jag
costs more than an American car, there are fewer repair stations,
and parts are harder and dearer to acquire, so you can decide if
the pleasure of owning the car is worth higher maintenance cost.

Regarding the reliability of the Jag, I don't know how much they
have improved in modern times.   Thirty years ago I was told that
if I wanted to own a Jaguar, I should buy three of them; one to be
driving, one to have in the shop being repaired, and one for parts.

Good luck.

Rodan.

You have to join the appropriate Forum at www.jag-lovers.org.

ed
http://www.efsowell.us/ed/myJag.html