Jag XK8?

On paper this is everything I would never buy. Heavy, automatic, crap gas mileage, less than stellar English quality reputation. But one of the Jag/Ford posts got me checking craigslist. 1998 XK8 convertibles for $7-9K? There is a little bit of a retiree demographic to the car, but damn they are pretty. So how much of Ford's DNA made it into these cars? Will they be complete orphans as far as finding parts? Manual transmission swaps?

I actually like the coupes better. That's all I got....

I agree that I like the coupes better

Drive one and be a convert.

On a side note, the XKR is also very fun to drive. I've driven one, can't afford one but it sure was fun to drive.

There's actually a mini guide to those things in the latest issue of Classic Motorsports. Yes, they're today's deal. They also seem to be easy to find as Jaguar built a ton of them. Good cruiser.

My mother in law drives one now that she's an empty-nester. The torque is good, the ride is plush and the interior is nice, but that's about all I've got for you. Her husband drives an S2000 with Koni's. I'd much rather have his car.

Beware pre-2001 cars with hard-to-start engines (particularly hot restart) that blow a puff of blue smoke on startup. You may have a paperweight due to worn out Nikasil liners.

And bum automatic transmissions before 2003. As well as plenty of electronic glitches. I researched these a while back and there's a reason why they're only 7-9 g's...