2000 Jaguar XK8

This 2000 Jaguar XK8 Coupe is one of the 19k or so XK8 Coupes the carmaker produced. It's a pre-facelift model, which means its power comes from a 4-litre AJ-V8. Registered first in 2000, it had three former keepers, and the mileage is just over 50,000 miles.

It looks to have an XKR bonnet, we don't know when that was fitted or why, but it could have been when the colour was changed. Again, we don't know when or why. There's a full HPI report in the photo gallery.

It has a service record with the majority of maintenance carried over at either a Jaguar dealer or a specialist. Also included with the car are its service booklet (a replacement by the look of it) and owner's manuals, etc.

When the XK8 was announced in 1996, it got the motoring press all excited. It was after all a new Jaguar coupe after what must've seemed like an eternity. Gone were the XJS's buttresses and almost slab-sided design, and in came the new curvy appearance. The body has quite a lot of character in the way it's been sculpted; the bonnet has a prominent bulge, the grille is very distinctly Jaguar, the window line is high, etc. As a result of this, it leaves a lasting impression, now as much as it did back in the nineties and noughties.

This 2000 example of the XK8 has just done 52,000+ miles, which can be seen in its overall exterior condition. The paint may not be spotless, but it's nearly perfect for its age. There are some stone chips up front, a small dent on the offside door, and marks on both the front and rear bumpers. There's a tiny scratch on the offside rear arch and some on the door. The paint though hasn't lost its shine over the years, as you might be able to see in the photos. The rather nice looking wheels have clearly been near kerbs on multiple occasions.

The interior has to be as much of a reason to buy a Jaguar if not more than the exterior, and the XK8 didn't disappoint. The lack of space at the back might have been a downside, but at the front, it's luxury and comfort in equal measure. There was a choice of a darker dashboard with the Sport pack and the more common wood + leather option available with the Classic pack. Like on the outside, the cabin isn't short of curves. One tends to sit closer to the ground and the high window line lends a feeling that the car is built around its occupants, rather than just having a tall glasshouse.

This car here has the Classic pack interior, and by the looks of it, the cabin has stood the test of time and use. The dashboard is as clean as you can expect on a well-kept, 50k-mile example. The seats do show wear, on both front ones, but it's not drastic. The rear seats look relatively unused. The headlining, which can be an issue on Jaguar XK8s, seems to be in good shape. And the same can be said about the mats and door cards. The boot is in equally good nick and stores the space-saver spare wheel. On the whole, this XK8 is representative of low use and what would've been careful ownership.

The Jaguar XJS and the XK8 shared the floor pan but the new coupe benefitted from a new front suspension and the rear one borrowed from the XJ saloon. While the V12 was gone, the AJV8 (first in a 4-litre spec followed by the 4.2) was no short on power. The XKR, of course, had more emphasis on performance, and the supercharged V8 didn't fail to oblige. But even for the 'standard' XK8, the combination of a nearly 300-bhp engine and a 5-speed automatic gearbox was sufficient for a sub-7-second 0-62 mph time. The grand tourer's top speed was limited to 155 mph.

This one has just done 52k+ miles in the last 20+ years. Visually, like the rest of the car, the engine bay looks clean, proudly showing off its naturally aspirated V8 engine. Apart from some surface rust, it shows no signs of damage underneath. The latest MoT results do have some advisories, including brake pad wear, slight damage on all four tyres, some (not excessive) oil leak, play in the steering rack, and defective exhaust mounting.

This 2000 Jaguar XK8 Coupe was registered in October 2000. According to the V5 (included), it had three former keepers and the last one acquired it in 2005. Further details for the car include full-service history, with maintenance carried out at either a Jaguar dealer or an independent garage. The latest service, according to the records, was done at 51,849 miles in April 2021.

With Jaguar moving towards complete electrification, it's unlikely to, according to the current plans at least, produce a V8-engined four-seat grand tourer again. The F-Type is the only sports car in the company's line up currently, but it's not exactly a GT. All this further makes the XK8 even more appealing. It might have some switchgear that's shared with lesser Fords but on the whole, it's a bonafide Jaguar like no other.

At an estimated £7,000 - £10,000, this 2000 Jaguar XK8 is a great deal of car for entry-level hatchback money. Of course, it mightn't be an alternative to a commuter hatchback because this car deserves to be enjoyed. When new, motoring journalists praised its ability to cover ground fast but without hampering the ride quality. Its inescapable charm came courtesy of a well-balanced steering, overall smooth operation, confident handling (if not the sharpest), and thoroughly pleasing engine note. What else would one need in a fairly modern GT at that price, especially if it looked this good!

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.