10 most common Jaguar XK8 questions Answered. Part 1

[@andrewgraham4838]

Great video as always John. I am 6'1 (185cm) and have a coupe. My son is 6'4 and he is too long in the body for it to be honest. For me it is just OK but I am glad I am shrinking not still growing! What does make a difference though is the tilt away steering column if you have it. Mine doesn't travel as far as it should so I find myself sliding sideways in and out to get under the wheel , but legroom is plenty. I concur about the key. Don't have any long keys on the fob or they will annoy your right thigh!

[@gerardbooth40]

Sorry, won't be able to join in live due to work commitments. Christmas greetings and best wishes to all the regulars on the chat.

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Gerard

[@glengray4207]

Hi John. Comments from Canadian. Emma is my daily driver all year long. Winnipeg has long cold winters. I have fitted snow tires all around for winter, and will add 4 large patio stones in the trunk for extra traction :) She still has ample room for groceries. I have added small glue on heaters one to the gearbox and one to the oil pan. As she is Japanese spec and does not have a block heater. But I love driving her and cannot put her away for 6months. She does not like -30 C but i give her a good warm up time before driving. I am also 6ft and quite comfortable once I get in (coupe) but I use lots of rake. Love your comment about reliability. There is not one other 25 yr old car in the parking lot at work! I I suspect there are few "new" cars that I could do my own maintenance on. Cheers 😎

[@ChristianACW]

Interesting video again, John! I completely agree with your points. I'm 6.1 ft tall, so headroom is a bit of an issue - my coupé is a snug fit, in a convertible I don't feel comfortable. Legroom is excellent, the only "problem" is the key - I have to seperate key and fob, because otherwise the dangling fob would touch my knee annoyingly while driving. @rear visability: I know, my parking sensors do not make the car look better, but I'm glad I have them! 😉 Looking forward to the next 5 questions! 🙂

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks for sharing Christian.Ive not noticed the Fob dangling issue before. But now i will be hyper aware and maybe it will start irritating me also.🤔

[@hsslegg]

I’ve been using my XK8 as a daily for 3-4 months now, driving it 2 hours a day. Hasn’t failed me yet.

[@garyvanremortel5218]

My 2005 XK8 is my daily driver. As I indicate in my XK8 Bible, I have over 150Kmi on mine and it runs like a top. Rear seat is for Molly. I'm 6'2" and I have the seat all the way down and well reclined. Lots of leg room.

[@SuperchargedShift]

Daily driving my 03 Xkr! The car takes on the task like a champ

[@ToTheGarage]

Top man Gary👍 I think when i retire mine may become my daily.

[@throwback19841]

Yeah I daily my xkr too. Hard not to, dry all the time in California and gas isn't too painful compared to driving in the UK. Way I see it, gasoline is going to be hard to find in 10 or 15 years time so the time to enjoy these cars everyday is NOW.

[@SuperchargedShift]

@@throwback19841 I don't have either of those luxuries as I am in the UK but you're totally right. I won't be this young daily driving an xkr ever again so why not. 😃😎

[@andrewpryce5703]

Thanks John, interesting as always. Regarding rear view, yes it is poor, especially reversing, but the good news is that a rear reversing camera is an easy DIY fit. Andy

[@bobhodgson]

Hi John ,Great video as always very interesting.Thanks again.

[@michaelmeadows2817]

Another great video, thanks John.

[@benpenagonzales6014]

My old blue 4.0 coupe was my daily. Only went wrong when I left it out unused. Should've kept that one as was pretty solid but tatty and needed love. It's the rust killing these now

[@benpenagonzales6014]

I prefer the sport trim. The black dash and carpets just make the interior a bit more focused and modern imho

[@throwback19841]

Re height... I have been tempted to employ an old Miata trick and cut an inch or two of foam out of the seat. It's got plenty to give and there's lots of space in the car, the seats just sit a bit high. I may try this out with a junk seat from a pick n pull first. My car needs new leather on the driver's seat anyway.

[@simontetley8696]

Hi John thanks for another excellent video just to say I am 6 foot 5 inches tall and have never had any issues with headroom in ether convertible or coupe although getting in or out can be tricky if parked close to another car

[@ToTheGarage]

Good to hear Simon. I think its one of the better sporting carriages for the taller driver, but the constant questions i recieve tell me that many doubt it or disagree.

[@ronaldrusin7227]

I have a 2001 XK8 convertible my only major maintenance was an overhaul on transmission after 120000 miles!

[@ToTheGarage]

Well done Ronald

[@jantheron7460]

Interesting discussions. Fit for tall people? Suprisingly small for such a big car, but I have decided just to get used to it. At 6'2" the legroom is OK for me with seat fully back but I need to ensure I have regular haircut for the headroom is limited with the convertable. Roof down, I do get more wind through the hair which is fine in summer and in winter the bubble on the cap goes crazy!

[@anderslofstrom633]

6,5 here in your peculiar system, 200cm for the rest of us. Works perfekt!

[@bosconeptune]

I'm waiting for the, "Is it the intake or the computer causing limp mode" video😁

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Mine had reverse beepers. Issue was more poking the nose out the front at junctions

[@andrewharrison9870]

Hi John this is a bit off topic but I think I saw, you and your XK8 in Kirby today, the 8th December. I was in a SAAB Aero convertible going the opposite direction. Nice to see you use the Jag year round, no show pony! By the way I'm 6'5" and I've been in both convertible and coupe XK8 and quite comfortable although I did find the view out a bit of an issue with the mirror obscuring the view somewhat, I owned an 4 litre XJ 308 short wheel base and that was a bit similar, I could get comfortable but not much room for those riding behind. SAAB presents no issues 😊but admittedly it's nothing like a V8 Jaaaaag!

[@ToTheGarage]

It would have been me Andrew.👍 I know its a different animal altogether but like Jags the SAAB's are a great example of a manuafacturer refusing to follow convention.

[@andrewharrison9870]

@@ToTheGarage vive la difference!

[@markrutledge66]

I'm new at this kind of communication but have you done a video about changing the fuel pump on a 98 XJR please help

[@trilletrallproduktioner8616]

Hi John! Thanks for all the great videos. What brand are you car lift? Thinking of getting one myself. Any advice?

[@ToTheGarage]

Strongman Clifton. If like me your floor is not super thick, (to take a 2 post lift)I think this is by far the easiest solution

[@trilletrallproduktioner8616]

@@ToTheGarage Thanks, I now found your videos about strongman. Very nice

[@flyurway]

I love how you guys refer to these cars as some kind of gas hog or something. At 30+ mpg my XKR gets about 40% better mileage than any car I've ever owned the past 50 years!

[@ToTheGarage]

Relative to the average british registered car they considered very uneconomical. But your record speaks more about having had a GREAT selection of FUN cars in the past Andork. Well done 🍺

[@clivestanton9190]

Hi john im new to your vids so not very good at this yet got my self xk8 2002 love it but one thing feels very rought ride could it be the shocks and is there any way of testing them also going to put new tyers on what would you recomend cheers clive

[@markrutledge66]

Is there a way to fix the rear view mirror it looks like I have a stripe in the middle of it and the bottom is darker or do I just have to get a new mirror I have a 98 XJR

[@petergolding8523]

Hi John, thanks for another great video, Couple of questions. which is the fluid to use for the roof????. And see that your also missing the part where you can pull the roof down manually, any ideas? Thanks again for what you do. Peter with GRANDAD´S JAG

[@stephenoakley1583]

Hi John. Very enjoyable video. Just goes to show that there is no rule with regard to how tall you my be but rather the individuals own shape.. As someone of 6foot 4 inches I can say my convertible xk8 fits me like a glove (although I expect getting in and out to become slightly more challenging as I get older) Looking forward to seeing part 2👍

[@jagclub2005]

'sod that' lol

[@jagvette1]

They are meant to be driven, people also ask me what I will do with my MKII when finished I WILL USE IT. In your video you just hit one of my pet peeeeeeeves, they are DOOR PANELS NOT door cards

[@ToTheGarage]

Good for you mate. Why should you look after it for someone else to inherit in mint nick. You put in all the skinned knuckles time and cash. You should get to use, enjoy and if necessary accumulate some war wounds/charater on your creation. PS Sorry about the Door 'thingamies' i will try harder not to trigger you😔 🍺🍺 John😁

[@garyvanremortel5218]

I try to trigger Mees at least once a day, and he seems to like it.🤣🤣😂😂

[@Trident750UK]

Hi John, my XK8 has been off the road for 3 years due to illness and a few other reasons, however I am wanting to get it sorted now so I bought a new battery changed the oil and she started first time but I noticed smoke coming from the LHS side of the engine as you look at it head on …any idea what the problem could be…I don’t want to drive it until the problem is sorted obviously……many thanks and great videos as always……..Mark

[@foxtrotwhiskey874]

Hi John, I have been following your channel for some time now, and have few questions: i am interested in an 2004 XK8 w/ 127K miles (located in the USA) 2 owners , current owner has it for 13 years with all service records etc. My questions is , are these (127K) miles too much for an 04 XK8? or you think as long as it was services (as claimed by the current owner) it not an issue? my usage (if i decide to pull the trigger) will be strictly a summer/ weekend car. also, do these cars do well if stored for winter months with the battery tender?