Jag XKR Conv vs 04 911 conv
 

My brother-in-law wants a 04 or 05 911 convertible. He's not really a car guy and he's in his early 60's. I'm wondering if he should look at an 07 Jag XKR convertible as well.

I have a 97 XK8 Convertible in my garage right now, diagnosing a coil pack problem (165k miles on this one)

Great car, 290bhp for the non"R" version is still a fun ride.

Should probably post this in OT - get a more rounded out answer.

The 911 is going to be easier to get in & out of since the Jag sits a lot lower.

Chalk and cheese! The Jaguar for more of a grand tourer-style vehicle - softer ride, more comfort, but still with plenty of performance. The Porsche for more sportiness. Couldn't tell you which I'd go for, maybe both?

Given a choice, the 911 will be more reliable than the Jag.

Does the '04 jag suffer the timing chain problem that earlier years did?

The new Range Rovers and Range Rover Sport have the new Jag engine and surprisingly are supposed to be more reliable than the earlier BMW engined Rovers. That got me thinking that perhaps the new 07 and up Jags are now on a more even playing field with the 911's.

I'll remind my friend with the 45,000 mile 996 that needed new cams while it was on the lift next to the 165k mile Jag I'm working on :p

This Jaguar has needed nothing but routine maintenance over the past 10 years. Only left the owner (my mother) stranded once due to a faulty transmission selector switch.

Did I mention the timing chains are original on this 97?

No, it shouldn't. The problem was plastic secondary timing chain tensioners on pre-02 versions of the AJ8 engine. From 03 onwards it should have the all-metal versions.

Newer Jags are pretty reliable. My 01 XJ8 has been great.

I stand corrected. Jag's used to have major reliability issues, mostly electrical, and timing chains IIRC.

I had a 1986 Series 3 XJ6, nothing electrical in that car worked when I bought it! Windows, sunroof, cruise, A/C, hazard lights, indicators, ALL the instruments, interior lights, wipers, washers, stereo, fuel tank changeover, alternator, starter, you name it it didn't work! The only thing working were the headlights & taillights.

Lucas could even make fuses that don't conduct electricity! (but test OK with a meter...)

The first thing Ford did was kick out Lucas. From the X300 (1994) onwards Jaguars have been pretty reliable.

Of course, the one car that's somewhere in between the two is.... the 928

The Jag should be quite reliable, I have been driving my 2005 XJ8L for three years now and have had only a few issues and the problems are generally less expensive to fix on the Jag as well if you have a good independent shop.