NeilMH

Just read this thread and tickled me when I saw these But then I do qualify for both Back to the serious discussion........ Freudian slip or clever pun (Pensioners)?

That's interesting. I would definitely want to go for the 18s then. I have bit of a thing about ride quality. Suspension tuning is a real art. Too many manufacturers seem to think you have to make the components out of concrete to make the car handle properly. Lotus get it.

Whilst some people are sceptical about CBT - it's like many things - the more you put into it the more you get out of it. So it's really worth embracing, particularly if you get a good psychologist/coach working with you. By acknowledging you have a problem this is like "throwing a six" and is a good start. A lot of people find it hard to accept this problem which makes it harder to solve. Once you know you have anxiety, you can start to understand the link between "it" and the physical symptoms it can give you. For example, if you start getting the feeling of shallow breathing, you can say to yourself - that's just the anxiety, nothing else. Naturally, there are many techniques to manage the symptoms and there is some good stuff on the web if you search for "tips for dealing with anxiety". Some of it, at first sight, sounds odd, like self-talk but is better than you think.

Yes, it's knee with me as well.... injured it quite badly a few years ago, then had 2 ops (inc ACL replacement). Just in recent months it's playing silly beggars again. The 350Z clutch isn't the lightest . Presume the XK8 ride quality should be pretty good (i.e.. more old school jag than new school jag)? Haven't had a V8 before. Happy to cruise around I am an old man....so any old man comments would simply be truthful

Many thanks for this. I think I will test drive a local one first to see if it's my cup of tea. I was hoping to part-ex my 05 Roadster (for convenience) but I could review that. The XK8 coupe I saw today was just over £7k. I couldn't give it a proper look over because my wife is ill so had to get back home. Also looking at Merc CLS (I just have a thing about them - I know it's not a sports car ). The older petrol ones are getting towards my budget. Am weighing up a few other options as well - I am going to need an auto next time.

My wife has done. I know books aren't everyone's cup of tea but there is a book called "feel the fear but do it anyway" or something like that, which a lot of people have found helpful.

Thanks. Will do

2002 XK8 auto questions please: 1. What should I expect the auto box to drive like - should it be perfect - i.e. no shunt when changing gears, no jogging when putting in drive or reverse - or is a certain amount of both normal? My Toyotas are perfect and seamless (22 and 21 years later) but when a friend took my out in an S Type the other day there was a sizeable jolt when put into drive. Equally I have experienced this in other autos as well. The XK8 has a ZF box so my presumption is it ought to be spot on? 2. Whilst I have a modest degree of competence in picking up obvious issues in driving, running etc - are there any particular XK8 oddities to look out for? 3. Overall, I guess what I am asking is if it is a well maintained XK8 which is 12 years old, what should my expectations be. I am realistic enough to understand it won't be perfection and am assuming that there are plenty of specialists around. Thanks.

The next likely candidate would be what Alex said - compression rods. I have had all of these noises - and had both issues.

Yes, this is common. Easy fix. If you are fitting OEM ones Nissan brought out some uprated ones. There are also after-market options.

Yes £400 for Rays is ok and doable. I got very lucky and got an excellent set for quite a bit less than that but that was just timing and circumstance (a seller who had to get them out his garage in very short order).

I wouldn't boo or hiss at any Toyota. I have had one for 22 years (but it's a Corolla 1.3 auto sad or what )

Very nice You may also find that the Uprev will help to smooth the initial pull-away in first but plugs and MAF always worth doing as well as said previously.

Good idea. If your budget can run to Michelin Pilot Supersports, do that if you can (even though I have Bridgestone 050A which are very competent).

Leather heated seats, Bose and Cruise Control were part of the "GT" pack.

Gosh

I was with you all the way to "and do a bit of exercise" - - unless walking to the car counts???? Haha what about wearing no socks at all?! Or would that make things too light? "Light weight" from removing socks and "Light headed" from the resulting pong, are very different things! A possible compromise .....carbon fibre socks?

A Standard 10, as aforementioned, in the right colour - but mine didn't have the natty modification of the sun shade

Well done Personally I would go for a repair.

Hello from a fellow previous Westie owner. I think what you're trying to achieve is not impossible - you may just have to react quickly and be prepared to travel for the right one. Good luck

1958 Standard 10. At the time my Dad was Head of East Surrey's police traffic department. Their mechanic sourced it for me, in exchange for 25 of her majesty's finest pounds and on the basis that he would should me how to fix it and get it on the road. 18 months of unsympathetic treatment later and insufficient funds to maintain it properly led to it's timely demise.