XJR or XKR please help

[Scoticus]

Since I was young I have always wanted a Jaguar.
I have been brought up with them, mainly XJ40s (2.9, 3.2) My Dad then decided to buy an XJR 4 ltr Sport (xj40 shape), one of only a handful of black ones made. I think it was this car the sealed the deal, the stunning good looks, the comfort, and the power!

Now at the age of 22 I can finally afford one, but I dont know which one!

I have got it down to two cars:
X308 XJR or the 4 ltr XKR

The XJR has always been the car I thought I would own until I did an insurance quote for an XKR, the quote came back and I decided I would buy one of them instead.

The XKR in question is my Dads, he mentioned a few weeks ago he is going to sell it to buy a 4.2

So, we came to an agreement on the price etc and I started saving, he then says a few nights ago that i will have to wait a while longer (mid summer to early Autumn) due to my parents deciding to use the money they have to remodel the house instead of buying a new Jag.

Now the I money I will have wont be enough to buy any other XKR (family discount on the arranged price) but it will be enough to buy an excellent example of an XJR

So, asides from the looks and the amount of doors, what are the main differences between the two cars?

the info on Autotrader says they are exactly the same performance wise and the XJR is a little worse on fuel..
Is there a massive difference between them performance wise (as i dont believe Autotrader)

Now I know you are going to say, "save more money" and normally I would, but as you can imagine, I am itching to get into a Jaguar and would love one for the very start of summer (april/may) and if it means buying an XJR then so be it, but im not prepared to buy one if they are massively different (mainly performance wise) to an XKR.

If I purchase and XJR it will be having the upper supercharger pulley replaced for a high performance one.


Thanks for reading and I hope that makes sense.

Any other info for the two models would be appreciated


My Dads car (i know you all love pictures)

[Piersman2]

My first XJR was a 1998 4.0. I had it for a couple of years and looked at moving to an XKR. I test drove an XKR and to be honest there was so little difference in the driving 'expeience' that I decided to keep the XJR until I found and drove an X350 XJR which I bought straight away.

So oI don't think you'll find a big difference in the drive, but of course there is a big difference in the looks and perception.

If you don't need the rear seats, go for the XKR.

[Scoticus]

Thanks for your quick reply!

The performance question has been one I have wanted answering for a while now, but being 22 (and looking 17) I have never had the chance to test drive either car from a dealer (understandable really)

The looks and perception of either car are something Iv never worried about, If anything I think the XJR would be more 'shocking' then the XKR.. as it looks (my friends words not mine) like an 'old mans car'



I feel my self swaying towards the XJR again, plus like you said, it has back seats which would be useful!


again, thanks!

[Ian350]

Having had both (well XK8, not XKR) I think that they are totally different cars. The important thing is to follow your heart, not your head, or you will regret it.
I know now that I am an XJ man, I can't explain why, and the XJR in particular would be held in much greater esteem if it wasn't such an absolute bargain.

[Scoticus]

I know what you mean, I would be happy with either car.

Realistically then, I wouldnt be missing out on anything other then looks if I bought an XJR over the XKR.

If so, ill soon be an XJR owner

[NormanD]

Machanicly they are the same so performance will more or less also be

As the XJ has a larger body, weight about the same, then that's where the extra fuil goes
but I would expect you to drive the XK harder so could end up the other way

I have both, although my XK has many upgrades so can't compare them side by side

The XJ will come out cheeper value wise, the XK's hold they prices quite well

Personally at your age I would go for the XK with just the two seats for you and a girl friend
Plenty of time later when you will need more seats as the offsrings come allong

[Scoticus]

Thanks everyone.
Due to my Dad deciding to keep the xkr (pic above) Im buying an XJR

looking on the plus side, its a more practical car, and cheaper to buy and insure!

So, there will be another XJR driver in a few months


any further info would be great.. every little helps and all that

[HaylingJag]

Hello Scot,

Good choice in my opinion, the XJR does everything as well as the XKR with more practicallity, seats. 4 in comfort!
I have had the pulley upgrade on my V8 and to be honest I would say "save your money". There really isn't a great deal of difference in every day use. Put you cash into some lowered updated springs instead, look the part and improve the handling somewhat.
Your dad had a black TWR XJr back in the day eh? Wasn't G450 by any chance? Currently residing in my stable as a long term pension fund! Lovely tool, and don't dismiss one if you can find one!
Good luck in your search and forget the old mans image, those in the know will know!!

D

[stuartmmcfc]

My initial thoughts were that at 22 they were a bit fast and expensive to run tbh.
But then I rememberd that at 22 I'd already had several "fast,expensive" cars, so who was I to judge you

Obviously your old man has shown you the pros and cons of running a "big cat", so there should be no surprises there but
the only negative thing I can say about your choice is that, as a member of the xkr owners club, whenever i go to one of the meets, I'm probably 10 years younger than a lot of the other owners there (and I'm in my mid 40s!)
Are you happy with that image!?

(Before anyone has a go at me though) the cars are great and I'm sure you'll love every minute of ownership.

[HaylingJag]

stuartmmcfc said:

My initial thoughts were that at 22 they were a bit fast and expensive to run tbh.
But then I rememberd that at 22 I'd already had several "fast,expensive" cars, so who was I to judge you

Obviously your old man has shown you the pros and cons of running a "big cat", so there should be no surprises there but
the only negative thing I can say about your choice is that, as a member of the xkr owners club, whenever i go to one of the meets, I'm probably 10 years younger than a lot of the other owners there (and I'm in my mid 40s!)
Are you happy with that image!?

(Before anyone has a go at me though) the cars are great and I'm sure you'll love every minute of ownership.

With you on those thoughts, they don't like tyre smoke nor sideways either;)

[Scoticus]

HaylingJag said:

Hello Scot,

Good choice in my opinion, the XJR does everything as well as the XKR with more practicallity, seats. 4 in comfort!
I have had the pulley upgrade on my V8 and to be honest I would say "save your money". There really isn't a great deal of difference in every day use. Put you cash into some lowered updated springs instead, look the part and improve the handling somewhat.
Your dad had a black TWR XJr back in the day eh? Wasn't G450 by any chance? Currently residing in my stable as a long term pension fund! Lovely tool, and don't dismiss one if you can find one!
Good luck in your search and forget the old mans image, those in the know will know!!

D

Hi
thanks for that on the pully upgrade! ill take note of it.

Yep, the first car I properly fell in love with. Im not sure of the reg plate, ill dig out some pictures and stick them on here for you all. The only rumour i have heard is that the car lives in a barn/garage in a place called Everton.
there is a lovely one on autotrader: diamond blue, blue interior, all the right paper work.. but its 6 grand!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

lovely, but a tad expensive for me

---My initial thoughts were that at 22 they were a bit fast and expensive to run tbh.
But then I rememberd that at 22 I'd already had several "fast,expensive" cars, so who was I to judge you

Obviously your old man has shown you the pros and cons of running a "big cat", so there should be no surprises there but
the only negative thing I can say about your choice is that, as a member of the xkr owners club, whenever i go to one of the meets, I'm probably 10 years younger than a lot of the other owners there (and I'm in my mid 40s!)
Are you happy with that image!?

(Before anyone has a go at me though) the cars are great and I'm sure you'll love every minute of ownership.---

At 22 my feelings are, its about time i bought something fast and expensive! haha
But on the serious side of things, I know that these cars are big and fast, and i can get it very wrong very fast. But unlike most 22 year olds, I dont drive around like my hair is on fire. To be honest with you, its far too much like hard work!
plus the expense of one of these, I cant afford to scream around in it!

The old man image im perfectly happy with, if anything its a pro to buying one of these (ill explain)
As soon as lads my age starting buying cars and make them popular, the insurance goes through the roof.. because of this its cheaper to insure a 2000 XJR then almost any diesel VW/Audi/Skoda.. and as long as the 'old man' image remains, so will the cheap insurance!
Plus, its adds to the love for the car, people not in the know will see a 13 year old Jag sat at the lights and think it will pull away at a glacial pace, the certainly wont be expecting a 400bhp supercharged monster! (can anyone hear the child in me haha)
Not only that, I dont buy my cars to make others happy, they can think what ever they want, I know what the car is capable of and so do those in the know

All I can say is, I cant wait to have my big cat sat on the drive way! I have waited 22 years but i know the last few months will be the longest ever

Thanks everyone
Scott

keep the advice coming

[briers]

I'm 29 and waiting for the right XFR - i too never even considered Jag. Old mans car to me but you can't deny the quality when you sit in one. Over the last 2 years i've seen and experienced more of the jaguar brand.

They really have turned it around (image wise), i can't fault any car in their range. XF, XK, XJ all look, feel and drive superbly although i haven't driven the XJ. I hear it's all aluminium body makes it very capable.

Frankly i was blown away by my time with the XFR. I want to move away from BMW and to be honest it was a C63, i was just waiting until after xmas. The XFR was by accident but its suspension, chassis, diff just give it a serious edge, the engine is just fantastic too. AMG sounds better, and still a little concerned on the image but as you rightly said, 510bhp and 29 would normally see me paying £550 - £650 in a BMW M5 but the XFR will only be £360 which is a small help.

I owned some quick cars at 22, not XK quick but its the thrill of being a petrol head that matters, life is too short, but especially if you hoon a 400bhp motor on the back roads ironically. Good luck with your search.

Edited by briers on Wednesday 9th January 19:36

[Scoticus]

Thanks very much.
I adore the XFR but sadly my budget wont stretch that far (yet)

[mph]

Have you considered an S type R ?

I owned a nearly new one when they first came out, great car and very underated. I changed it for a new XKR . The S type was the better car IMHO.

The XKR will always be the "looker" but there's more something satisfying about the discrete performance of a hot saloon.

I've got an X350 XJR and I love it.

[Scoticus]

mph said:

Have you considered an S type R ?

I owned a nearly new one when they first came out, great car and very underated. I changed it for a new XKR . The S type was the better car IMHO.

The XKR will always be the "looker" but there's more something satisfying about the discrete performance of a hot saloon.

I've got an X350 XJR and I love it.

Hi
Yes, I have been looking at these too. But like the XFR, they are still just out of my budget.
Not only that, for some reason the STR is over double the insurance of the XJR.. when I asked about this, I was told it was because of the year of manufacture. Im not sure how much truth is in this, however i did notice that cars made after 2002 are a tad more expensive to insure. This isnt just high end luxo barges.. it is everything.

I have to agree with you there with performance of a huge saloon. Looking at the XKR everyone expects it to be a quick car, looking at the XJR, which tbh looks like the normal XJ8 to those who arent in the know, (most) people expect it to be a plodding old jag.. Its a very good sleeper, and Im sure there have been a lot of people caught out by this.

[edward1]

I always find the old man comments amusing. I personally love the XJ shape especially the x308 although the x350 is growing on me. I was all for getting a XJR when the arrival of a little one meant the TVR had to go. There was something special about a car with straight line performance to match the chim but with comfort and luxury. The other half had a different idea reffered to it as an old mans car and only allowed me the XKR. I ended up spending a good 3k more for a similar aged car (this was a few years ago and I went for a 04 plate 4.2), whilst the little one fits in the back(just) and I love the car, I do sometimes wish that for practicalities sake I'd gone with the XJ.

I had always assumed that the XK may have a firmer ride than the XJ, certainly mine on 20" wheels with the CATs suspension and polybushes is a pretty firm ride and doesn't like pot holes.

I understand the fact that as an old mans car the insurance for a young driver is likley to be more reasonable but I am impressed you have found a sensible quote. Even at 36 with full ncb I had to do a fair bit of shopping around for the XK, I'd have imagined that at under 25 you'd get the same answer I had when I got my first TVR and that was a no or silly money until I reached the magical 25 years old.

[Scoticus]

edward1 said:

I always find the old man comments amusing. I personally love the XJ shape especially the x308 although the x350 is growing on me. I was all for getting a XJR when the arrival of a little one meant the TVR had to go. There was something special about a car with straight line performance to match the chim but with comfort and luxury. The other half had a different idea reffered to it as an old mans car and only allowed me the XKR. I ended up spending a good 3k more for a similar aged car (this was a few years ago and I went for a 04 plate 4.2), whilst the little one fits in the back(just) and I love the car, I do sometimes wish that for practicalities sake I'd gone with the XJ.

I had always assumed that the XK may have a firmer ride than the XJ, certainly mine on 20" wheels with the CATs suspension and polybushes is a pretty firm ride and doesn't like pot holes.

I understand the fact that as an old mans car the insurance for a young driver is likley to be more reasonable but I am impressed you have found a sensible quote. Even at 36 with full ncb I had to do a fair bit of shopping around for the XK, I'd have imagined that at under 25 you'd get the same answer I had when I got my first TVR and that was a no or silly money until I reached the magical 25 years old.

As you can imagine, insurance on anything for me at 22 is a nightmare. I struggle to insure little Euro-boxs (clios, corsa, 106 etc) but at the same time, a big luxo barge or high performance sports car (TVR, Bentley, Maserati) I can get covered easily for less then what I am paying on my little 2 litre derv MG ZR

for example, last week I was seeing what the cover on a 2000 plate XJR would be. The car registered to me, and on my own policy, is CHEAPER to insure then the MG by £69.12 a year, thats fully comp with a £250 excess.

Now am not saying its cheap, not by a long way, not compared to what my parents pay, but compared to what my friends pay for their insurance, and what they get for their money, its a bargain!

luckily for me, the insurance quotes that are coming back are less then £800 a year

[stuartmmcfc]

is this on a limited mileage , or something similar, policy??

[Scoticus]

stuartmmcfc said:

is this on a limited mileage , or something similar, policy??

No, normal policy.
I used confused.com and said that my anual milage will be around 12000 a year

Edited by Scoticus on Friday 11th January 12:06

[stuartmmcfc]

thanks, thats something to remember