Jaguar XK/R (Speed and Black pack)
Porsche Boxster S, BMW M3, TR6 (V8), Audi A6, etc
Colour scheme not to traditionalists' tastes...
“I went through an exceedingly messy divorce, during which I had to sell a much loved classic (mint racing green TR6 with a V8 fitted). It was a 'came through it intact' present to myself. I wanted something that would be sporty and fun to drive, but I also wanted something that would be reliable enough to tour the continent if I wanted to. I also have two children and so wanted occasional four seats. Want, want, want!!! It had to be V8 and a good all-rounder. And what other car offers you more than 500hp at that money?”
What I wish I'd known:
“It's quite a big car! When we moved into our new house I had a 'noooooooooo' moment when it wouldn't fit in the garage. Fortunately I was able to take the doors off the sink unit and it now goes in with about 5mm front and back. Phew! - thank e-lord for standard powerfold mirrors too. XK enthusiasts’ club snobbery - especially about stripes and black roof! Oh, and it appears to have a hole in the fuel tank.”
Things I love:
“Where to start? Huge, really huge - I mean warp factor - power delivery. Epic noise - lifting off in second gear delivers battlefield soundtrack. Yet dual character; easy to drive, comfortable and mild if you want, furious leviathan if you dare. Fantastic looks - the first time I drove it someone complimented it - ever since it always gets admiring glances and attracts attention, especially on the continent where at times it has drawn crowds!/ Four seats - although small the kids fit very snugly in the back, masses of luggage room, comfortable - I could go on.”
'There seems to be a hole in the fuel tank'
“Nothing I really hate, but more like things with scope for improvement: I think the steering is characteristically Jaguar light, and I'd like it to have a bit more brute to it (a la TVR) and the steering wheel is too large. The seat could be as good as a BMW sports seat but isn't quite (although it is still very comfortable). The sat nav is great at the basic stuff, but unfathomable for anything at all sophisticated: for example I still can't figure out how to display the location of the nearest petrol stations, something that would be very, very useful indeed.”
Costs:
“Fuel; if you enjoy yourself it sometimes hits 22mpg. Going downhill. Sometimes. If you go gently on longer runs it can hit 27mpg which is pretty good for 5.0 and supercharged I guess. Exhaust - had to fit performance sports exhaust for even more pops and bangs! Tyres; eats rears - especially if you are naughty. And the dealers are so expensive - servicing £600! I now service Jig at an 'indy' who are truly excellent and less than half the cost. But nothing at all has gone wrong or needed doing.”
Spanish roadtrip an early ownership highlight
“I took it down to Spain: the original plan was to put it on Brittany Ferries but they were on strike on the day, so we (Sally and I, and 'peanut' who was just a bump at the time) drove it down through France, past Santander and Bilbao and into the Picos mountains. Great trip and the roads down there are amazing. I've been up to Wales in it several times, and down to the coast. But I've not driven it as much as I thought I would - just been busy.”
What next...
“I'm promiscuous when it comes to cars and keep looking around, but what else has four seats and this much power? A TVR Cerb? But reliability would be an issue. An Aston? But it looks like one anyway. A Porsche 911 Turbo? Not V8. And so on. I just can't find anything else that sorta works for me. I have also been doing man maths to see if I could make an F-Type coupe work, but I know I would miss scaring the kids...
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