Convert to new shape XK
Discussion
I have been won over. Initially I didn't like the new shape - my '04 XK8 convertible seemed more curvy, more feline, more Jaguar. But, as always seems to happen, I have come around to appreciating the more-macho lines of the new shape and after driving an '07 XKR convertible last week, I had to buy it.
I sort of fell in love all over again. It was the first time I had driven a supercharged Jag and it blew me away. How can the same car be so thrusting and aggressive at one end and so quiet and demure at the other?
Delivery is on Wednesday and I will post some pix and a more considered review. Meanwhile, I am having difficulty working out what came as standard on this car and what would have been extras. Is there a guide somewhere? The dealer's ad lists "key features" and "regular features" but I know that some of the "key" features were standard equipment. Any help appreciated.
The dealer's ad, if it's still there:
http://jaguarauc.2ndbyte.com/?&Nav=%208233&...
PS. Anyone want a curvy '04 XK8 convertible with only 17,500 miles on the clock??
I sort of fell in love all over again. It was the first time I had driven a supercharged Jag and it blew me away. How can the same car be so thrusting and aggressive at one end and so quiet and demure at the other?
Delivery is on Wednesday and I will post some pix and a more considered review. Meanwhile, I am having difficulty working out what came as standard on this car and what would have been extras. Is there a guide somewhere? The dealer's ad lists "key features" and "regular features" but I know that some of the "key" features were standard equipment. Any help appreciated.
The dealer's ad, if it's still there:
http://jaguarauc.2ndbyte.com/?&Nav=%208233&...
PS. Anyone want a curvy '04 XK8 convertible with only 17,500 miles on the clock??
Congrats, looks lovely. I expect you are quite excited 
From my limited research before buying I think the options on your car are adaptive cruise, tyre pressure monitoring and possibly front parking sensors (not sure about that last one because they may have been standard by then). 20" wheels might have been an option theoretically too, but all cars seem to have them, so maybe not. They were very highly specified even without options - a contrast to the German approach of making a car look quite good value and then discovering it needs another £5-10K spending on stuff you get for free on a high end hatchback.
From my limited research before buying I think the options on your car are adaptive cruise, tyre pressure monitoring and possibly front parking sensors (not sure about that last one because they may have been standard by then). 20" wheels might have been an option theoretically too, but all cars seem to have them, so maybe not. They were very highly specified even without options - a contrast to the German approach of making a car look quite good value and then discovering it needs another £5-10K spending on stuff you get for free on a high end hatchback.
steve-p said:
Congrats, looks lovely. I expect you are quite excited
From my limited research before buying I think the options on your car are adaptive cruise, tyre pressure monitoring and possibly front parking sensors (not sure about that last one because they may have been standard by then). 20" wheels might have been an option theoretically too, but all cars seem to have them, so maybe not.
Thank you, Steve. Excited is a bit of an understatement From my limited research before buying I think the options on your car are adaptive cruise, tyre pressure monitoring and possibly front parking sensors (not sure about that last one because they may have been standard by then). 20" wheels might have been an option theoretically too, but all cars seem to have them, so maybe not.
-- I also need a lesson from the salesman before I can drive it again: everything has changed since '04 and I daren't try out the flappy paddles on the A3 for the first time (didn't dare touch them during my test drive). I'm not sure I even know how to open the door with "keyless" entry...I know for sure that Adaptive Cruise Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring and the Garage Door Opener are extras. I think that 20in Sentas are standard now but weren't then. I think the Front Parking Aid may have been an extra -- and I'm not even sure that all '07 XKs had Keyless Entry.
You're right, the garage door opener was an option. I didn't pay much attention to that when looking because a) my garage door is a creaky old manual thing and b) the garage is occupied by the Mustang, even if the Jag would fit in it
Keyless entry is pretty straightforward - just keep the key in your pocket and pull on the door handle and it unlocks. There's a button on the outside for locking it without using the key too. It's not quite as nice as the system in my last car which detected you touching the handle rather than pulling on it or pressing a button, but it's good enough. You can just use the remote control anyway if you are feeling nostalgic Once you get used to keeping the key in your pocket it will make perfect sense as a useful thing rather than a gimmick. Like many new things, I expect in a few years time you will find it as standard on almost every new car.
Keyless entry is pretty straightforward - just keep the key in your pocket and pull on the door handle and it unlocks. There's a button on the outside for locking it without using the key too. It's not quite as nice as the system in my last car which detected you touching the handle rather than pulling on it or pressing a button, but it's good enough. You can just use the remote control anyway if you are feeling nostalgic
Once you get used to keeping the key in your pocket it will make perfect sense as a useful thing rather than a gimmick. Like many new things, I expect in a few years time you will find it as standard on almost every new car.Found this: "JUNE 2007 (2008 Model Year): All models now include 20-inch double five-spoke Senta alloy wheels, Jaguar Premium Surround Sound, heated front windscreen and bright finish alloy pedals as standard."
Mine was registered in April 2007 so although it has all the above, they would have been extras - or is that too much of a coincidence?
Mine was registered in April 2007 so although it has all the above, they would have been extras - or is that too much of a coincidence?
Thank you Triple7 -- in fact there's another almost-identical car for sale in Sheffield which I was also tempted by because it had the luxury leather option... but it didn't have the ACC, TPM or GDO, all of which I also wanted, and it had an extra 5k on the clock. I guess I'll have to buy a new one when my boat comes in, then I can have everything.
I did ponder the colours for a time. I know you favour black paint and it does look amazing when clean but I found it in the past a hard colour to keep looking reasonable whereas silver seems more forgiving - both of dirt and of stone chips, light scratches, etc. My Pacific Blue XK8 seems to have a light coloured primer which shows up quite starkly against the blue paint if it gets chipped.
I did ponder the colours for a time. I know you favour black paint and it does look amazing when clean but I found it in the past a hard colour to keep looking reasonable whereas silver seems more forgiving - both of dirt and of stone chips, light scratches, etc. My Pacific Blue XK8 seems to have a light coloured primer which shows up quite starkly against the blue paint if it gets chipped.
Silver is Ian Callums favourite colour for the XK, so I don't think we'll be to judgemental on your choice. 
Glad you've bitten the supercharged bug, only way to go. By the way have you test driven the 5.0ltr 510BHP XKR, now that'll blow you away.
Save that one for the next change, eh?!
Glad you've bitten the supercharged bug, only way to go. By the way have you test driven the 5.0ltr 510BHP XKR, now that'll blow you away.
Save that one for the next change, eh?!
Triple7 said:
By the way have you test driven the 5.0ltr 510BHP XKR, now that'll blow you away. Save that one for the next change, eh?!
Not yet. No point as I can't afford one -- but I will doubtless get there in a year or two... Save that one for the next change, eh?!I did take a good look in the showroom last week and would gladly have walked away with one.
My only strong objection was to the "zit", which I think Jaguar claim is a digital radio carbuncle. It looks really incongruous and definitely shouldn't be there. I hope it is an optional extra.
pr100 said:
My only strong objection was to the "zit", which I think Jaguar claim is a digital radio carbuncle. It looks really incongruous and definitely shouldn't be there. I hope it is an optional extra.
It is most definitely an option and like you I won't be ticking that box, it looks awful! Jaguar have now confirmed the options/extras on my car as:
20in Senta's - no cost option
Adaptive Cruise - £995.00
Front Park Aid - £295.00
Garage Door Opener - £300.00
Heated front Windscreen - £260.00
Keyless Entry - £430.00
Tyre Pressure Monitoring - £400.00
Active Front Lights - £430.00
I'm confused about the 20in wheels though. I'm sure the no-cost option was introduced at a later date - and I have seen 2007 XKs on 18in and 19in wheels I think.
20in Senta's - no cost option
Adaptive Cruise - £995.00
Front Park Aid - £295.00
Garage Door Opener - £300.00
Heated front Windscreen - £260.00
Keyless Entry - £430.00
Tyre Pressure Monitoring - £400.00
Active Front Lights - £430.00
I'm confused about the 20in wheels though. I'm sure the no-cost option was introduced at a later date - and I have seen 2007 XKs on 18in and 19in wheels I think.
pr100 said:
fatboy b said:
How much are you looking for for the old XK?
I have just put it on Auto Trader at £23,950 but would take a little less from a PHer! It's near Reading/Maidenhead. If interested, give me a call on 0118 940 3785 (Simon).Edited by fatboy b on Monday 28th September 13:31
Triple7 said:
Glad you've bitten the supercharged bug, only way to go. By the way have you test driven the 5.0ltr 510BHP XKR, now that'll blow you away. Save that one for the next change, eh?!
Congratulations on the car, it looks absolutely terrific. Save that one for the next change, eh?!Can I offer a controversial comment, just my impression having driven all of these variations except the 5.0 litre unsupercharged. In an aluminium car, the unsupercharged engine in 4.2 form is still pretty quick. The supercharged car has got extraordinary zip when you step on it, but I'm wondering if the change from effortless cruiser to Saturn V rocket is just a bit too abrupt, and you maybe get a more linear, Jaguarry and enjoyable experience in the unsupercharged car?
Coincidentally I have always had the impression that the unsupercharged cars seem to have a louder exhaust, and still look fabulous.
This is the only aluminium car I have driven properly so I can't comment on the difference between the R and the normally aspirated models. But the aluminium R convertible definitely has a throatier exhaust noise than my steel XK8 convertible. And acceleration is in a different league.
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