Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking at selling my TVR Chim and Alfa Brera then buying an XK (2007 onwards)
Basically, I'm trying to get one car to do what the other two did
Anyway, Brera is a 2+2, I'm not sure if I still need the +2 bit but, what are the back seats like in the XK? Are there even back seats in the drop top version?
I know its a boring and practical question but I want it to be my daily driver (using the Alfa for that at the moment)
Still wont be doing a lot of miles though as I work from home.
I'm looking at selling my TVR Chim and Alfa Brera then buying an XK (2007 onwards)
Basically, I'm trying to get one car to do what the other two did
Anyway, Brera is a 2+2, I'm not sure if I still need the +2 bit but, what are the back seats like in the XK? Are there even back seats in the drop top version?
I know its a boring and practical question but I want it to be my daily driver (using the Alfa for that at the moment)
Still wont be doing a lot of miles though as I work from home.
demon_jako said:
Hi,
I'm looking at selling my TVR Chim and Alfa Brera then buying an XK (2007 onwards)
Basically, I'm trying to get one car to do what the other two did
Anyway, Brera is a 2+2, I'm not sure if I still need the +2 bit but, what are the back seats like in the XK? Are there even back seats in the drop top version?
I know its a boring and practical question but I want it to be my daily driver (using the Alfa for that at the moment)
Still wont be doing a lot of miles though as I work from home.
There are back seats in the XK convertible. I'm looking at selling my TVR Chim and Alfa Brera then buying an XK (2007 onwards)
Basically, I'm trying to get one car to do what the other two did
Anyway, Brera is a 2+2, I'm not sure if I still need the +2 bit but, what are the back seats like in the XK? Are there even back seats in the drop top version?
I know its a boring and practical question but I want it to be my daily driver (using the Alfa for that at the moment)
Still wont be doing a lot of miles though as I work from home.
They are very cramped and would only be useful for very young children or, at a push, an adult for a very short journey.
mph said:
There are back seats in the XK convertible.
They are very cramped and would only be useful for very young children or, at a push, an adult for a very short journey.
Thats fine! They are very cramped and would only be useful for very young children or, at a push, an adult for a very short journey.
The passanger likely to be sitting in them is either my Wife if I need to take my brother or dad anywhere as well or my mother in law if I need to take her on a visit to my wifes extended family. Both are quite short
I wouldn't really say that the rear seats will fit an adult in them, not even for short journeys. I'm quite short (5'7") but the one and only time I tried to carry a adults in the back I had to put my seat as far forwards as it would go. The only reason I could still drive (just) was because the car is an auto! The adult passengers were not tall either but I don't think they ever want to repeat the experience.
The rear seats are small children or luggage space only I'm afraid.
The rear seats are small children or luggage space only I'm afraid.
- I guess an adult could go 'side saddle' as it were, maybe thats not very safe though*
You really need to try them for size and access if you are even contemplating actually needing to use them for anything other than as a well-finished luggage rack, IMHO
I also find the electric seats to be a bit slow to move forward as well, which can be a little frustrating. Having said that, they are lovely cars.
I also find the electric seats to be a bit slow to move forward as well, which can be a little frustrating. Having said that, they are lovely cars.
Thanks for the replys folks
I think an XK will fit my requirements nicely!
As far as I can see, running costs will be similar to Alfa.
Tax: The same as Alfa is 3.2 4wd and has stupid CO2 emmitions
Fuel: Jag looks to be better! Alfa barely manages 21mpg!!
Insurance: CompairTheMarket gave a similar price to the Alfa
So hopefully, I'll end up with a car that is a drop top V8 like Chim but I can use it like the Alfa!!
Performance wont be quite as good as Chim but I've not really explored the Chim performance since I span off in my Tuscan and wrote it off!
Just need to sell Chim then decide if I PEx Alfa for Jag or sell it and then buy Jag.
I think an XK will fit my requirements nicely!
As far as I can see, running costs will be similar to Alfa.
Tax: The same as Alfa is 3.2 4wd and has stupid CO2 emmitions
Fuel: Jag looks to be better! Alfa barely manages 21mpg!!
Insurance: CompairTheMarket gave a similar price to the Alfa
So hopefully, I'll end up with a car that is a drop top V8 like Chim but I can use it like the Alfa!!
Performance wont be quite as good as Chim but I've not really explored the Chim performance since I span off in my Tuscan and wrote it off!
Just need to sell Chim then decide if I PEx Alfa for Jag or sell it and then buy Jag.
Be absolutely sure it is what you want.
Last year I sold a Chimaera after 9 years, for an XKR convertible to gain the +2 for a little one.
And that was just for sunny weekends, not regular use.
The XKR is the only car I ever regret buying ( and I had a Micra in the 80's)
Don't get me wrong the XKR is a beautiful machine
But it didn't do it for me the way the TVR did, and it felt like child cruelty when we used the rear seats.
Think of the rear seats as an upholstered parcel shelf and you won't go far wrong.
Sold the XKR after 12 months
Bought a cheap MR2 roadster to fill the gap in the garage, and to be honest i have more fun every mile, than I did in a year of XKR ownership
Now looking for another TVR as good as the one I let go.
Enjoy what ever you end up with.
Last year I sold a Chimaera after 9 years, for an XKR convertible to gain the +2 for a little one.
And that was just for sunny weekends, not regular use.
The XKR is the only car I ever regret buying ( and I had a Micra in the 80's)
Don't get me wrong the XKR is a beautiful machine
But it didn't do it for me the way the TVR did, and it felt like child cruelty when we used the rear seats.
Think of the rear seats as an upholstered parcel shelf and you won't go far wrong.
Sold the XKR after 12 months
Bought a cheap MR2 roadster to fill the gap in the garage, and to be honest i have more fun every mile, than I did in a year of XKR ownership
Now looking for another TVR as good as the one I let go.
Enjoy what ever you end up with.
Emley said:
Be absolutely sure it is what you want.
Last year I sold a Chimaera after 9 years, for an XKR convertible to gain the +2 for a little one.
And that was just for sunny weekends, not regular use.
The XKR is the only car I ever regret buying ( and I had a Micra in the 80's)
Don't get me wrong the XKR is a beautiful machine
But it didn't do it for me the way the TVR did, and it felt like child cruelty when we used the rear seats.
Think of the rear seats as an upholstered parcel shelf and you won't go far wrong.
Sold the XKR after 12 months
Bought a cheap MR2 roadster to fill the gap in the garage, and to be honest i have more fun every mile, than I did in a year of XKR ownership
Now looking for another TVR as good as the one I let go.
Enjoy what ever you end up with.
Intersting,Last year I sold a Chimaera after 9 years, for an XKR convertible to gain the +2 for a little one.
And that was just for sunny weekends, not regular use.
The XKR is the only car I ever regret buying ( and I had a Micra in the 80's)
Don't get me wrong the XKR is a beautiful machine
But it didn't do it for me the way the TVR did, and it felt like child cruelty when we used the rear seats.
Think of the rear seats as an upholstered parcel shelf and you won't go far wrong.
Sold the XKR after 12 months
Bought a cheap MR2 roadster to fill the gap in the garage, and to be honest i have more fun every mile, than I did in a year of XKR ownership
Now looking for another TVR as good as the one I let go.
Enjoy what ever you end up with.
Can you think of things in particular where the XKR wasn't up to the TVR?
Performance is an obvious one, but also the road behaviour as the XKR is at least a third heavier.
My main problem is that I just don't get around to driving much these days. I probably only do 3K a year in the Alfa!! I guess this is one of the 'down sides' to working from home!
You would think I'd have more time to go out for a drive but it just hasn't worked out that way.
demon_jako said:
Intersting,
Can you think of things in particular where the XKR wasn't up to the TVR?
Performance is an obvious one, but also the road behaviour as the XKR is at least a third heavier.
I am very conscious I am on the Jag page and completely respect the opinions of enthusiasts of all marques.Can you think of things in particular where the XKR wasn't up to the TVR?
Performance is an obvious one, but also the road behaviour as the XKR is at least a third heavier.
I do get the appeal, honest, just not for me at the moment.
I see a lot of TVR owners contemplating the same choice I made, for similar reasons and feel duty bound to share my experience.
But everyone is different, so take the following with a big pinch of salt.
My Chimaera was a toy, purely something to cherish and enjoy driving on sunny days.
I live in the Yorkshire Wolds and have miles of gorgeous, relatively empty roads on my doorstep to enjoy.
I thought the XKR would replace my Chimaera with the added benefit my little one could enjoy it too.
The XKR is a gorgeous, beautifully crafted car, delivering grace and pace in spades.
But it is a GT, not a sports car.
You could use it every day, rain or shine and it would be fine (apart from the fuel cost)
But here's the thing. My everyday car is a swift, nice enough Mercedes, which left the XKR feeling NOT particularly special.
The TVR felt special the moment you got in and it never failed to put a smile on my face.
Crude and with a lot less power than the XKR, but god it was satisfying to pedal.
I very quickly got bored of the warp like acceleration of the XKR, usually at the next bend.
Oh and did I mention the TVR soundtrack, you get equally bored of the supercharger whine in comparison.
Yes things fell off the TVR occasionally, but at least when they did you knew they were not going to cost £000's to put right
The TVR got admiring looks and comments everywhere it went, and was always a topic of conversation.
The Jag never did that, and I eventually felt embarrassed admitting I owned it. Weirded I know...
I knew at that point it had to go.
Maybe when I am retired, the XKR might appeal again.
I can see your rationale, that the XK might replace both the Alfa and TVR as a single everyday car.
It would be a very very nice everyday car if you only do 3,000 miles a year, or can afford the fuel.
But seriously, do not convince yourself those rear seats are at all usable, even occasionally.
Even if you only need the extra seat occasionally
Life is too short, hell go for it. Hire a taxi when you need the extra seat.
Emley
The current car has far more room for the front passengers so to a small extent there is more scope to move the front seats forward and create more room in the back. However, the difference is barely worth mentioning. Although the new XK is far roomier is the front, is mainly in head room and width rather than leg room.
The current car is a MASSIVE improvement from the previous model. Makes the older car look quite dated.
I can fit small kids in the back of mine no problem. Put the front seat forward and can squeeze an adult, though be it for a short journey before they start complaining!
They XKR is an overlooked car, it seems to get an 'old man' gentleman image. Jag seemed to aim it to this clientele until recently with the mad bonkers XKR-S. You can easily make the earlier cars into something more muscular with a few mods. Mines lowered, spacers, performance exhaust, and tuned supercharger. The noise mine makes will easily compete with your TVR. Deep V8 burble with howling bark as you reach the power band.
The new lowered stance gives the car a classic 'coke bottle' muscle car look. I'm used to owning American V8 muscle cars, my XKR beats them on sound, this is truly the UK's secret V8 Muscle car
I can fit small kids in the back of mine no problem. Put the front seat forward and can squeeze an adult, though be it for a short journey before they start complaining!
They XKR is an overlooked car, it seems to get an 'old man' gentleman image. Jag seemed to aim it to this clientele until recently with the mad bonkers XKR-S. You can easily make the earlier cars into something more muscular with a few mods. Mines lowered, spacers, performance exhaust, and tuned supercharger. The noise mine makes will easily compete with your TVR. Deep V8 burble with howling bark as you reach the power band.
The new lowered stance gives the car a classic 'coke bottle' muscle car look. I'm used to owning American V8 muscle cars, my XKR beats them on sound, this is truly the UK's secret V8 Muscle car
Edited by johnnnnnnyy on Sunday 11th November 11:37
Great replys thanks!
Yes, I'm looking at 2007 or newer.
I'm looking more for a GT now, I don't really explore the performance of the TVR any more (used to do that more in the Tuscan)
It will be a replacement for the Alfa Brera and the TVR, so it's to be a car that is a bit special but at the same time, a car I can use every day.
Fuel economy wont be any worse than Brera as that only does 21mpg
Rear seats in Brera are also small occasional seats. My wife and MIL can fit in them but thats about it. (They complain a bit but I just go faster to drown it out)
Re-looking at cab V coupe, I think I'll need to go coupe, roof down is fun but 95% of the time thats not how it is and larger boot will be more useful.
Regarding older and newer versions, I wasn't aware there was that much difference.
I knew the engine changed from 4.0 to 4.2 but didn't know there was a big change in the body beyond the cosmetic changes.
If I can, I will get a 5ltr version, but, as with all cases when models change, the last 4.2ltrs are reletively cheap and the first 5ltrs are reletively expensive. (This happens with every car make)
Other than 400 V 500 hp what else is different between 4.2 and 5.0?
(yes, the performance will obviously be different)
Yes, I'm looking at 2007 or newer.
I'm looking more for a GT now, I don't really explore the performance of the TVR any more (used to do that more in the Tuscan)
It will be a replacement for the Alfa Brera and the TVR, so it's to be a car that is a bit special but at the same time, a car I can use every day.
Fuel economy wont be any worse than Brera as that only does 21mpg
Rear seats in Brera are also small occasional seats. My wife and MIL can fit in them but thats about it. (They complain a bit but I just go faster to drown it out
)Re-looking at cab V coupe, I think I'll need to go coupe, roof down is fun but 95% of the time thats not how it is and larger boot will be more useful.
Regarding older and newer versions, I wasn't aware there was that much difference.
I knew the engine changed from 4.0 to 4.2 but didn't know there was a big change in the body beyond the cosmetic changes.
If I can, I will get a 5ltr version, but, as with all cases when models change, the last 4.2ltrs are reletively cheap and the first 5ltrs are reletively expensive. (This happens with every car make)
Other than 400 V 500 hp what else is different between 4.2 and 5.0?
(yes, the performance will obviously be different
) johnnnnnnyy said:
The noise mine makes will easily compete with your TVR. Deep V8 burble with howling bark as you reach the power band.
The new lowered stance gives the car a classic 'coke bottle' muscle car look. I'm used to owning American V8 muscle cars, my XKR beats them on sound, this is truly the UK's secret V8 Muscle car
Yup, get itThe new lowered stance gives the car a classic 'coke bottle' muscle car look. I'm used to owning American V8 muscle cars, my XKR beats them on sound, this is truly the UK's secret V8 Muscle car
Edited by johnnnnnnyy on Sunday 11th November 11:37
Very nice.
As soon as I don't need the mile munching Mercedes diesel, that will do very nicely as an only car.
OP go for it
Emley
I bought an XKR recently and have been pleasantly surprised by how practical it is! I have 3 kids of 2, 5 and 9 and they all fit with no problems. I'm 6'2 and my kids are similarly long. The 2 year old sits behind me in his car seat, I put the seat forward a little to give him a bit more space but not so much that it's uncomfortable. The 5 and 9 year olds are interchangeable (whoever calls shotgun first!).
With some fiddling I've found a seat position which allows someone my height to sit in the front, while I sit in the back and put the seatbelt on. It's not comfortable but it is legal and can be done if necessary.
We also have a sensible Citroen family car, so on a long trip we use that. The rest of the time, we roar!
With some fiddling I've found a seat position which allows someone my height to sit in the front, while I sit in the back and put the seatbelt on. It's not comfortable but it is legal and can be done if necessary.
We also have a sensible Citroen family car, so on a long trip we use that. The rest of the time, we roar!
Mr 5mith said:
I have 3 kids of 2, 5 and 9 and they all fit with no problems. I'm 6'2 and my kids are similarly long]
Your kids are 6'2" as well?!I have an XK convertible and the back, er, 'seats' are really for visual proportion and perhaps some shopping. Surely if you have child seats - which I understand you have to have these days - you're buggered for any size of H. sapiens?
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