2001 XKR Coupe or Convertible?

2001 XKR Coupe or Convertible?

Author
Discussion

Horse_Apple

Original Poster:

3,795 posts

243 months

Tuesday 10th May 2005
quotequote all
Currently running a 540 which is coming up to needing a change.

Come from a family of Jag owners. Still own my grandfather's 1974 Daimler Sov (29K miles BRG). Old Man used to race all kinds of Jags.

Been looking at other Boschemobiles but suddenly have the erge to jump straight to middle age and get an XKR

I'm 6'2" and can just fit in the Convertible but I was originally assuming I would get the Coupe but then the Missus chimed in and it's either the Conv or a new hairdryer.

What I would like to know are the pro's and con's of convertible ownership of a 4/5 yr old XKR over the equivalent coupe and vice versa.

TIA.

XXXAngelXXX

1,711 posts

229 months

Tuesday 10th May 2005
quotequote all
Coupe looks better

Convertible is more fun in summer

we own both

Marki

15,763 posts

271 months

Tuesday 10th May 2005
quotequote all
Convertible they are great fun and very snugg in the winter for a soft top.

xkrman

144 posts

230 months

Tuesday 10th May 2005
quotequote all
My convertible is great.

Little in the way of scuttle shake etc.

Incredibly comfortable, even though mine is lowered and runs on 20 inch Arden wheels. having said that I am only 5'8''. Perfect size for Jaguar ownership.

Agree the coupe looks better when the hood is up, but the answer is to press that little button and 20 secs later - open top motoring.

Convertible or Coupe, they are fantastic cars.

Good Luck

800

1,968 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th May 2005
quotequote all
oooooh tough one! Some cars suit having the roof cut off, BMW 3 Series a classic example. Others don't, compare a 911 Coupe to a Cab!
I fear the XKR falls into the second category IMHO.

However, if you want a top class convertible go for the XKR Convertible
(20" wheels and good colour a must)

Horse_Apple

Original Poster:

3,795 posts

243 months

Wednesday 11th May 2005
quotequote all
Thanks chaps.

Any thoughts on the financials and performance etc?

Visually, I know which one I prefer

triple7

4,013 posts

238 months

Wednesday 11th May 2005
quotequote all
Hi HA.

I prefer the looks of a Coupe, not a fan of the hood on the Conv, but there is nothing likr have the roof down on a gorge UK summer day.

You will get more head room in the coupe. But if you want to buy the right car, then a post 2002 XKR with the 4.2ltr engine, 6 speed, 20 inch wheels, brembo brakes,Recaro seats and to save money in the long run, get one with the Jag handling R Pack. I wouldn't spend more than £40k on one.

In the end its up to you. Let us know how you get on or if you want some advice.

G

>> Edited by triple7 on Wednesday 11th May 16:16

xkrman

144 posts

230 months

Wednesday 11th May 2005
quotequote all
Forgot to mention - try the XK enthusiasts Club - www.xkec.co.uk. Great club with lots of helpful advice.

Phil Dicky

7,162 posts

264 months

Wednesday 11th May 2005
quotequote all
My dad used to have an XK8 convertible, and I'm 6"3 and had no problems driving it, assuming the XKR has the same seats of course.

Phil

800

1,968 posts

237 months

Thursday 12th May 2005
quotequote all
Horse_Apple said:
Thanks chaps.

Any thoughts on the financials and performance etc?

Visually, I know which one I prefer


Doubt you would notice any performance difference between Coupe and Convertible, despite the extra weight of the Convertible.

All depends on what you have to spend, I'd say (ideally) try for an early 4.2.

When I was looking for one, the only dealer who seemed even vaguely interested in selling me one was Steve Mc (something) at Dunham Luton.
Pretty amazing lack of service from other dealers since Jaguar's are not exactly flying off the shelves.

As Triple7 said go for Brembo and R handling pack, if you can

Happy hunting

NormanD

3,208 posts

229 months

Thursday 12th May 2005
quotequote all
I see you are in London try www.racinggreencars.com 01252 544888 ask for Chas, they have a good range of XKRs some with some extra goodies on.

As seen before join the club www.xkec.co.uk

Combover

3,009 posts

228 months

Thursday 12th May 2005
quotequote all
Although i'm new to the forum (hope you chaps don't mind an XKR aspiring interloper....), I would have to say, the coupe does look much better and I would feel more at home in a car with a solid roof....

Just my opinion...

Combover

Marki

15,763 posts

271 months

Thursday 12th May 2005
quotequote all
My XKR Cab was brill , cost peanuts to service .

I would think a cab would be easier to re sell , plus what can beat a roof down blatt

triple7

4,013 posts

238 months

Friday 13th May 2005
quotequote all
Marki said:
......plus what can beat a roof down blatt


My XKR Coupe!

G

Horse_Apple

Original Poster:

3,795 posts

243 months

Tuesday 24th May 2005
quotequote all
Drove an 02 XKR convertible at the weekend.

It's certainly nice. Would be looking for an 01 realistically. So will test drive a mcuh older one to see how they fall apart and creak as they get older.

All in it was very good. Hair did touch roof, but used to that in Griff. Seemed easy enough to get in and out of and the whole thing compared favourably to the 540 on the practicality front and won hands down on class.

Any reason why there seem to be so many convertibles on the mkt with low miles?

xkrman

144 posts

230 months

Tuesday 24th May 2005
quotequote all
They are often second, third or fourth cars.

NormanD

3,208 posts

229 months

Tuesday 24th May 2005
quotequote all
Horse_Apple said:
Drove an 02 XKR convertible at the weekend.

Any reason why there seem to be so many convertibles on the mkt with low miles?


That weekend were you thinking of taking out then.

Horse_Apple

Original Poster:

3,795 posts

243 months

Wednesday 25th May 2005
quotequote all
NormanD said:

Horse_Apple said:
Drove an 02 XKR convertible at the weekend.

Any reason why there seem to be so many convertibles on the mkt with low miles?



That weekend were you thinking of taking out then.


Me no understand.

triple7

4,013 posts

238 months

Wednesday 25th May 2005
quotequote all
Nor me?

Horse_Apple

Original Poster:

3,795 posts

243 months

Thursday 4th August 2005
quotequote all
2000 Blue XKR Convertible in the bag.

Picked it up the other Thursday and ran it down to the Nurburgring on the Friday to give it a test.

The drive across France, Belgium and Germany was a doddle. I had forgotten just how Jags rule the road on this type of journey. Very few cars can compete in this arena. The old XJ6 is still (30 yrs on) better than nearly all modern cars for this.

Round the Ring it was a different matter. Obviously, the car was not made for this and it showed. Obviously it was fast and would keep with any of the other wagons on the straights, bar the GT3s but in the corners its weight showed through as did the lack of feel. The latter being more down to the fact that I was not yet accustomed to the car.

The Griff is definately a superior Ring car but doesn't compare on normal driving.

Thoroughly enjoying driving the XK slowly.