XK - owner's thoughts appreciated
Discussion
I have just bought XKR convertible after years of TVRs.Having been given S type diesel as company car I decided that when I changed my TIV that the XKR would be on shopping list.It is a car with the ability to adapt to your mood from luxury car to fast road car.It is no sports car but covers our crowded roads with aplomb and I cannot wait to get on the continent this year to enjoy my car.
Only thing lacking in my opinion is the V8 exhaust note which at some time I will do something about but unsure as to best route at moment.
I am very pleased with my choice
Only thing lacking in my opinion is the V8 exhaust note which at some time I will do something about but unsure as to best route at moment.
I am very pleased with my choice
Los Angeles said:
I've been given a long-termer [the coupe] and I'm keen to hear from current owners what they think of the car, as objectively as can be managed. I have driven one before and formed some impression, however, as always it's the views of owners that help shape mine. Many thanks.
Best advice is join the XK8/R Enthusiasts Club, great forum in the mmbers area.
They have many members in the USA as well as UK. www.xkec.co.uk
Los Angeles said:
Much obliged, chaps.
tvron said:
It is no sports car but covers ..
Can you elaborate on that a bit more? Are you saying [for example] there's room for the F-Type Jaguar because the XK is still a boulevard cruiser? You're having a larf arent you! The new XKR has plenty of sports car performance, competing easily with the 911. When Ford rid themselves of Aston, it opens up the opportunity for even more uprated versions if you want a more raw experience and less long range ability; such as the XKR GT3 seen recently. But cant see them introducing a new model above the XK (ie to compete with F430 and/or Vanquish). Afterall, porsche havent ever felt the need (Carrera GT aside).
When I said it was not a sports car I meant that compared to Chimaera the XKR(mine is last of old model)is a bit too big to be agile in the way my TIV was and does not have pin sharp handling and inherent feel of TIV BUT it handles well and covers ground very quickly and actually covers Britains poorly surfaced A and B Roads quicker due to slightly softer suspension . I was looking for a British car that would still give me a buzz at right times but also take my wife and I on our holidays in comfort and can only say that the XKR should be ideal.I am also planning to visit Nurburgring this year to do some laps and am sure that will be good as well
tvron said:
I was looking for a British car that would still give me a buzz at right times but also take my wife and I on our holidays in comfort and can only say that the XKR should be ideal.
I am also planning to visit Nurburgring this year to do some laps and am sure that will be good as well
I am also planning to visit Nurburgring this year to do some laps and am sure that will be good as well
I've done both.
Sorry don't mean your wife, I was talking of mine.
Nurburgring is an experiance, same as the wife!
Kryten, XKR is fantastic but you're not seriously suggesting it would compete with a 997? Even the dealer told me they are two completely different cars. Its just not hardcore enough. I'm delighted to see that the XKR is going to take part in GT3, it better do well, but frankly its the car that I am going to drive personally that matters to me not reflected glory from something that happened on the telly at the weekend. I hope they get their finger out and produce a serious driver's edition before that whole market gets bored waiting and goes elsewhere.
cardigankid said:
Kryten, XKR is fantastic but you're not seriously suggesting it would compete with a 997? Even the dealer told me they are two completely different cars. Its just not hardcore enough. I'm delighted to see that the XKR is going to take part in GT3, it better do well, but frankly its the car that I am going to drive personally that matters to me not reflected glory from something that happened on the telly at the weekend. I hope they get their finger out and produce a serious driver's edition before that whole market gets bored waiting and goes elsewhere.
You put some quite illinformed sweeping generalisations in that outburst.
You seem to have the impression that everyone wants the XKR to be a track car?!
The XKR isnt meant to be hardcore, its meant to be a faster version of its elegant GT sibling (standard XK)otherwise it wouldnt have filled the car with shed loads of heavy goodies. If Jag release a road version of its GT3 (as Porsche do), then that will be your hardcore version, and i'm sure they'll remove some of the creature comforts that normal Jag buyers desire (like suspension). The XKR is not about track days, its about having a reliable comfortable (and in some cases rapid) car which you can drive every day, and for long distances.
However, I imagine that just about every XKR sold is one less sale for Porsche; hence it is a direct competitor.
Well, I have been looking at a shortlist of XKR/AM V8 Vantage/911 GT3 and I have now driven two of them, the Porsche and the Jag. When I told the Jag dealer this he seemed to feel that these were not really comparable cars. He was right. When I then drove the XKR I thought that not enough had been done to separate it from the XK. They are both big smooth GT's, and one is just faster than the other. This impression was strengthened by the interior, which felt like something from a saloon. The paddle shift gearbox was outstanding, the ability to travel smoothly but still fast was near uncanny. But someone who is going to buy a Porsche is wanting that sensation that this is not too far away from a racer. A little more firmness from the suspension, a sense of immediacy from the steering and an exhaust/engine sound that is never too far away if you want it. I'm not saying that it isn't a great car, but its not a competitor to Porsche, which I had hoped that it would be.
Sorry if it sounds like an outburst but I do feel strongly about this.
Sorry if it sounds like an outburst but I do feel strongly about this.
But you're choice of Porker is the GT3, which is a whole different type of car and cant/shouldnt be compared to the XKR. Infact the GT3 isnt really that comparable to the standard 997. The fact that the GT3 is on your list instead of say a 997 or 997S, means that you really werent going to be that happy with an XKR (or an AMV8 for that matter) anyway.
Had a new XKR 2 months now but been out of the country for 6 weeks so only 500 miles so far.
Early days but the R is just fantastic. Draws loads of attention from young and old . Only one issue so far and that was slight wind noise from px mirror but was sorted by dealer. The car has a split personality - exceptionally easy to drive when you want to just cruise but put it into sport mode and you can have a fantastic demanding drive in it.The most disappointing thing was the exhaust note IMO. You can hardly hear it in the car !! Solution - buy the convertible and drive with the roof down everywhere or do what I did - put the Paramount Performance exhaust on. It is just fantastic !!.........and you get an extra 18bhp !!!!!
Early days but the R is just fantastic. Draws loads of attention from young and old . Only one issue so far and that was slight wind noise from px mirror but was sorted by dealer. The car has a split personality - exceptionally easy to drive when you want to just cruise but put it into sport mode and you can have a fantastic demanding drive in it.The most disappointing thing was the exhaust note IMO. You can hardly hear it in the car !! Solution - buy the convertible and drive with the roof down everywhere or do what I did - put the Paramount Performance exhaust on. It is just fantastic !!.........and you get an extra 18bhp !!!!!
kryten22uk said:
But you're choice of Porker is the GT3, which is a whole different type of car and cant/shouldnt be compared to the XKR. Infact the GT3 isnt really that comparable to the standard 997. The fact that the GT3 is on your list instead of say a 997 or 997S, means that you really werent going to be that happy with an XKR (or an AMV8 for that matter) anyway.
The XKR is not a competitor to with the 997S or an AMV8. It is much softer then either of them. If they evey do build an "XKR-R", I'd be very interested as the XKR has the makings of a great car. Until then though, they will not attract many drivers looking for a sports car.
tvron said:
When I said it was not a sports car I meant that compared to Chimaera the XKR(mine is last of old model)is a bit too big to be agile in the way my TIV was and does not have pin sharp handling and inherent feel of TIV BUT it handles well and covers ground very quickly and actually covers Britains poorly surfaced A and B Roads quicker due to slightly softer suspension . I was looking for a British car that would still give me a buzz at right times but also take my wife and I on our holidays in comfort and can only say that the XKR should be ideal.I am also planning to visit Nurburgring this year to do some laps and am sure that will be good as well
Hiya, I too have changed to a 4.2 XKR Coupe, after having to let the Cerbera go. The Jag is a great car and I really enjoy the amazing smooth surge of power it has from almost any speed! My buying criteria seems similar to yours and so far I am not dissappointed. I am using it as my daily driver now as am enjoying it so much. One of the key benefits when compared to my TVR's is how cheap the servicing is. I was sdtunned when I was told the prices by a main dealer near me. There are a number of local 'Jag Specialists' who can do all the work and stamp the book for even less! The only costly items are the tyres for the 20" rims, but stick with the standard Pirellis and the wear rate is acceptable!
As far as the exhaust note is concerned I have had a replacement 'cat back' system made up that sounds amazing. It cost me a fraction of the price of many 'off the shelf' systems. Plus I still have the standard bits if I ever need to change it back! It now has a much better exhaust note which rises in intensity as the revs go up, but it never becomes 'intrusive' inside the car even on a long motorway blast!
Drop me an e-mail and I will gladly pass on the details if you are interested!
Scott
steelej said:
Have you driven the new XKR? I have, I also drove the AMv8, the Jag's better IMHO and is what I ordered.
John.
John.
Yes, I have and really wanted to like it.
I had two extended test drives and, whilst it is clearly an excellent car, it's just too "soft" to be considered a proper sports car. It also needs a manual gearbox as the gearbox, whilst being an improvement over the previous XKR (which I owned) is still not good enough.
As I said previously, if they ever bring out something a bit more focused then I'd definitely be very interested.
PS you don't have to be so defensive
whoami said:
PS you don't have to be so defensive
lol, sorry didn't mean to come across as defensive
Los Angeles said:
Interesting comment, John. I'd like to hear more of your comparison. LA.
I thought the V8 was a great car, but it just wasn't the car I was looking for, I thought the clutch was heavy, gearbox was clunky, ride was harsher than the jag, it just wasn't for me. I think the XKR is the perfect balance between sport and comfort, it's quiet as a mouse when you're crusing along and extremely comfortable then put your foot down and it turns into a hooligan
John.
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