PH Service History: Big Cat Diary
The F-Type's all good and well, but Alex been pining for a different kind of Jaguar sports car
Racy is available if you want. Alex doesn't
A replacement, then, is on the cards - albeit a little way off, meaning lovers of grand tourers like me will have to wait longer. How tedious. If you're impatient, like me, you might be tempted to take the plunge on a late example of the last-generation model. Oh, sure, these feel a little dated now, but they're still just as comfortable and satisfying to drive as they were when they were released; indeed, there are few grand tourers that combine such elegant looks with such comfort - not to mention, such accessible prices.
OK, so if you want something new-ish, you'll still need to stump up quite a bit of cash. £37K, for example, gets you into this admittedly very tasteful 2013 Portfolio, with just 16,000 miles and a full history. But that feels a bit steep when an XKR with barely any more miles can be had for similar money - assuming you're willing to settle for something a couple of years older.
But this, this is much more like it
The advantage of going for one of these XKs is that you get the significantly improved AJ133 engine that later formed the basis of the cracklingly angry lump sitting in the nose of the F-TypeSVR. Of course, here it's rather tamer; nevertheless, 385hp is not to be sniffed at, and while the XK is still a bit of a slusher, that 62mph comes up in just 5.2 seconds suggests it's still quick enough to provide plenty of entertainment. It sounds better than the older 4.2, too.
Still too rich for your blood? How about an earlier XK8, then? I'm a bit biased here, as an XK8 was the first half-decent car my old man bought, but I think they're pretty cars despite that slightly lumpy back end. And while, of course an '8 is not as quick or as good to drive as the later cars, it's still a lovely old tourer, with that 'Spitfire wing' slab of wood giving the interior the impression of an old country pub.
Or for just £5,000...
The Jaguar XK, then, is alive and well in the classifieds. And while none of these iterations will give you the last word in handling dynamics, all of them have an appeal that only a big Jag can offer. Fingers crossed the same can be said of the new one (and, ahem, that it depreciates quickly enough that we can all afford one soon).
Alex
The ride/handling were well praised by contemporary reviews, for example EVO said this "The XKR feels a little edgier and harder than the XFR but still rides with great composure. Turn-in has real bite and conviction, mid-bend responses are beautifully clean and crisp and damping control is simply sublime. Equally impressive is the transient behaviour. The intestinal S-bends that characterize the CA9104 between Grazalema and Zahara present no problem at all; the Jaguar shifts its weight with the lithe precision of a world-class downhill skiier".
I love the interior colour combo, which, aside from the lower than average mileage, is what sold this particular XK to me.
Aside from size the only downsides I have is the cost of tyres (expected considering the size) and the number of bell ends wanting to race (expected from the hot hatch brigade including a resident Mini Cooper).
If I have a problem with them it is their size - they are big for a 2-seater! (And there was never a manual option).
I have mine maintained by Trevor at jag spares at Sydenham and I have not spent a penny outside consumables (services b 350, a 450) barring an active spires exhaust which despite being a tad expensive really brings a sense of theatre and occasion to those weekend drives. Fuel 27 mpg on a run about 18-20 around town not too bad at all.
As for space my 5 year old niece and 7 year old nephew fitted no problem in the back I am 5”10.
Initially I never thought I would see myself in a jag in my late twenties but whoever is even thinking about getting one I cannot recommend them enough.
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