Hey! This is my first post here in the Jaguar Forum and I hope its not the last!

I am currently in the market to buy a Jaguar XKR. I am leaning for the 2010 coupe, but the more I look at the convertible the more I start to really love it as well. I guess it is hard to not love all XK's regardless!

I am watching the prices of the 2010 XKR and as of right now a good deal is around mid $50's. I can jump down a a couple of years and still get a great 07-09 XKR in the mid $40's or even high $30's. I am not looking to buy until late fall of this year for my 30th birthday so I am willing to wait for the 2010 prices to drop ,but my question is the 2010 XKR that much better than the 2009 XKR?

The 2010 XKR has fitted a 510-hp, 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 in place of the old model’s 420-hp, 4.2-liter supercharged unit. I also see some differences in interior trim most notably the pop-up rotary selector for the six-speed automatic transmission. Which I see some people love and others really hate.

Any input or experiences are very much appreciated. Thanks everyone!

I hope to be driving my XKR regardless of model year soon. It is killing me not to pull the trigger right now.

Ricky

 

YES. Absolutely

 

There are two things that would sway me towards a 2010 XKR.

1) 5.0L engine and almost 100 more horsepower. Enough said.
2) Dynamic sport mode, specifically the transmission behavior. In an '07-'09, turning the shift lever to sport mode will make gear changes initiate with the paddle shifters. However, when revving to redline, the transmission will automatically upshift to the next gear instead of bouncing off the rev limiter. Annoying. Also it will downshift if you are in a relatively low gear and are giving it a lot of throttle. Also annoying, but less annoying since it rarely becomes an issue on the XKR (the XK has a bigger issue with this, IMO, because the transmission will downshift more willingly as it has less power).

Personally if it were the difference between $35k and $50k, I'd rather just have the 2007-2009 model. I think the front end looks better (the 2010 model looks gilly to me), and it still makes awesome noises. Plus I think the 20" Senta wheels suit the car's looks perfectly.

 

Yeah, is going to be tough to pass up the additional 100 HP!

I didn't really notice the difference in body from the 09 to 2010 until you mentioned it. Is it just the grill is larger on the 09?

The price point difference is nice, but since I wont buy until later in the year I may be able to find a good deal on a 2010.

 

I think the 2010 is the better choice if you are able to reach for it comfortably. However I would not shy from an '09 either if a deal were to fall in your lap, as it is certainly a respectable car despite the lesser power.

I favor the older "styling" for a few personal reasons, but the technical advancements of the 2nd gen power-train are a show stopper. My styling dislikes are mostly interior dashboard changes, like the overabundance of fake chrome "bling" on all the buttons, and shift to the rotary knob shifter. As I look at the dash every time I drive, this would bother me daily.

I've mentioned before that in longevity, the 5.0 has no track record, whereas the 4.2 is a decade old platform that is tried and true. Only time will prove the 5.0 as a long term car.

My dream 2nd gen would be all the modern power and exterior style with a 1st gen dashboard.

All that said, I will still make sure my next XK is a 2nd gen with an "R" attached to it! (So you all be good to your "R's" so I can buy a pampered one, OK?)

Vince

 

When you accelerate with the 5 liter you do not have that kind of "explosion" feelings you got with the 4.2. The 5 liter is much smoother

 

Definitely get the 2010 if you have the cash. No replacement for displacement. Yes you can mod the '09 to close to stock 2010 HP but then reliability may go down. The LED taillights on the 2010 looks better as the '06(UK)-'09 taillights is beginning to look outdated imo. The front fascia is a matter of personal choice but I perfer the 2010 over mine. Also, the 2010+ has LSD.

 

i like a lot your headlights, i am worry to mess something, i tried with the 3m vinyl, i rather not describe the experience...thanks for sharing.

 

How about a newer XK than an XKR? I'd imagine you could go a model year newer with just an XK. '10+ XK is pretty close to 07-09 XKR in performance. Less costly to own. Either way, wait to find the right one and look nationally. Shipping a car is under $2k all day long.

 

I swapped an 08 vert for a 12 vert. The second generation of the xk is abetter car all the way around. More cubes, tighter handling and an active dynamics mod not available in the 08.

 

I really want the extra power that the 2010 XKR offers for no other reason than as Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear constantly yells "Poooower!". I'm sure I will regret that decision one day when I get a serious speeding ticket.

Thanks for all the input. I really was leaning towards waiting for the 2010 XKR to fall in my price range, but just wanted to confirm. I will keep my eye out and hopefully something falls in my lap before the end of the year. My ideal situation would be to buy a 2010 XKR on the west coast and drive her all the way back to Atlanta. Take a couple weeks and just slowly make my way home.

 

My wife doesn't like the rotary knob gear selector, but I love it. I knew I would. My guess is that you, too, probably already know which camp you will fall in regarding that detail.

 

Wow...here is a 2010 XKR Coupe for $49,999

Jaguar : XK XKR Coupe in Jaguar | eBay Motors

 

A 2009 XKR or a 2010 XKR? Let me ask you this ... would you rather spend a week at the best hotel in Monte Carlo with Miss Universe ... or with the contestant who was runner up? In both cases, you'll be happy regardless of what Jag (or girl) you get!

 

I just got back from the Jaguar Alive event at FedEx Field and I had some seat time in a 2012 XKR coupe.

I have to say, the differences between the 2012 and my 2007 XKR were not as drastic as I was expecting. Yes, they dressed up the interior and exterior a bit, added a new engine, and added a few new settings for sport/dynamic mode and other interior/entertainment features. However, behind all that, the car is basically the same.

My impressions were that the 5.0 pulled quite a bit harder in the upper revs than my 4.2, but I don't think it sounded any better, and if you like the supercharger whine you won't find (much of) it in the 5.0. The 5.0 car felt heavier to me (even though my XKR is a convertible and the 2012 I drove was a coupe)--as if the torque was pulling you forward, whereas my 4.2 seems much more free-revving.

That being said, if I were to choose between an 2010 and a 2009, I'd choose the 2010 hands down, since the price difference is probably not much. However, if I were cross-shopping the 2010 against a 2007-2008 model, I might not choose the 2010...

 

Another way to look at it: Power to weight ratio
Just in term of power output a modded xkr 4.2 will have almost identical power to weight ratios as the 5.0 litre engine. (with mods I am talking ecu tuning, upper pulley and air intakes - e.g. the "easy stuff")

For you figure guys I am listing the figures for my vert below:
4.2 litre modded version
480 bhp 1.7 ton = 282.4 bhp/ton
5.0 litre version
510 bhp 1.8 ton = 283,3 bhp/ton

I have done neither of the above yet as I am still researching the dyno curves etc for differences (and also I would like to get to know the car a bit before I do something with it).

From this standpoint at least the distance seems fairly close

 

I don't think users would be necessarily able to appreciate the extent of differences during a test drive, or around a parking lot, despite the differences in a high performance setting being very significant. Torque at all rpm is obvious, as would the difference in tire grip in challenging conditions due to the fact that one doesn't have a limited slip differential and the other does, and then there's a range of handling and braking differences as well.

It's interesting that the price of the 2010 XKR wasn't any higher than the 2009 XKR, despite the more powerful engine, and upgrades to brakes, suspension, differential, etc. Depreciation has just had a little more time to work it's magic on the older ones, but they're all a bargain...especially if low mileage and still covered with a warranty.

Bruce

 

I had a XKR convertible 09 , traded it in for an 11. To me it is almost like driving a different car. The 5 L 510 HP engine is a dream. The instantaneous response , the power, and that feeling of authority takes the engine to a new level.

The enhanced suspension with the dynamic mode and sport setting give the car stability and handling that eclipses the 09 by a wide margin.

The interior aesthetics are nicely enhanced. The knobs and buttons look far more expensive and the contrast stitching on the seats, dash and doors look wonderful

There is no area that the 09 is the equal or superior to the 11. It is worth every penny of the $25000 I paid to move up.