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I've had my 09 XKR for 3 years now. I love it. I'm at the point where I'm considering moving up to the 2013 XKR for a few reasons...
- My current 09 R has 120k miles (It's been maintained but still, its a lot of miles on the car and it "feels" like it) I assume as time goes on more things will break as it gets older costing more $. Coming up shortly it could use new shocks and bushings and a few minor other things so you can deduct that from the difference of keeping the car as well. ($3,000?)
- The new LED headlights on the 13 look great. On my car the plastic has gone bad and even with a good buff still have pits and cracks from the sun) so I had to put tint on them. Now the driveability at night is terrible. I'm going to switch to a lighter tint soon. Replacement headlights are insanely expensive for a used part!
- 5.0 has more power. An obvious plus. However, its a consideration to spend money on the 4.2 and make it just as powerful as a stock 5.0. The question here is #1. how much would it cost to get to 500hp. #2. with 120k on the motor is that really a good idea?
Considerations:
To start I've had multiple offers on my car for $13,000. I've found a 13 XKR for $33,000. So 20k difference. *However, if I keep the car I need to spend $3,000 on maintenance coming up shortly. I could sell the car before it becomes necessary. Keeping the car would still be a 17k plus.
If I keep the 09 R
- I don't have to worry about the condition of the car too much. The paint is good but it's not "show quality" so it's not upsetting getting a tiny scratch here or there (To be clear, I hate it in general but not as much as I would with a cleaner car). I also don't care when I put miles on it as its already high mileage.
- I have money to do buy performance parts also new rims then possibly lower the car a bit.
Buy the 13 R
- No need for performance upgrades (at least to start)
- Hopefully less maintenance than my 120k mile car
- Better condition
So I'm looking for opinions from people who've hopefully had both cars. Considering the above and with your experience Is it worth it to upgrade for $17k more?
Consider reliability, the 4.2 SC is pretty well known as a reliable and easy to service motor. The 5.0 SC has major documented issues (timing chain tensioners and guides, water pump).
You can tune up the 5.0 though to ~550 or more, if you want serious power through.
The 4.2 is snappy. The 5.0 is a beast.
Personally I'd just keep the 4.2 for that price. You know what you have. The 5.0 you get could be on its third water pump with a ticking time bomb in the tensioners.
I would keep what you have yes by al means spend $3k on maintenance by buying a 13 reg car it is now 7 years old and it is needing money also spent on it . Keep what you have
On reading most selections on here of jaguar car models most owners do not maintain their cars to a high degree it is a proven fact when looking through the various sections models etc Members lack discipline on replacing not just fluids like transmission and supercharged oil but also other things like belts and spark plugs . do not believe a word that jaguar cars say . Example transmission service
The question is misleading; with cars being equal, my answer is NO, the later XKR is not worth 20k more. However, if we're talking going from a higher mileage early car with issues, to a late car with low mileage and none, it very well might be worth the 20k.
Either way, the reddit r/personalfinance answer is to fix your current car. 3k < 20k by a long shot. SinF said it well, the newer car could still be a lemon or need work. I always expect to fix stuff on a car when i buy it, and just purchase accordingly.
Whatever car you buy or keep, think about maintenance. Coming from a maintenance background, we shot for 85% preventative/planned work and 15% reactive/repair work. This always got us the best uptime, longevity and cost of ownership mixture. I've had cars and motorcycles that people consider very unreliable have Toyota Camry reliability by adhering to excellent maintenance schedules. This 85/15 metric works whether you DIY or pay someone else for work.
That picture is beautiful, but the fish-eye or whatever modification makes it look more like an Aston...something odd with the front end in the photo. It is a good looking ride regardless.
I voted that it is worth it, the 5.0L car is a big jump in all things, suspension and engine. Much is made like the engine is going to fall apart, not true!
lol, I'd almost be willing swap out my 2010xkr for a equal mileage 2009xkr!
I love the 4.2, and the power of the 5.0 is a handful I'm actually getting tired of! 😂
I've had my 09 XKR for 3 years now. I love it. I'm at the point where I'm considering moving up to the 2013 XKR for a few reasons...
- My current 09 R has 120k miles (It's been maintained but still, its a lot of miles on the car and it "feels" like it) I assume as time goes on more things will break as it gets older costing more $. Coming up shortly it could use new shocks and bushings and a few minor other things so you can deduct that from the difference of keeping the car as well. ($3,000?)
- The new LED headlights on the 13 look great. On my car the plastic has gone bad and even with a good buff still have pits and cracks from the sun) so I had to put tint on them. Now the driveability at night is terrible. I'm going to switch to a lighter tint soon. Replacement headlights are insanely expensive for a used part!
- 5.0 has more power. An obvious plus. However, its a consideration to spend money on the 4.2 and make it just as powerful as a stock 5.0. The question here is #1. how much would it cost to get to 500hp. #2. with 120k on the motor is that really a good idea?
Considerations:
To start I've had multiple offers on my car for $13,000. I've found a 13 XKR for $33,000. So 20k difference. *However, if I keep the car I need to spend $3,000 on maintenance coming up shortly. I could sell the car before it becomes necessary. Keeping the car would still be a 17k plus.
If I keep the 09 R
- I don't have to worry about the condition of the car too much. The paint is good but it's not "show quality" so it's not upsetting getting a tiny scratch here or there (To be clear, I hate it in general but not as much as I would with a cleaner car). I also don't care when I put miles on it as its already high mileage.
- I have money to do buy performance parts also new rims then possibly lower the car a bit.
Buy the 13 R
- No need for performance upgrades (at least to start)
- Hopefully less maintenance than my 120k mile car
- Better condition
So I'm looking for opinions from people who've hopefully had both cars. Considering the above and with your experience Is it worth it to upgrade for $17k more?
Heres a picture of my current R: Current 2009 XKR
Very easy to get to 500hp with the 4.2 with just some basic bolt ons and a proper tune. Reliability should not be effected unless your doing track racing all the time but even then these engines can take it. As far as 2013 just my opinion from observation are less reliable than the 07-09 cars .. But maybe you can get one with extended warranty . And no spending 20k more is not worth it but to each their own
That picture is beautiful, but the fish-eye or whatever modification makes it look more like an Aston...something odd with the front end in the photo. It is a good looking ride regardless.
I voted that it is worth it, the 5.0L car is a big jump in all things, suspension and engine. Much is made like the engine is going to fall apart, not true!
I don't know why people keep saying 5.0 is a big jump, it's not . Tuned 4.2 can easily hang with a 5.0 Xkr . I think jaguar could of stuck with 4.2 and got up to 550hp out of it but for emission reasons with direct injection they had to go with a new engine . Notice how my 0-60 is actually faster than a 550hp xkr-s
I voted that it is worth it, the 5.0L car is a big jump in all things, suspension and engine. Much is made like the engine is going to fall apart, not true!
The 5.0 cars has nicer touches to some of the switches and overall appearance. I like the horizontal side vents more than the vertical. The J Gate is a waste of space compared the puck.
The engine is the least of my reasons to want the 5.0. The earlier XK's had more elegant & classic Jaguar colors.
I don't know why people keep saying 5.0 is a big jump, it's not . Tuned 4.2 can easily hang with a 5.0 Xkr . I think jaguar could of stuck with 4.2 and got up to 550hp out of it but for emission reasons with direct injection they had to go with a new engine . Notice how my 0-60 is actually faster than a 550hp xkr-s
What kind of tuning did you do to your 4.2? Basically 4 seconds flat is really impressive for a ten plus year old grand tourer
I don't know why people keep saying 5.0 is a big jump, it's not . Tuned 4.2 can easily hang with a 5.0 Xkr . I think jaguar could of stuck with 4.2 and got up to 550hp out of it but for emission reasons with direct injection they had to go with a new engine . Notice how my 0-60 is actually faster than a 550hp xkr-s
Horsepower isn't my end all. I get it, that is really nice. The 2013 will have updated suspension, new gen tranny, hp already there yes. Also, you get cooled seats, reverse camera, meridian sound system. That and a newer car for which I am a fan, for me older cars have older car problems.
For me those upgrades are worth it, dude asked my opinion I gave it.
In your case it is about performance and that is your focus, by the way I do not find fault with what you are saying!
What kind of tuning did you do to your 4.2? Basically 4 seconds flat is really impressive for a ten plus year old grand tourer
Check my signature on my mods and my tune. And to be fair if we are comparing apples to apples the time with 1 ft rollout was faster even , as magazines test with the rollout my time was 3.8 0-60 but 4.05 0-60 without 1ft rollout
I have owned a 4.2 NA (08), a 5.0 NA (12) and now a 5.0 SC (13). I have not tracked any of the three, but I am out in the twisties 3-4 times a month in all three including a modded 5.0 NA (tuned and Mina exhaust). I can say this, in my experience the SC 5.0 car handles better and is more responsive throttle wise which makes it more fun for me to drive. What did I give up? Well it burns more fuel. That's about it. IMO when it comes right down to it, for me the 5.0 SC is a better vehicle hands down. Oh, that includes having to replace the water pump under warranty is a small price to pay.
Is the 5.0 worth $20k more?
2008 XKR Convertible, (mods: AlphaJagTuning ECU Tune , 1.5lb pulley, (200cel cats( are now melted), xpipe, Bosch 001 pump, 180 Thermostat.
