As most of you know, I have some very nice choices of automobiles to drive. Most recently I added a 2015 Corvette C7 Stingray to my stable of premium sports cars.

A few members have asked for some comparisons and my thoughts. Please keep in mind these are personal impressions.

The stablemates:

2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Convertible

2014 Porsche Cayman 981

2015 Corvette C7 Stingray (Targa)

Ratings:

Sports Car Appearence:
1) Corvette C7 Stingray
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert

Luxury Appearence:
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Corvette C7 Stingray

Sports Car Interior Appearence
1) Corvette C7 Stingray
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert

Luxury Interior Appearence
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Corvette C7 Stingray

Smoothness of ride
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Corvette C7 Stingray

Engine Bay Appearence
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Corvette C7 Stingray
3) Porsche Cayman 981 (No engine to look at)

Power Performance of Engine
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Corvette C7 Stingray
3) Porsche Cayman 981

Exhaust Note or Sound
1) Corvette C7 Stingray
2) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
3) Porsche Cayman 981

Overall Driver Handling
1) Porsche Cayman 981
2) Corvette C7 Stingray
3) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert

Interior Instrumentation Appearence
1) Corvette C7 Stingray
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert

Leather Interior Quality
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Corvette C7 Stingray

Overall Build Quality
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Corvette C7 Stingray

Exterior Paint Quality
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Corvette C7 Stingray

Acceleration
1) Corvette C7 Stingray (Non Supercharged)
2) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Editon Vert
3) Porsche Cayman 981

Telemetry
1) Corvette C7 Stingray
2) Porsche 0981
3)Jaguar Portfolio Edition Vert

Infotainment System
1) Corvette C7 Stingray
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition

Braking System Components
1) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert (Alcon components)
2) Corvette C7 Stingray
3) Porsche Cayman 981

Value for the MSRP Price
1) Corvette C7 Stingray (This automobile is an outstanding value)
2) Porsche Cayman 981
3) Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Vert

Best ride EVER!
1) Phoenix F1000 Formula Race Car

These are just a few thoughts. If you are interested in any other comparisons, I will anwser any questions.

All 3 of these beautiful sports cars are a true privledge to own and drive. Each decidely different. I am so very well pleased with all 3 of these premium automobiles.

 

I would like to offer myself up for adoption to you my kind sir. Call me Son

 

Now you need to buy a 5.0 XKR and try all the tests again. I've heard there is quite a noticeable difference in acceleration between the 4.2 and the 5.0. I've never driven the 4.2, so I don't know.
Interesting, the Porsche (never liked them) came in mostly second place.

 

Both the Jaguar XKR and Corvette C7 have more power than I will ever need.

Both of these have quite allot of acceleration. Keep in mind these are driven on normal USA roads, and I will never track any of my vehicles. That is what "real" race cars are built for.

 

Thank you for taking the time for the informative comparison. Your gradings look very reasonable for what I know about the cars.

I'm still being tempted by the Stingray. I had always involved myself with my cars, trying to improve their performance and handling. That is one large aspect that draws me to the Stingray. You go on the Vette forums and they are already loaded with info on the availability and performance reviews of after market parts. Like, I would change rear sway bars on my Jags; only if I could. Not only they are not available but, they are hidden under the rear subframe, requiring a major disassembly to change one. On the Stingray it is a 10 minute job. Same thing with lowering the car. Maybe an hour worth of job on the Vette with no additional parts required.

I have to say that I really do not need an other car. For two of us we already have 4. But, having too many cars never really stopped me from wanting and actually getting an other. So, as my XJL lease is expiring in 6 months the Stingray certainly looks attractive. My, yet, undecided choice would be either the Z51 with Mag Ride (to propel the Stingray to the first place in ride quality, instead of the last, as you judged with the base suspension) or, go for broke and get the ZO6 with the new 8sp tranny. No, I don't need that much performance anymore but, I like the aggressive wide look and, geeez... 650HP for this old racer is sooooo hard to resist... :-)

 

I'm very interested by your comparison of build quality of the Jag v Porsche. I've been driving and looking at number of new dealer jags over the last month XF's, XJ's and F types and I'm gaining the impression that when they moved to Solihull from Browns Lane Land Rover taught them all there bad habits interior trim that doesn't line up windows that don't shut evenly left to right. I agree that the first feel of quality choice of leather and materials is good but as I've started to look deeper I'm increasingly disappointed.

 

Rich,
1st you have a beautiful collection of cars.
I think you left one comparison out. There is nothing better than on a warm night driving the Jag with the top down. The feel the sound and looks the others don't compare. My son in law has the C7 and with the top down you don't get that open feeling for crusing around. It does get there fast though.
On the hand you get the best of all worlds with that stable, but then its always a delema of which one to take. I don't have that problem.
Jim

 

Rich,


If you HAD to get rid of two of those cars, which one would you choose to keep.

 

The keeper.....2015 Corvette C7 Stingray

1st to go....2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Convertible (16,700 miles)
1st offer made at $44,000 gets the Jaguar.....Original MSRP $108,000

2nd to go.....2014 Porsche Cayman 981 (3200 Miles)
1st offer made at $63,000 gets the Porsche.....Original MSRP $72,500

Both in excellent condition.....professionally maintained.

 

Interesting that you gave engine power to Jag yet acceleration to Vette. C7 has more power and acceleration than XKR 4.2 if I'm not mistaken.

But as pointed out the 5.0 is another story entirely.

 

Evoking:

The Jaguar seems to have a little more punch than the C7 as far as I can determine. I am still in the "engine break in period" on the Vette so I am being somewhat careful on the pedal. They are close, but the Jag just feels a bit different.

2009 XKR rated at 420 HP....2015 Corvette C7 rated at 460 HP & 475 HP with my Performance Exhaust that is on the C7.

I am sure once I get passed the breakin period, that observation will change. Granted the HP rating on the Vette is much higher. I will advise.

 

How would your assessment change if you had the 5.0 XKR?

 

I am not sure as of yet. I have limited time in the Corvette C7 and can't take the engine over 4000 RPM due to strict engine break in guidelines.

As for the 4.2 vs 5.0L engine. There is plenty of power with the 4.2L Supercharged engine for me personally.

Naturally, the Corvette has more HP than the 4.2 L 2009 Jag XKR. I am sure that once I get the C7 engine broken in, the power performance rating that I posted will place the C7 at the top of the ratings, then followed by the Jag XKR.

But here's a data tested comparison of the Corvette C& vs a Jag XKR-S and Porsche 911.....the Corvette wins hands down over the XKR-S.

Take a few minutes to read.....

Sport Auto performance tests: Corvette C7 Stingray vs. Jaguar XKR-S vs. Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK

Corvette C7 vs Porsche 911 und Jaguar XKR-S: Rauer Wild-West-Ami - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT

 

I would disagree in that the Jag shows well and was never meant to be a sports car. It's a GT and anyone thinking otherwise has never driven something light and high revving. The Jag wins as the oldest platform and still the most powerful.

I would love to see what a detuned 5.0L supercharged jag engine would do in a 2K pound car.

 

I'll chime in here having owned 2 Corvette's in my past life. My 1st being in my youth and had a great deal of fun with it. 327/340 1963 convertible. Loved it but looking back I remember it rode like a buckboard. Turn the page and 20 years later got a 71 350/350 T-top and once again a fun car but rode like a buckboard. Then 15 years later got the Ferrari 3L/240 in a GTB and it was a lot of high revin fun and it rode firm but would always put a smile on my face. Now in between I had Jags of which I had an XJS and after 100K on the V12 did an engine transplant of a TPI Corvette engine and drivetrain. That was fun also. So here we are at age 70 wanting a little fun but looking for comfort too. Corvette's looked good but in my little town of 9000 people we have a dozen or so around here and after a test drive it reminded me of a refined buckboard. I liked it but the style of the Jag and the ride sold me. We all have good taste and great cars but the most important part is enjoy what you want. Enjoy the ride.

 

Jagtoes:

No doubt the Jaguar XKR is luxury and that is why I rated it as #1

Did you drive the new Corvette C7? 2014 or 2015?

 

Yep did a 2015 coupe and just like my experience with the F-Type coupe it was to tight (small) inside for me. The ride was a lot better then in the old days but my heart is not in one anymore. I know you like yours and you will have a lot of fun with it and good for you. As for me I guess it's not my cup of tea. Enjoy

 

So, I bit the bullet yesterday by purchasing a NEW base Stingray. Same color combo as posted by the OP, richzak, minus the Z51 wheels. No cars traded or sold so, have to figure out a protected parking space for one more car :-).

It was a decision process to decide which model as they were all in the running, including the ZO6. Finally realized that I really can not use 650HP effectively on the streets and I do not intend to race anymore. Did that for decades and now done track racing.

The base 460HP engine with the dual exhaust and the optional 8sp Auto transmission should accelerate comfortably under 4 sec (0-60) and do the quarter mile right around 12s flat. If that is not quick enough for any street driver, he/she should turn himself voluntarily into the custody of law :-). BTW - the base 8sp Auto comes with better overall performance ratios than the 7sp Z51 Manual for quicker acceleration.

For suspension, only $300 will purchase a set of Z51 swaybars/bushings that will bring the base car's handling within a hairline of the Z51 handling. The only single thing I would like to have are the Magnetic Shocks that are only available with the Z51 option. At this point I did not think they were worth a good $5000.

I chose the base car because I also prefer the 18 & 19" wheels for more tire sidewall and ride comfort as well as for the added resistance to wheel-pothole damages. I am 100% convinced that in even the fastest street driving one can not explore the small differences between the base and the Z51's larger wheels/lower profile tires. They both use the same width, 245/285 tires.

The only options are the dual mode performance exhaust, 8sp Auto, transparent removable targa top, battery tender and upgraded carpets. With that the car is a HUGE performance bargain, delivered to me from MI to CA for less than $55K. Yes, CA dealers are still ripping off buyers; oh well, their loss...

Car will be lowered as soon as it comes off the transport truck. It is a super easy job with the patented Corvette leaf springs. After having Jags for years now it is so refreshing to again have a car with an abundance of very reasonably priced aftermarket products.

Question for richzak: I have already ordered the ZO6 front splitter. Where did you get the side splitter/carbon mist paint?

 

Congratulations. Good buy!

 

Have fun and enjoy the ride. You only go around once.