convertible compared to coupe
#21
07-11-2013, 05:58 PM
Veteran Member
I am now on my second xk vert. I live in S Cal so I get to use it with top down 11-12 months a year. Granted some days it is too hot for the top to be down; but then the AC takes over and the car is basically quiet with the top up at freeway speed. My 2012 has a rear backup camera which takes care of the poor sight lines with the top up. The 2012 is very stiff no cowl shake and even in the LA are very few rattles and/or squeaks with 16k miles on the car. I use a lot of sun block and always wear a hat to cover the bald head whenever I am outside more than 10 minutes.
Finally, the look of the convertible is amazing. I get comments regarding the car at least two or three times a week. On the other hand whichever you choose, you will enjoy it.
Finally, the look of the convertible is amazing. I get comments regarding the car at least two or three times a week. On the other hand whichever you choose, you will enjoy it.
#22
07-11-2013, 10:23 PM
Senior Member
I am now on my second xk vert. I live in S Cal so I get to use it with top down 11-12 months a year. Granted some days it is too hot for the top to be down; but then the AC takes over and the car is basically quiet with the top up at freeway speed. My 2012 has a rear backup camera which takes care of the poor sight lines with the top up. The 2012 is very stiff no cowl shake and even in the LA are very few rattles and/or squeaks with 16k miles on the car. I use a lot of sun block and always wear a hat to cover the bald head whenever I am outside more than 10 minutes.
Finally, the look of the convertible is amazing. I get comments regarding the car at least two or three times a week. On the other hand whichever you choose, you will enjoy it.
Finally, the look of the convertible is amazing. I get comments regarding the car at least two or three times a week. On the other hand whichever you choose, you will enjoy it.
#23
07-12-2013, 08:33 AM
Veteran Member
I did consider both and LOVED my S2000, even living in WI. Loved the looks I'd get on a sunny 35F day driving to work with the top down and the heaters BLARING. That car, however, was built for driving and looking at with the top down.
When it came time to make that choice on the XK I had to go coupe. The lines are just far too lovely - truly a thing of beauty. It's probably got the nicest *** of any car I've ever seen. After almost three months I still turn around and look at it EVERY time I walk away. No way I could have bought a 'vert and given that up. Even for drop top driving.
When it came time to make that choice on the XK I had to go coupe. The lines are just far too lovely - truly a thing of beauty. It's probably got the nicest *** of any car I've ever seen. After almost three months I still turn around and look at it EVERY time I walk away. No way I could have bought a 'vert and given that up. Even for drop top driving.
#24
07-12-2013, 10:53 AM
Looks and how much use you'll get out of the convertible is pretty subjective, but I'll say this as a coupe owner... I'm 6'1 and there is no way I want to test the "extra safety" provided by the roof. There just isn't that much room up there, if I flip it my head is definitely going into the roof. I think you'd have to have a very specific set of circumstances in an accident for the coupe to be that much safer than the convertible. JMO.
#25
07-12-2013, 11:17 AM
Senior Member
I just came from two coupes and when I started looking at the XKR-S I knew it was time for a convertible. I like how the performance between the two is similar, where as most convertibles are much heavier than their coupe counterpart. This is not the case with the Jaguar.
I will say, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the top insulates the car from sound and the Houston heat. It honestly feels like a coupe with the top on, with the exception of the poor visibility from the rear angles.
But on those cool mornings or spring and fall seasons...there is nothing like dropping the top and hearing that exhaust. The convertible is my choice in the XK.
I will say, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the top insulates the car from sound and the Houston heat. It honestly feels like a coupe with the top on, with the exception of the poor visibility from the rear angles.
But on those cool mornings or spring and fall seasons...there is nothing like dropping the top and hearing that exhaust. The convertible is my choice in the XK.
#26
07-12-2013, 12:11 PM
Veteran Member
Another sad health concern for me and verts, is my family lineage seems to die from cancer. Grand parents, great grandparents as well.
My uncle pass many years back from skin cancer on his face gone bad. Now my dad has growths hacked off his face on a bi-monthly basis.
Sun is great for those without those hereditary worries, but we live with full brimmed hats, and SPF 50 as a way of life...grrrrrr
V
My uncle pass many years back from skin cancer on his face gone bad. Now my dad has growths hacked off his face on a bi-monthly basis.
Sun is great for those without those hereditary worries, but we live with full brimmed hats, and SPF 50 as a way of life...grrrrrr
V
#27
07-12-2013, 12:12 PM
Veteran Member
Stop this lunacy...the XK vert is not only the most beautiful XK, but the most beautiful convertible by any manufacturer! The same was true for the XKE, or XKE vert with detachable hardtop roof on. I bought one of those for the look back in the day, but only drove it with all tops down it seems. The XKR vert has the best rear of any, and I do double and triple-takes when I walk away from it also.
Now I do acknowledge that the thoroughly carefree nature of the XK vert isn't suitable for some of you guys that by climate, need or choice have to have an impenetrable hard roof dome crowded over your head on a daily basis, and I do feel awfully sorry for you, but for those of us that drive it mostly for the pure pleasure of it all on nice days and evenings, the XK coupe, or any coupe, just can't compare. I'm just thankfully Jaguar also offers it in coupe form for the rest of you guys... and that the vert has a little switch to automatically raise the vert's roof for those odd times when it's desired
No problem getting it onto tracks for lapping days so far, with the factory deployable roll hoops meeting their safety requirements. Requirements may vary between tracks and event organisers. I've also found that the trunk and back seat provide lots of room for weekends away and shopping trips where we've really been able to load her up!
Bruce
Now I do acknowledge that the thoroughly carefree nature of the XK vert isn't suitable for some of you guys that by climate, need or choice have to have an impenetrable hard roof dome crowded over your head on a daily basis, and I do feel awfully sorry for you, but for those of us that drive it mostly for the pure pleasure of it all on nice days and evenings, the XK coupe, or any coupe, just can't compare. I'm just thankfully Jaguar also offers it in coupe form for the rest of you guys... and that the vert has a little switch to automatically raise the vert's roof for those odd times when it's desired
No problem getting it onto tracks for lapping days so far, with the factory deployable roll hoops meeting their safety requirements. Requirements may vary between tracks and event organisers. I've also found that the trunk and back seat provide lots of room for weekends away and shopping trips where we've really been able to load her up!
Bruce
#28
07-12-2013, 01:36 PM
^OMG, that's automotive ****...are you even allowed to post pics like that on this forum??? And Matt's right about dropping the top to fully appreciate the exhaus!t
Okay, so some naturally prefer one over the other for a variety of reasons, but there's one thing I've always wondered about...why do so many who like the sleek and sexy look of the coupe then turn around and change its appearance by lowering it, pushing out its wheels, changing the wheels, changing its trim, cover what they don't like in black plastic dip or just cover up the whole thing in vinyl, etc, etc? And some discover they don't like the sound of it either so they change the exhaust, and then change it some more. And where guys used to just sell a car they didn't like any more, coupe owners are now reportedly murdering theirs out of existence!
I think my XKR must be happy to have been built as a vert, we seem to be very happy together, and never moreso then when her four tires are screaming like raped chickens around the race track...always with top up for maximum safety
Bruce
Okay, so some naturally prefer one over the other for a variety of reasons, but there's one thing I've always wondered about...why do so many who like the sleek and sexy look of the coupe then turn around and change its appearance by lowering it, pushing out its wheels, changing the wheels, changing its trim, cover what they don't like in black plastic dip or just cover up the whole thing in vinyl, etc, etc? And some discover they don't like the sound of it either so they change the exhaust, and then change it some more. And where guys used to just sell a car they didn't like any more, coupe owners are now reportedly murdering theirs out of existence!
I think my XKR must be happy to have been built as a vert, we seem to be very happy together, and never moreso then when her four tires are screaming like raped chickens around the race track...always with top up for maximum safety
Bruce
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#29
07-12-2013, 01:49 PM
Veteran Member
The XK is one of those rare convertibles that was actually conceived and designed as a convertible first. You can tell because the coupes actually are built from a convertible's tub, and then has the roof welded in (I believe that roof seam is possibly the only place on the body/aluminum chassis where there is a weld)--on the C pillar.
Of course, I'm sure I'm oversimplifying and getting some of the facts wrong, but it's still basically true...
Of course, I'm sure I'm oversimplifying and getting some of the facts wrong, but it's still basically true...
#30
07-12-2013, 02:31 PM
Veteran Member
Now here's a nice looking rear end.......click on the photo for a close up, but don't touch!
Last edited by richzak; 07-12-2013 at 02:39 PM.
#31
07-12-2013, 05:11 PM
Veteran Member
I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I just don't see it myself. I think the vert is ruined by the lack of haunches especially with the roof down. The coupe has a very defined curve where the roof joins the body which then flows down over the rear wings.
Last edited by u102768; 07-12-2013 at 08:56 PM.
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scm (01-24-2014)
#32
07-12-2013, 07:32 PM
And, as a coupe owner who has lowered his car about 30 mm, and "pushed the wheels out" 20 mm all around, I do not believe I have done violence to my car or its looks. In fact, I think this is how it should have looked straight from the factory.
Finally, I have admittedly old, but almost reflexive, prejudices against verts in general, because of cowl shake, weight and track limitations at some tracks. Even though none of these seem to apply to the XKR vert
#33
07-12-2013, 08:07 PM
I think you're either a convertible person or you're not. I'm not and have never owned one (plus it's way too hot in Houston and if I need a fresh air fix I have my motorcycles where at least I can feel some wind blast).
I also like the look of the coupe better for the same reasons already mentioned here by others (and I also liked the XKE coupe better)--there just aren't many verts that look outstanding with the top up (kind of the nature of the beast and a trade off to have the ability to lower the top) and that's the way mine would always look if I had one, so it would be a waste. But then, that's what makes a horserace.
Does anyone have any figures on the sales of one vs. the other?
I also like the look of the coupe better for the same reasons already mentioned here by others (and I also liked the XKE coupe better)--there just aren't many verts that look outstanding with the top up (kind of the nature of the beast and a trade off to have the ability to lower the top) and that's the way mine would always look if I had one, so it would be a waste. But then, that's what makes a horserace.
Does anyone have any figures on the sales of one vs. the other?
#34
07-12-2013, 10:22 PM
Veteran Member
Here are the sales figures for the Jaguar XK series.
Jaguar XK Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR
The data table does not break down coupe vs convertible, but the overall sales numbers are quite low, thus making the XK/XKR quite a rare automobile compared to other brands. From reading other research, it appears the production numbers are about 50/50 coupes to convertibles in the XK line-up.
Within the text, you can find sales comparisons on what is classified as "premium sporty cars". The information and data is quite interesting. Mostly broken down by month to month figures.
Jaguar XK Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR
The data table does not break down coupe vs convertible, but the overall sales numbers are quite low, thus making the XK/XKR quite a rare automobile compared to other brands. From reading other research, it appears the production numbers are about 50/50 coupes to convertibles in the XK line-up.
Within the text, you can find sales comparisons on what is classified as "premium sporty cars". The information and data is quite interesting. Mostly broken down by month to month figures.
Last edited by richzak; 07-12-2013 at 10:26 PM.
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CleverName (07-12-2013)
#35
07-13-2013, 01:18 AM
Junior Member
#37
07-13-2013, 08:01 AM
But all kidding aside, the XK coupe does have very nice haunches, as do many of my favorite coupes going back decades. My '94 Supra TT has particularly muscular haunches, and were a big part of its styling appeal also. While many two seater verts are very attractive, even the high-end 2+2 verts are often awkward and pretty fugly. The XK vert when viewed from all angles presents itself as both elegant and muscular, and you can appreciate the pains that its designers went to make it so gorgeous...and such a standout in class.
Bruce
Last edited by Bruce H.; 07-13-2013 at 12:52 PM.
#39
07-13-2013, 09:12 PM
Veteran Member
I have enjoyed reading this thread all the way through. It reminds me of the old Miller Lite commercials with Billy Martin and Bubba Smith (Great taste, less filling!). As a first generation XKR vert owner who will probably add a current XKR coupe in the near future, I thought I'd weigh in. First, I can't take my convertible to most tract venues on track days with local clubs. Second, in the first gen. convertible, with the top retracted, you still have a trunk capable of carrying at least two sets of golf clubs, groceries, luggage etc. as it doesn't retract into the trunk. Try doing that with the current model (or any other current convertible). The coupe, both first generation and second has an undeniably beautiful profile from any vantage point. The convertible on the other hand, provides that wind through the (thinning) hair feeling that can only come from a ragtop. I think the only logical answer is to have one of each. As for the hips and haunches debate, there is simply no doubt that the first generation convertible's sensuously rounded hips and haunches ranks first on the sexiness meter followed by everything else, just take a look below and try and deny it.
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Jagkittycat (06-16-2014)
#40
07-13-2013, 10:06 PM