Don't get me wrong, I love my XK. That being said, there are times when the ownership process of this car gets tiring. Plastics always breaking, intermittant electrical issues, antenna sometimes works, intermittant breaklight failure, blank screen, cruise control errors, etc. I can go on and on. Most issues are not major. It's the small issues that constantly seeing to be rising up. I'm sure many of you understand the feeling.

If you were going to part ways with your XK, what would you move to?

Thanks for your opinions.

Ken

 

An XKR

 

Japanese cars are the most flawless, so consider a Prius.

 

I drove a Cayman a few weeks ago and was left unimpressed.
I've heard F-Types ride roughly compared to an XK, and have even less room.
A few friends of mine swear by their GT-Rs, but I've heard those feel sterile and robotic.
I wouldn't mind having a Challenger, but they don't build those anymore.
Might have to go up another tax bracket to find anything else comparable.

 

There’s really no other car I would swap my XKR for, apart from an XKR-S. In theory the car of my dreams has always been an Aston DBS V8 Oscar India Vantage Virage but if I had one I wouldn’t dare park it anywhere!

 

Buy a newer one. Keep the battery charged. Keep it covered or in a garage. Buy a cheap daily like an older Lexus. Well maintained, they are indestructible.

 

The XK/R series is a unique blend of luxury and performance. Hard to find comparable. Way undervalued which makes them a bargain.
The EV Challenger comes w/ a big boom box that makes engine noise.
I drove a 2020 F type (V6). Unimpressed. Gorgeous but not very practical. Shoebox interior, no storage space. Basically a shorter narrower XKR.
A older Porsche Boxster S seems to be another performance bargain that's reasonably reliable.

 

Dollar for dollar, nothing else comes close to the X150 in terms of timeless body style, engineering, robotic/aluminum construction, performance, reliability, quality of materials and workmanship, comfort, and overall enjoyment.

That's why so many Forum members have been here for a long time. They haven't gotten tired of their big cat.

 

Bingo! Works for me....24 year old Lexus LS430 as a daily driver and enjoy my 16,000 mile 2010 XK when I get the urge. The best of both worlds.

 

Excellent choice for a daily. Have an 04 430 Sport. Other than normal maintenance, nothing wrong in 10 years.

 

I also concur with this advice. Your 2007 is ancient.
OR, get a newer AM Vanquish. That's about the only option. BUT, those are still $150k+. Five times what you could get the newest XKR for.
Except for this fool who thinks a Final Fifty is worth a $120,000 upsell... (no, it's not an -S)

 

The blend of design (or timeless beauty indeed), elegance, style, comfort, gran turismo, and (especially the supercharged versions) also sports, plus reliability and value for money, is unique (imho).

However, if you prioritize sports, track performance, racing… then maybe a Porsche might be a better alternative. But you need to be prepared for compromises in almost all of the other dimensions mentioned.

And, again imho, compared to the above, the choice between 4.2 and 5.0 is rather a matter of personal taste and preferences than a game changer. Both V8s were among the finest engines at their time.

 

So elegantly said. I guess that's why I still love the car.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Another car that seems to be similar (without "timeless beauty") is the BMW 840i Convertible. Similar size, style and grand turismo aspects. Just doesn't have the personality that comes with owning a Jaguar.

Ken

 

I quite like this sl600 currently on BAT




but not as much as this



wj

 

You're gonna need a bigger checkbook!

 

If 2007 is ancient, I'm prehistoric. Maybe need carbon dating. What, is that millennial slang for old(er) people going out on a date? AM has the manual shift, gorgeous interior and high brow reputation. Not worth it. There are the ungodly repair bills and parts availability issues. Did look at a Vantage. Gorgeous but I'd rather have my 4.2 XKR. Maybe also a 5.0 coupe one of these days. Haha on the Final Fifty. One perfect low mileage one just sold for 43k on BAT. Wish I'd been there. Would have bid.

 

You were unimpressed with a Cayman? Hmmmmm............

 

Both amazing cars. I have an '11 SL550 (personal preference but I wouldn't want an SL600). And I have to say my '09 XK is a much nicer car to drive IMHO. A bit of an apples to oranges comparison as the XK is the coupe and the SL has the retractable hardtop and if I want an open top car I go to the SL. But between the two, I prefer driving the XK. It rides better, drives better, feels smoother (but that's subjective - may be in my head), seems to handle similarly (not that I've pushed either to their limits), and frankly the XK get more compliments. They feel about the same acceleration-wise despite 4.2 vs. 5.5.
The Aston on the other hand..........hubba hubba. I almost bought a DB9 before buying the XK and I admit to still lusting after a V12 Aston. I may sell the SL to get a DB9, Virage or DBS, - the garage is only so big and the wife won't park her Cadillac outside. Or maybe a first gen Vanquish if I'm feeling really masochistic.

 

I believe there are 2 pieces of information missing from the OP’s post that are essential for any of us to suggest alternatives: (1) budget, and (2) use case (daily commuter, weekend driver, car shows only, etc.)

FWIW my 2008 XKR is a weekend car. I’m fortunate to have a selection of other cars for both daily and weekend use.

 

Indeed. That’s an R230 SL; I had (have) SLs of the generations before and after this - an R231 SL63 and (I still have) an R129 SL500. Very nice cars, although the R231 could only be described as “ugly”. The R129 though is still one of my favorites.

And re: the DB9, it’s not hard to see my comments during that auction as I have the same handle across various forums and BaT! It’s an awesome and maddening car all at the same time. So similar and yet so very different from the X150 XKR.