I am in the market for a 2007 XK and I am torn between the coupe and the vert as a daily driver.

Would love the vert but I drive 20,000 miles per year, mostly on I-95 in South Florida. Is there a cowl shake issue and is it quiet enough on the hiway?

Second question is concerning long term reliability issues. I want to buy a car with between 30,000 to 40,000 miles and plan on keeeping it for 3 years. Will I still be happy with an 80,000 to 100,000 mile Jag?

Thanks for any assistance and I hope to be joining all of you lucky Jaguar owners soon.

 

Flax, can't comment on the 07 XK specifically, but there's no doubt you should be able to reach your mileage target w/o standard maintenance, maybe a few medium-sized repairs.

My 03 has 0ver 103,000 on it, as I drive it with the same frequency as you do. On the highway, I'm sure the 07s and up verts have even less 'cowl shake' than mine. They've refined that design a few times since the original 97 convertibles were introduced. If you like the sun, get the convertible.

 

Thanks H2O boy for the input. I am getting closer to decision time. Anyone else?

 

I recently purchased a vert and couldn't be happier. I went thru what you are going thru also, so I drove both. I was thinking that the coupe would have better visability, but that wasn't the case, the C pillars in the coupe are just as large , it gave me the feeling I was looking down a tunnel

Now, I put the top up only when it is raining and a few days that were really chilly (it helps that I live in Florida )

I dont notice any cowl shake, for instance , my wife has a 06 Solara vert & it is very noticeable there

I'm using mine as my daily driver and plan on keeping it until the lottery comes in

Jerry

 

The convertible, (and aluminium-bodied) XK from 2007 is much, much stiffer than the XK it replaced. The convertible was designed FIRST, not as an afterthought. All the UK tests I have read comment on how solid it is on the road, and the lack of rattles. The only thing about convertibles is the hood fabric; it doesn't last forever with all the UV on it from sunlight.

 

Thanks Frasier,
I am pretty much set on the vert. I see two, online, in my area for sale that have caught my eye. A 2007 vert with 38,000 miles and a $37,000 asking price and a 2007 xkr vert with 10,000 miles asking $56,000. I am going to check them both out in the next couple of days. The problem is the XK seems too cheap and the XKR seems to expensive. I'll have to see them in person to get the full story.

 

Like Fraser said, the new XK model was designed from the ground up as a droptop. I have owned convertibles (I'm a droptop man and resident of Florida, although the military has kept me away for the last 16 years) since 1993. The XK is by far the best one I have owned or even ridden in for that matter.

As far as the models go, if you can afford it, get the XKR. I have owned both. I got a good deal on a 2005 XK8 carbon fiber edition and traded in my old 2004 XKR for it. It was a nice car, but I seriously noticed the power loss. Traded it in on a 2005 XKR, which I then traded in for Fionna, my 2007 XKR.

You will love the XKR droptop. And those sudden Florida showers are no problem on the I-95 as you a) will be driving so fast the rain won't hit you and b) the top goes up in seconds if you need it too.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks Darth, I am going shopping this weekend and I'll see what's what.

I have lot's of experience driving with the top down in English sports cars, TR6 and MGB, in Florida rain. Just stick your face real close to the windshield and it all works out.

 

I agree with darth and everone esle on here the xk to the xkr series is the best car i have ever owned i love that car almost as much as i love my wife (but don't tell her that) lol but once you drive that car its love at first sight and touch