I was at a wedding in NH yesterday and didn't take it because of doppler showing storms in the area. The wedding party was probably wondering why I looked so happy when it started pouring like a scene out of Noah's Ark. But I hear those that say it's not going to melt.
But am still curious how slow one has to go with rear wheel drive and 510 horses in the pouring rain or just wet highway roads. Guess I'll just have to see for myself someday. I've only had front wheel drive cars and had the joy of getting up close and personal with an SUV who passed me on the highway during a snow storm, while we were almost nose to nose in the middle lane I just politely smiled and waved! I'm sure he could see my grin. lol I was in a 92 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS at the time and never had an issue.

 

Its the closest we mortals will come to an F1 car.
Remember the rainmaster Senna, in his black Lotus. It was all one big controlled skid. The power came all at once back then with those ferocious turbos. It was all Micro-corrections like mountain sheep who run up or down a near vertical cliff, they are slipping and falling, but correcting.

 

I don't have XK, but my RWD F-type handles just fine. Tires make big difference, new Michelin Pilot 4S have great wet handling. Prior to that, Michelin Pilot Super Sport were only adequate. F-type has "wet" traction mode - I use that when it really pours - plus traction system and LSD keep the car very controllable.

Comparable to some classics, that get outright dangerous in such condition, modern Jags are capable of handling the rain. Obviously, slow down a bit and don't stomp on the throttle or brakes.

 

This is a lot of fun to do. If it doesn't pour too hard, you can drive fast enough with your top down that aerodynamic keep you dry in the rain.

Usually 120km/h or faster and side windows up with get you through light drizzle. The look on other motorist's faces as observed in your rear view mirror is also priceless.

 

I drive it when daily. Now that the rear glass has been glued back in, it is mostly water proof again. Every so often it leaks where the seals for the top, windshield and drivers window meet. It is so rare that I haven't been able to figure out where the leak is actually coming from.

 

I don't take it out if bad weather is called for, however if I get caught in the rain I'll just have to clean it up again.

 

+1

 

I drive everyday its a car to enjoy

 

I'm in the North of England. If the car didn't go out in the rain it would rarely ever go out.

In the last four weeks, we've had four days without any rain.

Graham

 

I'll chance rain, but so far not if the call is for a deluge. Not sure how well the P-zeros will work in deeper water on the road. They are just fine in light to medium rain.

 

Try using rubber seal conditioner on all your seals. I use Wurth Rubber Care, it makes a lot of difference with older seals.

 

It's not just any car though, so while I don't worry about rain myself, we do like to keep our Jaguars clean and pristine. Heads turn for a reason and it ain't cuz I'm purdy.

I think lots of forum members want to limit taking the time to wash the car once a week or less.

 

It only took a week for me to decide my XK was my new primary driver.

There are certain roads when its raining I'll avoid, primarily because of the impatient/unskilled drivers that frequent them.

 

What with the dash leather pulling due to sun, I figured you guys would be jumping at the chance to drive in the rain and that the real question would be about whether or not you drive it in the sun.

 

Why would you not drive it even in the rain????
i've never understood individuals who don't drive their cars for crazy reasons such as "its raining" or "I don't want to put miles on it".
Why would you deprive yourself of the drive time and save the mileage for the next owner????????

 

I guess it's what kind of car you have that makes you not want to drive in the rain. Rain gets into places that a car wash doesn't and it also brings in dirt. I used to own DD metal cars and in the NE I would watch them rot from the inside out. My last fun car was a 77 Ferrari 308 and I put 30K miles on it and it was in the rain once. It had no factory metal protection and even though it was garaged it still managed to rust under the door sills. I had them replaced but if driven in the rain more would have been damaged. With the Jag I don't have that concern and don't have a problem driving in the rain. It's the clean up after that I don't like. Also considering I believe this will be my last fun car I don't plan on saving it for the next owner.

 

Yes, some classic cars are absolute dog for rust. I use oil spray rustproofing on these, I would rather deal with occasional swollen seal than penetrating rust.

However, modern Jaguars are not these cars and are adequately protected from rain.

 

100% agree, some cars it really does kill.

Rain can also really help pack dirt and grime into places out of sight of the car.

If you like to put your car up on a lift and enjoy a clean underside, avoid the rain!