XKR's are very hard to beat. Not sure what would put a smile on my face like this car does. If I was to try to replace it, I would consider the Acura NSX, it looks sharp and promises to be a performer, probably the DB9/Vantage, I really like that "look", maybe the new Supra if they build it. Any of those 3 would sit nicely in my garage...next to my XKR. Oh, I would definitely consider a F-type RS...especially if they introduced a 'vert version. What can I say, I love Jags!!

 

Also... I know I said porsche but when as tons have am engines and better transmission s they will be worth looking at for me.

 

2008 Porsche turbo would be a possibility for me too.

2002 Ferrari 360 coupe (1999-2001 several bugs) need 6spd manual no F1
2013 Maserati GT sport (2013 upgrades)
2008 Porsche Turbo
2012 XKR-S (vert)
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (vert)

used to be bmw m6 or SL 550 (or AMG badge) but as of recent german cars are boring! (I type this with a German National soccer jersey on too)

for me it is budget. in 2 years (2016) those cars will be in my budget of $70k - $75k. I will keep my daily driver for sure.

 

This is a decision I recently did make.

I think Aston has made the most beautiful and desirable GTs forever, and thought I would one day buy one. I compared them side by side at a dealer in Naples, and thought the XKR was darn near close enough for the very substantial difference in cost, and research indicated that it should perhaps also be the more reliable car and less expensive to maintain. It was the safe purchase, and made easier knowing the Jag was more powerful. That appealed to the performance side of me because I knew whatever I bought would be used on the track.

But as I've watched reviews of the Jags and Aston's I find I'm still drawn to the Aston. An Autocar review nicely captured the differences between the similarly priced XKR-S vert and a Vantage V8 Coupe with manual gearbox. The Jag had significantly quicker acceleration, and was also crowned the preferred car to live with on a daily basis, while they preferred the Aston's driving experience with more engaging steering, handling, and transmission. He summarizes with "(The Jag) isn't as much fun, as pure as the Aston when you're really going for it, but for 97% of the rest of the time I think the Jag is the better car". While I've never driven the Aston, I'm sure that's true as the XKR is easier to daily drive than any other sports/GT that I've owned. But it's that other 3% that I've always focused on, and blistering acceleration is a part of that too.

When it was time to replace the XKR I made sure I fully addressed that 3% for a thrilling and engaging driving experience on the road and race track with great acceleration. I've found that much of the engaging part of the driving experience is being lost to technology and computer assistance compared to the era I've experienced, and while a new interpretation and definition of "engaging" is being written for the new crop, I decided to grab hold of what I like most in a sports/GT with the new Viper. I had never considered one in the past because they were too brutish and unrefined for my liking, but the new model has been transformed and now rivals the best in quality, performance and exotic styling...and it's got the curves that I've loved since I was 20 and fell in love with the XKE's. Had I an unlimited budget, the only other car that appealed to me was the Ferrari 458 Italia, new or used. I hope, and expect, the Viper and my turbo toys will satisfy all my sports/GT needs!

 

For a couple more bucks... better to go with a 2009 911. There was some major upgrades that year all around. The interior is far better, the outside is mildly upgraded and the engine/tranny/dif were all greatly improved.

 

With the standard exhaust, it's not that impressive, actually - it does roar, but it's not an 'exciting' sound, to me anyway, and I owned one for 13 years. With a race setup, it screams - I remember watching the TWR XJSs racing in the mid-80s, and they made a great racket. But in road trim, I prefer the sound of a V8.

 

Back in the days when I used to do all the work on my own cars I had to shift the wheel ramps from the rear of my V12 XJS to the front. By that point I had taken the exhaust off, just leaving the down pipes. The sound coming out of the exhaust whilst trying to drive the car up the ramps was incredible!

I was tempted to take the car for a quick spin round the block like that but thought better of it!

 

I think for 4K you can get a manual put in V12 XJS. Strip out all emissions, headers... My indy has done a few.

 

There is a kit from a company called "Driven Man". It seems like something an indy shop should be able to do.