That's the question that Jake is asking on his post here, and for me, it's a no-brainer: for me it's coupe all the way. First, I live in Seattle, so it rains all the time. Second, I just love the way the coupe looks. While it's not as hot as the F-Type, the lines are undoubtedly classic, and this video from Tiff got me scouring Craigslist for used examples... How about you? Drop top or not?

 

Look, as others will jump in and say, it is purely a personal choice. That is why both models were offered.
But to answer the question, it is vert all the way! If for no other reason that my own location! In the deep south and the mountains, it is top down cruising that helps make this car so incredible!
I would say to anyone, which ever model you chose......drive the heck out of it and enjoy every moment behind the wheel!
Both are pure SEX!

 

In sunny SoCal. Its vert time all the way.

 

Oh, if I still lived in LA? That would be no choice at all — running the canyons in Malibu in a drop top is just too much fun!

 

I try to do it at least every other week. The Woolsy fire has interfered. So I am experimenting with other routes.

 

The coupe is more beautiful looking. I really love the blue with blue top convertible or most other colors with the blue top. Convertible vs. coupe comes down to the utility of the car. "Do I want a convertible?" If yes, the XK is certainly a great choice.

 

Both my 07 XK and 12 XKR are both drop tops, and love every second when those tops are down! Now that I'm moving to Florida, I'll be smiling even more :-)

 

The lines of the coupe especially from the rear

 

ditto

 

 

Even on my X100 Convertible and a former bosses late XJS Convertible; Jaguar makes a very quiet convertible. I just plan on keeping my 2 XKRs (or moving from the X100 to a DB9 Volante) and driving them when the mood strikes! I would have preferred an X150 Convertible, but rarely in West Michigan does a beautiful X150 XKR pop up for sale, let alone at a good price(20k), mileage (50k) and 3 miles from my house; not that it was settling to get my 07 XKR Coupe in blk/blk lol.

If you like a convertible but are worried about weather limiting using it, just get it anyway as it makes an excellent top up "coupe".

 

Its a backhanded compliment.
In his words; 300hp just doesn't do it I was looking for more excitement ...the contv weighs 80lbs more, the chassis flimsy, doesn't have the crispness, doesn't handle well at all. So I will just settle for the excitement of fresh air and sunshine where the finer points of speed and handling dont matter at all.

Ingenious isn't it. We fly a Brit abroad to slag off with refinement, so as to remove any doubt that someone could possibly like this car; is it any wonder ze Germans are handing us our ****.

Just the notion of taking someone who openly hates Jaguars and loves 911s and putting him in the non-supercharged version. High Treason I say.

Clarkson did Jaguar right, heck ze Germans did a more honest job.

 

Convertible all the way.

 

When I was in the market for this car, it was time for a 'fun' car in my life, and what could be more fun than a convertible? (Never had one before, so it was time to try it.)
The first one I drove was an '07 XKR convertible, in Radiance Red, and I was hooked. Unfortunately that car had been unloved, and the price was too high, so I passed.
Only 5 cars (including the above), in my color, were available at that time around the country via internet search.
So I picked a beautiful XK (from the photos anyway) from half-way across the country. But I was unsure of the lower power, compared to the XKR I'd driven (with a big grin), so I found a XK coupe nearby for sale, and took it for a spin. Yes, the power was lower, but still plenty. The coupe left me with a cooped up feeling (since all my previous cars were larger inside), so I knew the convertible was the perfect choice for me.
Any regrets in going with a convertible instead of a coupe? NONE!
Any regrets of not getting an 'R? Yeh, sometimes, but then I'm less likely to get into trouble with what I've got, especially when the hooligan in me starts to peek out.

 

The lines of the coupe are indeed great looking. They reminded me of my 66 XKE coupe which to me was the model for the X150 . Although I say and think this my choice was always to go to the convertible as my last fun in the sun car. We live in a good 3 season top down area and also within a vast country driving area spanning from hills and valleys up to mountain roads. Spring a fall are super drive times and my top is down unless the temps hit less then 45*F. I set my criteria on 1st a convertible , 2nd a 2012 or newer , 3rd an XKR , 4th low mileage CPO and last either BRG , IRR or Blue . Enjoy the ride.

 

I think our need for speed is comparable. I live in Southern California and a convertible is the only way to go for a second car, at least for me. Cruising around in my neck of the woods at full throttle is a rarity. So, perhaps a 4.2 NA could be more than enough power. (What I'm really saying is this old guy would most likely get in waaaay too much trouble with a 500 HP monster under the hood!)

 

I think it sort of amusing when diehard Coupe guys say the lines of the Coupe are superior to the lines of the Convertible, but they always compare to when the Convertible top is UP. Though I'm not a fan of the Coupe regardless as it resembles a 1965 Barracuda Greenhouse to me, I think the Convertible looks better BOTH up AND down.
Topless it's gorgeous AND a much more immersive drive.

 

This was the no-brainer for me.
But did not think 50 years later anybody would remember the etype. First words out of our friends (who dont care about cars- but are in the art world), 'Oh my god they are making the Etype again'
Its the closest any Jaguar got to the Etype.

 

Hmmm, I guess that was the attraction for me......drop top or coupe, both evoke the relative XKE styling.

 

+1