XK for a daily driver including winter?
QuikCat,
I bought my 2008 XK 2 years ago, 24,000 miles for $30,000. Absolutely the best GT car I have owned, even better than the two previous V12 XJS’s. NC to Key West was a dream. NC to Portland, ME was delightful. Twisty roads in the NC mountains are a kick. At a steady 80mph it gets 26.2mpg, just cannot ask for anything better. I have put on 18,000 miles and the only problems have been a failed wiper switch and a short in the cigar lighter.
It is also my daily driver, sun, rain or snow. The extra power of a XKR might be nice but the XK has more than enough to get me in all kinds of trouble with the troopers (G).
Paul
I bought my 2008 XK 2 years ago, 24,000 miles for $30,000. Absolutely the best GT car I have owned, even better than the two previous V12 XJS’s. NC to Key West was a dream. NC to Portland, ME was delightful. Twisty roads in the NC mountains are a kick. At a steady 80mph it gets 26.2mpg, just cannot ask for anything better. I have put on 18,000 miles and the only problems have been a failed wiper switch and a short in the cigar lighter.
It is also my daily driver, sun, rain or snow. The extra power of a XKR might be nice but the XK has more than enough to get me in all kinds of trouble with the troopers (G).
Paul
I'd suggest a test drive of a Carrera not a GT or Turbo, they are a good combination of a comfortable ride and handling. I've bent two rims on the Jag in MI potholes never did on the Porsche which I put on 80k miles in MI all seasons (might just be luck of course).
I have drove my 07 XKR through 2 winters and with Blizzaks there are no issue's. However that is in 3" or less snow as anymore you would become a snow plow. It also cannot handle any snow plow ridges left in the roadway. I try not to drive mine when the roads are covered but with working and all it is unavoidable sometimes.
Doing some research, it looks like Jag changed things in MY 2010. Different suspension (no CATS), different engine, some visual items, etc. For what my budget is, I think I can get into an XK of 2010-11 vintage or XKR in the 07-09. Are the changes significant to go with the series 2 versus series 1? According to the EPA, the R only does 1 mpg worse highway and 2 mpg city than the standard XK.
I'm fine with RWD drive in the winter (drove an '06 Mustang, and the XJR year round), but winter tires are a requirement, so I'll budget for those. Any ideas on what to budget for the suspension rebuild? Is this something that can be done in my garage? I replaced the air struts and bushings on the XJR, so unless special tools are needed, hopefully its something I can do.
Other cars I've looked at include the Audi S5 and the BMW 6 series. Don't think there's much on the domestic front other than maybe a Cadillac with the magna-ride suspension...
I'm fine with RWD drive in the winter (drove an '06 Mustang, and the XJR year round), but winter tires are a requirement, so I'll budget for those. Any ideas on what to budget for the suspension rebuild? Is this something that can be done in my garage? I replaced the air struts and bushings on the XJR, so unless special tools are needed, hopefully its something I can do.
Other cars I've looked at include the Audi S5 and the BMW 6 series. Don't think there's much on the domestic front other than maybe a Cadillac with the magna-ride suspension...






