I'm contemplating buying a 2005-2006 XKR that I would use in the winter. Can anyone share their experiences of driving one of these cars in northern climes? I'm wondering how well they handle cold and snow and whether there is a problem with all that power at the back wheels.

 

I have a 2003 xkr and have just recently had to drive it because the four wheel drive went out on my pickup. I was surprised, it actually handles pretty good. It is a nice docile car unless you stand on it. I am even driving on summer tires, although I don't recommend it. I live in Nebraska and so far we have had about 19 inches of snow this year. It will not go through a foot of snow, but once the streets have been plowed it goes quite nicely. So, I would say, if the snow doesn't get too deep and you are willing to go with snow tires, it should make a great daily driver. Good luck. Hope you get the Jag of you dreams.

 

I have an 00 XKR Convertible and have been driving it daily in West Michigan (My daily car I'm in the middle of a head gasket on or this would be sleeping in the garage like my Corvette) and I have been using these Toyo snow tires that make it pretty darn good. With decent tires, it's just a lower riding rear wheel drive car.

I won't get into how it will rust and get chipped (I've only driven 90 miles so far and the HG will be fixed w/in 100 more).

 

When I was in Calgary one of my first images was a beautiful silver F430 sitting in a parking lot/dealership near the Chinook Mall/Station... It had a substantial crack in the windshield from the gravel you folks out there like to use instead of salt. Apparently cracked and chipped windshields are quite common out there. Aside from that risk, driving the XKR should be just like driving any other RWD car in the snow, you won't get through more than a few inches in depth, but if you drive nice you'll have no problems (relatively speaking).

 

Be careful of snow build ups after a plow has blocked a driveway by cleaning up a street.

I once tried to blast through just such a ridge with a 4wheel drive sports car, 3000gt vr4. Didn't make it, took 20 minutes to dig out car as it balanced on the pile, with all
four wheels in the air. It felt like I was in the middle of a cartoon.

 

I drove mine as a daily driver for three winters. As I am near Cape Cod the winters are not so bad (OK this year it suck! . I happened upon a clean older Mercedes that came with full snows for short money. Damned thing is bullet-proof. I feel much better about bombing around in the snow with that.

Perhaps you could find an alternative ride for the bad days...and its a nice warm fuzzy feeling keeping the Jag clean and warm in the garage.

 

Use my car also as a daily driver regardless of show, but needless to say the least you need are winter tires and it would also help to have a LSD I must admit.

 

Great information folks - much appreciated! The lease on my 09 XF Supercharged expires this year and I'm looking at alternative options.

 

If I remember correctly, the editor of car & Driver puts a set of Blizzak snow tires on his and that is in Michigan. Lots of snow.