Just got back from Europe for the holidays, both in The Netherlands and the UK. I did not see one single XKR, I did see three XK8's, not one a convertible. On my return to the US I checked out ebay..as you do...hardly any late model XKR's(03+) on offer. Sure it's winter and perhaps the verts will re-emerge, but really X100 XKR's are looking increasingly rare. A couple of years ago I read in a British publication that the X-100 series (XK8-XKR) was perhaps..perhaps..perhaps the new E-type in our time....fingers crossed! Also when you look at the individual colour/spec options we are almost as exclusive as an Aston Martin DB7 from the same time period. Pretty good I'de say!

 

Think my signature says it well

-d

 

That's what I've always thought and considered- this is the 'classic E-Type' of my generation. It ages damn well.

 

As I've said before -it's prettier than an E type

 

^agreed. A convertible E-Type in red looks nice, but the coupé version, especially the V12 2+2, looks awful, IMHO.

The XK8/R looks superb in any guise and that's why I have decided to keep mine, rather than 'upgrading' to an Aston Martin

 

I agree, when you have the E-Type and XKR side by side, you can really see how E-Type morphed into the XKR. The only real dimensional difference is the XKR is much wider than the narrow E-Type. I enjoy driving both, but vastly different in comfort. Both cars have those classic lines that never go away with time.

 

Well, i guess I'll just have to agree with all of the above!

 

Me too!

 

Dammit, Paul - that pic of your hardtop makes it look prettier than a rag top.
Did you photoshop it??

 

From the get-go I was amazed at how inexpensive our cars were on the resale market considering the fact that not that many of them were even made. Especially towards the end of the run, there were only maybe 1000 or less XKR convertibles built per year. The styling of these vehicles never gets old and it seems to me that the more time passes the more appreciated these will be.

Doug

 

Guys, I will give you a subtle hint as to why the XK8's looks appeal to us:



Paul, I am not suggesting your coupé looks any more like a 'marital aid' than mine, it's just that your photo was to hand

 

Yes and yes! Spot on, same here. I never liked the E-Type coupe, just the ragtop. I still can't decide which XK100 I like better- the coupe or convertable. I may have to get both at these prices.

 

No question that the coupe has the best visual lines. But the ragtop has an advantage during convertible season (as long as the damn thing functions properly)....

 

The coupe looks better than the vert with the top up. The vert with the top down is one of the best looking cars ever created, IMO.

I really love this car so much. Much more than any other vehicle except maybe my first car, just for nostalgia...

 

Next time around in NL check Autoscout24.... Currently 16 xk8 convertibles (from the beautiful years) 4 XKR convertibles and 90 xkr coupes on offer...

All at bargain prices considering the beauty you get. Germany even more value for money, as their tax regime is much milder on cars.

Just to let y' all know...

Take care

 

No, but I did install Mina Gallery Rear (only) Lowering Springs. This lowered the Rear 1 1/4 inches.

 

This.

 

Also agreed. I've always thought this was one of the most beautiful cars ever made and have had a 1:18 scale model of my 'Kate' (though in a dark purple) on my bookshelf for the last decade+! The coupe screams 'Aston' to me though.

Man, I have to get a set of Sepangs...

 

Over the years I have purchased a few cars that I felt were classically designed as well as represented great value (see my signature). I didn't think much about appreciation, I just didn't want them to depreciate much after I bought them. The solution to that problem is to not pay much. The astounding fact that I could buy a nearly perfect 2002 XKR example with 60,000 miles on it 3 years ago for about $15,000.00 was to me astonishing. Certainly it's a timeless (isn't that the perfect definition of classic?) design that oozes with sensuality, has plenty of performance, and can be driven everyday in comfort and style. Whether or not the first generation XK8/R cars achieve XKE status remains to be seen. But who cares? They look better now, perform better, are far more reliable, and provide spectacular value. Moreover, on a body style that is some 16 years old, I am frequently asked if it's a new car. Although I bought a convertible, I find myself looking at ads for coupes as well. They're gorgeous too (and you can take them to the track). I fear I'll be adding to my collection soon. Bottom line is that I bought my XKR because I thought of it as a classic the first time I saw it, and the fact that you could buy one for less than a comparably aged Toyota Camry was just too hard to resist. (And by the way I bought a 2002 Camry for my daughter's first car, and I did pay more than what I paid for the XKR)

 

Depreciation rocks. I've never spent more than $20k on a car, all of them premium marques.