I'm getting the hots for an XK - I think it's one of the most beautiful cars ever made - but even thinking that is dangerous to my pocket book!

I have an 04 xj vanden plas.

Does the XK ride much differently to the XJ?

Tell me ALL about it!

 

I wish I could compare the two, but I haven't driven an XJ before, or even ridden in one. The newer XK may be a little 'softer' but I can tell you that my MY xk is pretty stiff and you can feel every crack, pavement patch, and imperfection in the road. Its not as bad as a Viper, but its still tight.

 

Drove a 2002 XJ Vanden Plas, it's alot smoother taking up the bumps. But, it felt at LEAST 1,000 pounds heftier.. That is a car than NEEDS the supercharged engine to feel adequate. Interior is less luxuries, but its nice having all that space behind.

The newer XJ's(2004-up) don't feel as special but, drive alot lighter. But are not as smooth and the older XJ's either

 

Haggis - it's night and day. I have an XKR with 20s, and I have driven an XJ (I think a 2001 or 2002?). Like what Matt wrote - the road feedback is very pronounced - not sure if it's the 20s, maybe the stock 18s will help. The XJ felt like riding on clouds - the term that I would use would be a yacht (XJ) vs a cigarette boat (XKR).

 

I have an 06XKR with the sport suspension and Brembo brakes and an 05 XJ8 standard and drive each for a week then switch. I use them to commute 60 miles a day four days a week. There is no comparison in the ride. The XJ8 feels like a boulevard ride with excellent control and is smooth smooth smooth. The XKR rides like a thoroughbred stallion, nervous and twitchy..... explosive and accurate. It's great to have the choice, but as an old guy, I lean towards the XJ8. I find that the XKR is so powerful that I rarely find a place I can open it up more than a few seconds. The XK gets a lot more looks but it also attracts unwanted attention from boy racers and similar.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

So they are different enough to "need" both then! LOL

 

I have an 01 XK8 and an 04 XJ8, as stated difference is night and day, so the answer is yes you need to have both. Then you can choose to ride in pure luxury and relax or go have a fun ride.

 

Oh yes. If your wallet will bear it , do it. As much as I like my XJ it always feels great to get back in the XKR and give up the pretence of being a mature adult.

 

Gotta have both - Same pedigree, different personalities. Both turn heads, but the XK has the edge there. If I'm heading cross-country, there is NOTHING I'd rather be in than an X350 XJ8. The term "like riding on a cloud" may be overused, but it's true. If I just feel like drivng the coolest, number 1 sexiest car on the planet (for less than 3 or 4 hours), gimmee the K. By the way, ours started out as "His Jag" and "Her Jag". Not so any more. We both love them both.

Always remember: If you're going to "arrive", you need to arrive in a Jaguar.