So the nephew and niece are visiting... indefinitely. Appears they could fit in the backseats of the XK8 with room for folks up front, but barely and not for trips lasting more than 10 minutes, really.




No child seats required, both kiddies are over 42 inches. (Law in Kentucky requires child seats for children measuring 42 inches and under.) Even so, I only made it about five blocks away to the neighborhood Red Box to return a DVD before it got uncomfortable sitting up close to the steering wheel with my elbows on my knees. :-)

 

I've got a coupe. The high stop light system has been coming loose on the driver's side. Ive had to get back there to try and reattach it. I'm 5'6" and 190# (short and stocky). Getting back there to kneel on the seat to fight with the stop light isn't bad, it's getting back out of the car that I have fun with!!

 

No question about it, the back seat is a joke. Why does Jag do it....I read somewhere that it might be a tax thing in England. A luggage or parcel shelf would make a lot more sense.

 

I believe that here in the US, insurance for a 4-seater would be less than the same car in a 2-seater version. Prior to the Jaguar, the smallest rear seats in a car I have owned was in my 1979 Toyota Supra. But those were absolutely spacious compared with the Jaguar as we were able to have actual adults tolerate the rear of the Supra. I cannot imagine any way an adult would last more than 5 minutes in the rear of the Jaguar.

Doug

 

Cute kids! I'm glad to see a back seat being actually used by humans. My back seat only gets used by my windshield sunsceen while it is not in use.
Brian

 

For what it's worth, 14 year olds don't mind the back seat either.

The week I got the car, I let my 20 yr old niece (home from UT for a week) drive it once or twice to pick up her 14 yr old sister from school. (Of course, I went along in the passenger seat.)

Nice, sunny days in early May, so we went with the top down. That made their day. The 14 year old didn't even notice that she had to sit sideways with her long legs stretched across the other side of the seat to fit. They were just happy to be in such a cool car.

Seeing the smiles on both their faces - worth a million bucks.

Being the best aunt - priceless!

 

There are no tax implications in the UK regarding the amount of seats in the car, it does seem ridiculous for a car so large to have such small seats , I think it's just the nature of 2+2 coupe's

 

In the US, it is an insurance issue. A 2 seater is a lot higher cost for insurance than a 4 seater. Doesn't seem to matter whether you can sit in it or not!!

 

I put a 4 and 14 year old boys in the back of ours from time to time, but wife is short so she scoots up to allow a little more room for the 14 year old. Still only good for 15-20 min runs before the 14 year boy starts bitching. Ha ha

 

As the Evil Uncle, I have no qualms letting the kiddies know where they fall on the totem poll, as well as, instill in them full accountability if the break or damage anything. (Their parents and grandma spoils them.) When they start acting up, they fear my WORD and FINGER. (and Evil Auntie's, too.)

BRGJAG, you may want to bring in the "evil" uncle, aunt, cousin, whoever,... to cast the WORD and FINGER on the 14 year old to learn their place :-)