Just thinking out loud here but really would appreciate some inpute.


My heart says hold out for an XKR but realistically there are a lot more XK's out there and it would make the search quicker. There are conciderations which make getting a car sooner rather that later appropriate.


So would I be sorry if I buy the XK, this is a once in a lifetime purchase. Not that I think there is anything wrong with the XK but I've always been one of the guys searching for bigger and faster.


Gordon

 

XKR. Do it.

 

I debated that same thing. I drove both types before I purchased. For me it came down to maintenance/long term cost of ownership since I knew I would rarely make use of the XKR's power. So I bought an XK8 and I cruise around like the old man I am slowly becoming.

If you live for the rush of acceleration, the XKR will deliver for sure. You just need a bigger piggy bank.

Now go buy what your heart wants.

 

I have to say, I love my XK8... and I'm only 21. So not quite an old man yet. Yes, the XKR has more power under acceleration. But my decision really came down to thinking about how I'd be driving on a regular basis.

For the price premium, I settled on a mint 05 XK8 vert and couldn't be happier. It was nicely optioned with adaptive cruise, sat nav (which I'm getting rid of now.. go figure), premium stereo, etc. It was a southern car, 2 owner, well maintained, etc. Perfect color combo too. So when the right car came along, it was more about all of those factors and less about 8 vs R. Lower cost to own was also appealing.

But as others have said, buy what you fall in love with. Because purchasing a car like this is never meant to be a rational decision in the first place!

 

Are you talking an XK or XK8?

The XK is the later model which is much more advanced compared to the old XK8.

 

I think you just answered your own question. Buy the XKR.

 

For me, I would not have been happy with the XK8 and you sound like me. I like stop light shootouts, on ramp drag strips and that sudden rush of pure power on lonely country roads. So, for me, there was never an option, I had to have the XKR, which, as you can see in my signature below, I have modified for even more power. I searched for almost a year for my XKR, which was in perfect condition and only had 32k miles on it when I bought it 2.5 years ago. However, if what you want is a beautiful looking car and a great ride but don't do the stop light shootouts like I do, then get the XK8.


Mark

 

If you have a time component, give yourself a deadline, with a small extension possible.

The power of an XKR has enough torque with only the driver in the car to give a shove in the gut in first gear. I came from a Porsche Boxster so that was a new experience. If you are used to modern muscle car power, it will keep up.

However, the XKR motor does not have variable valve timing. So at higher revs I find the XK8 engine more appealing for sound, especially since there is no supercharger whine. That whine on the first generation 2000-2006 models made some people giddy but had others like me cringe as it sounded like a power drill. Later models made the supercharger much less noisy and the exhaust way louder.

Here is something else. The convertibles outnumbered the coupes by 9 to 1. If you gotta have a convertible, you are in luck.

I found the convertibles pre 2007 to have too much flex compared to my Porsche Boxster (model year 2000). In addition the back seats on the coupe can handle babyseat behind passenger with enough room for 5.9" adult in front passenger. Or two lithe adult females on passenger side and your 5 year old behind the driver. You cannot use convertible rear seats for longer than 5 minutes with any small human as the seats are nearly upright vs leaned back. However, the rear will accomodate your dog (s).

 

Took me best part of 2 yrs to find this one...it was worth the wait in both style and ultimate driving pleasure. XKR it just jas to be.....

 

XKR!

 

There were about 91,000 XK8/R convertibles produced during the entire 10 year run of the X100 style; about 60% of the convertibles were shipped to the US. During that same 10 year run there were about 9600 XKR coupes produced with about 5000 shipped to the US. I'd estimate that at least 1000 XKR X100 style coupes have spent all 9 of their lives and are in kitty heaven. That leaves maybe 4,000 X100 style coupes left, making the XKR X100 style coupe pretty rare, and getting more rare each year.


Mark

 

That is the best looking black one I have seen so far. Very nice!

-dr

 

Restlessone,
I think you are missing a couple of considerations. First, let me say that the extra power of the XKR is addicting, and like others have mentioned, I enjoy "spirited" driving, so the XK8 was never in consideration. But another more important matter has to do with maintenance. The Mercedes sourced transmission of the XKR up until the end of model year 2002 is a much less troublesome, much stouter unit than the ZF sourced one of the XK8. It is better than the ZF 6 speed unit of the 2003-2006. Plus there isn't much evidence that there are any more additional problems with the supercharged cars.

 

I just happen to have one that's looking for a new owner...

 

There is not a real big price differance in the used car market place, the condition will be a bigger factor. These cars are getting old, simpler is always better. The XKR was fast in its day, but you wont be winning any drags with todays newer cars anyways. If speed is not your top priority, the XK8 is a better choice.

Drive both, and buy the one that's in the best condition. I'm searching for a low mile XKR 04-05, but my current XK8 is just fine for now :-)

 

She's a beauty!


Mark

 

I'm more of a coupe fan but this is the best looking convertible I've ever seen!


Mark

 

Hi J

I originally started looking at a 2000 XK8, after a while on this forum I am now looking at a 2007 XK or XKR. I would like to have the XKR but there aren't many for sale and since I am almost 70 and in poor health I may end up buying an XK.

It's at the top of my list to own a jag, better get it done.

Gordon

 

gordon, go get an XK and just floor it more often. I drove two 2007 XK models 1 yr after I bought my 2002 XKR coupe. The new models have better handling and the paddle shifters are superb so you can get back down to 1st. No, they cant compete with XKR motor for low end torque but for driving sensation they are fine.

Mark, if that was a convertible for sale when I was looking, I would have bought it.

 

Hi Gordon
I had the same dilemma when I was looking to buy my first performance car last September. I went for a beautiful 3 year old XKR Supercharged (510 BHP) and so pleased I went for the higher spec - it's performance is breathtaking, particularly the acceleration in Dynamic Mode: 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds. It is so worth the extra cost to have the very best. You will love it!
David