The absolute timelessness (is that an actual word?)
of the car's design.

The 2001 xkr looks as relative today as it did new 11 years ago and I believe it's design will be just as relative and fashionable in another 20 years.

It is not often that a material item keeps it's quality and uniqueness through-out it's life span and beyond.

The Jaguar XKR 2001 has done just that.
The smiles and thumbs up, just keep coming.
And that's priceless !!

YOU HAVE ALL WITNESSED THE BIRTH OF A TRUE CLASSIC...

Happy motoring...

 

Well, the looks are obviously the first thing that gets your attention. From the first time I saw one I thought that Jaguar did a great job of carrying forth the styling of the XKE.

Then, when you drive one, you realize that the looks are just the beginning. The drive and the ride epitomize what a GT car is supposed to be.

What I like best is the whole package of looks and driving pleasure.

 

"Poetry in motion."

 

Best looking car I've ever seen! Makes a 99%er feel like a 1%er. Hey, by the way, what's the difference between the xk8 and the xkr?

 

I drove my 14-year-old to rugby practice in the Jag last night. I don't usually use it for local runs, but the engine was hot after my drive back from England and I wanted to stop by the touchless car wash near the club.

Anyway, just in front of us was a blonde MILF in a 2011 911 convertible dropping her son off at the same club.

All the boys/men hanging around outside the club were looking at her... until we turned up in the XKR. All heads abruptly turned to the XKR like at a tennis match.

The MILF was OWNED

And that's why I bought an XKR.

 

I think many here have echoed the same as my thoughts. The body style.

And I do think the XK8/XKR in this year range will end up as one of the few classics from late 90s, early 00s.

And it will probably be the only one that has a lineage from a visual aspect.

I have always loved the E-Type, and when the XK8/XKR came out I loved it.

My wife is new to Jags. When we were shopping for her, it came down to 2 verts. An 03 XK8, and an 05 Audi A4.

I looked at them and said, 10-15 years from now, what would their value be. Intrinsically possibly nothing.

Nothing against an A4, but there is nothing there that keeps someone loving its style 10-15 years later, The XK8? Different story. My comment to her, that's a classic in the making.

We hope to keep this one on the road until we no longer drive, so say another 30 years or so. If E-Types can be kept going that long, I hope we can with the XK8.

I showed her some E-Type photos and she understood what I meant.

Maybe that why a well kept XK8 is still viewed as "new" when people see them.

Cause it may be a timeless style.

PS: and when I win the lottery, yes I am getting an E-Type.

 

Sexy timeless body, wild supercharger power/ smooth cruising.... The best best car I ever had!
This is my third jaguar.
I had muscle cars in the past but this black cat is still my love.

 

Of course the looks but also the subtle stateliness of the car that makes enough of a statement without clubbing you over the head. By that I mean there is a guy in the building I work that buys/leases an Aston-Martin every 2 years (he is on his third one now since I have been in the building which is 4 years). Near where he parks is a guy that recently got a Maserati convertible and I think these two are apparently engaged in a "who has the biggest d**k contest".

These types of noisier, showier, in-your-face cars are just too over the top (same goes for the Lambo's, Ferrari's, uber Porsche and AMG Mercedes that I frequently see along the local boulevard in SoCal). When you see someone driving one of those vehicles the first thing that comes to my mind is that the person is so insecure they need to really blast how great and successful they are.

With the XK8/XKR and even the newer gen the statement is much more subtle.

Doug

 

I agree 200% with you SeismicGuy!

 

Among a lot of other features, what I like about my 2005 XK8 convertible is the horizonal design with lines somewhat parallel to the ground.

I do not like the appearance of cars designed low in the front as though they are going down hill.

 

To start with it was how it looked. Now its more about how it drives and just how capable it really is. I don't mean thrashing it to death, but get in go to the shops or do a few hundred miles, it's still good to be in.

 

"Glass" headlights... I know it sound dumb, but I parked next to an "newer" 06+ today.... his car looked really dated.. His headlights were already turning yellow (plastic). This was killing his whole car.

As time passes, this will be happening to all the newer ones... Not the 97-05 ones though, they stay looking new :-) Just one of the many things I love about these cars

 

Loved reading this thread!

Like randyk I dreamed from a very young age of driving the ultimate which was an E-Type but the XK8/XKR's have also turned into a timeless classic more than any other jag.

It has the looks and power without needing to shout it out loud. I just love the purr.

The car is a pure head turner, like Frog says park it next to any new muscle car then it attracts way more attention. Muscle cars attract men, the XK8/R attract woman.

Austin Powers didn't call it a Shaguar for nothing.

 

So largely we seem to agree that the XK8/XKR is the 2nd most beautiful car ever made? The E Type being number 1.

 

I prefer the proportions of ours to the E Type. E Types look great in photos but in person, they just look too small to me.

 

Never have liked the E-type, too phallic. The pre 2005 xk8/R is just utterly beautiful

 

The E-Type looks great in photos, especially the convertible (the 2+2 is a bit awkward), but when you see it in real life, it looks too narrow and feeble.

 

The thing I like most about my XKR is that it doesn't look like every other car on the highway; it's a Jaguar and it looks like one. This is why I don't care for the x150 style; it could be an Audi or a BMW.

Mark

 

Length, width, curves = balance = style = beauty..

 

Just got back from an errand to the local CVS store. On driving down the aisle to find a space a guy is walking across and can't take his eyes off the car--I thought he was going to trip over himself.

Five minutes later I get back in the car and start to leave. An older gent walking by calls out "beautiful car--what is it?" I tell him and he just says "gorgeous".

As I and others have said many times, this is timeless art on wheels!

Doug