Fifth Gear : Jaguar XK vs. XK Cabriolet

Tiff test drives the XK and the XK Cabriolet and weighs up its strengths and weaknesses of each.

[blacktopgypsy]

I have had my 2008 XKR Portfolio coupe for 6 trouble free years now, and I absolutely LOVE it. It has the 420hp 4.2 Litre engine which is perfectly mated to a six speed ZF automatic transmission. Although the rear wheels will occasionally break loose, the car is not difficult to manage. The Portfolio edition came with 20" Cremona wheels and 6 piston Alcon brakes. My friend has the 510 Hp in a 2012 XKR coupe which he finds it a little intimidating, and prefers the driving experience of my car. I much prefer the XKR to my previous car, a 2003 Mercedes 500CL which was amazing, but if not for the warranty, the maintenance costs would have bankrupted me. If you can find a well maintained, low mileage XKR, don't wait, buy it!

[PhillipYewTree]

I have an XK cab. Beautiful car that always puts a smile on my face. Driving down Glencoe with the top down, on a warm summers day is wonderful.

[kanob]

I had a 2002 XKR and it was a blast driving it. Turn heads everywhere I went because it's not a common car that you see. At 370 horsepower it was fast as hell in my opinion. But I sold it and now I'm going to buy a 2012 XKR with 510 horsepower. If I thought 370 was a lot, I'm going to be amazed with 510. Really strong Cars 2. A lot of people talk about reliability but they never own a jaguar. All I needed to change on mine was a water pump and I drove the hell out of that car everyday with a hundred 130k miles

[eddieconroy]

It’s seems Tiff didn’t get that this car was designed as a GT. Its meant to eat up the miles in comfort. It was never meant to be the last word in handing. I just don’t get why reviewers make up their mind before they drive a car if they are going to like it or not.
All that said, the XK still looks good even today.

[mickyeverton]

Recently purchased a 1989 XJS V12 with just under 16, 000 miles (genuine) on the clock. Had a few back in the 80's, can honestly say it's the only car that makes me smile every time I get in it & believe me I have had my fair share of motors!! Peace From London. 🙏🙏

[gavfr]

I've bought an XK, had it 16 months now and I love it, I can use it everyday, always get admiring looks and compliments, and it's relatively cheap to run, it shouldn't be compared to a 911, this is a GT car not a sports car, a gentlemans cruiser, a fair comparison is a V8 vantage, which are a lot more expensive to buy and run.

[jimballuff]

I have a 2007 XK Convertible, 4.2- V8 Winter Gold, 1 of 97. 53, 000 on the clock. It puts a smile on my face every time I get it. Have done 50-plus car shows with it. Have owned 4 other sports cars, and by far this is the best, in power, looks, quality, and reliability, 16 years old and has not had one problem, oh, one brake light out, which I had to replace last year. A wonderful car. I'm 6'3" and 235 lbs more than enough room. Just a pleasure to drive.

[sydney]

The XKR is a different animal with 4.2 V8 Supercharged and a number of extras such as Brembo brakes on 20 inch wheels.

[LordTwaddle]

I’d have one of these over an F-Type any day of the week.

[adamr]

I have it! 2009, love it. Still gets compliments

[tuppid]

I’m amazed dear old Tiff gave the XK a half decent review he is usually fairly dismissive of Jags, he really only likes ugly bone shaking 911’s.

[murphman]

I have the 2007 cabriolet...bought it 2 yrs old with 10K miles. Now has 90K miles. Very reliable. Sensational car...gets admiring looks everywhere. Sometimes mistaken for an Aston Martin...not a bad thing!

[vdicky]

Relax folks. This episode is from 2006 😂👍🏻

[lionyleftwich]

The Jaguar XKR is the most slept on sports car in the world and I seen it beat Ferrari's and Lambo's before.I never seen a Mercedes or BMW come close to doing that

[DudesaidMIKE]

My 09 XK has turned almost 200k. Love it.

[Ziggyziggy]

Stunning,
This jag beauty will be timeless.

[andreloubser]

Yes, Cape Town and the Western Cape, a driver's paradise!

[davidwright]

Sorry Tiff your wrong 99% of owners will love it we don’t all want to drive like a lunatic.Fit a sports exhaust and release the V8 sound and it’s superb the cabrio is nowhere near as good looking either.It must be the best value on the used market available!

[Kraken]

I want. I really do. It's beautiful. I don't imagine it'll ever happen. I want a tourer, not the F-Type.

[TIMSANDYSURF]

The F type was a generation too late. When new the XK only appealed to a very limited (old) audience. This was at a time when Jaguar desperately needed to appeal to a younger buyer. There is no doubt that today, with its power and quality, the XK makes a wonderful secondhand buy. A car to cherish.