Jaguars are unreliable-what a myth once you own and drive modern Jaguars. The XKR, model introduced in 2006, is an absolutely excellent example of the modern Jaguar.
We have owned a number of the XKR supercharged models and found them all to be a tremendous value and extremely fun to drive.
Of course, there are some quirks that I will mention later.
Till 2010, the standard XK was underpowered for my tastes. The engine power was enhanced in 2010 making the need to move to an XKR model more a personal desire rather than need.
The move to a 500+ horsepower XKR seemed to be more of a marketing decision to do something new and keep up with other luxury marques rather than an engineering driven sense and desire for product enhancement.
The 2007 to 2009 XKR cars are what we have had and I will focus on those. The cars in this timeframe are
First of all, this car, particularly the coupe is simply beautiful. An elegant and enduring design that just turns
heads. The convertible is also very nice though the blind spots (with the top up) taking getting used to.
The body is lightweight aluminum construction and the thus the power to weight ratio is excellent.
In walking up to the car and opening the door (the key fob works like Keyless Go-Mercedes or Comfort
Access-BMW). No need to insert the key in the door or ignition-simply walk up, open the door, get in and push the start button and bring the cat to life!
Simply starting up the car is quite exhilirating with the wonderful exhaust sound and rumble.
The gear shifter moves very smoothly and the car is ready to go. For me, the standard drive mode is more than adequate for almost all type of about town and highway driving. Shifting to sport and/or using the paddles seems just more unnecessary work.
Steering feel is light and responsive and the car is very easy to drive.
Looking out over the long hood is rather fun. The accelerator responds quickly and car pulls very nicely.
Whether the car has the standard stereo or the Bowers & Wilkins, the sound is very nice though the car is loud and not as quiet as a Mercedes SL. Somewhere in between the SL and Porsche 911.
You will never think of this as a true sports car but far more of an incredibly elegant, fun to drive touring car and one that gets a lot of looks from everyone.
Of course the leather quality is exceptional and layout very nice. I know the back seats get a bad rap by all but then this is not a four seater. Just think of it as a two seater and all is OK. The SL has storage space on the back. The 911 has two seats in the back but they really are storage areas. So all three are really setup the same way.
Option list is limited which makes it easier to evaluate one against the other. The big options include adaptive
Simply starting up the car is quite exhilirating with the wonderful exhaust sound and rumble.
The gear shifter moves very smoothly and the car is ready to go. For me, the standard drive mode is more than adequate for almost all type of about town and highway driving. Shifting to sport and/or using the paddles seems just more unnecessary work.
Steering feel is light and responsive and the car is very easy to drive.
Looking out over the long hood is rather fun. The accelerator responds quickly and car pulls very nicely.
Whether the car has the standard stereo or the Bowers & Wilkins, the sound is very nice though the car is loud and not as quiet as a Mercedes SL. Somewhere in between the SL and Porsche 911.
You will never think of this as a true sports car but far more of an incredibly elegant, fun to drive touring car and one that gets a lot of looks from everyone.
Of course the leather quality is exceptional and layout very nice. I know the back seats get a bad rap by all but then this is not a four seater. Just think of it as a two seater and all is OK. The SL has storage space on the back. The 911 has two seats in the back but they really are storage areas. So all three are really setup the same way.
Option list is limited which makes it easier to evaluate one against the other. The big options include adaptive
cruise (rather useless) and the Bowers Wilkins stereo---nice if you can get it but not to pay a lot more for.
On the other end, the car does have some quirks. Some design oriented and some, I suspect, bean counter
On the other end, the car does have some quirks. Some design oriented and some, I suspect, bean counter
decisions to keep the production costs down and be able to sell this car at a very attractive price.
The seats are not as firm as I would like. The plastic trim feels cheap. To access the cupholder you have to slide back the center console lid/elbow rest and the two cupholders are sized differently-why?
On every car we have had, the plastic/chrome trim around the shifter J gate has been replaced under warranty because it would peel. The key fobs don't hold up well as the plastic/chrome peels.
I don't like the all in one touch screen. Obviously a cost decision where the accountants told the engineers to
make this work. All Jag had to do was buy the interface and avoid cost of extra buttons. The result is slow The seats are not as firm as I would like. The plastic trim feels cheap. To access the cupholder you have to slide back the center console lid/elbow rest and the two cupholders are sized differently-why?
On every car we have had, the plastic/chrome trim around the shifter J gate has been replaced under warranty because it would peel. The key fobs don't hold up well as the plastic/chrome peels.
I don't like the all in one touch screen. Obviously a cost decision where the accountants told the engineers to
response and laborious travel thru the world of sub menus. Don't do this while driving.
I have also been told there are no brake wear sensors on the front wheels. Imagine that on a 100K or so car.
I have also been told there are no brake wear sensors on the front wheels. Imagine that on a 100K or so car.
We have also had some issues where the unit has gone out and been replaced under warranty.
On the coupes the rear cargo cover is held to the trunk by 4 push in buttons. These are poorly designed and can break off. Easy to fix but shows some cost cutting.
Some the cars we have had have been the Portfolio cars. These are very nice as they have a special paint job, unique wheels and are heavily equipped. Would not pay the 10K or so premium at retail for this package but for the same or slightly more cost at used, well worth it for the exclusivity and hopefully better resale value.
By the way, our Jag dealer has been fantastic and I think the factory is supportive of the dealers and customers end up getting very good service.
I have found the body and paintwork to be excellent. Do note that if you need any bodywork, make sure you go to a Jag authorized facility. The way the cars are built, they simply cannot be sent to any old body shop.
Overall the cars are reliable, super fun and comfortable to drive, reasonably low maintenance cost and just can't be beat in the looks department. Keep it up Jaguar!
On the coupes the rear cargo cover is held to the trunk by 4 push in buttons. These are poorly designed and can break off. Easy to fix but shows some cost cutting.
Some the cars we have had have been the Portfolio cars. These are very nice as they have a special paint job, unique wheels and are heavily equipped. Would not pay the 10K or so premium at retail for this package but for the same or slightly more cost at used, well worth it for the exclusivity and hopefully better resale value.
By the way, our Jag dealer has been fantastic and I think the factory is supportive of the dealers and customers end up getting very good service.
I have found the body and paintwork to be excellent. Do note that if you need any bodywork, make sure you go to a Jag authorized facility. The way the cars are built, they simply cannot be sent to any old body shop.
Overall the cars are reliable, super fun and comfortable to drive, reasonably low maintenance cost and just can't be beat in the looks department. Keep it up Jaguar!
