<![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three - Jalopnik Comments]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three - Jalopnik Comments]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> I bought a 2008 XKR Portfolio edition, and it was the much improved interior as well as the Bowers and Willkins sound system that made the final decision for me. Actually, I would have bought a DB9 now that the dodgy steering is sorted by the sports pack, but I am a needer of laser guided cruise control and Astons GT's are still not available with it.
For me, expensive cars need to look good. I can excuse Subaru's for looking like bullfrogs because they are cheap, but I cannot excuse expensive 6 series BMW's for looking like cat fish with a stroller handle trunk lid. Cars are like women; the expensive models better look good.
Now I would strongly disagree on the review of driving dynamics of this car (with the possible exception of how it is to drive aggressively on wet, winding and challenging roads, as I live in sunny California).
For a GT with an automatic, I think this car is unmatched (the exception being the DB9, which I believe has the identical transmission). The paddle shifting BMW's I have tried are nothing shy of horrific. Leave them in full auto mode and they are pathetically laughable.
The XKR interior with the Portfolio option is easily a match for other $100K GT cars, and it even maintains a fair degree of character too. The old school 420 hp supercharged V8 is all the power you need in the real world; on the roads.
What is there to compare this car to anyway? BMW 6 series (grotesque), Mercedes CL (mildly ugly and with the driving soul of a refrigerator), Maserati Grand Turismo (beautiful but highly strung and too low on torque)??
Pricing may be out of line (although full aluminum body shells surely can't be cheap), but the XKR is a pretty special GT, even spectacular in my experience.

benjyboards

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: I think we'll need to agree to disagree on this one, the world would be boring if we all liked the same things :D A question though. when you were driving the Catskills was it wet? did you drive those roads in the dry?

steelej

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @steelej: I don't think it has been tweaked. I can see why people like the car, as I mentioned in the first part of the review, it does initially feel very special, and I bet for 90% of it's potential buyers -- people who equate driving fast with doing 90mph on a highway -- that will be enough.

The Catskills, where I took the car, have somewhat similar roads to Scotland. They're narrow, windy and don't have any runoff. They're also often wet, which is something I'm sure you can relate to.

The car just wasn't confidence inspiring in the least. I mean, I wasn't drifting it on a big open airfield, which I'm sure would have been fun, I needed control and precision in addition to the power, the XKR just didn't have any of either. It feels like an older American sports car in a way, lots of power, bad gearbox, wobbly handling and poor vision.

Believe me, I didn't come into this review wanting to be negative about it. I really wanted to like this car something awful, I just couldn't.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Hi Wes, a truthful review is always what people look for but my problem is that what you wrote is very different from my own experience and just about every other review of this car so it does raise some red flags. I've driven an XKR every day for the last year and I've never experienced the issues you wrote about even on some of the quickest most demanding roads in Scotland. I did miss out a smilie in part of my post where I talked about the XKR being a lemon or you a bad driver, that was meant to be tongue in cheek and not an insult so apologies for that :D but I do stand by what I say, the XKR is one of the best cars I've driven and I've driven a lot. I do wonder though if as suggested above the XKR setup has been slightly tweaked for the US market though....

steelej

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @steelej: Would you guys rather that I just wrote a fluff piece about every new car like the buff books do, or would you like the truth?

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Guys, get a grip here, the XKR wasn't built on a tight budget, if it was it wouldn't have one of the worlds most advanced aluminium chasis. I've had an XKR for almost a year now and this is the worst review I've read of it, knowing what I know I can only surmise that either the XKR in this review was a lemon or the reviewer isn't a very good driver. The XKR is in almost all instances rated just behind the 911s and Audi R8 that's pretty impressive, definately not in line with whats being said here. I live in Scotland with some of the finest driving roads in the world and the XKR devours them with ease with none of the issues highlighted here. The interior is a lovely place to be, nice leather everywhere, ok there's some plastic but that's not to say it's an interior not worthy of a $98k car(or equivalent of $150k when you buy one in the UK) The telescoping Aeriel is now gone on the current model and has sparked a lot of complaints about the radio reception being poor and I must admit my 07 model with old fashioned aeriel has the best reception I've experienced in a car, I understand why Jag did it because it provides the best quality. The XKR is an awesome car and this is the first review I've read that doesn't state that so something's not right....

steelej

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Why would they make the interior all crappy when so much work has been done to create this new XKR? Doesn't add up.

superbmtsub

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @bananaDoc: The OCD in me agrees with this and wants the Audi guys to do the $14,000 Manual Trans Swap from the S8 and get the interior redone.

-at which point, I would have spent the same as @Shapeshifter: (or more) and should have gotten the Vantage instead.

Oh well; sorry, Jag. It's off to Miller.
So: Tomorrow's QOTD: New or Preowned?

wonkydonky

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Novaload: After your comment I did a little more research that backs you up completely. Apparently the "Stuff We All Get" definition that is bantered about here in celebutard la-la land is a "reverse-acronym" and product of dumb good luck. I had a bit of fear of that, which is why my comment to Wes was not phrased stridently... as my Grandma has always said (she'll be 100 in October) "only fools are positive"... and I am no fool, I'd like to think. At least we are in agreement on the spelling as "swag", not shwag or schwag.

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Awwwwwww… see now I feel guilty about the Jonny crack. Nothing personal, but you were talking smack about my girl. It was either that or hunt you down, kill you and mount you.

Hey, no offense--reptilian brain; not me talking.

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @bananaDoc: I know where you're coming from with this, having harbored a teenage infatuation with the E-Type as well.

Believe me, I would like nothing better than to have fallen in love with the XKR. It just didn't let me. And yes, that makes Wes sad.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Wes, I see your point and respect it. I think my position comes from falling in love, as a youth, with the old XKE… For me, a jag lights up an area of my reptilian brain. Various clumps of cells in the brain stem determine the brain's general level of alertness and regulate the vegetative processes of the body such as breathing and heartbeat. It's similar to the brain possessed by the hardy reptiles that preceded mammals, roughly 200 million years ago. It's 'preverbal', but controls life functions such as autonomic brain, breathing, heart rate and the fight or flight mechanism. Lacking language, its impulses are instinctual and ritualistic. It's concerned with fundamental needs such as survival, physical maintenance, hoarding, dominance, preening and mating.

Cold facts and such baser instincts rarely coexist happily with one another… and apparently, I'm not alone. From Automobile: "Beauty alone won't save Jaguar, so let's add the fact that it ranked first in the 2007 J. D. Power and Associates Customer Service Index with the highest score ever recorded and also ranked first for the third year in a row in the Sales Satisfaction Index."

And these are the folks writing the full MSRP checks.

Just sayin'…

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Novaload: So many manufacturers do this that it just boggles the mind. Looking at how succesful Audi have been with their high quality interiors it's hard to figure out why more people don't catch on. It's not just snobbery either, if I'm dropping tens of thousands of dollars on a car, I at least want to see where my money went.

@Rust-MyEnemy: I think they're identical, but I'll check.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @j6r:

And i know i'd have a G37 over this.

At least, as long as i'm paying for it with real money. (Even if i go crazy with options it'll be less than half as expensive!)

Shapeshifter

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: I'm suspicious that they may have bollocksed up the suspension for the US market.... Jag have played this trick in the past, with the US getting the sponge-matic makover.

I wonder. Whatcha reckon, Wes?

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @spaceman7:

And you know what? I think i'd still buy the Vantage.

Even though i can't explain why...

Shapeshifter

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Charles_Barrett: Swag is actually British for "loot" -- as in ill-gotten goods, stolen items, even occasionally pirate treasure.

But more to the point, Wes, I think that was a good look at the Jag--but why do you think they are scrimping on the inside trim, which people, as you point out, see constantly??

NovaloadMissesPolar

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @bananaDoc: That's what I was talking about in the first part of the review. It feels so good at first, but when you start trying to push it, it just falls all over itself. and it's not like it's so luxurious and nice inside that you can just pass it off as a sexy looking luxury car.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @nirad: C/D is Wrong. The S5 is Fugly. Hate the well humps, the lines, all of it; yuk.

wonkydonky

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Yep. I find it hard to get the 6 Series out of my head as I try to persuade my customers to part with 60 £Gs for an SL...

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Spot on!

I grew up with SL's in or around the family--and the new ones, while very nice, feel cheaper I think... the leather, the fit and finish.. not so good. There was talk at the event that MB's from the Chrysler era would be a black spot on the brand.

On the other hand, the BMW felt as if it were carved from solid granite (like the SL's USED to feel). The mechanics felt like a Swiss watch.. and we are not talking Rolex, we are talking Vacheron Constantin or Patek here...

However, in the end, the XK just grabbed me... purely Visceral.

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Rust-MyEnemy: I find the 6-series to be the most competent handler out of those three. It might not feel it at first, but start pushing it on tight roads and it's easier to place, more responsive and faster as a result.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @bananaDoc: Personally speaking, I pitied the MB. This was Mercedes on a bit of an Ego trip, with a "we're still the daddy" attitude. They threw us the keys to a bunch of cars and told us to see what we thought.

Opinions:-

MB 500sl:- Felt like, well, a Mercedes. Intially very impressive, but you soon learn that refinement is its party piece, and I kind of wanted more than that. The sound was there, the grunt was there, but the whole thing felt a little.... inert. Nice, but no hard-on.

XK:- Underwhelmed with the front threequarter styling (those headlamps...) but then it became apparrent that Jag are making a real effort to pull themselves out of the past. To drive there was a definite edge, an inherrent excitement. Slight rawness you didn't get in Jags of the past. Loved it, but I'll agree with Wes on the fact I would find the quality hard to stomach.

650i Sport:- Didn't expect this, but it was my favourite. Not the prettiest, not the fastest. But It just amazed me with deep-seated comptetence. And also, the fact that it becomes an extention of the driver. You feel like you're wearing it, hunkered down in the machine. Invulnerable. The build is astonishing. The sound is thunderous and the feeling, while not as sharp as the Jag ultimately, is one of total control and very, very high limits. The acceleration, not searing, but seemingly exponential. You're always going that bit faster than you thought.

My winner is the Bimmer, because it doesn't feel like it's trying too hard.

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Rust-MyEnemy: Out of curiosity, what were your impressions of the three? I attended a similar event not long ago--(maybe an mb thing?) and came away with very distinct opinions...

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> well i remember Top Gear making a point that this is a car made by an automaker on the ropes. I mean for a luxury car it still has a telescoping antenna in the back..just like my 1995 Altima. I mean shoot even Hyundai has integrated antennas..

and Top Gear isnt always biased towards UK cars
I mean they chose a Wiesmann over a TVR ( who can blame them?) and they werent too pleased over the XKR either.. the new XF does get a nod from Capt Slow and the boys..
To be honest I really really hated the new XF but the more I see it the more I like it..its a good change for the company..and I have seen a few XKR coupes and covertibles here in Florida and they look pretty nice in person and in motion..just some of the small details
show that this car was crafted on a budget and a tight one at that

yellofury * * * * *

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: I have. Mercedes dealer event comparing XKR, 650i and SL500. You're right, it doesn't compare with Concorde. Just as the Corvette doesn't compare with an F16

Two different flavours for two different tastes.

And neither is right or wrong.

But I like smoked salmon more than I like a hotdog, and they're both yummy, right?

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Rust-MyEnemy: I take it you've never driven the XKR? It hardly bears comparison with the Concorde.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Look carefully at my profile photo. I'm more familiar with C6s than you might think. The C6 is very refined, but it does have tire noise and the exhaust goes right past your legs so the cabin gets warm if you don't turn on the A/C. I don't think it is a problem, but I doubt the Jaguar does the same thing.

j6r

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Oh nevermind, here he is:

TTAC

QOTD: Which Brand Has Lost the Plot?
By Jonny Lieberman
February 13, 2008 - 79 Views

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Anyone complaining about the ad's, do your homework.... Firefox + Adblock is your friend.

reefer

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Not a comparison, dude.

Like the Evo X Shouldn't be compared to an RS4,
Like the 300C SRT8 shouldn't be compared to an M5
Like the Pussycat Dolls shouldn't be compared to The Supremes,
Like The Fast and The Furious shouldn't be compared to Vanishing Point.

Corvette and XKR are like comparing Concorde with an F16. Speed is literally the only thing they have in common.

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @spaceman7: Agreed. But neither does it cost $98,000. The money you'd save buying the Corvette would pay for a lot of track days, tyres and speeding tickets. Or just buy a 10yo Rolls Royce for when you needed to feel classy.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> car and driver had a recent article where they compared cars that cost ~$50k with ones costing substantially more. One of their comparisons was between the XK and the Audi S5.
[www.caranddriver.com]

nirad

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> At least they didn't let the Gawker Artists design it.

smokeydog001

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Fair play to that.
-But a vette looks nowhere near as good as an XK/R and is also known for having crap interiors.

Hell, the C4 (?) had its OEM rear discs RIVETED on.

wonkydonky

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> "This concludes our review of the Jaguar XKR."

No TreeHuggers? No Fashion Victims?

~sound of chirping crickets~

I kinda miss Jonny....

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @j6r: I think you'd be suprised how complete a car the current Corvette is. Get over the badge snobbery and the 1980s Hyundai interior.

Obviously without driving these cars back to back discussing their finer points is irrelevant, I'm merely offering them up as reference points.

The Jag's just not half the car it should be. Especially for the money.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: A 650i is 3900#, A G37 is 3700#. While weight isn't everything in this class I think it is under-weighted as an evaluation factor. The Corvette is much more of a sports car with the road noise and exhaust warmth that comes with less insulation.

j6r

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @Wes Siler: Just FYI, the term is SWAG, which stands for "Stuff We All Get", so I am told. Not being picky, just thought you might enjoy its background as trivia (just like most of us Yanks don't know that POSH stands fo "Portside Outbound, Starboard Homebound", the preferred stateroom configuration for booking staterooms on liners as a UK resident.)

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @spaceman7: Top Gear is noticably biased in favor of british cars. Also, the XKR is notably heavier than a Corvette.

Corvette: 3217lbs
XKR: 3671lbs

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Clarkson disagrees with you on power & chassis, though his review is simpler.
You also Fail to mention the notably Lighter weight of the XKR.
Top Gear Clarkson XKR vs. Vantage:


+ Watch video

wonkydonky

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @bananaDoc: Did you just make a passably reasonable argument for purchasing a used Jaguar coupe?

Kudos.

Mad_Science

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @j6r: The 650i etc are its more natural competitors, but the point is that the XKR's outdone by cars costing roughly half the price, much less cars that cost roughly the same.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> remember the interior was built for a $75,000 XK not a 90,000 XKR

Not that I don't think it should be better too, I just wouldn't say it's what you find in most $40,000 cars these days.

Rabbi Dave

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> You guys really need to compare this with a 650i. Not a Cayman. Also the Germans picked the XKR over the Maserati GranTurismo. At least it scores higher.
[www.autozeitung.de]

j6r

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Must say, I reckon the XKR makes the best noise on a British High Street I've heard in a long time.

British Muscle Cars, well, Indian muscle cars, are go.

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Hence the aforementioned depreciation rate on these lovely bits of Britain. In a year, you'll be able to buy on for ~50K... Right in line with the fit & finish as well as the performance ###'s. (and 2+years left on the warranty... )

As someone who has never "built" a car at the dealer (nor ever will) this suits me just fine.

Sorry mates, you could tell me you hate this car all you want--I'll still have one. It is simply a case of the left brain overpowering the right...

bananaDoc

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Agreed.

Morphine

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> it really is a great looking car.. Jag is finally coming around

stevecmh

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @3wheeler: I think they are way too in love with Audis (maybe Audi is supplying free hookers that Wert won't let them talk about), but this review seems pretty unbaised. What this car costs compared to a Corvette or Cayman S is pretty unjustifiable.

no_slushbox

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> I'm still not terribly keen on that nose. The bits look good, but not in concert - the divide between upper and lower grill-mesh interupts the facia, and seems to me only an attempt to distinguish the nose from an Aston. While they may not look similar up close, they do from the press shots . . . and press shots get people to dealerships.

Morphine

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @neredowell: XJ220

BLS

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> The the vents in the center of the dash the same ones that I have in my Fusion? They sure do look like it.

jaydez

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> When was the last time Jaguar had a class leading product?

neredowell

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> The money went into the exchange rate. It is like 2:1.

j6r

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @GrandmaSideways: That's called taste.

@3wheeler: No, as gentleman we have a strict "Don't kiss and tell" policy ruthlessly enforced by Mr. Wert.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Really? (SUBARU) the advertiser wouldn't withdraw any funding if given a hard time by your editorial?

As for free Shwag thats great (cue obvious joke) but do you disclose free Sh*gs?

3wheeler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> yeah exactly what I was thinking a few days ago. Seems they criticize small crap economy cars, but when someone strolls into a Tokyo showroom and takes shots of a micro scooby, suddenly they love it.

GrandmaSideways

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> @3wheeler: Yes, our advertising has no impact on our editorial. Additionally, we pay our own way on product launches and disclose any free shwag we're given. You can count on us for independent, unbiased reviews.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Oh. This is Jag column. Er, "The Jaguar is a great car, but [BUY A SUBARU] not as great as a SUBARU"...

3wheeler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Jaguar XKR, Part Three]]> Looking at the header and side panels, every comment should read something like this: "This Audi is a great 4x4, and the Diesel is the best version that the States has been waiting for for too long, but its not half as good as a SUBARU {BUY SUBARU} Subaru Diesel is better. Oh wait. Whats that? There ISN'T a SUBARU diesel?. Never mind [BUY A SUBARU] we'll not get any criticism of that brand here! Subarus are great!!!!"

Are you allowed to impartially critique cars if you are sponsored by a single automaker?

3wheeler

]]>