Jaguar XKR
I had recently helped a friend pick out a beautiful 2007 Jaguar XKR for himself and after only a few days my wife said she wanted to get one for herself. We stumbled upon probably the cleanest and highest option 2008 XKR in existence. After much research I do think there’s only a handful of the 4.2 Supercharged Jaguar XKR that was configured with Black on Black, Alcon Brake option ($5000) and Adaptive Cruise Control ($2200 on top of the premium package). Now, most Portfolio models had these two options, they did not come from the factory with these Senna 20in wheels and couldn’t get the full all black look with Portfolio pack.
Picking up the car it had around 75k miles on it and we had an opportunity to see the car on a lift when purchasing. It was extremely clean and we really did get lucky with a well maintained and loved car. My wife and myself picked up the car just south of LA and had a trip planned in Vegas to scope out a wedding venue. We were nearly into the Las Vegas valley on the wide 4 lane highway. My wife and I had walkie talkies and would talk to each other about traffic and cars around, well we finally reached a spot with no cars around. We were in a newly purchased for us Jaguar XKR and a Subaru STI, lets see which is faster? 100, 110… 120mph and there’s the cop sitting in the center median. Shit, that didn’t last long. Not 2 miles later there was another cop, both of us going the speed limit now. A hand jets out of the window and a thumb struck towards the heavens greeted us. Oh man..
Having owned the car for now 10+ years, I can say there isn’t a better grand touring car that exists on this planet. To me a grand touring car is the go anywhere and do just about anything sort of car. Long cruises on the freeway, nearly mindless, and wafting you with power on command. Sure, there are more powerful cars, and more expensive ones with nicer options, but for what we use it for; immaculate in every way.
I see why they are worthless in the public’s eyes, the computer freaks out if the voltage of the battery dips only slightly from full. Jaguar as a company is what a Brit in India for a month or more looks like. Most XKR’s are either sitting up in a garage endlessly collecting dust and staying on a battery maintainer, or growing into a field, the value just doesn’t stay for most seeing the potential for trips to a mechanic. The tolerances for the electronics make it dramatic and have a personality. Passing emissions in the Jag is always cause for celebration and even the local guy that does the test knows the car. But, it’s beautiful, powerful, elegant. What was the famous Jag ad slogan? Grace, Pace, Space.
