Xk8 Coupe or convertible?

[jaguar wheels]

I am looking buy an XK8 in the next few months, probably early Dec. but i can not decide on a coup or convertible. Could do with some opinions.

[Marki]

Its a personal choice ,, for me a convertible would win every time .

I just love roof down

[John Millar]

Some points to consider.

Facts.

Coupe will cost less to buy
Coupe is lighter
coupe is slightly faster
convertible suffers some scuttle shake
convertible has even less rear seat and boot space
convertible more attractive to vandals
early convertibles had problems with hydraulic operation.

Personal choice.

If you like the looks of both versions equally, and open air motoring is not a high priority then the points above may sway you.

If you find that the climate you live in lets you make good use of the convertible it will be great fun, and if you have another car to use in bad weather all the better.

Do you like to soak up the sun with the wind in your hair or stay cool with the climate blowing ice cold air?

If you go for the convertible there is the choice of colour combinations, do you go for a matching colour (black over black, blue over blue)or a contrasting coluur (tan over red)etc.?

Difficult choice to make in itself, and then there's age,mileage,trim,wheels,and if options like cruise control,memory pack, premium audio, sat nav,power fold mirrors,heated seats/front screen are important to you it may take a while for you to find the perfect car.

Hope you know about the two major areas of concern with these cars, don't let it put you off, and have fun looking for the right car.

Cheers,John

[Marki]

I live in Sweden and i would not have swapped my XKR cab for the world , i think you missed out that Cabs are just a special thing to own (if you feel like me)

After all an E is much more saught after in roadster form even now , think about it , you know it makes sence

[K.K.]

The convertable will hold its value better (although will cost more to buy in the first place)and it will be easier to sell in the future. Plus, it simply feels GREAT to drive with the roof down!

[theblacktuscks]

Our convertible superb. No scuttle shake and looks the dogs danglies.

[thepipesmoker]

I'm going against the flow here but i think the coupe is the finer looking car. I bought a coupe in preference to the soft top as I think the latter loses the sensuous curves - take a close look at the shape of the body on the coupe round the rear window/upper body and tell me it doesn't remind you of a naked woman's hips!
Of course in the end it's all down to personal taste. But I will add that IMO open top motoring is vastly over-rated. It's too cold and windy in the winter, it's too hot and windy in the summer (sunburn's a big risk) and at other times it varies between the two. If you have the roof up you wish it were down and vice versa. Plus, I've yet to meet a woman who doesn't complain that it messes here hair up!!

[Marki]

thepipesmoker said:

I'm going against the flow here but i think the coupe is the finer looking car. I bought a coupe in preference to the soft top as I think the latter loses the sensuous curves - take a close look at the shape of the body on the coupe round the rear window/upper body and tell me it doesn't remind you of a naked woman's hips!

You are correct of course , the coupe is kind of broad shouldered and yes is better looking in a way

But the cab has its own charm

[robocop]

Marki said:

I live in Sweden and i would not have swapped my XKR cab for the world ...

But Marki, according to your profile...you have!

Rgds


P.S. I am with pipesmoker on this...coupe all the way

[Marki]

That is not have swapped it for a Coupe when i had it well you know what i mean innit

[robocop]

Oh, I see what you mean!

Your English is still way better than my Swedish!

But to swap an XK for an ML?.....

Hope you feel better soon

Rgds

[triple7]

Coupe every time with the XK.

If you look at the XK coupe from the back 3/4 towards the front, the curves and flow of lines looks beautiful.

[Marki]

robocop said:

Oh, I see what you mean! Your English is still way better than my Swedish! But to swap an XK for an ML?..... Hope you feel better soon Rgds

It was the voices they made me do it , your Swedish is better than my Swedish i am the original linguistic nonce

[mooldy]

Have owned both
Convertible wins hands down

[jaguar wheels]

John Millar said:

Some points to consider. Facts. Coupe will cost less to buy Coupe is lighter coupe is slightly faster convertible suffers some scuttle shake convertible has even less rear seat and boot space convertible more attractive to vandals early convertibles had problems with hydraulic operation. Personal choice. If you like the looks of both versions equally, and open air motoring is not a high priority then the points above may sway you. If you find that the climate you live in lets you make good use of the convertible it will be great fun, and if you have another car to use in bad weather all the better. Do you like to soak up the sun with the wind in your hair or stay cool with the climate blowing ice cold air? If you go for the convertible there is the choice of colour combinations, do you go for a matching colour (black over black, blue over blue)or a contrasting coluur (tan over red)etc.? Difficult choice to make in itself, and then there's age,mileage,trim,wheels,and if options like cruise control,memory pack, premium audio, sat nav,power fold mirrors,heated seats/front screen are important to you it may take a while for you to find the perfect car. Hope you know about the two major areas of concern with these cars, don't let it put you off, and have fun looking for the right car. Cheers,John

[johnmiller]

What two major concerns are those then?

Also, can anyone tell me was CATS fitted to as standard to XK8s after a certain date?

Thanks

[triple7]

Nope, its an option found on some XK's.

G

[robocop]

johnmiller said:

What two major concerns are those then? Thanks

John,

I think that will be engine Nikasil linings to the cylinders on some early(pre 2001) XK's, which were fuelled using cheap high sulphur fuel, and normally stop/start/short journeys

see www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=110022&f=85&h=0 ...for more details

Second is probably the chain tensioners on the cam belts I think Haven't got a link for that though. Try in 'search' mode.

Rgds

[Marki]

johnmiller said:

Also, can anyone tell me was CATS fitted to as standard to XK8s after a certain date? Thanks

think its standard on the "R"`s

[johnmiller]

thanks