mmarshall

It's not surprising that the XKR took a slight edge in performance...the Jag, of course, is lighter than the Aston. The film, in general, is also a little out-of-date........the XK/XKR, today, has a 5.0L instead of the 4.2L in the film.

Of course, in my reviews, I don't do the kind of burnouts/drifting/donuts that Clarkson does. He abuses the hell out of his test-cars.

mmarshall

Not surprising.....CA is one of the better XK markets, especially in the more high-income areas. They generally sell fairly well in the D.C. area, too, (compared to most regions of the country)....but, of course, not in Camry/Accord numbers.

You too. Since neither you or I drink, maybe we'll both end up as designated drivers.

mmarshall

Thanks. Unlike some of my reviews (especially the recent one with the new Scion tC), I really enjoyed this one.


The coupe version (though I didn't check-drive it) would likely have even better ride/handling/steering thanthe convertible, because of less flex in the chassis.....though the cowl-flex in this convertible was low enough that I did not notice significant amounts.

You have a nice Turkey day, too. This is probably your first Thanksgiving, with your wife, as a married man.

rogers2

I would say a few years back I truly thought Jag was losing some of their prestige despite the fact that Ford improved their quality. One thing I can always say is that I always love their interior. Yes the xk was design by the same guy that designed the DB9/Vantage. But until you ride in a current Aston Martin especially being push to the limit you will never understand just how special a Vantage is compared to a Jag.

mmarshall

PhilipMSPT just posted a video where Jeremy Clarkson pushed an XKR and Vantage to their limits (much harder than anything I would ever do on a new-vehicle review) and he actually preferred the Jag.

And today's XK is even better than the one in the film.....it has a 5.0L instead of a 4.2L.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1jN87hMqSI

mmarshall

That's why I said, in the review, that sitting in it and driving it was like dating a supermodel.

Sure...anytime.

The 2011 Ford Explorer, 2012 Ford Focus, and 2011 Hyundai Equus reviews are coming up. But I don't know how Hyundai is going to market the Equus in my area (or allow conventional test-drives), the Explorer won't be out till around Christmas, and the Focus will be released in January (as a 2012 model, it can't legally be released before Jan. 1).

rdgdawg

XKR owns the AM V8... I have not driven a V12, and I like the look of the Aston better.... but not quite $40K better

As far as the new Explorer, VERY interested in this as the new DD... keep me posted Mike

mmarshall

Yeah.....I don't know why Ford is delaying its introduction until Christmas (ditto for the Hyundai Equus). Most of the 2011's were introduced by September or October.

lamar411

Nice review and Happy Thanksgiving Mmarshall!
I really love the XKR, been my favorite Jag for a while. Pretty rare though have not seen one in person yet.

mmarshall

Thanks. Same to you. I'm headed out to suburban MD, this afternoon, north of D.C., to have Thanksgiving dinner with friends.

They (probably) don't sell many in the middle of the country where you are. On the East Coast, from D.C. to New York, and in CA they do better, although, of course, not in Camry/Accord numbers. The XKR is not a cheap car to get into, and lots of folks don't have that kind of money. Jaguar's long-standing reputation for unreliability generally doesn't help, either.

mmarshall

Next planned reviews: 2011 Ford Explorer, 2011 Hyundai Equus, 2012 Ford Focus.

The new Explorer won't be out until Christmas, though (why so late, Ford hasn't said). The new Focus, being a 2012 model, by law, can't be released until after January 1. I'm not sure if I will be able to conventionally test-drive an Equus because of Hyundai's unique marketing of that vehicle.

rogers2

That video is old. The Vantage is probaly 2 times better now. Especially since it now comes with a v12. The XKR is a fast luxury coupe. The Vantage is for the track.

mmarshall

Yes. The XKR in the video is also one of the older 4.2L models. It has a 5.0L now.

Still, it's probably a more-or-less-fair comparison, especially with an aggressive-driving nut like Clarkson behind the wheel. PhilipMSPT first posted it, and he knows what he is doing......he doesn't post junk.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

The V12 Vantage has 510 hp. (The V8 Vantage is 420 hp.)
The Jag XKR has a 510 hp supercharged V8. (The regular V8 has 380 hp.)

Since both the V12 Aston and the Jag XKR have the same hp, I would consider them direct rivals. Both have progressed nicely since that video noted above was produced. BOTH are fast luxury coupes. BOTH are track worthy.

I would love to see a rematch...

At least not in Car Chat.