Jaguar XK R (2006 - 2014) 4.2 Supercharged V8 Coupé 2d Auto (2006/56) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
That I don't buy a car just to get from A to B. Never have, never will. And I'm willing to pay for a car that's beautiful, fast, rare and desirable. Ego trip? At 65 I deserve one!
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Love it!
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes. I might wind up with an XKR-S, last of the breed.
What are you likely to buy next?
An XKR-S But that's an 'if' because I treasure my XKR and have not just worked on it myself, but spent a £1,000 bringing it back to 'as new' condition (paintwork blips gone, wheels refurbed by Spit & Polish).
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£15,000
When did you buy the car?
July 2014
Did you get a good deal and why?
127,000 miles on the clock, bits needed doing and the part-time dealer obviously bought this at auction for a knock-down price. But: full service main dealer history (I rang the dealer and confirmed); new windscreen; four new tyres; not too much that needed repainting (alu body!); lady owner for last five years and immaculate interior; no water in the oil; HPI and other checks all OK.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
A retirement present to me.
What was the dealer like?
Friendly guy, fixed things pointed out to him (aircon not working, mirror driver broken). No tax of course (£500), but next service Feb.2015 and valid MOT.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Simply, joyous. You can potter about but you're always aware there's a tiger under your right foot.
What's it like to park?
Rear sensors help, a camera would be better, but I've squeezed much bigger cars into silly spaces so the XKR isn't a problem.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
No. This is my sixth Jag, I started with an E-Type when I was 22, living in Chelsea, London, editing a risqué magazine and earning rather a lot of money (didn't last). Early Jags were not clever, but the XK engine has always been reliabl. That said, at 127,000 miles its no spring chicken. I'm a fan of the Atomic engine rehabilitation stuff and always pour a bottle into every car I buy - improves performance and smoothness.
What's most practical about your car?
Use it every day. I'm 6ft 3ins and couldn't fit in the earlier XK8s, but the 2007 model XKR has plenty of room. And you can get two medium-sized suitcases in the boot, plus a couple of travel bags in the (yes, useless) rear seats. It is, for me, the ultimate grand tourer - with a savage supercharged bite.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
None really, this model keeps things relatively simple over the XF Diesel S I had before and I like that. It's just the lovely shape of the car and the special feeling you get driving it.
