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Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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6 out of 8 people found this review helpful
3.0 stars
"Beauty is only skin deep"
Pros: Style, Supercharged V8, XKR rare
Cons: Quality still not up to Germans, Cramped interior, No sunroof option in coupe
Summary: Having owned a 2001 Jaguar XKR I can definitely attest to the unique virtues of this car. It's V8 power, with the supercharger, is smooth and the car, although large, can literally leap with astonishing speed. The 18" wheel/tire package lend some muscle appeal and while the overall shape (introduced in 1997) is still beautiful, it is beginnning to age. The trunk space is super for a coupe.
But the interior is cramped with headroom probably an issue for anyone over 6 feet tall. The materials are first rate and the XKR is loaded with options. However, my biggest complaint is the same old issue that has dogged Jaguar for decades: quality.
My 2001 XKR had a new surprise for me seemingly every week that dulled my overall enjoyment. The electronics were quirky and often the car would not start or display odd messages on the information center in the dash which would limit the cars speed or performance- but then mysteriouly disappear never to return (e.g. when trying to repeat for dealer). Also, my dash (the beautiful cabin-wide wood insert) faded prematurely within the first year, and needed a loaner insert while the original was sent back to England for refinishing. Definitely annoying, although dealer service was first rate.
Handling is not this car's forte, especially in the rain (careful). With the Jaguar name, styling and rarity, the car does have a nice presence and understated elegance. My recommendation though is to wait for the new 2007 Jaguar XK, it's right around the corner, and should offer a whole lot more for the same price; Aston Martin styling influence to boot.
In the end, the Brits are still a step behind the Germans when it comes to engineering, quality and performance. There are many superb alternatives from BMW (6-series), and Mercedes (CL, SL) to consider first.
- 2 replies to this review
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I almost completly disagree with shoot2sccore67. The cars you are comparing the Jag to are both ugly and you should not forget that. And the interiors as well, especially of any BMW, look as though they were put together by a mathmetician. None of them feel good. I bout the 2006 XKR and it is spectacular and when parked beside a six series, noone even sees the bmmr. And by the way, unless you are an automotive engineer, your not really a good judge of engineering. I owned a 97 XK8 before this car and it was equally flawless for the entire ten years I owned it. Both of the German cars are pedestrian compared to the Jag. It is the difference between married to a beautiful woman, and one that just functions well. I'll take the beauty every time.....
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While it's helpful to receive comments from a Jaguar owner I'd think the difference between a 2001 and a 2006 model would hardly be identical. I happen to own a 2002 X-type which is extremely reliable and it's a first production year model. The 2003 and newer S-types are in the top 5 JD Powers for quality. It's hard to imagine that the same company would make no improvements for 5 years.
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