Not overlooking the GranTurismo-- how could I, it's a gorgeous car. Just too pricey and DIY service I've heard is not possible.

 

Well I currently own an SL550 so I assume that counts.

 

Well we are not talking 'daily drivers' we are talking about what we are driving for the sake of driving pleasure. So let's not even consider the Lexus, Merc, or any other sedan. If we were talking about sedans it would be a different story. We are talking GTs, which leaves the F-Type out right along with the Cayman, 718, Miata, these are strickly two seat sports cars. I think the cars that most closely match the XK/R performance goes to the Corvette (base Z-51) or the Maseratti GT and the Mustang. The Maser has the looks, but it's reliability is really poor. Saw one in a local garage with only 1,150 miles on it that needed a new engine and was only 7 years old and had been serviced every year by the dealer. Maserati said too bad out of warranty. The Mustang's looks have improved in the past years so long as you don't get the specialty editions with all the dodad and dohickies attached to the body. The Maser has a gorgeous interior and the Mustang is pretty good if you get the leather. Good ride quality too. The GT-R has the performance but not the luxury and the Infinity Q60S has more luxury but not as much go power and the new Z is sporty without the luxury. I would probaly go with the Mustang, great performance and pretty good reliability. Corvette is next, a little more money but what a car. Looks eh, too many funny looking angles and the mark-up is outrageous.

 

Only potential possible replacement for my XKR would be 2021-2023 Lexus LC 500.

 

All of this depends upon the price points.

 

Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren or Roll Royce

 

Indeed. A more challenging title for this thread might be "If not a Jaguar XK, then what, for the same price??" in terms of buying, maintaining, repairing.

 

Totally agree. Also comparable luxury/performance at this price point.

 

In THAT case, we are all screwed. Nothing anywhere will match the XK platform. Best bet, buy the newest, low mileage best maintained example possible and take the best care possible.

 

Shame I can only press the like button once...

 

Cee Jay totally agree. It's impossible to match the 5.0 XKR for finish/performance/price. I'm shopping.

 

As I was narrowing down my choices for a unique & fun to drive convertible, it was between the Maz GT and the XKR. I liked the idea of the GT's larger backseats and it's dramatic exterior. But after looking at many GT interiors, online and in person, pretty much every single one around the $30k price range I was looking for had (very, very) sticky buttons and faded interior graphics. Plus, the leather seats didn't seem to be as high of a quality as the XKRs that I had seen.

Of course the XKs have a few cheap interior niggles too (hello, silver leaf/wrapper material on the seat controls).

Not saying that means all the Maz GTs have the same issues, but these were my real experiences.

Overall, the quality of comparably priced versions of each, happily landed me with the XKR. I haven't regretted it at all.

If I had more money to spend I would just get a newer XKR with less miles. 😎

 

I find myself considering the less “polished”.
Open air, worn leather seats, manual transmission (possibly benefitting from double clutching), rumble but not noise, sufficient horsepower for winding country roads, maybe carburetors as opposed to injection. But light, nimble and not fragile.

All of this electronic management is starting to bore me. As are the common looks with every new thing on the road.

Like my favorite jeans, leather jacket and converses.

A difficult package I know. Some modern conveniences but not too many. And as carburetors are out of fashion, probably some mods required.

Its a short list and difficult to source. And certainly not replacing the xkr, but sitting along side her.

 

A series 2 E-Type 4.2 roadster with a bolt-on fuel injection conversion would seem to meet most of those criteria. But I suppose you'd consider it too fragile - not to mention ludicrously expensive to buy of course.

 

I might go the other way and get a 63 vette convertible, always like them and might punch the engine up a little.

 

I had one, make sure it has disk brakes!
wj

 

You need a mid-70s Pantera

 

EXACTLY!!

My neighbour "Mark" has 3 of them. The drool makes a mess on my shirt.

 

They are expensive. But I'm not looking for concours. I want to DRIVE it.
:-) And too many carburetors with chromed encased integrated air filters would be acceptable.

 

or...

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/caterham/super%207/vaughan/ontario/19_12525939_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_1_1&pc=K4M%201M2&s prx=-1&modalXS=1
https://www.autotrader.ca/a/factory%20five%20racing/mk4%20roadster/revelstoke/british%20columbia/19_12848629_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_2_2&pc=K4M%201M2&s prx=-1