I put it on if I know I'm going to do anything more than a few short trips or if it's sunny outside.

If it's late afternoon or dark, or I'm only going for a quick trip to the store, I won't put it on.

 

I always use the cover now. When I lived closer to work (within 5 miles) I occasionally tried it without the cover, but didn't like the headliner flapping all over. Now that it's all freeway, I always use the top, but have the problem with it lifting up if I get a cross wind. Added the velcro a year or so ago and worked for while, but not so well any more. I now have to roll the windows up if the lift get's too bad. Windows up, although not the true "topless" experience, redirects the wind and leaves the cover where it needs to be.

 

Yes. Absolutley. The cover always goes in when the top goes down and the top goes up evey night.

 

Agree with others that it is far more preferable to use the cover as the headliner gets dirty and flaps in the wind. Leave it off only for short trips when I must then put the top back up - which happens all the time in South Florida.

 

We seldom use the cover - haven't used it at all in several years. But then again we don't drive the car all that much - do about 4K miles a year (it is stored in our garage all winter).

Most of our drives short trips where we put the cover up and down a lot as we put it up at some parking lots and always when parking under trees (no bird droppings in my interior!). Also keep it up in our garage to keep the dust out of the inside.

We also do a lot of trips where the trunk is full so we have to store stuff in the back seat or have iPods or other things out so we need to put the top up and lock the car whenever we stop.

 

Short trips around town - no cover, always on the highway. I'm never comfortable leaving the top down unattended but will for brief stops. Sun, birds and vandalism all factor into my unease with this practice.

 

I'm currently selling one of these covers painted in Meteorite Silver on eBay in the UK.
Located in Hereford UK
XK8 and XKR CONVERTIBLE FIBRE GLASS TONNEAU COVER | eBay

 

I always use the cover, even on short trips.

 

Yes use it all the time.

 

I've never used it. One of the snaps has been pulled out of the interior mount when I bought it last year, and I've never fixed it. I typically run top down even when I'm pushing my luck because I know it only takes 15 seconds from the time I hit that button till the time the top is completely up or down. Any stoplight in town is long enough to get the job done.

I haven't noticed much, if any, staining (that wasn't already present) since I've owned it, but the previous owner or the dealer was smoking in it. That'll stain the crap outta anything. The car was absolutely FILTHY when I purchased it. Inside, outside, under the hood, etc. It just comes with poor maintenance. I guess maybe I should fix the mount and start using the cover so the guy I eventually sell the car to won't accuse me of the same

 

7 pages and no one can explain where the arm holes are. I can never figure out how to wear it.

 

Mine is on, but I put the top down for the season. Won't go up again until late October. Along the coast in S. Cal., it will not rain until then..Thank goodness for heated seats at night!

 

Like others, I bought used without cover. Previous owner said "I put it on once when I bought it and it was a pain so never again." That was 7 years ago. Headliner is filthy. I'm getting it professionally steam cleaned and already purchase the aftermarket cover on eBay. The flapping at highway speeds is driving me nuts....

 

The day I purchased my car I was told by the dealerships owner to buy one first thing and not to drive above 25mph, with the top down, till I get one. Try it and watch all the flapping of the headliner, bad very bad.

 

I promiss you the first time you drop your keys in the top storage well, you will wish you put the Tonneau on. (made for a long afternoon for me)

 

Got my new cover from Ebay yesterday. I really like it. It was $324 delivered with the optional embroidery, which is well done and matches my platinum exterior very nicely. Fits perfectly and the snaps are tight. Finally no more flapping of the headliner at highway. Ahhhhhhh.

Jaguar XK8,XKR Boot Cover 1997-2006 With Embroidery | eBay
Pictures by goodreina - Photobucket

 

Sharp looking cover, love the embroidery stiching. Wish I could add that to mine. Thanks for the pictures.

 

Everytime. I don't like the looks of the top down without it, as well as I don't want my headliner all dirty (tan+dirt=bad).

 

Purchased my 98 XK8 a couple days ago and it came without the tonneau cover - which I purchased today. OMG it is so quick and simple to put on!!! It takes 15 minutes on my old Ferrari...this is about 1 minute flat....I will use it everytime I drive on the freeway....maybe not for trips of 3 or 4 blocks.