Almost every one of the Jaguar XJS platform's nine lives were used up in the long, 21-year product cycle leading up to the sleek and sultry XK8. With time on their side, Jaguar designers and engineers had ample opportunity to create a worthy successor to not only the veteran XJS, but to the legendary XK120 and XK-E coupes.
From our first auto show peek at the graceful body, we were enamored with the delicate lines and alluring promise of world-class, open-air motoring. We secured a Carnival Red example to test the Coventry cat over a year's time, evaluating its luxury cachet, sporting flair, and liveability. Base price rang in just shy of $70,000 with a host of standards expected in this premium range: V-8 engine, real wood and leather trim, security system, and power everything, from motorized top to built-in garage door opener. Top-flight features such as driver memory system, electrochromatic rearview mirror, and stability control further elevate the hedonistic motoring experience into the realm of pure luxury.
Selected options were limited to a premium sound package ($1800) and an all-weather package ($2000) preparing the car for pleasurable, worry-free weekend escapes. The grand total tallied $74,310 for our long-termer, close to the $72,000 average reported by survey owners. Clearly the choice of an elite clientele, three out of four respondents purchased their convertibles outright. Average monthly payments for those who financed was $1337, with the range spanning from a reasonable $500 a month to a bank-breaking $3794. And, once again, the claim that a high percentage of luxury vehicles are leased is disproved by our random survey, with 93.1 percent choosing to purchase.
Typically male, with the median age hovering in the mid-50s, the average surveyed owner lives in a two-person household with four vehicles to share transportation and cruise duties. Consequently, those surveyed reported a low 5553-mile average annual mileage, which may explain why owners were generally less critical than MT staffers who drove the long-term ragtop on daily commutes and weekend adventures, clocking twice the mileage.
Looking deeper into our buyer profile, we find that 25 percent are prior Jag owners, yet only one in 10 was influenced by the British heritage. Appearance was the overwhelming purchasing influence, and much credit is due to Chief Stylist Geoff Lawson for his inspiring design. Combining marque cues with modern flair, the resulting body purrs with grace, class, and timeless beauty. An Ohio attorney wrote, "A styling smash. I always find people standing around my car. Unfortunately, I often find fingerprints on the car; people just have to touch the lines." And an artist reported, "I get more attention than I ever received with any previous auto." Most owners found this a worthwhile concession.
We wish the convertible top could be tucked under a smooth tonneau, like the much less expensive Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche Boxster. At nearly $75 grand, such conveniences are expected. Owners agree, with their most frequent suggestion to improve the XK8 being a retractable roof. It soon became clear that the tonneau cover bag is provided for very good reason, as our softtop cover became wrinkled and soiled while simply being stored in the seldom-used trunk. At 9.5 cubic feet, the rear cargo area provided adequate space for light weekend luggage or a modest grocery load, but it had serious limitations-especially with the tonneau onboard.