I spent Saturday afternoon with the XK coupe......final conclusion??? It's gorgeous | FerrariChat

I spent Saturday afternoon with the XK coupe......final conclusion??? It's gorgeous

Discussion in 'British' started by Cavallini, Jul 9, 2006.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,835
    I had a photoshoot here in my hometown of Charleston, WV for our city's magazine, and as fortune would have it the topic of the shoot was the high-end automobiles that can be found in local dealerships, and the high-end fashions that can be found at local shops.

    Sure enough when I pulled into the the site the black XK I've been raving about was front and center before the mansion which furnished the background for the shoot. Along with the Jag there was a 996 C4 Cab, a bright red Cayman, an SL 550, the new S-Class, a few BMWs, and a special edition Land Rover.

    So for the next three hours I as able to study the car from every angle, sit in it, and briefly listen to it.

    Conclusion???? The XK was clearly Best in Show.

    It's bloody beautiful, to borrow the Brit's saying, from every angle even the accursed front head-on view. There is no Taurus-ness about it. In fact, the only cars that resemble it are the Vanquish and DB9. It's long, wide and low, yet smooth and sculpted, beautifully proportioned, just not quite as sharp and strong as the Astons.

    Photos utterly and completely distort the cars lines. Also, you cannot see the height and width of the car, the stance and presence, in photos, a similar phenomenon I've noticed with recent Ferraris. Photos simply cannot convey the total symmetry of the car, instead focusing on one bit or another, which is never the way you look at a car in the flesh.

    The all-black, burled dark walnut interior was beautifully appointed, although the leather could have been more plush and soft for an $80K car. Nonetheless, when you're in the driver's seat the sensation is very sleek and sophisticated but not race-car like, as it is with Ferraris. It feels special, distinct, very urbane and solid.

    And I was not alone in my feelings. There were a few other men who simply could not stop looking at it. They too couldn't believe the difference between photos and flesh.

    BUT, and this is a big full-bodied BUT, the exhaust note sounds like a run of the mill American V8, which completely contrasts with the car's beauty and style. It could be mistaken for a truck or a NASCAR, I kid you not. While this note sounds great coming from a Mustang or a Vette, I do not want my Jaguar to ever be mistaken for a Mustang.

    For me this is a fatal flaw, almost unforgivable, especially when you've heard the Coltrane-like Aston V12s.

    I'm sure I'll be among the few in this regard, however, because otherwise the car is a true HR, as I originally stated.

    F1 Ace, you will absolutely fall in love with this car. I promise you.

    The hardest decision for you will be which color and whether to have a convertible, a coupe or wait for the XK-R. The dealership's owner prefers the coupe to the convertible. I haven't seen a convertible yet but generally cars are more beautifully in coupe form.

    Keep us posted on your first sighting.



    Forza,



    Cavallini
     
  2. otaku

    otaku Formula 3

    Aug 12, 2005
    1,391
    Boise,Idaho
    Full Name:
    Josh
    Checked them out at a local dealership. Definetly gorgeous (though I can see a resemblance between the front and a taurus. My dad likes them, wish he'd buy one
     
  3. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    From the doors back it is nice....
    But the front does look like a Taurus...esp those horrid headlamps.
     
  4. jmn

    jmn Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2005
    361
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    jmn
    It's been hashed and rehashed- the majority of people view the car as poor reworking of the DB-9 rear end grafted on to the Taurus front end. Way, way down the list styling wise. I've spoken with several of my sports car buddies (mostly Ferrari owners) and everyone that has seen the car is pretty disappointed. Too bad Jaguar couldn't come up with something even remotely new. Jaguar is already giving an extra $9000 'marketing credit' to US dealers to get the old 2006 cars off the lots, I suppose they will need to up that with the new model. Once they are selling for $10-20k under sticker I can see where someone might be willing to buy one. After all, Pontiac managed to sell all those Aztecs- if they make it cheap enough, someone will buy it.
     
  5. brim

    brim Guest

    Dec 20, 2004
    1,187
    Cavallini, you write quite nicely and speak with a high level of conviction.

    With no ill-intent, what is your age and what vehicles do you currently own? I ask because you recently wrote of your very first ride in a Ferrari and it seemed as if it were a pretty big deal to you. With that said, are you posting your views on the various vehicles with first hand ownership experience (excepting the XK) or simply by proxy?

    You seem entirely enamored by this vehicle, which in itself is fine. Personally, I too saw this vehicle this weekend and I thought it was solidly mediocre. The front headlamp cluster in particular was awful.

    Are you purchasing one in the near future? You mentioned you are involved in photography. Do you have any pictures from your photoshoot of the vehicle?

    I'm just increasingly baffled by your descriptions of this car. It isn't wide, it isn't low, and the front nose most definitely resembles that of a Taurus and a late model Cougar.

    You mentioned that you "do not want my Jaguar to ever be mistaken for a Mustang." Is the natural implication here that you are now in a purchasing position?

    Your profile doesn't list any user information, although admittedly mine does not as well. Unfortunately, I had to delete mine simply because of issues of privacy.
     
  6. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,985
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    I don't know, but he throws his weight around with a lot of strong-willed opinions, especially on car design. See the 599 threads where he gets into it with a lot of people (and the other XK thread). If his experience is really that limited and he's just getting his first ride, it appears he is a "magazine racer" extraordinaire.

    I'm not looking to buy an XK, but I saw it, spent a while taking a close look and thought it was blah.

    Heck, maybe he works at a Jag dealer and is trying to drum up leads.
     
  7. asianbond

    asianbond Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    1,276
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Guys under 25 can find anything on four wheels absolutely gorgeous, even a dodge neon.

    Fine, we heard your opinion, over and over. Any chance you related to Parkerfe?
     
  8. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    I sat in an XK cab on Saturday. Beautiful interior, didn't like the scoopy thing on the side of the front fenders, and yes the front isn't as good looking as the previous version.

    But I wouldn't buy one because:

    1. Without a manual transmission it just isn't a driver's car
    2. The depreciation killed the previous version
    3. The HP is too low to contend with E55 AMG, M5/6, AM, Maserati, or
    Porsche
    4. The back seat is rediculous, much smaller than a Porsche (I own a
    996TT) or an Aston

    Can't see these doing very well in a very competitive market segment.
     
  9. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,835

    I too am somewhat baffled that you and others don't see the lines in this car. No, it's not revolutionary in any way. I don't believe I ever said it was. I simply said it is very well-done, very beautiful, and for Jaguar, that's an achievement. Even the women at the photo shoot admitted it's beauty and presence. Perhaps it was the color. Black is universally flattering.

    No, it's not low or wide like a Ferrari or Lambo but it's decidedly lower and wider than the previous XK, and it's very close to the Astons' dimensions.

    My first ride in the Ferrari wasn't a big deal in the sense of "Wow, I'm riding in a Ferrari." It was a big deal because of the graciousness of the car's owner and what led to the ride.

    I am not a Tifosi. I do not follow Ferrari's races or own paraphenalia. I applaud Ferrari for striking such a delicate artistic and dynamic balance for 50 odd years, over and over. I applaud the excellence, not the colors or the racing heritage or whatever else people do who call themselves fans. I am no fan.

    As requested, my CV:

    I am a 36 year old artist who has just completed his first novel, entitled "Live For Eternity," available at your local online bookstore, not yet available in stores since I self-published. The book took 8 years to complete. It is an epic on the scale of the Iliad, the Rig Veda, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms and similar texts. It covers every aspect of life and living, from love and honor, to gene expression and ancient history, from a completely new American yet ancient perspective. Stylistically, nothing has been done like it in the English language. 2000 years from now, if humans are still here and reading, this will be one of the books they will read.

    I stand 6' and weigh 205, athletic build. I was at the photo shoot as a model. If you doubt me, I'll have the magazine editors send me the shot and I'll happily email you the shot or post it here. Or you may be able to view the magazine online. I'll check with the magazine staff. It's named after our city itself, "Charleston".

    A graduate of Williams College c/o '93 with a BA in History, I entertained Wall Street ideas until I spent two weeks with a Williams alum on Wall Street and decided it was definitely not my style.

    New York, however, was indispensable. So I settled into an entertaining position at the New York Post, where I had a pivotal experience with a F50. This story, about one of the first F50s to hit US shores, convinced me to write seriously. I discussed this in the thread about my first ride.

    I abruptly left the Post and spent two years of creative catharsis at an investment bank, of all places: ING, the Dutch bank, which at the time was ING Barings, after they had purchased the defunct British bank. Some of you may recall the single trader based in Singapore or Hong Kong who sank the old Barings bank with a single trade. ING purchased Barings for $1.

    After I decided to write a novel I left NYC and returned to my mountain home of Charleston, WV. Here, I secluded myself to create.

    My day job is as an HR consultant for a Japanese auto assembly plant here in the valley.

    I have no information listed in my profile because there's little to list of significance or permanence. My current car is a '96 Acura Integra. My home for the past 8 years is the place my grandfather built and where I grew up as a child and adolescent. All this will change drastically in the coming months and years.

    My material, money-making ambitions were great but they were lesser than my creative, artistic drives. Therefore, I put them on hold to create. One cannot chase money and create, at least not to any high, extreme level. One must do one or the other. I chose to create and my creation speaks for itself, as you will see, sooner or later. But this book is only an overture.

    If my drives had been otherwise, however, I would be on Wall Street at this moment, chasing money. But chasing money is very far from my style.

    I speak with certainty, authority and clarity about everything because that is the way I feel and have always felt, about everything, especially myself and my likes and dislikes. For me, gentlemen, success has never been a question of 'if', only a question of when and how. I have known this from my earliest thoughts.

    My plans include owning several Ferraris and a few other makes and models, possibly this Jaguar, although as I said the exhaust note is very disappointing. The superior engine not of the DB9 makes it the better value.

    It is interesting, and I suppose not too surprising, that you wonder how and why I speak with such authority yet I don't own these cars. Generally people don't speak the way I speak unless they have some material proof to justify and buttress their confidence and authority.

    Perhaps for you it is necessary to own something in order to form a definitive opinion about it. For me it is not. One only needs a pair of eyes or ears as the case may be. Many people thought and perhaps still think Coltrane's high period was "ugly". Anything is possible, even something as absurd as that.

    One reason I've enjoyed F-Chat is because a portion of my book deals with art, specifically the degeneration of visual art in the West over the last 500 years, especially the last 100.

    As a counterpoint to this overall decay, Ferrari and a few other automakers have filled the artistic void. The way cars command public attention today used to be the way visual art commanded public attention, passionate interest and commentary. As I state in my book, "We don't have art. We have Ferrari."

    Thus, you understand why my posts speak of Ferrari's from an artist's perspective. As an artist I understand and applaud the effort, skill and confidence it takes to start with a blank sheet of paper and create something that is at once of the moment yet timeless. Only Ferrari and their designers have done this time and time again. Lambo have made a few cars of this caliber, and hopefully will make many more with Audi's backing. A few others have as well.

    If you are not an artist, musical, literary or visual, you have no idea what this demands, in creative skill and discipline.

    I trust this answers all of your and Ryalex's questions and concerns about my pedigree.



    Forza,



    Cavallini
     
  10. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,985
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    Thank you for finally introducing yourself!

    We look forward to your book, I hope it is a smashing success and you can own all of the Ferraris you want.
     
  11. brim

    brim Guest

    Dec 20, 2004
    1,187
    I knew your mastery of the language had to have been borne from backgrounds rooted in the arts. Your writing style is sure-footed, with much conviction, and with some drama to it. For certain you are strongly opinionated, however that in itself is not a negative.

    While I am still baffled by your attraction to this mediocre vehicle, I will agree to disagree and like all things subjective, one opinion does not a consensus make. And in that statement I am referring to both of us.

    As it turns out, I am actually a musician, or was, more accurately. I have a degree in classical piano, and performed for many of my earlier years. Following that I procured a couple more mainstream degrees - one quite useful and the other devoid of any merit.

    I appreciate your level of disclosure on this particular request and while it likely not matters, you have my respect. This was perhaps akin to speaking to someone in person and actually knowing their name and a little about their background. It's infinitely much more civil.

    I will disagree on one other point though, and that is that to form a definitive opinion on a vehicle, first hand ownership experience is far more valuable than not. While denizens can debate the relative merits of the aesthetic value of any given car, I think we can all agree that much of its value lies beneath the hood, and in how it performs in the real world.

    Like the old adage, it's what's inside that counts.

    Again, kudos to you for your complete response. And again, the car still sucks :)

    Glad to "meet" you.
     
  12. iceburns288

    iceburns288 Formula 3

    Jun 19, 2004
    2,116
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Charles M.
    I saw an XK convertible today in that red we've been seeing in a lot of press pictures. Looked absolutely fantastic. I couldn't agree more on the transmission and the rear seats. I think they should just have left them out, shortened the wheelbase a little, and made the trunk/hatch area a little bigger. Then you'd have a luxurious driver's car, like a little 575 ;)
     
  13. Rachane

    Rachane Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2005
    1,086
    San Francisco, CA
    Full Name:
    Rachane
    The new XK is still obese, like the current XJ line, and I'm sad to see Jaguar join the ranks of American & European marques surrendering to PRB.
     
  14. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,835

    Brim, the pleasure is all mine. I always like a man who sticks to his guns. LOL.

    I also agree that the proof is in the pudding. But as an aesthete, a car's ability to move me while standing still is just as important as the feeling behind the wheel, esp. when spending this much money.

    A close second to those two is the engine note. Of course, this is only a factor with $80K plus autos. That's one reason why the DB9 is so attractive. Those Cosworth (correct me if I'm wrong) V-12s are pure music.

    One day, we will meet somewhere and go to a Jag dealer, if neither of us has this car, and we will examine this car because I'm just as baffled by what you don't see and you are by what I see. LOL. Seriously, we'll do this. I would enjoy it.

    Also, other than the Astons, I'm curious to know which designs do you enjoy, past and present?


    Forza,


    Cavallini
     
  15. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,835

    Thanks, Ryan. I'll keep you posted, with pics. LOL.


    Forza,


    Cavallini
     
  16. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,835

    It's aluminum, my friend. Aluminum cars are always wider than steel cars. But I don't understand the PRB. Are you saying it looks like something from Asia? If so I don't see it.


    Forza,



    Cavallini
     
  17. brim

    brim Guest

    Dec 20, 2004
    1,187
    #17 brim, Jul 11, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

    While discussing designs that we both admire will go well beyond the scope of this thread, I'd say that the Jaguar XJ13 is exactly the kind of product that would excite me.

    Exclusivity, an interesting heritage, some danger, and lines that flow and challenge simultaneously. My eye doesn't find any odd details, and follows each curve logically. I see gentlemen-daredevils driving this car, and cannot envision hairdressers and secretaries loading groceries into its cockpit.

    This car is a masterpiece on many levels, and I can only imagine what the engine must have sounded like.

    When I look at the current XK iteration, I find it not at all compelling nor ambitious. The nose confuses me, the headlight cluster disappoints, and as the shape sweeps rearward it seems to finish oddly and curiously. Under the bonnet, I see very little improvement over the previous model year, and this comes at a time when Jaguar very much needed a bona fide grand slam - bases fully loaded, bottom of the ninth, out-of-the-park homerun.

    Anyway, this horse is dead and has been flogged many times over. We'll discuss it again in the future at the dealership. Just make sure you end up at the Jaguar dealership, and not the used car lot down the road pawning Ford Tauruses (Tauri?).
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,971
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    Brim, watch "Victory by Design: Jaguar." They take one for a spin. Needless to say, after watching and hearing that car in motion, it became hands down my favorite Jag.
     
  19. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,971
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    The NSX was one of the first (if not the first) Al sports car, and it is far from 'wide.' IIRC, it was no wider/not much wider then my 328, which also is not a wide car. There is no connection between width and Al use. The TR series are wide and do not use Al, as are the Diablo's and Murci's (IIRC on the last one).
     
  20. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

    Aug 28, 2002
    2,026
    Full Name:
    TRM
    The new XK is actually lighter than the older outgoing XK. So its hard to say its bloated. I saw a coupe in Black and its a nice looking car in my opinion. I would still take an Aston over it becuase it draws me in more but still the Jag is nice but maybe change the headlight pods.
     
  21. Koby

    Koby Formula 3

    Dec 14, 2003
    2,307
    The Borough, NJ
    Full Name:
    Jason Kobies
    Better yet, close your eyes and listen to a sound that make most Ferraris jealous.
     
  22. F1Ace

    F1Ace F1 Rookie

    Mar 15, 2004
    2,980
    Full Name:
    Wes
    #22 F1Ace, Jul 11, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm sorry, but regardless of how enthusiastic Cavallini is there is no need to *require* him to practically post his resume. Everybody's entitled to their opinion regardless of status. I don't have the time to debate this further, but participation in this site has not become qualilified by income.

    About the car now.

    I went to the Jag dealer here and they don't have one in stock to see for myself or I would gladly settle the issue. They have a convertible coming in 'who-knows-when' and a coupe? A long ways away. So that's where I'm at.

    I know what you mean about the sound.....you can hear it from that website. Not sure why they did that....my Jag is whisper quiet, but that might be unrewarding to some. Who knows.

    Regarding the convertible/coupe choice, it's easy. Mine would be a coupe, the misses' would be a convertible. There. Everybody's happy. ;)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    I have a BRG drop top sitting outside right now for review... First impression is great, the structure is so much better than the old R it still hhas a little flex but not nearly as bad as it was.

    Will update with more later... Gotta go for a drive
     
  24. Koby

    Koby Formula 3

    Dec 14, 2003
    2,307
    The Borough, NJ
    Full Name:
    Jason Kobies
    Interesting.... I guess you'll have to define "obese" since both the XJ and XK are actually the lightest cars in their classes.

    4 doors - curb weight
    ------
    750i - 4486
    A8 - 4288
    Quattroporte - 4375
    S550 - 4465
    Q45 - 4153
    LS430 - 3990
    **XJ - 3819**

    coupes - curb weight
    -------
    650i - 3814
    Maserati coupe - 3704
    MB CL - 4085
    **XK - 3671**
     
  25. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,985
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    It wasn't his income, it was more that he had never revealed *who* he was as a person enough that anyone could make sense of his opinions/point-of-view.
     

Share This Page