Boxster 986 or Jaguar XKR?

I am weak, I admit it. Both of those cars are so cheap now that I can't resist. Yeah, I know. The Boxster has the IMS issue and the engine will probably go boom. And I know that the Jag has timing chain and guide issues and will probably go boom.

However, both models are very affordable. Prices are $4K-$7K for decent cars. The Boxsters are a hoot. Great handling, revvy engine. Plus Porsche. The Jag XKR...almost 400 supercharged hp in the sleek retro body. Very tempting.

I think, at the price, they are worth the risk. If they blow I will just figure out some engine swap (LS1?). What say the group? Which one?

Boxsters don't really do much for me.

XKR for me. It would be hard for me to pick any non turbo Porsche over an XKR, especially one that's not rear engined.

The XKR is a really fine looking car. Never been in one, but the driver look like he is going to or coming from tennis practice. I vote that one.

Boxster - no real reason other than I've always thought of newish jags as the buick (and not in a good way) of euro cars

The XKR will make you grin every time you peg the throttle, the real wood interior is pretty luxe, and the hard-top coupe body is really attractive. On the other hand, it's a huge car with very little usable volume - the seating position is low and overly reclined, the 'back seat' is essentially a parcel shelf, and the trunk is large but very shallow. Consider that Jags are auto-only, then take a corner hard and it's obvious that the Jag was designed for a totally different demographic than the Porsche.

Wait a minute, where can you get XKR's for $7k? I've only ever seen plain XK's in that territory, R-models seem to be substantially more expensive.

SlickDizzy wrote: Wait a minute, where can you get XKR's for $7k? I've only ever seen plain XK's in that territory, R-models seem to be substantially more expensive.

Yeah, I've been following XKRs for the last couple years and the best I've found is $10k for a 2000 model. I'd prefer the '03-05 versions of that bodystyle, but apparenlty the early 4.0s are a tad quicker. The later ones get better brakes though and are more reliable.

I would go XK and 3-4 years newer over XKR any day of the week. Cannot stand the early Boxster interiors and I had a 996 for a long time.

Friend of mine just bought a 97 XK8 - gorgeous car. He did the right thing and had the timing set replaced immediately and now has a beautiful, mean sounding classic :)

XK8's can be found for under 6k all day here in great condition.

I don't have any experience with the XKR other than its a good looking car. The Boxster although plain is a great driving car, top down fun and you can always LS1.

Replacing the timing chains in the Jag is conceivably a DIY project. There's nothing exotic about the job.

I have a bias that is not easily identifiable by my avatar.

Meh XK... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vFROcsw3PY

You have the Porsche covered, go Jag!

Very different cars--- it sort of depends if you want a sports car (Boxster), or a grand touring machine (Jag). If you intend on just enjoying it on city / country streets, I'd pick the Jag. If you plan on track use, or autocross, I'd go Boxster.

I'm not usually a "lower the car for looks sake" kinda guy, but an XK coupe dropped just a little, with the right wheels is an awfully sexy car. It makes the Boxster look like an MRS by comparison.

Not the best wheels--- but you get the point:

Agreed with Joe, it's a strange comparison, depends on what you want to do with the car. One is a GT car, one is a sports car.