If the XK is a poor man's Aston, what's the poor man's XK

Javelin wrote: * Nissan 370Z Coupe

Probably heresy, but do these cars have as little trunk space as the 350Z? The Corvette almost sleeps two . Otherwise, I have to say Mustang.

Canute wrote:

Javelin wrote: * Nissan 370Z Coupe

Probably heresy, but do these cars have as little trunk space as the 350Z? The Corvette almost sleeps two . Otherwise, I have to say Mustang.

perhaps a golf bag and a half.......if folded. Been a year or so since I've been in the trunk of one tho.....

I REALLY dont see how anyone can reasonably jump from XK to vette.

Im going to agree completely with mtn and say the A5 and Challenger are the standouts.

Funny thing about the challenger.. and ive been coming to this conclusion over a long time period: It can be appropriate to recommend the Challenger here without implying that the Camaro or Mustang are even in contention.

Personally, i dont think either the camaro or mustang really fit here. But the Challenger still does. When the Challenger first came out a while back i threw minor hissy fits (as a mopar fan) about it's spec-sheet bench race problems with the camaro and mustang. Over time, while disliking the challenger overall, i've still come to accept it as something different from what i thought it was, and now i think comparing it to or associating it with the camaro or mustang puts it in a box that it maybe shouldnt be in. It definitely has a different ethos and a different presence that i actually end up liking more when im just thinking in terms of how 'interesting' cars are.

The Challenger can definitely be optioned out to have a very dignified GT kind of thing going on, whereas the camaro and mustang just cant, imo.

I still dont LIKE the challenger. Bottom line for me is it's a Magnum wagon (magnum owner here..) with all the sleeperness and utility removed and very little gained, and the 'shoulder height' of the visual design is WAY too tall. But after looking at them and thinking about them i now have more respect for the design.

If i had the choice of those two i'd take the A5. Visual STUNNER in person and im sure it's nice to drive too!

Used Corvette. Lots of trunk space, decent MPG, fast, and it'll hold value if they need to sell it. Why not a used XK? Lol.

+2 on the Gen Coupes lacking

Why not just get a used Jag XK8? If they want something like a Jag get the Jag. It will be less of a pain then the Audi.

Used Corvette. Lots of trunk space, decent MPG, fast, and it'll hold value if they need to sell it. Why not a used XK? Lol.

Im pretty sure if we had profile pics of the XK and the vette, you could hide the entire vette behind the XK. This sort of illustrates how they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT types of vehicles and vaguely alludes to how cross-shopping them makes little sense.

just my .04... and counting..

When the original desire is for a Jag or an Aston Martin, but with a sub-$40k NEW car budget, then I can't think of anything other than the A5. It's the only car mentioned thus far that can park fender to fender with the other two and not look out of place.

I do agree the Challenger has appeal.

Well I sent my dad a link to a nice low mileage '08 XK with a $38k sticker, and he instantly dismissed it based on the combination of age and price.

I also sent him a link to a nice, very low mileage '11 Challenger for $24k, and he said "Nice," but then didn't seem to think I was seriously suggesting it as a Camry replacement. I need to get him in one of those and an A5 and see if I can make any headway.

370Zs and Gen Coupes and the like don't have enough trunk space to be considered. Think 2 large suitcases and a guitar. But they may come up in plan B, which is if they buy another Camry I need to get my dad into a proper sports car.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!