Used Jaguar XK Convertible 2006 - 2015 review

The XK Convertible is a return to Jaguar's past form: fast yet elegant cars that don't look out of place on the Cote d'Azur. That's not to say that you need a playboy's income to afford one: it costs less to buy and run than more exotic rivals from Porsche and BMW, yet doesn't short change you on driver satisfaction.

The XK's advanced aluminium construction gives the Jag a very stiff (and light) chassis, so it's great to drive for a convertible. It comes alive on fast, twisty roads, with impressive grip and nimble handling. If you want to take it easy, though, the slick automatic gearbox makes it easy to pootle around town.

Drop the fabric hood and you're sheltered from wind and buffeting, leaving you to enjoy the weather. The XK is best seen as a two-seater with some extra storage space - the tiny rear seats will take the smallest children only. However, the boot is surprisingly large, even with the roof down.

Despite the modest price for a used version, the XK Convertible isn't going to be cheap to run. Fuel, maintenance and insurance costs are all high, even though they're more palatable than those of rivals such as the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Claimed average economy is 25.0mpg for the 4.2 V8 and 22.9mpg for the 4.2 R, and 25.2mpg for the 5.0 V8 and 23.0mpg for the 5.0 R. A word of warning, though: exploit the engines' power and those figures will nosedive.

Better news is that, if you buy a used XK at the right price, you shouldn't lose a fortune in depreciation. Regular maintenance is essential. Jaguar dealers have a good reputation for customer satisfaction, and while you don't have to use them, it will help your car's future value. You can always use a good independent garage to save money once the car is out of warranty.

From launch, you could have a 300bhp 4.2-litre V8 or a 420bhp supercharged 4.2-litre R model. Both are fitted with a slick automatic gearbox that has a sports mode and F1-style steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles.

The R is a much more aggressive-looking car, with a bodykit, larger wheels and sportier cabin trim. The standard car sounds great, but the R swaps the V8's growl for a roar under hard acceleration.

An active suspension system was available as an option on the 4.2 and standard on the R. This enhances the car's dynamics, giving a sportier and more stable feel - especially at speed.

The XK was overhauled in early 2009, with revised styling and new engines. The entry-level model has a 380bhp 5.0-litre V8, while the R gets a 503bhp supercharged version. Along with the new engines, Jaguar fitted the adaptive suspension as standard to all XKs.