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Jaguar XKR vs. Merc SL500 vs. Lexus SC430 vs. Porsche 911...

My mom is getting ready to shop for a new car to lease.. the one on her 2000 Mercedes SL500 is almost up..


These were the cars that she was looking at. I just wanted to get opinions on them:

Jaguar XKR
2003 Mercedes SL500
Lexus SC430
Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Other suggestions are welcome, car must be a luxury-class convertible. Saab, Audi, and American cars are out of the question.
 
Jaguar XKR -- oldest platform, dodgy ergonomics
SL500 -- snazzy exterior skin, but looks a bit overdone. Interior is sweet. More of a GT cruiser than sports car. Nice folding hard top.
Lexus SC430 -- looks like a lump of ice cream. Too bloated looking. Back seat is usless even for 2 year olds
911 Cabriolet -- best of the bunch! Performance, class, handling, decent cargo capacity (rear seat ain't that bad, I've been in one), and it looks great.
 
Ugh...that Lexus is so ugly. It would automatically be out of the picture IMO. She's already had an SL, so I'd say it would be between the 911 and the Jag. Of those 2, I'd definitely go with the Porsche.

EDIT: Brandon said what I would've said had I not been too lazy to type it all out. Nice rundown of the cars.
 
werk - the 2003 SL is a completely new generation.. looks nothing like the gen 4 SL. I'd imagine it drives a bit different too.. hopefully not as heavy and plodding as the current one.

Oh, and cargo capacity / passenger room is completely irrelevant. She carries groceries. Any passenger transport is handled with my dad's S500.
 


<< werk - the 2003 SL is a completely new generation.. looks nothing like the gen 4 SL. I'd imagine it drives a bit different too.. hopefully not as heavy and plodding as the current one.

Oh, and cargo capacity / passenger room is completely irrelevant. She carries groceries. Any passenger transport is handled with my dad's S500.
>>


The '03 SL is even heavier than the previous generation...go figure 🙂
 
I'd say stick with the German brands if that's what she's used to. That brings it down to Mercedes vs Porsche. Is she a skilled driver or does she just like to cruise. A lot of people crash their Porsches due to inexperience with the heavier rear (plus they're pretty darn powerful). Comfort vs Sport... it's her decision. Don't let this be a decision based solely on style.
 


<< The '03 SL is even heavier than the previous generation...go figure >>



What, the frame and body panels are solid lead now?
 
For me, given a choice between the four, it would be the 911 Cabriolet. No question.

But for my mom? Probably the SL500. More comfort, less performance.
 
Id go with the porsche.

Historically ive actually liked the coupe better than the cabriolet, but these days I don't really know.
 
I'd take the 911 without much reservation. The other vehicles are more luxury-oriented, though fast. It's just that the 911 is such an unadulterated sports car that if you can afford one, damn, buy it!
 
if it was for me: Porsche 911

but for my mom: Lexus or Mercedes... whichever she likes better

i think the porsche would be more of a car than she could "handle"
 


<< My mom is getting ready to shop for a new car to lease.. the one on her 2000 Mercedes SL500 is almost up..


These were the cars that she was looking at. I just wanted to get opinions on them:

Jaguar XKR
2003 Mercedes SL500
Lexus SC430
Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Other suggestions are welcome, car must be a luxury-class convertible. Saab, Audi, and American cars are out of the question.
>>



Read this review of the new SL500.

I wish I had the cash, because out of the 4 cars you listed, that's the one I would choose. I has a nice balance of luxury and sportiness that can't be touched by the competitors you listed. (except maybe the XKR)

The Lexus is way out of it's league on this one, not to mention that it's fugly. Go for the Benz!
 
Out of these 4....the Jag would be my choice closely followed by the SL. Ive been in a XKR, my neighbour has one...I have never seen a such a rich interior (walnut trim with nice colloney leather) the seats are so comfy.T he car just screams "CLASS" (so does the SL). YOu want a classy car with speed to boot, the XKR is a great choice but the SL is also a tremondous car too. The porcshe is nice but the interior is so so, and they are overpriced and underpowered for what you get. The only new porsche (granted i had the money) would be the turbo or GT2.
 
I was at the Benz dealership with my father looked at the SLK and I saw the new SL. That is one beautiful car.

Very nice choices. Definitely wouldn't mind driving either one of them 😛
 


<<

<< I'd get the BMW Z8 😎 >>



Overpriced, AND overrated.
>>



Trust me driving one will change your mind
 


<<

<<

<< I'd get the BMW Z8 😎 >>



Overpriced, AND overrated.
>>



Trust me driving one will change your mind
>>



Trust me, looking at one at the auto show already made my decision. I just doesn't LOOK like a $194,800 car.

For that $194,800, I could buy a gently used Ferrari. MUCH better car.
 
Oh, I just looked, and the Z8 is selling in Toronto for $220,000CDN. In the AutoTrader, they have a 2000 Ferrari 360 Modena with 9,500km on it for $245,000.

Which would you rather have? 😛
 
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