2004 Jaguar XKR

The XKR is Jaguar's grand-touring convertible, the one you buy when you want effortless style with real performance underneath. It's a big, relaxed cruiser that eats up highway miles, though it's happiest when you're not hustling it through tight corners. Inside, the cabin wraps you in wood, leather, and chrome, and the rear seats are best left folded flat for luggage. Expect to budget for premium fuel and the occasional pricey repair, because this Jag is more about passion than cheap upkeep. The XKR is the one you pick over the standard XK8 for its extra power and sharper suspension, giving you a grand tourer that still feels special every time you get in. Its 4.2L I8 makes 390 horsepower and 399 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic to the rear wheels, so it pulls hard from any speed and sounds purposeful doing it. The convertible top drops in seconds, and with 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space of trunk space, you can actually take it on a weekend trip with the top down.