Jaguar XF
The Jaguar XFR and XFR-S are Jaguar’s answer to the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63, Audi RS7, and Cadillac CTS-V. They have been in production since 2008 and were facelifted in 2012 before later being redesigned in 2016. The XF is an excellent sport sedan that turns heads, can comfortably carry a family, run rallies, and even hit the drag strip.
For the sake of hacking, we will look into the 2012-2015 year models as they were the pinnacle of the only generation of XF to ever be offered with a V8. The V8 offered in the XF Supercharged, XFR, and XFR-S is the 5.0L V8; however, the engines are tuned differently, and all make different horsepower. The XF Supercharged makes 470 hp, XFR 510 hp, and the XFR-S 550 hp. The XF was also offered in a Base trim, Portfolio, and Sport trims with R exterior touches and interior sport seats. These V6 trims are high volume vehicles.
For just a tad more, their V8 variants can be picked up with so much more value for the dollar.
The XF Supercharged once was a good car to hack, but now the XFR and XFR-S are at such appealing price points that they are no brainers. As a result, we will focus on the XFR and XFR-S.
Jaguar XFR
For less than $35,000, you can purchase a $85,000-$90,000 MSRP XFR. To me, at less than $500/month, it is a no brainer if you seek a sport sedan with the basic luxury features everyone cares about like heated & cooled seats, heated steering wheel, 825W Meridian Stereo, front & rear parking sensors, etc. The ideal XFR would have the Dynamic Package, denoted by red brake calipers. Also, it would have either black piano wood or carbon fiber interior. Avoid those with brown wood interiors, black piano is the most likely vehicle to target. I have only ever seen two with carbon fiber interiors.
The ideal XFR would also have the very uncommon and hard to find Black Package; if you can find a good deal on one, they are gems. However, this Black Package that blacks out all chrome and rims is not necessary.
The XFR comes pretty standard with Blind Spot Monitor, but not all models have it. It is imperative that the XFR you look for has it. The Collision Avoidance System and Adaptive Cruise Control are not necessary features, but they are valued on NADA so choose them how you see fit. Red interiors do go for a premium, especially black on red or white on red. The rims can come in polished silver, black, or black chrome. If they are polished silver, I would recommend powder coating them black to make the car look a little more aggressive.
The XFR is around the same dollar as an XJ L Supercharged, and I would look at both options if you are considering a good luxury sedan for your next vehicle.
Jaguar XFR-S
For less than $45,000, you can purchase a $99,000+ MSRP XFR-S. These were only produced in 2013-2015, 100 per year. Essentially, they come standard with all the options offered on the XFR. The Collision Avoidance System and Adaptive Cruise Control are still optional. Horsepower bumps up to 550 hp, the front splitter and rear diffuser are carbon fiber, they have unique rims, and the interior leather stitching is in contrasting red, blue, or white. The XFR-S is the only XF that can be spec’d in French Racing Blue, a very desirable color in the car enthusiast community.
During my current ownership, I have had more than one person offer premiums for my car because of the color. Also, I would target one with carbon fiber interior rather than black piano, although I wouldn’t exclude one with the black piano in the existence of an unbeatable deal. There is a surprisingly large amount of XFR-S that were originally spec’d with black piano interior. Lastly, XFR-S can either be purchased with a stock rear spoiler like on any other sports car, or it can have a larger raised spoiler with carbon fiber top. This large spoiler is preferable since it is one of the easiest ways to denote between an XFR and XFR-S, but it certainly is not a deal breaker.
Typically, there are max four XFR-S available for sale in the country at any given time. They offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy a scarcity play, so you will have one of the few available when you choose to sell.
Oddly, at any given time, I have consistently seen half of the XFR-S on the market to have an accident or damage on the Carfax. If purchased low enough, they offer excellent opportunities; just avoid those with airbag deployments and significant repairs (more than 1-2 panels).
At the time of writing this article in December of 2019, I am five months into owning my 2014 Jaguar XFR-S. It is an excellent all around sport sedan that completes all of my often 250 mile trips in comfort. I also did a six hour straight shot from New Orleans to College Station during a rally, and at no time was I uncomfortable or in pain like many sports cars. On a 1/4 drag strip, it ran an 11.89 bone stock which is better than any published numbers. It turns heads, is quite rare, is always parked up front (since it is French Racing Blue), is comfortable yet fun, and overall is a fantastic package at an unbeatable price.
Option Lists (Preferred options in bold)
XFR
- Black Package ($1,600 MSRP)- All chrome is gloss black.
- Speed Package ($3,900 MSRP)- Front bumper aero splitter and rear spoiler with integrated rear brake light
- Dynamic Package ($10,000 MSRP)- Speed package with dynamic suspension, performance brakes, sport
exhaust. - Adaptive Cruise Control
- Collision Avoidance System
- Heated Front Windshield
- Brown Wood, Black Piano , or Carbon Fiber Interior Trims
XFR-S
- Black Piano or Carbon Fiber Interior Trim
- Carbon Fiber Engine Cover
- Heated Front Windshield