It’s summer, time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. And what better way than a fast car with the top down and a ton of horses at your feet? But what kind of fast car? Here’s a pair of convertibles that will give you a top-notch experience plus the envy of everyone you know.
Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar has long been known for a level of performance that’s difficult to top without dropping a quarter-million on a supercar. But when it comes to overall bang for your buck, there are few vehicles that deliver like the F-Type.
For starters, there is the styling. The F-Type was not so much designed as it was lovingly birthed into existence by a benevolent god. Crouched low like the sleek cat whose name it carries, the F-Type hugs corners on wheels that have been positioned almost out to the corners of the chassis, ensuring impeccable handling.
The car’s optional trims include the Premium, S, S British Design Edition, R and SVR. Depending on which model you opt for, the F-Type will move you along the road with a variety of engine packages, starting with a 340-horsepower supercharged V-6 in the base model, all the way up to a 575 HP V-8 in the SVR, packed into a two-seat vehicle with a curb weight under 3,500 pounds. The effect? You can stomp on the gas pedal and turn your whole world into the last 10 minutes of “2001: A Space Odyssey” in less than six seconds.
What’s more, the F-Type has a delightfully unbridled exhaust system that harks back to the company’s 1950s glory days, declaring your presence to everyone around you. Make no mistake about it, my friends, the F-Type is not a subtle vehicle. From its sleek, aggressive body to the cacophony of pops and gurgles that spew from the rear end as you shift gears, this is a car that demands attention.
For the past few years, Jaguar has run an ad campaign built around the idea of Jags being the vehicle of choice for super villains, and it only takes a few minutes behind the wheel of the F-Type to understand why. This is a car that invites stares and builds egos. And with a newly reduced 2017 base price, the Jaguar F-Type might be the most affordable way to assert your authority over all you see, and all under a roof that can be raised and lowered in about three seconds.
0-60 mph–5.1 seconds; MPG–20/28; base MSRP–$61,400.
Local dealer: Willis Auto Campus
Mercedes Benz SL550
The SL550 is a diabolically subtle machine. At first glance, yes, it looks amazing. The cockpit is shoved about as far back as it can get on the chassis, leaving plenty of hood to hide the big, biturbo V-8 engine and giving the whole car a dynamic, sporty appearance. But the SL550 is also a Mercedes, which means that it carries the same understated air that all their vehicles come with. This is a car for quiet expression, as opposed to the Jag’s throaty declarations.
Inside, the leather interior and silver-tinged console look every bit as elegant as you have come to expect from the manufacturer. And the SL550 also comes equipped with one of the best suspensions around: This car is without a doubt the smoothest, most comfortable ride I have ever encountered. Even the largest road bumps are almost completely eliminated and, when combined with the SL550’s “comfort” suspension setting, cornering and wide turns are done with practically no body roll.
But underneath all of the quiet, comfortable elegance of a $100,000 car, there is some serious power being generated. Despite being over 500 pounds heavier than the Jaguar, the SL550’s V-8 accelerates the car to
60 mph nearly a full second faster, thanks to the 449 horsepower that the V-8 power plant generates. In short: This car rides like a dream and is about as fast as you can get in a Mercedes without dropping an extra 90 grand for the AMG badge.
With the top up, the car is as quiet as it gets, as the Mercedes cabin is designed to all but eliminate road noise. Couple that with the power-saving electric cycle on the engine when the car is stopped, and it can be difficult to tell when the car is even running when you’re sitting at a red light. Getting the top up and down—a process that takes nearly 12 seconds—is the lone complaint on the vehicle, but let’s be honest: If “I hate waiting for the convertible top to lower on my Mercedes” is your biggest complaint, you have a fine life.
The SL550 also comes equipped with fine features that Mercedes fans have come to expect and love, including parking assist, ventilated seats with massage, and hands-free access to the trunk. The base price on the SL550 is more than the Jaguar, but sit in the driver’s seat, and you’ll know where that money went.
0-40 mph–4.3 seconds; MPG–16/24; base MSRP–$109,000
Local dealer: Mercedes-Benz of Des Moines
Chad Taylor covers autos, music and other topics for dsm. He also writes for Cityview and appears regularly on KFMG as well as KCWI’s “Great Day” morning show, where he talks about music, movies and pop culture.
