2001 Jaguar XK-Series in Studio City

Palm Springs, California - Self-indulgence is a cherished principle of modern American life, whether it is expressed in the acquisition of material goods, the pleasuring of the flesh, or the wresting of power. And while pampering oneself has become synonymous with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in every corner of the Union, it is the official pastime of California. Where else but in the Golden State, then, for us to caress the leather and feather the throttles of three supremely sybaritic convertibles? After all, the convertible is the most self-indulgent four-wheeler: impractical, flashy, and, most important, the perfect platform for displaying one's wonderful self.

Not to mention that it was January and 25 degrees at our editorial offices in Michigan. So, we picked up a Jaguar XK8, a Mercedes-Benz CLK430, and a brand-new Lexus SC430 in Los Angeles and hightailed it over the mountains to Palm Springs. This resort town is collectively self-indulgent enough to transform vast acres of desert into lush, green golf courses. It's a place where they not only trim every shrub into submission and drape every wall with bougainvillea, they even rake the gravel in the medians. An ideal locale, then, to soak up some sun and consider the three similar--yet very different--philosophies by which these three cars help their wealthy owners get skin cancer. (So that's why there are so many plastic surgeons and dermatologists in Palm Springs.)

Lexus admits that in developing the SC430, which replaces the decade-old SC coupe, it benchmarked the XK8.... Read full article