Any Polkies a fan of Jaguar?

Sherardp

Looking at picking up a 2011/2012 Jaguar XJ. Just wondering if they are great cars or not. I'm getting bored with my MB S550 so I'm looking at either the Jag or a Bentley Continental GT. I like the Jag for ease of maintenance though, just looking for thoughts and ideas. Thanks.

obieone

I like the XF styling better. The rear-end on the xj looks like they were in a hurry to finish it. JMO.

drumminman

Aren't the Jags built in India now? Wonder how the quality is. When Ford owned them it improved, but still had a ways to go.

EDUBAG

even though the jag's interior is to die for and i mean AWSOME!! I would never trade a MB for a jag, german engineering and reliability is WAYYYYYYYYYYY better than jags, I would consider a BMW 750 or the new AUDI A8S which comes with the lamborgini engine and according to motortrend aoutruns anything in the sedan market, posting 0-60 time of 3.8 secs.

sda2mike

no longer a uk company...now JAGUAR is an indian company!

Sherardp

Oh wow, had no idea there were not UK anymore. Glad I did ask you guys. I like my MB, but was just wanting something different. I do like the XF model, and yes the interior is simply stunning in both models. Not sure if I should trust it and go with it or not. I just got out of my S550 and yes it has the get up and go. I already had the BMW 7 series, but thanks for the suggestion.

zingo

I do think a good Audi is hard to beat, and the Lamborghini V10 is mighty impressive. Their current quality control seems to be top notch as well.

ZLTFUL

S8 and I wouldn't even think twice about it. The 4.0T is currently the strongest engine offering in the Audi lineup (The V10 isn't on the market yet). The 4.0T actually beats out the W12 in the A8L.
I am a big sport sedan guy. The S550 wouldn't be my first choice...definitely in my top 10 though. The S8 falls into my top 3 only getting beat out by the BMW B7 Alpina and the CLS63 AMG. But you have the MB (granted the CLS63 AMG is a completely angier animal but it's still a MB)...and have had the 7 series Bimmer. The choice would be easy for me.

I wouldn't completely discount the Indian Jag. India has proven that it can create both ultra high quality and ultra piss poor quality. But I would give it some time. The switch over in ownership and manufacturing was still fairly recent and is not something I would be willing to gamble with just yet.

As much as I respect Bentley, I would skip the Conti GT. Don't get me wrong, if I ever came into a large lump sum that would allow me to fill out my garage, it would definitely have a home there. But it is still big and heavy. Ironic I say that in a discussion about full size luxury sport sedans but it is. They are more of a "and" option to me. Sort of, "I will take the B7 Alpina...and give me a Conti GT too.". Not my first choice for a daily driver.

I had a rough life as a child. I grew up around cars like this as my dad was a used luxury car dealer. He never dealt in anything more than a couple of years old and included all of the German, British and American manufacturers.
What I would LOVE to see (not that I would take one but I would like to see it anyway) is a Cadillac XTS-V. The current 304hp V6 does absolutely nothing for me. But if they were to put the supercharged 6.2l V8 and bump output to about the 600hp neighborhood, then we would start talking.

Ok...I need to stop. This topic is about as enjoyable to me as high end audio gear. LOL.

obieone

Another car to look at is the '12 A7. Ranked #2 by JDP overall. Similar styling, HP, but better reliability.

treitz3

Jaguar and ease of maintenance are words I don't recall ever seeing together in the same sentence before.

Tom

ZLTFUL

obieone wrote: »

Another car to look at is the '12 A7. Ranked #2 by JDP overall. Similar styling, HP, but better reliability.

Actually, the A7 was only available with the 3.0T. Granted, still a great engine but definitely not the same ballpark as the V8s for power. (310hp vs the 429hp of his current S550 or the 520hp 4.0T in the S8)
It's kind of hard to compare the A7 to the flagship sedans. Not because they are bad by any means but because they are a compromise between a top level sport luxury sedan and a mid level sport luxury sedan.
It really is a fantastic car but it isn't directed at the same market. People who buy the A7 are still kind of worried about the cost whereas the typical S8/AMG/B7 owner is more worried about the product itself and has no qualms about the cost.

*I* would own an A7. But that is because it is reasonably within my wife and I's income to buy one.
But if money was not really any concern, the S8 would be my next option if I had already owned a 7 series Bimmer and top end S class Merc. Especially if the Bentley is on my short list.

cnh

India. Man am I out of the loop on this! Last time I saw a Jaguar dealership was when I lived in Jersey for a year and Ford was in charge. Actually the part of Jersey I was in had only Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc. dealerships. I could NOT afford to buy a house anywhere near the area I worked and I was constantly being driven off the road or put in precarious positions since I was driving a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry and all these Viagra boys with their super cars were playing Russian roulette with each other (and me) on the highways. What is it with boys and their FAST toys? I had a family and a 2 year old in the car!

Nothing wrong with having a fast car but please be considerate!

cnh

gdb

If you like the Jag's looks (I do)........the Aston Martins have a similar look. Seems as though $$$ isn't an obstacle for you, that's nice. http://www.astonmartin.com/

goofyGAguy

cnh wrote: »

India. Man am I out of the loop on this! Last time I saw a Jaguar dealership was when I lived in Jersey for a year and Ford was in charge. Actually the part of Jersey I was in had only Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc. dealerships. I could NOT afford to buy a house anywhere near the area I worked and I was constantly being driven off the road or put in precarious positions since I was driving a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry and all these Viagra boys with their super cars were playing Russian roulette with each other (and me) on the highways.

I'm more worried about soccer moms in their SUV's.

txcoastal1

treitz3 wrote: »

Jaguar and ease of maintenance are words I don't recall ever seeing together in the same sentence before.

I hear that but I also remember the long stint that Audi had making poor cars also, and they turned it around.

All the cars mentioned have the "price you pay" for what you want maintenance. But it is what is

Sherardp

I looked at the Aston Martin, but I think if I were to do the sports car I would prefer the Gallardo. Anyone for Porsche Panamera?

gdb

I see Porsche.....I think Volkswagen and **** manufacturing installations. :frown:

ZLTFUL

Sherardp wrote: »

I looked at the Aston Martin, but I think if I were to do the sports car I would prefer the Gallardo. Anyone for Porsche Panamera?

A friend of mine has a Panamera S. I've driven it both around home and around Teluride in Colorado. It is a FANTASTIC weekend family bomber. And it is MOSTLY hardcore Porsche. But it does have its drawbacks. Not nearly as comfortable as the other options in it's class. The Maserati Quattroporte is, IMHO, a much better option as a sedan from a sportscar manufacturer.
If you do consider the Panamera, definitely don't bother with the "base" model and step up to the S model. And then grab yourself an NHP cat back exhaust for it.
I followed my buddy for 2 hours through the mountains of CO just enjoying the notes. I was on my Duc so I could have passed him at any time but the exhaust of that car is intoxicating.

Sherardp

Ducati is a nice bike bro, I owned the MV Agusta f41000s. Both nice Italian bikes.

ZLTFUL

Got a '12 Multistrada S Touring and a '00 Monster 900i.e.(My first Duc and will most likely get buried with me lol).

I did a track day at Road America with a guy from Chicago who had an F4 Ago edition. He was some finance manager for one of the big dealer groups in Cook county. He let me take it out for a session and I felt like I was tiptoeing around until he lapped me on my Gixxer. Then I tucked in behind him and let him set the pace. Figured if he was willing to let an almost total stranger go out on his 100k limited edition sportbike, he wasn't too concerned about it. Hehe.

Back to the topic at hand though, this is a great market segment for buyers. So many great options ranging from the utterly sedate to the absolutely intoxicating. Probably why I like it so much. I do love the Gallardo but I am not built for Italian sports cars. Had a 308GTS that I almost couldn't drive because of my feet size and how close the pedals were to each other/the tunnel hump. My brother had a Countach and a Pantera...both of which I could barely fit in. His Lotus Esprit was actually a better fit but then it was also a right hand drive car and I am left handed...hehe.
But the sports cars are single purpose vehicles. Sort of like owning a Desmosedici and never taking it to the track. Hehe.

Zeros

I had an X-type from 2002-2012 and put about 130k miles before i got rid of it. I know people say it was just a rebranded Ford Taurus or Sable, but it was a great car and rarely needed any work.

nooshinjohn

You have so many opinions about Jaiguar, and not a word from anyone with experience... I have owned three of these magnificent automobiles(anything less is just a car), and between the three, I have spent less than two grand on non-routine maintenance. That was to replace a blown valve on an'88 at 187k on the clock. Tha other two were a 92, and a 2000, both served proudly to more than 200k and still going strong. The breed is a wonderful machine, and is unique among all other cars I have ever owned. You truly feel that the car and those that built her cared as much for the driver as they did about breathing life into these machines. Sir William Lyons believed that the automobile was as close as mankind would come to creating something that was truly alive. His purpose was to give them a soul. You only need to drive on to feel that connection.

As far as ownership goes... Yes, they are owned by Tata, an Indian firm, but they are still an English company and still built at Castle Bromwich. The only way Jaguar has ever tolerated foreign ownership is if the guys on the line can build true and "proper" Jaguars, so Tata has wisely continued to let the paychecks flow but otherwise has taken a very "hands-off" approach to those stewardship.

For the dollar, Jaguar builds the finest cars on planet earth IMHO. I currently own a Mercedes, and have driven BMW and the Jag still has my heart. After we pay off the current Benz. There will be another big cat inky driveway for sure.

nooshinjohn

Sherardp wrote: »

I looked at the Aston Martin, but I think if I were to do the sports car I would prefer the Gallardo. Anyone for Porsche Panamera?

from the front 3/4. The Porsche is a decent looking car. From the rear, the car is as hideous as the get. Easily the ugliest car to carry the Porsche name IMHO. They are, along with the Quatroporte, the most demanding cars from a maintenance/repair standpoint. If I had a nickel for every Porsche and Maserati I have seen on a flatbed here in Los Angeles, I could buy a Jag!

codyc1ark

Wasn't Jag ranked worst on either Edmunds or Car and Driver on reliabilty ranking? I'm pretty sure they were.. Second wen't to 'RAM' trucks.. I'm on the work computer (slow and restricted) otherwise I would dig the artical up.

ken brydson

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/whitesnake-here-i-go-again-sexiest-rock-music-videos/

I'd take a Jag if Tawney came with it...:cheesygrin:

obieone

The link I saw was USNews, and the ranking was 12th overall for a '12 XF. Reliability was 3/5.
Btw, when I mentioned the XF, I was thinking of the XFR, not sure if they're the same car, but, after the review JC from Top Gear did on it, it was very close to the M5 as far as speed, handling etc.

nguyendot

Meh. an XTS-V? The car is FWD so that would be torque steer city. The platform is designed off a Buick and would never perform. ATS-V? Yes. It's just too big and Cadillac is way too far behind in the big luxo-sedan world. They still call themselves the standard of the world, but haven't actually earned that title in decades. I've owned multiple Cadillacs since 16 and the only cars that impress me are the CTS-V (speed), and ATS (handling). My CTS was nice but we're talking big luxo sedans here. The A8 looks awesome and I'd take it any day.

NJPOLKER

I know without a doubt I'd go Audio ooooooppps I mean Audi Just my opinion of course but they are awesome. Maybe in your opinion its too close in style/performance to the S550 but maybe the new S8 is worth a long hard look. Awesome, simply awesome.

cnh

nooshinjohn wrote: »

You have so many opinions about Jaiguar, and not a word from anyone with experience... I have owned three of these magnificent automobiles(anything less is just a car), and between the three, I have spent less than two grand on non-routine maintenance. That was to replace a blown valve on an'88 at 187k on the clock. Tha other two were a 92, and a 2000, both served proudly to more than 200k and still going strong. The breed is a wonderful machine, and is unique among all other cars I have ever owned. You truly feel that the car and those that built her cared as much for the driver as they did about breathing life into these machines. Sir William Lyons believed that the automobile was as close as mankind would come to creating something that was truly alive. His purpose was to give them a soul. You only need to drive on to feel that connection.

As far as ownership goes... Yes, they are owned by Tata, an Indian firm, but they are still an English company and still built at Castle Bromwich. The only way Jaguar has ever tolerated foreign ownership is if the guys on the line can build true and "proper" Jaguars, so Tata has wisely continued to let the paychecks flow but otherwise has taken a very "hands-off" approach to those stewardship.

For the dollar, Jaguar builds the finest cars on planet earth IMHO. I currently own a Mercedes, and have driven BMW and the Jag still has my heart. After we pay off the current Benz. There will be another big cat inky driveway for sure.

That's really quite telling, John! It says a lot!

cnh

rdb2001

Sherard,

I like the new jags as well. They hit it big with the new styling. I have looked into the XJ's myself. Right now I am trying to decide between an XJL, S600, Audi A7 and S8. What do you not like about the 550 as I have fell in love with the S600 and it is currently the front runner for me. Jags rep is not that great as far as reliability and any mechanic I know has told me to stay away from them but maybe things have turned around. If I were you, I would be looking at moving up to the bently gt or a maserati.

ZLTFUL

I think you got them backwards. The XTS is the full sized all wheel drive sedan. The ATS is the Buick based ride.
You obviously haven't driven the Regal T-Type. Pretty solid platform and for a fuel efficient platform, can actually handle and perform rather well.

Bear in mind that the CTS-V Sedan is still the fastest production sedan in the world (At least around the 'ring). It matches the higher horsepower S8 0-60 and its suspension and brakes are right up there with the best of them being made by Brembo and all.
But you are right...they are still using pushrod engines. Sort of like Harley Davidson sticking with 1903 technology and adding fuel injection.

I too have had several Cadillacs as well as a Pontiac G8 GXP (LOVED this car but it wasn't worth it in the end) and 2 Pontiac Bonneville GXPs (Northstar based cars). None of them would even compete with the M5s, B7s, E64s, S8s of the world. But they have their advantages that make them a decent value for those who can't pay the premium for the best of the best.

nguyendot wrote: »

Meh. an XTS-V? The car is FWD so that would be torque steer city. The platform is designed off a Buick and would never perform. ATS-V? Yes. It's just too big and Cadillac is way too far behind in the big luxo-sedan world. They still call themselves the standard of the world, but haven't actually earned that title in decades. I've owned multiple Cadillacs since 16 and the only cars that impress me are the CTS-V (speed), and ATS (handling). My CTS was nice but we're talking big luxo sedans here. The A8 looks awesome and I'd take it any day.