Which of these to take on a European trip?

Which of these to take on a European trip?

Author
Discussion

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
When I did this in a 530i it cost me 500 quid in Super Unleaded - you must be at almost a grand to do it in the V12 Jag. I hate to be dull but this is surely a major consideration?

plenty

4,655 posts

185 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
Quickmoose said:
He's asked the question BECAUSE it's Pistonheads where real enthusiasts recognise the qualities inherent in two pretty cool cars, as opposed to regurgitating clichéd stereotypes...
Thank you for bringing some balance and intelligence to this thread. I totally understand the appeal of the XJ-S - when cruising up and down the promenade in Juan-Les-Pins, or on the German motorway, what a sense of occasion that car would deliver. On the other hand, when on an empty, fabulously-surfaced, high-visibility stretch of twisty in SE France or the Black Forest, I'm going to want to be in that Mini, clipping the apexes, heel-toeing, trail-braking into each bend to get maximum front-end bite and feeling the rear pivot round...and glad I'm not in a wallowy old '80s barge.

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

178 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
Both great cars but for this? The Jaguar is a special thing and just wonderful. It was made for trips like this!

Miglia 888

1,002 posts

146 months

Thursday 20th October 2016
quotequote all
plenty said:
Quickmoose said:
He's asked the question BECAUSE it's Pistonheads where real enthusiasts recognise the qualities inherent in two pretty cool cars, as opposed to regurgitating clichéd stereotypes...
Thank you for bringing some balance and intelligence to this thread. I totally understand the appeal of the XJ-S - when cruising up and down the promenade in Juan-Les-Pins, or on the German motorway, what a sense of occasion that car would deliver. On the other hand, when on an empty, fabulously-surfaced, high-visibility stretch of twisty in SE France or the Black Forest, I'm going to want to be in that Mini, clipping the apexes, heel-toeing, trail-braking into each bend to get maximum front-end bite and feeling the rear pivot round...and glad I'm not in a wallowy old '80s barge.
This.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Thursday 20th October 2016
quotequote all
Miglia 888 said:
plenty said:
Quickmoose said:
He's asked the question BECAUSE it's Pistonheads where real enthusiasts recognise the qualities inherent in two pretty cool cars, as opposed to regurgitating clichéd stereotypes...
Thank you for bringing some balance and intelligence to this thread. I totally understand the appeal of the XJ-S - when cruising up and down the promenade in Juan-Les-Pins, or on the German motorway, what a sense of occasion that car would deliver. On the other hand, when on an empty, fabulously-surfaced, high-visibility stretch of twisty in SE France or the Black Forest, I'm going to want to be in that Mini, clipping the apexes, heel-toeing, trail-braking into each bend to get maximum front-end bite and feeling the rear pivot round...and glad I'm not in a wallowy old '80s barge.
This.
I'm in agreement with all of this, the OP obviously could do with a few shakedown runs in the XJR-S to give him a bit of confidence it's not going to leave him at the roadside every day ( after his shaky start first few times taking it out ).
I'd go for the Jag though ( even though I owned an R53 for over 8 years from new ) , it's the sort of car you might not get another chance to take on a long road trip, as the Cooper S is his own car it's maybe more accessible to use on a future trip.

Also, reading the two tests above ( plus a few more articles I looked at ), I think the Jag ( if it's in good nick ) might be a bit less wallowy than people might imagine - certainly seemed to surprise the road testers of the time even compared to the Porsche 928 and BMW 850, especially on cross-country pace and ability - although tempered by the fact it's being measured against other 1992 GTs

CABC

5,533 posts

100 months

Thursday 20th October 2016
quotequote all
s m said:
Also, reading the two tests above ( plus a few more articles I looked at ), I think the Jag ( if it's in good nick ) might be a bit less wallowy than people might imagine - certainly seemed to surprise the road testers of the time even compared to the Porsche 928 and BMW 850, especially on cross-country pace and ability - although tempered by the fact it's being measured against other 1992 GTs
very true, then can be very composed.

i think the dichotomy between the two isn't as simple as autobahn vs twisties. A lot of the off highway stuff, even on napoleon, is swoopy and quite enjoyable in a GT car, even more rewarding to steer it well. It's only when the turns tighten and come thick and fast you'd really want a light nimble car.

But, it's not as though the op won't get another chance to drive his dad's car, maybe he could take it on a UK trip?

Then again, you bond more with a classic GT car over many '000s of miles and time.
...decisions.

7795

1,070 posts

180 months

Thursday 20th October 2016
quotequote all
If fuel economy isn't an issue and you are happy to take a punt on reliability; the Jag every time.

It's going back a few years now (!!) but i did a similar trip in a new company car Montego Turbo and it was nothing but breakdown, after problem after breakdown...I had a very reliable Mk1 Golf at the same time and oh, how i wished i'd have take the Golf 99% of the time on the trip.

F***k it, take the Jag....

Captain Chaos

393 posts

275 months

Monday 24th October 2016
quotequote all
The question is like asking "do I take the millennium falcon or tie fighter on an interstellar trip?" duh.

As long as the old girl has a thorough going over by a specialist beforehand (suggest especially checking the cooling is tip-top and the ignition system ditto) there is no reason why the jaaag shouldn't be the conveyance of choice for your epic voyage. If the suspension is in rude health the XJR-S handles surprisingly well.

I recall the 6 litre is a very high compression variant (over 11:1 )...remember to use the high octane where you can. Might be an idea to carry a few bottles of booster for the continent.

Bon Voyage
CC





ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Monday 24th October 2016
quotequote all
So OP have you made up your mind yet?

GiveItSomeWellie

Original Poster:

3,006 posts

195 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
quotequote all
Sorry to have left this hanging, but finally some closure;

Due to a new job I've just accepted I won't even be able to make the trip rolleyes

However because of my new job, I now have more annual leave to plan this stuff, and since the folks have taken delivery of their Mustang, I feel the Jaguar will now be much more available now than it once was hehe

Currently planning a couple of trips, thinking of taking the Cooper S for a trackday at Imola, taking the Jaguar over to Ireland and then later on in the year across Europe but along a slightly different route.


Edited by GiveItSomeWellie on Wednesday 30th November 11:00