Coming back to Jaguar
Discussion
I've been around these forums ever since they started, but not so much recently, so just saying hello again as I've bought another Jag. I had a couple of XJS straight sixes and an XJ40 some years ago, but I've had a variety of TVRs and a lot of German stuff in the meantime.
Anyhow, I've been looking at 12-18 month old XKRs of the 4.2 variety for the last few months. No-one manages the combination of performance, style and comfort like Jaguar, and it's reassuring to know that the brand values have not changed all that much, when you can have a car that's 2 metres wide and 4.8 metres long that still has a useless boot and pointlessly small rear seats
Sure is pretty though, and refinement is beyond reproach.
To cut a long story short after finally getting round to looking at some cars at a dealer, I was alarmed at how bad the preparation was on the used cars at a certain dealership quite close to me (stone chips, scratches, marks on every wheel). The last straw was offering me a test drive in one that had a bulge in the front tyre the size of a tomato, which they apparently either couldn't see or didn't care about. So I changed tack slightly and ended up in Swindon instead looking at a four month old XKR 5.0 demonstrator. I made them a not very generous offer, and wouldn't budge - but they phoned me at home later and after a small adjustment I bought it for a rather acceptable price.
So it's Pearl Grey with Ivory leather, and definitely a thing of beauty. Not necessarily a car for the current climate but what the hell, 500+ BHP will probably be illegal at some point in the near future It does the wafting along in comfort thing very well - the ride is firm, but it's so well controlled that it is never harsh and some of the particularly bad bits of road around here that I used to wince before driving over in my previous car it takes in its stride. It's also frankly utterly bonkers when you put your foot down. Scalded cat doesn't really cover it. It drives like a much smaller car - until you have to park it when you realise it's actually quite big. Early days yet, I only picked it up on Wednesday, but it's not going to do much over 20 mpg - on the other hand the engine is wonderfully smooth in daily use, and it pops and bangs nicely on the overrun if you are using the performance. I think it's fair to say that fuel economy was not the highest priority when they decided to build it. I can see that there is an argument that the 5.0 non-supercharged car has ample performance and I probably wouldn't disagree. I do like the bonnet vents and quad tailpipes and other visual elements of the R though.
Anyway I only have one picture at the moment taken on my phone:
I may have some questions as time goes on. At the moment I'm having some difficulty trying to get my iPod to work properly and the one touch windows don't seem to want to cooperate but otherwise the 400 page manual probably has most of the answers. My eyes had already glazed over before I got to the sat nav instructions though
Anyhow, I've been looking at 12-18 month old XKRs of the 4.2 variety for the last few months. No-one manages the combination of performance, style and comfort like Jaguar, and it's reassuring to know that the brand values have not changed all that much, when you can have a car that's 2 metres wide and 4.8 metres long that still has a useless boot and pointlessly small rear seats
Sure is pretty though, and refinement is beyond reproach.To cut a long story short after finally getting round to looking at some cars at a dealer, I was alarmed at how bad the preparation was on the used cars at a certain dealership quite close to me (stone chips, scratches, marks on every wheel). The last straw was offering me a test drive in one that had a bulge in the front tyre the size of a tomato, which they apparently either couldn't see or didn't care about. So I changed tack slightly and ended up in Swindon instead looking at a four month old XKR 5.0 demonstrator. I made them a not very generous offer, and wouldn't budge - but they phoned me at home later and after a small adjustment I bought it for a rather acceptable price.
So it's Pearl Grey with Ivory leather, and definitely a thing of beauty. Not necessarily a car for the current climate but what the hell, 500+ BHP will probably be illegal at some point in the near future
It does the wafting along in comfort thing very well - the ride is firm, but it's so well controlled that it is never harsh and some of the particularly bad bits of road around here that I used to wince before driving over in my previous car it takes in its stride. It's also frankly utterly bonkers when you put your foot down. Scalded cat doesn't really cover it. It drives like a much smaller car - until you have to park it when you realise it's actually quite big. Early days yet, I only picked it up on Wednesday, but it's not going to do much over 20 mpg - on the other hand the engine is wonderfully smooth in daily use, and it pops and bangs nicely on the overrun if you are using the performance. I think it's fair to say that fuel economy was not the highest priority when they decided to build it. I can see that there is an argument that the 5.0 non-supercharged car has ample performance and I probably wouldn't disagree. I do like the bonnet vents and quad tailpipes and other visual elements of the R though.Anyway I only have one picture at the moment taken on my phone:
I may have some questions as time goes on. At the moment I'm having some difficulty trying to get my iPod to work properly and the one touch windows don't seem to want to cooperate but otherwise the 400 page manual probably has most of the answers. My eyes had already glazed over before I got to the sat nav instructions though
Welcome back! I've also just come back to jag ownership with an XFR.
I've only done 150 miles so still running in the car but the performance from the 5.0 supercharged engine already feels faintly ridiculous - the speed from which you go from 40-70 mph (after some roadworks on the A1M say) is staggering.
Enjoy - I feel the the need to go out for another drive now......
I've only done 150 miles so still running in the car but the performance from the 5.0 supercharged engine already feels faintly ridiculous - the speed from which you go from 40-70 mph (after some roadworks on the A1M say) is staggering.
Enjoy - I feel the the need to go out for another drive now......
Wow, what a motor!!!! I'm really envious. Used to run a 1998 XK8 and that was gorgeous (but sold it for a Focus ST3 and now wish I hadn't!). So, savings now nicely loaded so thinking of going back to one, new shape, not sure I could afford what you've just got but something that should keep me entertained for a bit.
Keep her going mate, she's a beauty!!!!!
Bags.
Keep her going mate, she's a beauty!!!!!
Bags.
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