Jaguar - an ‘old mans’ car?
Discussion
Doesnt count for enthusiast purchases, a 25 year old buying an XJR is different to a retired bank Manager buying a gold S type and different from a F Type.
You can buy an old man car because you are an old man and have no interest in cars beyond comfort and status or loads of other reasons.
You can buy an old man car because you are an old man and have no interest in cars beyond comfort and status or loads of other reasons.
CrgT16 said:
I think some older XJs, S type were definitely and old man car, new generations are improving but still not quite there in my opinion. The F type looks great but for its ageing a bit quick, I am sure it’s just me but I don’t find the design timeless
A design shouldn’t be timeless though it should be of its time. If you start designing stuff to be timeless you end up in the mess Jaguar were in that we have already been talking about. Design needs people to push the boundaries. It needs Callum to rip up the rule book and people like Bangle to burn the tradition of what a BMW is etc. A truly innovative design is often hated when first released but when looked back on later in time it is often obvious why it was necessary to move things along. I had an XKR in my late 30's..... Great car.
Nearly bought an F-type last year, but was just too big for my needs...
If I was choosing another Jaaag, I would have this - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Nearly bought an F-type last year, but was just too big for my needs...
If I was choosing another Jaaag, I would have this - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
craigjm said:
A design shouldn’t be timeless though it should be of its time. If you start designing stuff to be timeless you end up in the mess Jaguar were in that we have already been talking about. Design needs people to push the boundaries. It needs Callum to rip up the rule book and people like Bangle to burn the tradition of what a BMW is etc. A truly innovative design is often hated when first released but when looked back on later in time it is often obvious why it was necessary to move things along.
Sure, I agree, maybe timeless was not a good choice of word. It’s just I loved the design when it was launched but of late I find it “old”. In my view it’s not ageing well. But maybe I need an eye test! Other cars are older but their design seems to still be fresh. CrgT16 said:
Sure, I agree, maybe timeless was not a good choice of word. It’s just I loved the design when it was launched but of late I find it “old”. In my view it’s not ageing well. But maybe I need an eye test! Other cars are older but their design seems to still be fresh.
I’ve always found it quite an awkward design especially around the rear quarter. The soft top looks better than the coupe which makes me wonder if they designed that first then tried to put a roof on it. I think the XK is ageing better than the Ftype. I am not a huge fan of anything they have launched from the ftype onwards. I think the current XF doesn’t look as graceful as the original particularly the facelift model which had the headlights it always should have had from the start. I'm mid-twenties but have a soft spot for Jags. Been thinking about buying an X350 XJ, pre-facelift. However for the VED on the 2.7, I would sooner buy a C6 with the same engine. Hardly a "young" persons choice. Older Jags also interest me, the MkII, MkIX, and XK. Loosing interest in E-Types due to the stupid prices driven up by collectors.
Shrimpvende said:
24 and own an F Type. Bit of a chav spec, bright red with the option large black wheels and lower bodykit, never had anyone say anything about it being an old man's car or midlife crisis!
Most common one is always 'what is it?' followed by people looking a bit confused when I say it's a Jag. I've had a few separate (always female) people ask me if it's a Ferrari...must be the colour!
FWIW, all my mates of a similar age all think it's pretty awesome - I think it's had more positive comments than the Vantage I had beforehand
Is that a toolbox on the boot ;-) Most common one is always 'what is it?' followed by people looking a bit confused when I say it's a Jag. I've had a few separate (always female) people ask me if it's a Ferrari...must be the colour!
FWIW, all my mates of a similar age all think it's pretty awesome - I think it's had more positive comments than the Vantage I had beforehand
Edited by Shrimpvende on Saturday 6th January 14:27
It's a very nice car.
pmanson said:
Shrimpvende said:
24 and own an F Type. Bit of a chav spec, bright red with the option large black wheels and lower bodykit, never had anyone say anything about it being an old man's car or midlife crisis!
Most common one is always 'what is it?' followed by people looking a bit confused when I say it's a Jag. I've had a few separate (always female) people ask me if it's a Ferrari...must be the colour!
FWIW, all my mates of a similar age all think it's pretty awesome - I think it's had more positive comments than the Vantage I had beforehand
Mine is red tooMost common one is always 'what is it?' followed by people looking a bit confused when I say it's a Jag. I've had a few separate (always female) people ask me if it's a Ferrari...must be the colour!
FWIW, all my mates of a similar age all think it's pretty awesome - I think it's had more positive comments than the Vantage I had beforehand
Edited by Shrimpvende on Saturday 6th January 14:27
craigjm said:
You gave to remember that by the mid 60s Jaguar was broke.
Far from it. By the mid 60s Jaguar was on a roll - this was the period of the E-Type and the S-Type / 240 / 340 / 420 (G) saloons. Jaguar was expanding rapidly at this time, purchasing Daimler (cars, buses and armoured vehicles) in 1960; Guy Motors of Wolverhampton (commercial vehicles) in 1961; Coventry Climax Engines Ltd in 1963; and Henry Meadows Ltd (engines and transmissions) in 1964.
The 1966 merger with BMC wasn't down to financial difficulties. With Lyons close to retirement there was no succession plan in place, his son being killed in 1955 and the rest of the board being of a similar age to himself. To boot, critical components such as body panels were already being supplied by Pressed Steel who were controlled by BMC. It made sense to merge, and only with the benefit of hindsight is it clear what a disaster it was to be for British car manufacturing.
The financial difficulties for Jaguar really began with the severe lack of reinvestment through the 70s. Jaguar were at least able to extricate themselves in 1984 with their privatisation but most of the effort then was concentrated on quality and dealership improvements with no spare cash to invest in machinery let alone new models. Thus came the "old man's car" period as other's have stated with Jaguar selling car models that ordinarily would've been replaced long before.
Whilst Ford may justifiably be criticised for their lack of imagination and retro pastiche styling that did nothing to shed the "old man" image, we should at least be thankful that their lack of due diligence and rush to buy Jaguar meant that they severely underestimated just how much money would need to be ploughed into the company. Once in they then had little choice but to invest heavily, without which we really wouldn't have the Jaguar cars that we do today.
Selling Jaguar when they did just as the new XK was launched must've had TATA rubbing their hands with glee at the deal they got and they at least saw sense in not trying to micro manage Jaguar as Ford had tried to do.
I bought my first ever car two years ago at the age of 35, a Jaguar X Type 2.5 V6 with a manual gearbox.
I knew about the "it's a Ford" stuff, I knew the old man cliches, but I wanted a decent sized boot, heated leather, parking sensors and a bit of something different to my mates' years of German choices. Bought it for £1500 and it did me proud for 2 years, nothing major to sort and was great for cruising around in Surrey and Sussex.
Big fan of the insurance also, it was eligible for "classic" status with a few specialist insurers (must be that styling lol) so got insured on limited mileage for 30% of what I would have paid to insure a Golf or A3.
Ridiculously silly first car, maybe a silly car in general as the MPG is poor, the rear legroom isn't amazing, no ISOFIX etc, but it was a lovely place to spend time and still looked classy.
I knew about the "it's a Ford" stuff, I knew the old man cliches, but I wanted a decent sized boot, heated leather, parking sensors and a bit of something different to my mates' years of German choices. Bought it for £1500 and it did me proud for 2 years, nothing major to sort and was great for cruising around in Surrey and Sussex.
Big fan of the insurance also, it was eligible for "classic" status with a few specialist insurers (must be that styling lol) so got insured on limited mileage for 30% of what I would have paid to insure a Golf or A3.
Ridiculously silly first car, maybe a silly car in general as the MPG is poor, the rear legroom isn't amazing, no ISOFIX etc, but it was a lovely place to spend time and still looked classy.
ghost83 said:
I like jags but the missus tells me they’re old mans cars
Only thing that ever worries me with jags was the colossal depreciation they had, don’t know if they still do though
They still suffer depreciation like any other car will. A friend of mine bought a 2015 3.0 V6 XJ recently and Autotrader shows plenty of those for a little over £25000. Stunning value for a two year old car that listed at nearly three times that new. Only thing that ever worries me with jags was the colossal depreciation they had, don’t know if they still do though
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