996 from XJR confused....
Discussion
I'm looking for a complete change and going for a 996 cab / or possibly coupe. However, though I've allways wanted a 911, having dirven one I am really struggling with the looks/quality of the interior compared to my XJR. Am I missing the point or am I paying £25K more for a vehicle that is same age, same performance (in a straight line) but much, much lower spec/quality interior. Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE 911 fan, but I'm a little confused and let down, as you can see.
Some 996 have a wood kit fitted as a factory extra. You might feel more at home.
But is not a question of quality. The 996 is every bit as good in quality as the interior of your XJR, but Porsche prefer plain leather and plastic to leather and wood. If you want wood ( or carbon fibre ) then you are free to choose it.
Some people have specced up their 996 in a manner that has more in common with a Jaguar, maybe you can find one.
But is not a question of quality. The 996 is every bit as good in quality as the interior of your XJR, but Porsche prefer plain leather and plastic to leather and wood. If you want wood ( or carbon fibre ) then you are free to choose it.
Some people have specced up their 996 in a manner that has more in common with a Jaguar, maybe you can find one.
Pickled Piper said:
XJ has got on of the best interiors in the business. Nobody does wood and leather quite like Jaguar and nothing cossets quite like a Jaguar. You only have to sit in or be a passenger in an XJ to appreciate it. Conversely, you have to drive a 996 to appreciate it.
pp
agree its nice, but Bentley do it that little bit better.
Pickled Piper said:
XJ has got on of the best interiors in the business. Nobody does wood and leather quite like Jaguar and nothing cossets quite like a Jaguar. You only have to sit in or be a passenger in an XJ to appreciate it. Conversely, you have to drive a 996 to appreciate it.
pp
agree its nice, but Bentley do it that little bit better.
And Audi do the same thing for less!
As a nailed on Jag fan I do appreciate where you are coming from on this one, a Jag creates an environment like no other for the money.
Quite agree about the Maserati but if your not planning huge mileage something like a Ferrari 456 might hit the spot or if your still attached to the idea of something British Tony Crook could bolt you into a Blenheim for 996 type loot.
As a nailed on Jag fan I do appreciate where you are coming from on this one, a Jag creates an environment like no other for the money.
Quite agree about the Maserati but if your not planning huge mileage something like a Ferrari 456 might hit the spot or if your still attached to the idea of something British Tony Crook could bolt you into a Blenheim for 996 type loot.
poorcardealer said:
XJ has got on of the best interiors in the business. Nobody does wood and leather quite like Jaguar and nothing cossets quite like a Jaguar. You only have to sit in or be a passenger in an XJ to appreciate it. Conversely, you have to drive a 996 to appreciate it.
pp
agree its nice, but Bentley do it that little bit better.
Yes you are right. But for cars that don't cost the same as a small house when new, there's not much better than a Jag.
pp
All spooky stuff. I'm lucky enough to spend a lot of time in a Bentley Continental GT as well, so this makes the comparison worse. I have thought of a Maserati but I really fancy a convertible, but it has to have 4 seats. Am trying another 996 tomorrow, will stick with it........for the moment.
I also have a 98 V8 Jag, though not an R sadly. In fact since I have run Porsches from 1999 I have kept one as a daily drive. They are absolutely fabulous cars, and the fact they are associated with middle aged men makes them very cheap, (my current car was £10k at a little over 4 years). I also love the surprise on people’s faces when a young bloke turn up in a Jag, it is just so unfashionable.
Anyway the point of this ramble is to suggest you keep the Jag and if needs be buy a slightly cheaper Porsche, perhaps a very good 964. Its true that the 996 will be much easier to live with on a daily basis than an earlier car and in an objective sense is much more capable, but won’t get you any way near the kind of car you are used to.
Both cars genuinely feel special, dare I say it equally special, though they are radically different. On a Saturday morning I love getting inside the Porsche, the simple black interior and slightly awkward bucket seats of my 968 CS or 964 provide a great antidote to the club class Jag.
Come Monday morning, when the rain is driving down its great to get into the comfort of the Jag, slip it into drive and breeze effortlessly to work, safe in the knowledge that on a good piece of road the Jag’s 290 bhp,(not 370 in my case) and fantastic gearbox make for a surprisingly spirited run.
In summary you are going to get a very different driving and living experience with a 911. If you are used to the Jag you may well tire of some of the elements of sports car life on a daily basis, particularly if you spend a lot of time driving in town.
I did have a couple of months with just the Porsche, and even in this short time was occasionally happy to get home and put the car away. More importantly I didn’t have anything to play with at the weekend!
If you possiblly can keep both – you will appreciate each so much more in my experience.
>> Edited by James s on Thursday 17th February 07:47
Hi James, thanks for the post, you can obviously relate to my dilemma! However, keeping the XJR and getting a 996 is not an option (not without a divorce anyway). Have just driven another C2 Cab. Very impressed at the driving experience, I'm starting to 'get it' now. Yours, confused of Hertfordshire.
Keep the Jag and get a 964 or a 993 then. I'll bet you would make a better 3 year finalcial case out of doing this than driving a 996 every day based on two areas:
Both the Jag and a good 964 have done most of their depreciating, which is the biggest cost you face. I have actually sold my last two Porchses for more than I paid for them.
Secondly insurance, maintainence etc tends to be so much less expensive on a weekend car so long as you don't leave it parked up for weeks on end. In my experincne it has much cheaper to maintain the Jag than the Porsche - though this may not be the same for a new Porsche.
But most importantly its just more fun to have the two.
Enjoy - whatever you do. I have to say I do fancy an XJR. The basic car is more than adequate so the R must be a riot.
Both the Jag and a good 964 have done most of their depreciating, which is the biggest cost you face. I have actually sold my last two Porchses for more than I paid for them.
Secondly insurance, maintainence etc tends to be so much less expensive on a weekend car so long as you don't leave it parked up for weeks on end. In my experincne it has much cheaper to maintain the Jag than the Porsche - though this may not be the same for a new Porsche.
But most importantly its just more fun to have the two.
Enjoy - whatever you do. I have to say I do fancy an XJR. The basic car is more than adequate so the R must be a riot.
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