Mini Cooper or Lexus or Jag?

[CABC]

this is my shortlist and i've not driven any of them! will be buying in early Sept. don't ask how i got here, but this is the s'list!

the main use is a regular schlep from town to country of 3 hrs mway & A roads. once in the country it's short trips on pleasant roads. i'm looking at around 4 yrs old and want a reliable car to last many years. there are sports cars in the fleet, so no need for this to be too exciting. the Mini is half the price of the other two but could be chopped in earlier if i fancied a bigger car. the other 2 i'd like to think would last 10 years. this is the faithful lugger, not necessarily loved but to be to well maintained as the workhorse.

Mini Cooper - a fun car that is now quite civilised and mature. i have an R50 Cooper already so i know the breed, the latest model is a lot more competent and capable of longer journeys. this is my favourite currently as it's a good balance of fun and comfort.
Lexus IS 300h - dependable, comfortable and boring. CVT 'box doesn't phase me, i have one in a Rav4 and is perfectly acceptable for cruising. this option is the steady choice, maybe used less once i've reached the destination, but i'll get there chilled.
Jag XE - petrol ones are much more reliable. good ride & handling. more involving than the Lexus, just as comfortable, but with a niggly feeling that it may have 1 or 2 issues along the way whereas the Lexus would be dependable.

So, what do i prioritise - fun, dependability or the Jag compromise?

[ZX10R NIN]

The XE is a good steer get an XE S & you'll have it all covered:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...

[CABC]

ZX10R NIN said:

The XE is a good steer get an XE S & you'll have it all covered:

i had previously thought about the S as a main car.
but this would be the 4 pot. it needs to run cheaply over many years, it's not my prime car.
any views on those? 200 or 250?
i hear most of Jag's woes are diesel related and the petrol ones are "ok"

[ZX10R NIN]

The diesels aren't bad (BMW's 2.0d was much worse) but 2.0T wise the engines are decent I think the early 2.0T's were Ford units & were 240bhp.

I'm not sure what your budget is but the Ford Unit is reliable & robust which makes it the pick of the bunch if reliability & running costs come into it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007211...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007131...