New here. Next car choice Dilemma? Porsche V Jag.

[MartinISF]

Hi folks, Just joined, and I'm Martin from Ireland.
I've been racking my brain with a few car options to go for next year. Reason for this post, I just can't decide for myself and don't want to pick one and regret the decision down the line.

Comfort is a necessity as it will do a bit of long driving, I reside in the republic of Ireland, and my 16 year old daughter has Cystic Fibrosis, and recently underwent a double lung transplant in Great Ormond St Hosp in London, so with the possibility of long trips over to the UK, and to and from hospitals, luggage room in the boot for long stays and comfort for long drives is pretty much a must.

I do like sportier cars, pretty much always had BMWs, Audis, and currently a Lexus IS. With the 2 latter being all over the shop these days, I feel a change of branding that has a more upmarket/sportier approach.

So, after ruling out a 2 seater Cayman , an XFR and all the other stuff that isn't particularly sensible , here's my narrowed down 2:

Choices and reasoning:

Jaguar XJL (LWB) 3.0l twinturbo V6 Diesel.

I love the looks and style, LWB over short, I like big cars and the fact it will be very comfortable for rear seat passengers. The options in the prem lux/portfolio are great, tons of gadgetry and luxury refinements. pretty good MPG. Jaguar brand.

Porsche Panamera 3.0L Diesel.

Again, really sporty looking, early (2010) ,models look lmost as good as todays offerings. rear end would eventually grow on you. Doesn't have as much luxury options as the aforementioned Jag, but has the driving dynamics of what Porsche is known for. Panamera picked due to size, although I'm not sure the difference between the two. Diesel version over petrol, (Ireland has stupidly high Annual Tax) and the fact MPG plays a good part in my book.

To cut it short, I love both of these and just can't seem to a conclusion what to go for. I'll more than likely be purchasing over in the UK and bringing over to Ireland and paying VRT (deep breath) which is an absolute ridiculous cost. Vehicle Reg Tax is an illegal Taxation system in Ireland which they bend you over and take your money in laymans terms.

So, any input in helping me pick, or what would you pick and why? Also any positive or negative feedback on those cars in question are welcome, also any other I should maybe take a look at bar an S class, or 5/7 series.

Thanks for readin. and look forward to posting a bit more !

Martin

[jonamv8]

Have you had a Porsche before ??

[MartinISF]

Never owned a porsche due to it not being practical enough. It's not going to be a full time daily as I have a mondeo diesel I use for work along with a jeep and the lexus at the minute.

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly I wish you & your family the all the best, now I feel the XJ is underrated & would be my pick out of the two

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007291...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...

When it comes to the Porsche I like them but in reality I think I'd buy the Panamera's cousin the A7 BiTDi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007101...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008192...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006180...

[yajeed]

That’s a tough one.

I really liked my XJ. It wasn’t the most dynamic but was refined, luxurious and no slouch. Make sure you get a facelift with the later gearbox and stop/start.

I’d drive both, though did consider swapping the XJ for a Panamera (Turbo).

[Walter Sobchak]

Hi Martin, first just wanted to say best wishes for your daughters health and I hope everything goes well.

Secondly, I know that it’s neither of the cars you mentioned but what about an A8?, prices seem decent on them and surely a brilliant car for long motorway drives.

[Phil Dicky]

Another who would suggest am A7 BiTDi.... drove one 4 weeks ago very fast and comfortable. With quattro as well for the coming winters months.

[MartinISF]

Thanks for the kind comments. I do like the A7, but having had two A4's and an A4 Avant sport, I feel I do want a change of brand. I was going to stick with Lexus and check out the GS range but had appalling experience with Lexus Cork airport road when I had them do 2 recalls on the car only last year, but that's another story.

I did however take a trip to Jaguar Cork and they had one XJ in, it wasn't the L version and it actually did look considerably smaller than its LWB version, and on paper it's only supposed to be really noticeable on inside legroom.. only a few inches longer. Maybe it was the colour, it was a burgundy type.

I was actually going to take it for a test drive but didn't have the time as I'd only collected my own Lexus at the dealership and it's a 230km roundtrip - that and it was almost 6pm.

I've thrown a date in the diary for June of next year to purchase something, gives it plenty of time for this virus to go away and plenty of time to research given I work a hell of a alot of hours and barely get time to do any research on anything.