XJ Series comes top in Top Gear Survey

[FourWheelDrift]

Since no one else has mentioned it...... weren't you watching???

Here are the results of the Top Gear Motoring Survey, the most widely-commissioned independent survey of car owners ever. You rated your motor for reliability, driving enjoyment and dealer service.
All respondents' claims have been verified, to provide the definitive verdict on 137 cars from 35 car makers, registered between September 1999 and February 2002.

The Top 10...
(Model: score - overall ranking)

1: Jaguar XJ Series - 90.9
2: Toyota Yaris - 90.5
3: Skoda Octavia - 90.4
4: Lexus IS200 - 90.2
5: Honda S2000 - 89.8
6: Mazda MX-5 - 88.9
7: Toyota Celica (new) - 88.4
8: BMW Z3 - 88.3
9: Mazda 323 - 88.1
10: Subaru Legacy - 88.1
11: Skoda Fabia - 88.1
12: Porsche 911 - 88.0
13: Rover MG ZT - 88.0
14: Honda HR-V - 88.0
15: Subaru Impreza (new) - 87.9
16: BMW X5 - 87.7
17: Subaru Forester - 87.3
18: Mazda 626 - 87.0
19: MCC Smart - 86.9
20: Porsche Boxster - 86.7
21: Toyota RAV4 (new) - 86.6
22: Toyota Corolla (pre-Dec 01) - 86.4
23: BMW 5-Series - 86.4
24: Honda CR-V - 86.3
25: Honda Accord - 86.3
26: Subaru Impreza (pre-Oct 00) - 86.2
27: Hyundai Coupe (pre-Jan 02) - 85.9
28: Honda Civic (new) - 85.7
29: Honda Civic (pre-Dec 00) - 85.5
30: Jaguar XK8/R - 85.5
31: BMW 3-Series - 85.5
32: BMW 3-Series (Compact) - 85.2
33: Toyota MR2 (new) - 85.0
34: Mini One/Cooper - 84.7
35: Volvo S60 - 84.5
36: Saab 9-5 - 84.5
37: Audi A4 (pre-Jan 01) - 84.4
38: Audi A6 - 84.3
39: Skoda Felicia - 84.0
40: Toyota Avensis - 84.0
41: Ford Puma - 83.9
42: Jaguar S-Type - 83.8
43: Lotus Elise (pre-Dec 01) - 83.8
44: Audi A4 (new) - 83.8
45: Seat Toledo - 83.7
46: Nissan Micra - 83.3
47: Rover MG ZS - 82.4
48: Rover 75 - 82.2
49: Ford Cougar - 82.1
50: Nissan Primera (pre-Feb 02) - 82.0
51: Ford Focus - 82.0
52: Audi A3 - 80.2
53: Seat Leon - 81.8
54: Volvo V70 - 81.7
55: Citroen Berlingo - 81.7
56: Audi TT - 81.6
57: Mercedes E-Class - 81.6
58: Hyundai Accent (new) - 81.5
59: Saab 9-3 - 81.4
60: Volvo V40 - 81.4
61: Volvo S80 - 81.0
62: Chrysler PT Cruiser - 80.9
63: Seat Arosa - 80.9
64: Nissan Almera - 80.7
65: Vauxhall Corsa (new) - 80.5
66: Daewoo Lanos - 80.4
67: Daewoo Matiz - 80.3
68: Chrysler Neon (new) - 80.3
69: Mitsubishi Galant - 80.3
70: Mercedes SLK - 80.2
71: Audi A2 - 80.1
72: Rover 400 - 80.1
73: Suzuki Grand Vitara - 80.0
74: Vauxhall Omega - 79.9
75: Lotus Elise (new) - 79.8
76: Vauxhall Zafira - 79.8
77: Merc C-Class (pre-Sept 00) - 79.7
78: Volkswagen Passat - 79.6
79: Volkswagen Bora - 79.5
80: Rover 45 - 79.4
81: Ford Ka - 79.3
82: Kia Sedona - 79.1
83: Volvo C70 - 79.1
84: Rover 200 - 79.0
85: Alfa Romeo 166 - 78.9
86: Mercedes CLK - 78.9
87: Seat Ibiza - 78.7
88: Vauxhall Astra - 78.7
89: Volvo S40 - 78.7
90: Citroen Xsara - 78.4
91: Ford Mondeo (new) - 78.3
92: Ford Fiesta (pre-April 02) - 78.2
93: Fiat Multipla - 77.9
94: Volkswagen Lupo - 77.7
95: Vauxhall Corsa (pre-Oct 00) - 77.3
96: Volkswagen Polo (pre-Jan 02) - 77.3
97: Volkswagen Beetle - 77.0
98: Land Rover Discovery - 77.0
99: Seat Alhambra - 76.7
100: Renault Laguna (pre-Dec 00) - 76.6
101: Rover 25 - 76.6
102: Fiat Marea - 76.6
103: Rover MG ZR - 76.6
104: Jaguar X-Type - 76.4
105: Ford Mondeo (pre-Oct 00) - 76.3
106: Volkswagen Golf - 76.3
107: Renault Megane - 76.2
108: Renault Scenic - 76.0
109: Fiat Seicento - 76.0
110: Vauxhall Vectra - 75.9
111: Renault Clio - 75.8
112: Alfa Romeo GTV - 75.8
113: Peugeot 306 - 75.7
114: Ford Escort - 75.6
115: Jeep Grand Cherokee - 75.4
116: Alfa Romeo 147 - 75.1
117: Fiat Brava - 75.0
118: Peugeot 406 - 74.8
119: Mitsubishi Carisma - 74.7
120: Land Rover Defender - 74.5
121: Peugeot 206 - 74.3
122: Citroen C5 - 74.1
123: Rover MGF - 74.0
124: Peugeot 106 - 73.8
125: Fiat Bravo - 73.8
126: Mercedes A-Class - 73.7
127: Mercedes C-Class (new) - 73.6
128: Citroen Saxo - 73.2
129: Ford Galaxy - 73.1
130: Land Rover Freelander - 73.1
131: Alfa Romeo 156 - 72.9
132: Fiat Punto (new) - 72.5
133: Mercedes M-Class - 69.6
134: Renault Laguna (new) - 68.9
135: Peugeot 307 - 68.7
136: Renault Espace - 68.2
137: Volkswagen Sharan - 67.1

Do you think I could make it longer?

[silverback mike]

Makes me feel better...

Especially as, I Quote my wife
"Don't get a Jaguar, they are rubbish"


She drives a...........Golf

>> Edited by silverback mike on Monday 10th November 18:44

[Cerby_Mike]

Interesting results there. Nice to know I made the correct choice with the Jag though

Mike

[sparkyjohn]

Very strange results there. My X-type's so much better than my 166 was in absolutely every respect from dealer attitude (Alfa dealers all seem utterly ___witted ) to build quality that I can only assume that 'attitude' to the cars could substantially skew the results. I loved my Alfa, I don't love my Jag, but it's still the better car...

[chorley88]

I bought a Jag XJ8 sport 6 months ago, love the car. Feel top when I'm driving about. There are some issues with early V8's though. Worth researching before you buy, if I'd have known the issues then I would have done some more research. I'd have still bought the car.

[dom_911]

Hi Chorley88. I was thinking of getting an early XJ8/XJR for a change and was unaware of any issues. Can you enlighten me?

Thanks.

[FourWheelDrift]

dom_911 said:

Hi Chorley88. I was thinking of getting an early XJ8/XJR for a change and was unaware of any issues. Can you enlighten me? Thanks.

Have a look here - it's only on early V8 ones (first year 1997 only I think) and most have been sorted, so no further problems and no problems on later ones.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=65990&f=85&h=0

[silverback mike]

If in doubt, take it to a dealer who will do a 'blow by' test. This tests the condition of the engine, and if it has the dreaded nicasil problem.

I took mine in last week, £17 all in, and the engine is fine.

Well, thats what hartwell in Bristol charged, I presume it is the same across the board.

[dom_911]

Thanks guys. I may look at the 6cyl XJRs as well - I'm not sure of my budget yet. Depends on work...

Any comments on high mileages on these? Both the 6cyl XJRs and the V8 n/a and V8 XJR? Will they handle 100K+ without engine rebuild type bills?

Cheers.

[silverback mike]

Well, my XJ8 has 109k, with a full Jaguar history. The engine is absolutely silent (when it should be).The rest of the car looks very nice and the interior is unmarked. The miles on mine have been due to motorway driving, and consequently it feels very tight.
The wheels aren't too clever, the alloy has lifted, so I am getting them refurbished.
The car feels like it will go on forever, when I bought it, a friend of mine who is a good mechanic put it up on ramps, and had a good poke about.
There doesn't seem to be any weak points, and was in fine fettle.
My advice is not to worry too much about the miles if it has the stamps in the book, and feels 'right'.
I would only sell it to get an XJR, and would definately have an earlier 6 cylinder XJR.
If you are near Bristol, you are more than welcome to have a drive in mine.
Mike.

[dom_911]

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate the offer. I'm in Warwick so it's a bit of a trek, but I will definitely look further into an XJR now. I just have to make sure that it will fit in the drive...