V8 super saloons

[Blown2CV]

OK so I need a V8 toy.

in the red corner with the sedate classy image but the iron gloves its the XJR
in the blue corner with the shiny shorts and the mohican its the VXR8

on paper similar(ish) stats... clearly the aussie is NA and the Jag is SC, seemingly similar fuel consumption... not sure about torque. Similar price too based on 3/4 year old examples.

The thoughts of the PH massive? Any other models in the frame?

[sonny.j.h]

What about the B7 RS4. prices are now in the 25k-30k bracket.

Owned mine now for nearly 3 years, no complaints thus far.

[Mannginger]

Not 100% sure on Budget but here's a random selection:

Alpina B10 (4.6 L V8)

Audi RS4

S Type R

Maserati Quattroporte

Mercedes c55

BMW M5

[sebhaque]

Monaro/VXR8? Not that expensive any more, and slightly rare.

[piefacemate]

Suppose it depends what the main criteria are, if a V8 soundtrack and endless acceleration are desired in pure comfort then the XJR route will struggle to be bettered, whereas the VXR8 and RS4 go for the viceral driver-orientated thrills.

Couple of further ideas on the comfort front:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1554250.htm

Possibly a little reserved and lacking in wow factor? Can't beat it's credentials mind...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1591388.htm

You can pocket the change for the rear tyre front! Prettier than the beemer, but look too similar to the boggo diesel ones for my taste.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1589325.htm

At home at the golf club and on the drag strip. Plus you get to say you drive a Bently.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1386829.htm

If you're feeling... you know, mental. Suspect the total cost will come to the full £25k in the first year of ownership

And onto the other end of the spectrum... :

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1746602.htm

Who does a screaming V8 better than Ferrari? More exclusive, but are they are good as the other options?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1540645.htm

For your budget you'll get one in awesome condition I'd imagine.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1639479.htm

Or it's newer version. Plus you get two free cylinders



'k i'm bored now.

[piefacemate]

Mannginger said:

Not 100% sure on Budget but here's a random selection:

Alpina B10 (4.6 L V8)

Audi RS4

S Type R

Maserati Quattroporte

Mercedes c55

BMW M5

Great minds and all that... good shout on the Alpina, can't believe I forgot about them.

[goldblum]

C5 RS6

[Dimski]

Similar to you OP, I traded my Mondeo diesel for an XJR about a month ago.

I would describe it as comfort focused. The first gentle drive of it, and I thought it felt massive, very softly sprung and hugely lacking in feedback compared to the Mondeo.

The thing is, it also really can do the corner thing. As your speed increases, it seems to me that the car becomes firmer, stops rolling about, keeps surprising composure and can give you a very entertaining drive. The steering, while light does actually give great feedback. The only other car I've owned with ride quality anything like the Jag was terrible on the twisties, the Jag is very good.

I love the fact it's unexpected. Especially as mine has no XJR badges. Oh, and wow, overtaking is such a giggle.


However.... for all the things I like about it... it does feel remote compared to my old ST. You felt the bumps, camber changes much more, and the steering was heavier, which helped the impression of steering feel. With the Jag, it's like you sometimes have to remind yourself that you are driving a genuine M5 rival, not just a luxury saloon.

[dan19evans]

go for the VXR8 mate someone down the road from me has got a red one.. sounds like thunder when they start it up

[007 VXR]

O/P

monaro or vxr8

post a topic hear to find out more on these cars

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

[Blown2CV]

still no closer to making up my mind... M5, S/RS4 are contenders, but maybe just a bit old for my (sub £20k) budget. See I loved my TVR, but it was just a bit... impractical? A bit of a faff to get out and use. 2 seats, small boot, anti-winter chassis, propensity to break and potentially kill me at every turn. So, the remainder of that part of me wants a VXR8, with a wortec or similar and a serious growl but with a switch so the neighbours don't start hating me again. However I have always wanted an XJ since I was a kid, and I have loved the XJR for years - and for class it doesn't compare. The Vauxhall's image goes from brash and fantastic to erring on the side of chav when put up against the big cat. I wonder if you can get switchable pipes for the Jag?

[Dimski]

Blown2CV said:

So, the remainder of that part of me wants a VXR8, with a wortec or similar and a serious growl but with a switch so the neighbours don't start hating me again. However I have always wanted an XJ since I was a kid, and I have loved the XJR for years - and for class it doesn't compare. The Vauxhall's image goes from brash and fantastic to erring on the side of chav when put up against the big cat. I wonder if you can get switchable pipes for the Jag?

I'm similar to you, I've always liked XJ and Jags. My dad always insisted that they were just better than BMW, and even though I know now it's not true, I still prefer them.

If it's one you already like, and have hankered after for a while, maybe it's an itch that needs scratched. So far, I love the two natures of the car. The luxury saloon, and quick monster. I took mine (with mountain bike in the boot) up to Brechfa along the B4310 yesterday, and it was great. It really can do twisty roads, if the mood takes Sir.

Paramount performance certain do exhausts.

Paramount Performance

[itz_baseline]

Blown2CV said:

in the blue corner with the shiny shorts and the mohican its the VXR8

I'd go all out and get the VXR8 Bathurst S version. How many BHPs

http://www.walkinshawperformance.co.uk/wp/uk/news/...

[Blown2CV]

good info guys, cheers for that... still none the wiser though. I think its time for some test-drive blagging.

[jas xjr]

Shame you are so far away. You could have a drive of my xjr.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Have you looked at the real world running costs of a typical XJR?
The ones my company owned all depreciated like lead parachutes while regularly landing us with service bills well into four figures.

Be warned.

[Blown2CV]

cheers Jas! Are 4-fig servicing bills the norm? As I understood it from other owners they are a relatively reliable beast, and do not have common issues as such. Perhaps this is just down to cost of parts as these were after all expensive cars when new.

[007 VXR]

vxr8 will be loads cheaper to run

[unpc]

Got to be the Jag. Awesome piece of kit and so much classier than the VXR. By the way, you can get the pipes sorted if you need more noise. My XKR sounds like a NASCAR on full chat. I doubt it will cost more to run either if you're outside the main dealer network.

[Harry Flashman]

If I wanted a V8 saloon toy, I'd be looking for an E39 M5 in Individual spec, mint condition. or a Quattroporte for that feeling of specialness.

Of your choice, I'd have the Holden, I think. Just because it's rarer and that much more of an upstart. Having owned TVRs, you'll understand that.