Jaguar Cars (not Special)

I actually think the sedans look quite nice. Here in the U.S they offer a bit of a change from the typical German and Japanese offerings. Its a very competitive market and I'm not sure how well they do in terms of engineering prowess and quality control.

I guess it's shame they've become successful...  I wonder if their market share is the same as those halcyon days though?

Clay, we Brits have the equivalent JD Power survey over here, and Jags come out pretty well (no.2 spot I think this year). They are lacking in competitveness when it comes to emissions against the Germans, but they are a great drive by all accounts.

It could be argued they were rare then because nobody bought them. Nobody bought them because...they were not very good. They were unreliable, and uncompetitive.

I still think the brand image is rather fogeyish but the XF does have a lot more appeal than anything they have prodcued in ages and I'd say well done to them.

'Rare and exclusive' means 'out of business' unless you are selling at the absolute premium end of the market.

Jaguar are having a fantastic time and all the power to them - why knock another great british brand because of success.

The reason they were popular back in the 60's and 70's is in this song.

Errr.... They are an Indian car company.

Frankly I'd take any Jag above the German competition because they are so beautiful.  The interiors of a car are the bit I get to see everyday while driving it and I always find German cars incredibly plasticky and ergonomically poor (with the exception of Audis until a few years ago).  British cars like Jaguar are so much better inside than their competitors that it astounds me that anyone in the market for a large saloon would ever buy a Merc or BMW. 

Jaguar seem (along with Land Rover) to be going from strength to strength on the back (of one hopes) excellent engineering and reliability to go with the stunning looks.  If this is indeed the case it will be a first for Jaguar and they ought to be unassailable in the exec car market.

Jonathan

It's all personal taste. One of my liftshares has an S Type and the ergonomics are atrocious, the visibility over the driver's shoulder is poor, and it feels like a sofa on castors. It doesn't compare to my Merc, or the other liftshares' E39 or Passat. It's an interesting car, but no way will I be buying one over an E or 5. I hope the XF is in a different league all together. 

Tony

I have an XFR and though it was an impulse buy (good deal at end-of-month on the demo), I've been smiling every day since.  It's an absolute joy to drive - very tight but not so tight that every crack in the pavement stings your backside (a la Porsche).  And the launch, at 510 bhp, is hugely grin-inducing.  Of course, I wouldn't class this puppy as being at all "green".

Another unexpected positive is the B&W soundsystem - far and away better than the B&O in my last Audi.

I've driven jags off and on for the last decade (XK8 and now XK), and they get under your skin. Every petrol head needs to own an Alfa Romeo (might as well get it out of the way sooner rather than later I reckon) and then, depending on style, you veer either towards Porsche or Jaguar (unless you are very wealthy indeed) as the aspiration. 

Now that modern Jaguars are actually reliable, suddenly the attraction is easier to spot.

It'll tease you when you get behind the wheel, and sooner or later the electrics will play up, but it will make you smile. Every time.

On ne vie qu'une fois, as they say where I am.

My father has an XJ8 sports which is nice but not as nice as my best mates MK2 3.2L in pearl blue....makes a fantastic sound when accelerating!  G

I used to buy cars for the "driving experience".  Now, at 55, I am interested mainly in safety (especially during the winter) and comfort. 

I looked carefully at Indian owned British cars, but settled on Chinese owned Swedish.  Well, to be fair, Ford owned Volvo when we bought our 2004 XC70 and our 2007 S80.  

Not planning on anything new anytime soon, but I am impressed that Chevy Volt owners are averaging 900 miles between fill ups.  And those who drive primarily in the city are going as far as 4000 miles!   My next vehicle cannot run on petrol alone...

Hook

If my next car can't run on petrol then it won't be my next vehicle!

what's not to like?

Not particularly interested what is perceived as special and what isn't. If something appeals to me I will look into it and the XK is on the short list for next time. I think the XJ has a lot of showroom appeal but in places the veneer is thin. Great engine (the V8 anyway), poised and sorted driving dynamics, but the seats are thin and the clocks look low rent, as does the central navigation and communications screen. You can feel where the money has been shaved off and this is a pity. I have not yet sat in an XF where I could find a good driving position, although I have yet to sit in the R.

Happily it's currently a moot point. I run my cars sympathetically into the ground and with luck my current Seven will take some years to become nonviable. But you've got to have a plan for next time.

Never owned one but Jags are cool...except the Mondeo chassied models. Hook I'm with you. Although 10 years younger than your good self, the Volvo XC60 I recently bought is fabulous. Last weekend I drove 1000km without an ache. Safety wise it ticks all the boxes and the doors are like those off a bank vault. However for Sundays It's still my 1987 911 for that raw-drive experience. I'm in the best of both worlds car wise

Hi James -

You really do have the best of both worlds!

Like most premium car brands, Volvo tries to make the service experience a pleasant one.  Our local dealership is very low pressure on sales, and has a beautiful lounge with wi-fi and a huge fireplace to try and make customers comfortable while waiting.  Our cars came with free oil changes for life, so I visit pretty regularly, and have seen the same folks since 2003.  During the last scheduled service for our XC70, our sales guy offered an XC60 test drive.  It took about 5 minutes before Mrs. Hook proclaimed it our next vehicle! 

I would love to own something sporty and fun, yet cool and vintage, to "toss around" on summer weekends!  Your 911 sounds perfect!  Never say never, but in recent years, seems like other stuff is always taking priority...

ATB.

Hook