Owing to my determined interference with fleet management at work, I'm currently tooling about a Jag XF 2.2d demo car in premium something-or-other spec.

It's a nice enough car, well put together, quiet, refined, surprisingly quick for a big car with a relatively small engine, even a touch sporty, but still 'just a car'. There's no stand-out feature that really makes me want to own one, so other than some misguided notion of patriotism, or it not being one of the default German marques, or snobbery (none of which come into my car buying decisions), I can't help thinking that £37k is a lot of money for what a Vauxhall Insignia can do most of.

Sorry, there was no real point to this thread, other than relief of my boredom. I think I'm just in a difficult mood tonight. Feel free to discuss though, if you're bored too?

 

I think it's a pretty car (mostly because it conforms to my notion of an expanded Mazda Xedos 6, which is what I've been banging on about Jags should look like for about 20 years before Jag realised) and I understand the ride/handling compromise is actually quite good.

But yeah, it's probably to do with most modern cars being very Mogadon and ultimately thus all rather samey to drive, for the most part.

Yeah, tis better to look like a senile ol' c unt than a brachiating bell-end, like one inevitably does in most German bling these days. Or Range Rovers, come to that...

Although seriously, it's about the only non-German E1 segment option, aside form a Lexus or a car no-one's ever seen.

 

I think to compare it to an insignia is a disservice. It's not WHAT it does, per ce, more how it does it. The looks, the feel, the sense of occasion (ok I can see the raising . lowering shifter knob getting tiresome after a while, none more so than the day the lift motor packs in and you're stuck with no gears).

Besides, you can easily spend 37k on an Insignia if you put your mind to it. Then which would you rather..?

 

The point I was trying to make is that the Jag just doesn't have that sense of occaision, Keith. It's an ordinary car, albeit a nice one. Maybe a petrol V8, or even the bigger diesel engine, would make a difference, but the 2.2d is still a £37k Jag and it doesn't feel like twice the car compared to a mainstream saloon that costs half the price.

The point about the Insignia was that if you just want comfortable transport, it does the job well enough. The Jag is better, unquestionably so, but not twice as good, it doesn't command twice the price to my mind.

That said, I have enjoyed the smug satisfaction I get from a condescending sideways glance at thrusting execs in their default choice white A4's; regardless of the car's pros and cons, the Jag badge has some clout with that set

 

What you'll get for your money is not much, its the age old best of the shit vs shittest of the best
37k, you can pend that on a Golf now. Hence why neh f@#ker buys new cars.

I think if you want nice, safe family transport its an option. I cannot abide he current downsize movement though. 2.2 could be the kerb weight ffs

I like nice interiors but not that much

I agree with Nick, it looks quite nice, understated elegance compared to Mercs with daytime running leds and max power tat

 

I suppose the flip side is that it shows how far "mainstream" cars have come in the last decade...

I do like the XF...but I ADORE the XJ...

 

I'd happily grow old with an XKR

 

Roll the clock back a few years, I suppose it's the equivalent of buying a Granada with the old 2.1D Peugeot/Indenor asthma lump. Everyone THINKs it's an executive car, but it's not really.

I don't care about hydraulic/smart engine mounts; a straight-four is still a straight four & feels tingly and has no useful power band. A boxer four or V6 is the minimum requirement.

Otherwise, there is, as you suggest, very little engineering difference between premium & plebian these says.

Remember an Opel Old Spice is a Buick in the US and thus semi-premium!

 

To be fair, now I've been driving it for a week, my attitude to the Jag has improved. The 8 speed auto is smooth, it has the most effective stop-start system I've come across so far, and despite being a smallish 4 pot diesel, it shifts along a lot faster than it deserves to.

The car has done 15k, which I know isn't a great deal of mileage, but most of those will have been in the hands of an animal like me, trying to kick the arse out of it, but nothing at all rattles, shakes or vibrates, and there's no sign of any give in any of the fittings or switch gear.

So, it's not everything that a Jag should be, it needs the big engine for that, but it is a good car. I wouldn't buy one, but I wouldn't complain if the man didn't turn up to take it off me tomorrow

 

The XF depreciation curve has been freightening.
I wouldn't.