Jag XF test drive impressions

Rumor is the 2009 Acura TL will offer SH-AWD and have 300hp+ with the TL-S having even more hp...

 

double post

 

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If you consider the supercharged version doesnt that put the E550 in the running and possibly the E63 ?

I have an E55 and a friend has the Jag and IMO the E55 is heads and shoulders above the Jag.

 

Thanks for the post. Can't seem to get by the dealership, but I want to drive the supercharged version. I am currently debating M3, C63, supercharged XF.

 

Get the E550 even over the NA Jag XF...if you go E63 or even CPO on a E55 these two cars are just uncomparable to any XF =) it just might be "too much" car for what youre looking for =)

 

Did you try the E60 with active steering and dynamic drive? I have this set up and I really like the way the car handles. Active steering is great at low speeds - only when you drive a car without it do you realise what a great feature it is, especially around town - the big sedan turns like a go-kart at parking speeds.

 

Good review. Sounds like it is a great car. Let us know what you end up getting.

 

May I ask why?

 

Thanks for the post.

My wife has a previous generation CTS, and I can't wait to get her into the new one.
It's actually the 'weigty feel' that I like the most about the car. I've had BMW 3 and 5
series cars for loaners while my 745 has been in for service and thought they were
all too light, and cheap feeling. Whereas the CTS has more weight, more presence,
and certainly a much better ride, with less road noise. I like the 'settled feel' Caddys
have these days. Plus, it can still be pushed.

But ya, I bet I'd like that Jag too.

Cheers!
Wes

 

Scotty, Mai and I are looking at the same group; we have five cars, all two seaters - and I am getting to be a regular at the rental car place for Chrysler 300s.

So far, we have looked at the Quatroporte and the Audi A8.

Can I ask your opinion on a couple of things -

a) what exacly does that gearshift do - rotate to select the gears, or what?

b) how much smaller is it than the current XJ8? And, did you consider an XJ8 at all?

Thanks, James

 

I drove the XF supercharged a week or 2 back. Really nice car for money, goes like stink. 130 effortless. Handles nicely, I left it in normal mode for everything, no sport suspension or throttle stuff. Brakes good, nice modulation. It was partly wet, so I kept getting into traction control, but it was on normal, and I drive hard. Stuck really well, decent feedback from steering.
Far more characterful than any Benz, sorry. Only cosmetic gripe is headliner looks cheap. Waffle weave vinyl, should be alcantara or better looking vinyl. Try one, nicely balanced, and cheap. Black not it's color, needs metallic. I drove white, it was OK, but didn't do car justice. Reliability of MB and BMW has been suxxor recently. Good luck.

PS, I have W12 Audi, love it, been reliable. Only drawback is that it is hugely long, a bit hard to park. Goes though, can hang tail with work. V8's are nice, lots cheaper. S8 pretty nice too, deals to be had on V8 and V10.

XF is about like GS Lexus vs LS. We have XJ Super, an L, and back is huge. Used XJ8L's a great deal CPO.

Round knob is shifter. Gimmicky, but paddles are great, uses same ZF 6spd auto in QP, XJ, Audi, Aston, BMW,....

 

For what it's worth, I've driven Jags for the last 10 years, over 100k miles, and have had no reliability issues. The cars break no more or no less than any other car I've owned. My suggestion would be that you factor reliability out.

I'd like to drive the XF, I went to the dealership to look and also spent some time in one at the recent car show. The interior strikes me as a bit plain, but I also realize that that was the intent; simple and elegant. It looks like it has more rear legroom than my XJ8, which basically has none. My XJ is tight when my family of 4 is in it, and my kids are only 10 and 12. I guess I'll have to go put some miles on an XF, but I really don't care to deal with the salespeople. I wish I could buy a car without a sales guy.

Interesting observations on the other cars, I'm also in the market and am looking at everything you are. The top 2 for me right now are the Infinity M and the Audi A6. BMW 5 is out, to me it's just ugly. Lexus is out, it's not exciting enough on any level. Mercedes just doesn't do it for me, I see dozens of them every day. I also worry about their recent quality issues. The problem with the Infinity is that the new Maxima will be released in June, so the replacement M can't be far behind. I'll likely buy before the new car is out, and who wants the old model?

 

Well, for me - my biggest worry would not be the reliability either. It would be resale after buying one brand new - especially after TaTa.

I may start looking for a pre-aluminium XJR.

 

I just hit 100K in my 03 X type. I haven't really had any major problems in the 3 years I have owned it.

The XF is a nice looking car, but it just doesn't do too much for me. Maybe it will just take seeing a few more on the road, but everytime I see one I think back to the concept car and what could have been.

 

Trust me, the alloy cars are FAR better. We had an X300 VdP Super that had a wheel wiggle that never would go away. I made them buy it back, I got spanked.

Buy used 05-06 XJR and you'll love it. it is SWB, so less rear room. Jim, do you have XJ, or XJL? Our L is huge in back.

CPO on Jag now is good thing, great warranty over and above factory, and buy in is cheap. 50 state dealers have sold <1500 cars/month for MONTHS. I think they'll deal. The alloy cars, you just put gas in, non-SC versions get 18-20 in town.

Tata, Ford, whatever. Do you think anyone cares who owns what other than us? Look at Maybach. Even Rappers won't buy them, but they'll drop coin for a RR that has a 760 motor? Phantoms have nice resale too

M Infiniti is nice, A6 V8 is great, but look at 05 or later CPO A8.

 

Although I prefer the CTS AWD 304hp FE2 sports suspension I picked up in october over the jag...(but then I'm biased so take it fwiw)

I can certainly see why the XF has its allure. I'm sure the Supercharged XF will be kick @ss.

As far as Mercedes? I think the lease deals on the Mercedes E350 for 27 months will be awesome as the car is about to be replaced.

its a fine vehicle with the sport package but if you can wait to see the new E class you might be impressed.

Good luck deciding and thanks for sharing your insight on the test drive.

 

It seems that you have been luckier than most with your jags over the past 10 years, because they absolutely have more reliablity issues than other cars in their class...this is seen in any auto reliablity survey of owners, repair shops and dealerships....the newer jags the past 4 years are somewhat better but still slightly below par....hopefully the new XF will continue to show improvement.....

 

Mine is an XJ, and the back seat is a joke. It was ok when the kids were smaller, but now that they're geting bigger, I'm going to need more room. I saw a used sapphire blue VDP on the dealers lot a few weeks back, it was gorgeous and has the rear room I need. It's an option. I'm getting about 19mpg in my car, my commute is mostly highway though. Call it stop and go highway, rush hour sucks.

That could be, but I'm speaking from first hand experience with a couple of different cars over a long period of time. I'd buy another Jag without hesitation. Another used Jag that is, no way I'd eat that first year depreciation!