Jaguar XF: Sex on Wheels -- Seriously

[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by goblue

Hi Jlmartin99,

The bottom line for me is that the Northstar in its naturally aspirated form has similar stats to the 1994 version. Updated, modified, or redesigned, the verb is immaterial.

My issue is that the performance is too close to available V6s with better economy. STS V8s are not selling briskly. I would like to see a Northstar that gives you a compelling reason to choose it over the V6.

As far as the Jag, its a brand new vehicle - I would have liked to see an engine that is somewhere in the top half of the class. Its price is certainly close enough to warrant it.

Something else to consider. Fuel price matters to luxury car buyers. Consider Germany. A number of years ago gas was about $5 a gallon there. Even then, the powertrain of choice was diesel, and very few 540s were sold. With our prices approaching what theirs were, for a V8 to do well, it either needs to offer stellar acceleration or fantastic fuel economy. The new Jag does neither.

I like the Jag, but entering this competitive class - I would have liked to see engine technology that is superior to what I could get in 1995.

Hi goblue,

I understand and most will agree with you in regard to V8 vs V6. In fact prior to the DI V6, the V8 was not the choice of Cadillac STS luxury buyers.

I would say if I want a Cadillac STS V8 AWD, I will need to order one. In a visit to my Cadillac dealership only DI V6 AWD were on the lot. Because I want many of the advance technology features Cadillac offers on the STS such as MRC and HUD which for now are only available on the Northstar V8. I should say for my requirements a V8 is a minimum requirement for my luxury cars. So for me Cadillac's Northstar V8 and V8 Supercharged would be my preference. I am not sure if Cadillac will change the option packages considering gas prices for 2009 on the STS, but it would not surprise me to see the advance technology features being offered to the DI V6.

JLM

[goblue]

Originally Posted by jlmartin99

Hi goblue,

I understand and most will agree with you in regard to V8 vs V6. In fact prior to the DI V6, the V8 was not the choice of Cadillac STS luxury buyers.

I would say if I want a Cadillac STS V8 AWD, I will need to order one. In a visit to my Cadillac dealership only DI V6 AWD were on the lot. Because I want many of the advance technology features Cadillac offers on the STS such as MRC and HUD which for now are only available on the Northstar V8. I should say for my requirements a V8 is a minimum requirement for my luxury cars. So for me Cadillac's Northstar V8 and V8 Supercharged would be my preference. I am not sure if Cadillac will change the option packages considering gas prices for 2009 on the STS, but it would not surprise me to see the advance technology features being offered to the DI V6.

JLM

Hi Jlmartin99,

Thats the issue for me as well, I am interested in this class for my next vehicle purchase, but feel like I either want more power out of the V8 to make up for the mileage, or the DI V6 with choice of all features. The S/C Northstar is an amazing engine, but I checked one out used and the insurance was astronomical. Also, 450hp is more than my requirements. I also would like an AWD unit. In summary, I feel like I'm not getting my money's worth at the 45-50K mark with the current Northstar and am more inclined to save the cash and get the V6, but would like more power for AWD. However, from my seat time I don't find much difference between the DI-V6 and V8. I want more than the V6 delivers, but the current V8 isn't worth it to me.

I will probably end up with the CTS AWD in about a year, and am hoping for an upgraded powertrain soon. With gas prices, I would prefer a turbo to a V8, but as long as its a significant jump over the 3.6DI, I would be pleased. V series is out for numerous reasons (insurance, gas, ride quality, maintenance costs)

[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by goblue

Hi Jlmartin99,

Thats the issue for me as well, I am interested in this class for my next vehicle purchase, but feel like I either want more power out of the V8 to make up for the mileage, or the DI V6 with choice of all features. The S/C Northstar is an amazing engine, but I checked one out used and the insurance was astronomical. Also, 450hp is more than my requirements. I also would like an AWD unit. In summary, I feel like I'm not getting my money's worth at the 45-50K mark with the current Northstar and am more inclined to save the cash and get the V6, but would like more power for AWD. However, from my seat time I don't find much difference between the DI-V6 and V8. I want more than the V6 delivers, but the current V8 isn't worth it to me.

I will probably end up with the CTS AWD in about a year, and am hoping for an upgraded powertrain soon. With gas prices, I would prefer a turbo to a V8, but as long as its a significant jump over the 3.6DI, I would be pleased. V series is out for numerous reasons (insurance, gas, ride quality, maintenance costs)

Hi goblue,

Cadillac's CTS AWD is an absolutely superb luxury sports sedan. I adore so much about this car. I have driven the DI V6, an excellent experience to drive. In fact once the CTS Coupe is available I will trade in whatever sedan I am driving at the time.

JLM

[GoldFish]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

however, who's to say that the XF isn't as "pretty" or "classy" as the S-Type it replaces?

The XF certainly is "inoffensive," however, it is quite striking in person. At least in my eyes. It is a very beautiful car. It doesn't have the high impact look of Cadillacs. It doesn't have the teutonic look of BMW and Mercedes. The XF is subtley muscular while retaining an air of class and sophistication. It is sporty. And the interior isn't brash American, mechanical German, or copy cat japanese. It's distinctly Jaguar.

oh definately .. i do think it's pretty .. and i do also know it's the replacement of the S-type (which actually doesn't count as a "classic" jaguar) and not the XJ, and just as any jaguar lover i don't really care about replacing the S-type ... it's just that this car is the begining, wait to see the rest of the classes follow the same path ... not that the current XJ is that much anyway ... well, i've always kind of hoped they'd do something like Bentley for instance, create the new groove, new groove becomes very successful, sells well, and what about poeple who have always loved and worshipped their classic identity? keep the arnage for those, company happy, poeple happy, end of story.

and as for the XK's aethetics, and the part about the XF's interior ...i totally agree .. the former is gorgous and the latter does speak of Jaguar's heritage.

[GoldFish]

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

Brash American interior? Which one would that be? You crack me up. The CTS, the best American interior in the world right now, is nowhere near 'brash'- it's classy.

i'll have to disagree with you on that .... i'll give you "the Cadillacs interiors have much better quality to them than most of the european cars' ", but classier ... ?

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

The Jaguar interior uses great materials, yes. But it's not anything revolutionary. It's actually quite a bit like the Audi A8 in many respects, from the position of the instruments to the overall look of things.

true .. and they both have great sense of style.

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

It's a nice car lacking in most key areas versus the competition. Only those blinded by the Jaguar greatness of the past can't see that.

and who's to blame them ..

beauty IS in the eye of the beholder ... but this is not a matter of taste it's a matter of classification ... Cadillacs are Blinmobiles (is this what they call it?) but not classy ... they have great quality a fare bit of luxury, but style and classiness is an entirely different issue. Having said that, comparing Cadillacs to Audis and Jags -and actually claiming they're even classier- IS what you might call "living in a fantasy world".

[JBsZ06]

Motor Trends review of the new Jaguar XFR was impressive to say the least.

Seems as though it would be a fine luxury vehicle choice.

[goodcase]

My dad has put this on his list of cars that he's going to consider for his next vehicle.

so far its:

- Maserati Quattroporte
- Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG
- Suprcharged XF

He's kind of all over the board but he likes different things.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by goodcase

My dad has put this on his list of cars that he's going to consider for his next vehicle.

so far its:

- Maserati Quattroporte
- Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG
- Suprcharged XF

He's kind of all over the board but he likes different things.

The XJ is the competitor to the Quattroporte. THough, I guess the XF is capable of running with the Mase.

Quattroporte was a very nice ride. Somehow it was just a little... blah... Hard to describe.

[69Firebird400]

I was supposed to have an XF Supercharged for a week starting next Thursday. But unfortunately, I got a phone call last week that this particular vehicle was going back, so now I have to wait until August 5 for my week with an XF Supercharged. Something tells me it will be worth the wait.

The only disappointment - aside from waiting almost two more months, after I've already been waiting - is that I won't have a shiny new Jag to use for my fifth wedding anniversary next weekend. The consolation prize, however, is finding out that I'm getting a supercharged one instead of the "base" model.