[mikef]

Apart from the few unlucky souls who had their entire car replaced due to insurmountable teething problems, the XF is now over 2 years in production, and there are several of us who have changed cars to... another XF

I think Chris (duzepiwo) was the first, who went for the full monty Portfolio with all the trimmings (but he swung that as a company car so does that count?)

Baron confused us with his switch; my 2.7 was pinched; Bill (like a true Scot) negotiated a cracking deal... I'm sure there are others too.

WHY?

My 08 2.7D PL presented me with numerous issues, mostly software weirdos, but some more concerning, which came down to poor assembly or insufficiently tested design faults. None of these were helped by the dealer being as new to the car as me, so issues which are now known and rectified or easily resolved were taking days (almost weeks) to sort out.

Why me?
I was only 2 years/40K miles into my 2.7 when it disappeared from my driveway in early May. Once it became obvious that the car had gone for good I did not even consider an alternative
I considered a 3.0S, but the extra 4K didn't seem worth it over the regular 3.0. I test drove both and in normal semi-legal driving conditions I couldn't tell the difference. That doesn't mean there is no difference, it's just down to my driving style.

So why didn't I think about an Audi A5 or A6? or a new shape 5 series? or an E Class? or a pre-loved XK? etc etc.

After an X-Type, then an XJ, then an XF, brand loyalty obviously had something to do with it (support British industry and all that) but there was something else. IMHO the XF is kicking arse in the visual stakes, to the point where no one seems impressed by a Lexus these days (in my small circles). BMs are struggling to get over Chris Bangle's abortions (although the missus has a new Z4 which is fantastic), and Mercs look more staid by the minute (CLS cockroach anyone?).

And pound for pound (buck for buck?) the XF is loaded with toys as standard, is not 'one of the crowd', and is the perfect mix of comfort, performance, style, cache, all of course IMHO

I hear that an XF Estate (wagon) is due soon as well. Is there a better car in the class? Quattroporte for twice the price anyone?

[mercybill]

Absolutely agree mike as is obvious by my spending a large lump of cash on another one, although I do quite like the A5 there was really no contest, I don't see anything else on the road to touch it.


Incidentally although Mike has first dibs on the Kevlar snow socks, I also now have a 2010 nav disc going spare, and of course (wisper it ) a go faster thing y

[Admin]

mikef, on 28 July 2010 - 05:48 PM, said:

After an X-Type, then an XJ, then an XF, brand loyalty obviously had something to do with it (support British industry and all that) but there was something else. IMHO the XF is kicking arse in the visual stakes, to the point where no one seems impressed by a Lexus these days (in my small circles). BMs are struggling to get over Chris Bangle's abortions (although the missus has a new Z4 which is fantastic), and Mercs look more staid by the minute (CLS cockroach anyone?).


I hear that an XF Estate (wagon) is due soon as well. Is there a better car in the class? Quattroporte for twice the price anyone?

Interesting. Supporting the brand i.e 'buying British' or wanting a British car, is a key factor for many, many Jaguar owners worldwide imo.

However to take sales up to the next level the product had to match the desire, or more to the point, the product had to match the Germans.

Regarding the Estate/Wagon? Well the last attempt at the Wagon the X-Type Sportwagon sold poorly in the US - under 500 for the entire year in 2006. Would the XF be different? Is there a desire for an XF Wagon?

[baron95]

I think one of the reasons we are seeing multiple "upgrades" from 2009 models to 2010/2011 by early XF buyers is the tremendous improvement in the new engines. The move from the 4.2V8 to the 5.0V8 and from the 2.7D to the 3.0D engines made the cars much better. And came with a very modest price increase. I personally was itching to move up to more power ever since the XFR was announced.

In addition, I think it is becoming clearer that the 2010 and later XF have substantially less "quality issues".

And yes, the XF, is still style-wise and price/performance and price/exclusivity in a class by it self.

I think that is a powerful 1, 2, 3 punch to make you upgrade early.

As for wagons, that is an European thing, but the US market is all about Crossover for family transport. I think the new Cheyenne has demonstrated that even a tall SUV can outperform sports cars (see Autocar's Cheyenne vs Carrera S). So the days of having to give up a sporty ride for space are coming to an end, and wagons have no intrinsic advantages compared to the latest unibody SUVs/Crossovers.

[mikef]

It was my dealer who told me that an estate/wagon was imminent. They've never been what I want out of a car, but there is certainly a market in Europe for Audi Avants and BMW Tourings.
In the early days of the XF there were some forum members who wanted/needed somewhere for skis (no roofrack, top box or ski hatch). I don't know if Jaguar are going to offer an estate just to "keep up with the Joneses" of if they think they can produce a sporty luggage carrier to widen the market to businessmen in Europe.

I may not be typical (but I think I am) in that I want a luxury car with good performance, without it being a full-on sports car. Occasionally I have more than one passenger, and occasionally I need to carry more than a laptop in the car
I don't have young children, although my grandson might, maybe, one day, need to travel in my car in a car seat. I'll cross that bridge when I reach it, but meanwhile, I chose the XF for purely selfish reasons.

I suspect Tata have the crossover thing covered by LR. The LR Evoque doesn't appeal to me; the traditional (and expensive) Range Rover is daft on British roads; the Disco looks like a brick; but I would be teaching my grandmother to suck eggs if I were to suggest JLR's market direction.

(Now there's a thought: now Ford is out of the way should Tata present JLR as two aspects of a twin brand?)

[mercybill]

mikef, on 29 July 2010 - 04:38 PM, said:

(Now there's a thought: now Ford is out of the way should Tata present JLR as two aspects of a twin brand?)

Or even 3 as we discussed a while back with Range Rover having more of a separate identity, perhaps even selling through Jaguar Showrooms

My dealer has said the estate is definite and should be along soon.

And I totally agree with the rest of your comments, I want luxury with comfort not an all out sports model,

[baron95]

Nothing wrong with wanting luxury and comfort and not all out performance. Very mainstream actually.

However, this day and age, performance is part of the premium luxury equation. All you have to do is look at Rolls Royce, where all engines are 600HP+ and handling is very competent. As it should be.

So long as Jaguar R is somewhat competitive with ///M, AMG, etc, all should be fine.

Though another line of thought says that with the cheapest of the cheap mainstream sedans (e.g. Hyundai Sonata) offering sub 6 sec 0-60MPH and somewhat competent dynamics, the premium/luxury brands need to comfortably top that even in their entry level models.

[duzepiwo]

For me it was a no-brainer.. there's nothing else out there (including a lot of things I couldn't afford anyway..) that interests me. Once the initial problems I had were dealt with, my first XF was just perfect and the only reasons I pushed to replace it were:

1. My first XF had got close to 40K miles, which I perceived as a "tipping point" in depreciation terms (not that it's my worry, as it's not my car... but I am the FD!)
2. The 3.0D was significantly better in CO2 emissions which will save me a fair few quid in tax
3. I just had to have that 'S' on the back!!

Whilst I think it's unlikely I will be changing again in the foreseeable as there's another 15 months to go on the lease, again the only questions in my mind are whether Jaguar will have done a facelift by the time I do change and what colour the next one will be! (Quite fancy the burgundy... )

The XF just hits all the buttons for me...

[mikef]

And now I no longer work in Stevenage we won't be embarrassingly at the same fuel pump

[duzepiwo]

mikef, on 30 July 2010 - 03:04 PM, said:

And now I no longer work in Stevenage we won't be embarrassingly at the same fuel pump

Shame!!

[duzepiwo]

Third time round (all being well...) - it's gonna have to be an estate, assuming they are producing one by then......

.... we just got a dog

[duzepiwo]

duzepiwo, on 01 August 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Third time round (all being well...) - it's gonna have to be an estate, assuming they are producing one by then......

.... we just got a dog

... and the dog's in Lunar Grey to match the car!

 IMG_0068a.JPG (33.75K)
Number of downloads: 7

[baron95]

duzepiwo, on 03 August 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

... and the dog's in Lunar Grey to match the car!

Now just get the wife to die her hair in Lunar Grey and you are all set.

Hope the Cat and the dog get along well.

[andyxf]

duzepiwo, on 03 August 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

duzepiwo, on 01 August 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Third time round (all being well...) - it's gonna have to be an estate, assuming they are producing one by then......

.... we just got a dog

... and the dog's in Lunar Grey to match the car!

IMG_0068a.JPG

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[hutton1969]

andyxf, on 04 August 2010 - 05:26 PM, said:

duzepiwo, on 03 August 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

duzepiwo, on 01 August 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Third time round (all being well...) - it's gonna have to be an estate, assuming they are producing one by then......

.... we just got a dog

... and the dog's in Lunar Grey to match the car!

IMG_0068a.JPG

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Continuing the theme, my cat is in Pearl Grey!

[hutton1969]

hutton1969, on 04 August 2010 - 08:19 PM, said:

andyxf, on 04 August 2010 - 05:26 PM, said:

duzepiwo, on 03 August 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

duzepiwo, on 01 August 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Third time round (all being well...) - it's gonna have to be an estate, assuming they are producing one by then......

.... we just got a dog

... and the dog's in Lunar Grey to match the car!

IMG_0068a.JPG

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Continuing the theme, my cat is in Pearl Grey!

 Pearl Grey cat.jpg (42.62K)
Number of downloads: 1

[duzepiwo]

Cuuuuute!!!

Couldn't have one matching our cats, they're all tabbies

[duzepiwo]

baron95, on 03 August 2010 - 06:44 PM, said:

duzepiwo, on 03 August 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

... and the dog's in Lunar Grey to match the car!

Now just get the wife to die her hair in Lunar Grey and you are all set.

Hope the Cat and the dog get along well.

Baron, I've survived long enough by learning what to ask and what NOT to ask of my wife... if I asked this she'd play punchball with my nuts...

But as she's blonde, she coordinates with the barley leather at least! I'll live with that...

[duzepiwo]

baron95, on 03 August 2010 - 06:44 PM, said:

Hope the Cat and the dog get along well.

She's pretty well-behaved in the car (big cat) to be fair - slept the whole way back from Leeds (about 2.5 hours)

As for the cats (small ones).... they're in a state of shock....

[mikef]

Quote

Couldn't have one matching our cats, they're all tabbies

Here's an early attempt at a tabby Cat:

Attached File(s)

•  xf mule.jpg (168.21K)
  Number of downloads: 10