New Car For SWMBO (RX-8, or a ???)

[Bush Tucker Man]

It went back to the main-dealer this morning.


"Why?" you ask?


It needed washing :lol: :lol:





















No seriously.
There was spring that had become detached on the passenger seat & was pressing up into the leather, so we got them to dismantle the seat & sort it out.

We got a fairly nice '08' plated (700mile) X-Type 2.2.
It was quite nice, but does drive like it's close relation - the Mondeo

[stuvy]

We got a fairly nice '08' plated (700mile) X-Type 2.2.
It was quite nice, but does drive like it's close relation - the Mondeo

thats because it built on the same floor plan, take a look at the steering wheel controls, straight out of the mondy!

[Bush Tucker Man]

We got a fairly nice '08' plated (700mile) X-Type 2.2.
It was quite nice, but does drive like it's close relation - the Mondeo

thats because it built on the same floor plan, take a look at the steering wheel controls, straight out of the mondy!

I know, that's why I said it

[Bush Tucker Man]

We got a fairly nice '08' plated (700mile) X-Type 2.2.
It was quite nice, but does drive like it's close relation - the Mondeo

thats because it built on the same floor plan, take a look at the steering wheel controls, straight out of the mondy!

I know, that's why I said it

It was the 2.2 diesel (Ford TDCi), 6-speed manual gearbox, black leather seats, black 'Piano' wooden inserts in the dash.

T'was nice, I'm not that keen on the estate varient, but this was okay

(still not entirely sure on the concept of a Jaguar diesel, it seems 'at odds' with their ethos?)

Click on pic to enlarge

[Bush Tucker Man]

Wish ours was this colour  :|

That's it! hup some Deutsche butt ;D ;D

Two to One verdict (& one wavering towads the XKR)



http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=whH_iJ9qGk0

[Bush Tucker Man]

I took the brother-in-law on Wednesday evening, as he hadn't seen it, and Joanne said to take him for a ride, not that I took much persuasion to get the keys ;)

At one point during a 'full-bore (from feet off/walking pace) to the posted 50MPH limit, I saw 1.5MPG :shock: :shock: (for a couple of seconds)

Having said that, it still gives me the contented feeling of wanting to 'waft' about in it, not go silly.


Another thought is that it might be interesting to try the old trick that Carroll Shelby used to perform when demonstrating the Cobra to prospective customers (& journalists)
He used to tape a $10 bill to the sun-visor & challenge people to grab it under full-acceleration, when their arms were being forced into their laps.
I mightbe tempted to try it with with one of my collegues who's not used to a fast car :dance:

[Bush Tucker Man]

'Strike 3' to us this afternoon  ;)


We'd been to White Rose Shopping Centre on the southern outskirts of Leeds.

The way back to the M62 is an uphill dual-carriageway, & normally quite busy.

We were in lane 1, & closing up on a Meriva (or some such) that was being driven a few MPH under the posted speed-limit.

Peugeot 306 'Chav-mobile' in lane 2, 'over my shoulder', who accelerated as I indicated to pull out from behind Meriva.

I backed off. So did Chav (with giggling mates in back - all in baseball caps :roll:)

'Sport-Mode' selected (sharper throttle response), I indicated, Chav picks up a couple of MPH.

Amelia waved 'bye-bye' to Chav through the back-window as 'Starship XKR' goes to warp-speed (just up to speed-limit) & disappears through the gap :twisted:


We got to the traffic-lights at Tingley roundabout, Chav now in next lane won't even look in our direction :lol: :lol:
Aahh, such good fun; Chav-baiting :clap:

[Blue72]

thats really good reading...my missus likes RX8s and XKR's too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

how old is it? it looks a beaut!!

Cheeres

ANdy

[Bush Tucker Man]

You might not believe this, but............

I'm getting bored with it.

It's too slow :shock:

I'm not on about the top speed, if I ever got anywhere near that, I'd deserve whatever fine I received

No, the acceleration now seems almost pedestrian; be it 'away from the lights' (up to the posted speed limit), or in 'kickdown' for overtaking/lane-chaging on m-way)


I guess, I've just got used to it 8-[

[Bishops Finger]

BTM...Did you see the Corvette write up in yesterdays Times...?

[Bush Tucker Man]

BTM...Did you see the Corvette write up in yesterdays Times...?

No, I didn't but it's on the website by now.

ZR1

0-100MPH in 7seconds :shock:, that's almost superbike quick!
(our is road-tested at 12.6)

[thermidorthelobster]

My dad's toying with the idea of an XK8, on the basis that you can pick one up for not a huge amount of money.

Shame, if I had a garage to keep it in he said he'd have gone me one :(

Anybody any opinions on the XK8?

[Chris Putt]

If your bores of the XKR, Strap Yourself into and M5 instead.

I know your all going to start whinging that its a BMW, and yes before having driven one (actually a 540i M- But close enough) I would have said the same- But trust me, once you have experienced the fluidity and unrelenting power I dont think you would ever go back.............

[Bush Tucker Man]

I know your all going to start whinging that its a BMW

That's more than enough reason for me to say "No!!"

My dad's toying with the idea of an XK8, on the basis that you can pick one up for not a huge amount of money.

Shame, if I had a garage to keep it in he said he'd have gone me one :(

Anybody any opinions on the XK8?

Lovely cars!
Superb interiors, but not good if you ever take any rear-passengers. Personally I wouldn't want to travel any more than a hour without a stop for a stretch

Large boot for the car, get plenty of stuff in

Okay, they're ultimately slower than a XKR, but in most 'real-world' situations, it won't make a difference, however, the XKR has more torque by 1600RPM than the '8' provides at its peak!!! (bar for very rapid overtaking)


We tend to see perhaps 20MPG as an average, & that includes 'school-runs'. It had a trip to Newport (near Cardiff) a while ago & managed a 'guesstimated' 32/33MPG at a decent m-way pace

Servicing;
Find a good independant, once any warranty has expired.
Mindst you, we bought ours from the local main-dealer (Hatfield -Wakefield) & got exemplary service.
Two new rear tyres fitted as part of the PDI,as they were showing 4mm tread!! (255/45 x 18 Continentals)

It's been back for;
A spring on the passenger seat sorting out, before it penetrated the leather. We received a '08' plated X-Type as a courtesy car :clap:

A warning light showing for the ABS/Traction Control. A faulty sensor was ordered & changed whilst we waited :clap:

[thermidorthelobster]

If your bores of the XKR, Strap Yourself into and M5 instead.

I know your all going to start whinging that its a BMW, and yes before having driven one (actually a 540i M- But close enough) I would have said the same- But trust me, once you have experienced the fluidity and unrelenting power I dont think you would ever go back.............

Had a ride in a brand new one recently.  Not impressed actually;  it was certainly nippy, but I found the whole thing rather bland.  Maybe it's different if you're driving it!

[Bush Tucker Man]

If your bores of the XKR, Strap Yourself into and M5 instead.

I know your all going to start whinging that its a BMW, and yes before having driven one (actually a 540i M- But close enough) I would have said the same- But trust me, once you have experienced the fluidity and unrelenting power I dont think you would ever go back.............

Had a ride in a brand new one recently.  Not impressed actually;  it was certainly nippy, but I found the whole thing rather bland.  Maybe it's different if you're driving it!

Despite the recent 'turn-about' by Clarkson over the attributes of varying marques drivers, I'd still go for the Audi RS4 over the Heink.., sorry, B*W

However, a VXR8 (yes!!!, a Vauxhall :shock: Well, a Holden really) would be very..... interesting :-k
(sadly the nearest authorised dealer is in Tyneside)

Failing that, Joanne (like me) fancies an Aston-Martin next time

[thermidorthelobster]

Tried to book a test drive of XK8 / XKR today and spoke to a series of dealers who have one but it's out with a customer / in for MOT / on loan to another garage / right at the back of the yard / etc etc.  2 dealers within a few miles of me have both in stock, but test driving them is turning out to be a bit of a chore.  Maybe I should just lie and say I'm a cash buyer and see if that wakes them up.

[Bishops Finger]

Given that carrot crunch thingie the BBC's on about ..why don't you ask the salesman to focus his attention by getting the dealers sales manager to phone you...

[Bush Tucker Man]

I saw someone out in a XK8 convertible this morning, in a very nice light green too!, whilst doing the 'school-run'

I reckon he was concentrating hard if his route took him over some of our ungritted/lightly travelled roads, as even the slightest frost can get the T/C lights flashing if you're even slightly harsh on the accelerator (pulling out of a side-road,etc..)

Mindst you, it must be an 'outside car' (ie; not garaged overnight) as it had a light covering of snow


Whilst it's not too bad here at the moment, just very thin slush, our XKR is staying in the garage
After all, it might be someone else who slides into me [-X


(it's only been out twice in the past fortnight, the last time was last Thursday afternoon for the 'schoolrun')

There's a few more pics here of ours (click on pic to open album)




Digressing
For your 'delight & delectation', eh Dave?

1. How about a totally refurbished/rebuilt E- KR??

2. Jaguar Enthusiasts Club

3. XK Enthusiasts Club (some nice motors in the 'classified)

4. Jaguar Drivers Club

5. "This Jaguar's Got Some Serious Growl!"

6. Paramount Performance

7. Jaguar Fuel Conversions (who previously used to fit the Nissan diesels to the XJ40. Honest!!!)

[cardiff_gareth]

You know if your getting bored of it you could always part chop it for something with a few more horses under the bonnet, maybe something like this:

[Bush Tucker Man]

You know if your getting bored of it you could always part chop it for something with a few more horses under the bonnet, maybe something like this:

Hold on!

I'll just check my 'allowance' for this week.

Nope, sorry.

[cardiff_gareth]

You know if your getting bored of it you could always part chop it for something with a few more horses under the bonnet, maybe something like this:

Hold on!

I'll just check my 'allowance' for this week.

Nope, sorry.

I don't think my allowances will ever stretch that far  :lol:

The Jag you got looks very nice, I love the lines on them, my mate has a 'S' type Jag, I like winding him up by saying its not a proper Jag 

[thermidorthelobster]

I eventually managed to find a dealer who would actually let me test drive one without me actually waving wads of cash in his face.  He was not exactly gracious about it but at least I got a go.

Drove a 4.2 XK8 Convertible.  Liked it a lot;  very quiet, smooth, comfortable, lively when you press the loud pedal.  You could buy the older 4.0 equivalent for about 8 grand for a reasonable mileage/condition;  this seems a lot of car for the money.  The 4.2s go from about 12 grand.  XJRs seem to be another few grand on top of that.

I'm not buying, but I hope my old man will...  Shame as the insurance for limited mileage wouldn't be any more than the Disco!

[Bush Tucker Man]

I eventually managed to find a dealer who would actually let me test drive one without me actually waving wads of cash in his face.  He was not exactly gracious about it but at least I got a go

Our local main-dealer was more than happy to simply get the trade-plates on it when we initally test-drove it

Drove a 4.2 XK8 Convertible.  Liked it a lot;  very quiet, smooth, comfortable, lively when you press the loud pedal.  You could buy the older 4.0 equivalent for about 8 grand for a reasonable mileage/condition;  this seems a lot of car for the money.  The 4.2s go from about 12 grand.  XJRs seem to be another few grand on top of that.

I'm glad you liked it, thought you might :clap:

I'm not buying, but I hope my old man will...  Shame as the insurance for limited mileage wouldn't be any more than the Disco!

There's 3 drivers on the policy, & we pay £570 Fully Comprehensive.

Joanne; (main driver) 40, full licence since 1989, 3 points for speeding (expired since taking policy out) & 'business cover' for her
Me; 43, full licence since 1983, clean since gaining it.
Father-in-law; (who almost begged to go on it) 62, full licence for 40 years?, 3 points for speeding, PSV & HGV licences.

So, I reckon it's a reasonable premium, given the vehicle (& possible cost of repairs)

[thermidorthelobster]

I tried the local main dealers but no joy;  they only had the new model in stock.  There are lots available around here but most of the independent dealers work out of a yard and don't want the hassle of digging the car out from the back of the yard unless you're actually planning on buying it.  Fair enough they don't want to waste their time, but how can you decide whether you're interested in buying if you've never driven one?

This is the one I drove:
http://tinyurl.com/6p8vpo

[Bush Tucker Man]

. 
There are lots available around here but most of the independent dealers work out of a yard and don't want the hassle of digging the car out from the back of the yard unless you're actually planning on buying it.  Fair enough they don't want to waste their time, but how can you decide whether you're interested in buying if you've never driven one?

I had the same problem a few years ago when I was looking to buy a Discovery (2002), I'd found one that 'ticked all the boxes' & 'rang all the bells' (300 Tdi, manual, electric windows, no air-con, no sunroofs, 5 seater)
The dealer wouldn't take it out of the showroom unless I gave him a solemn word that I would definately buy it (subject to test-drive)
So, obviously we walked away (it was still in there 5 months later!)

[thermidorthelobster]

Test drove another today, the guy couldn't have been more helpful.  Just gave me the keys and let me get on with it.  Nice car actually;  04 reg, 4.2 soft top, 28,000 miles, advertised price 14 grand.