Yesterday I test-drove a Jag XJ

They're good, aren't they? They have an aura of being large cars, but from behind the wheel, they don't feel it.

Now if only it were a diesel... :) Preferable a loud, rough four cylinder diesel. Maybe one of those VAG TDI donks?

LOL.

Price seems a bit steep to me.

That's anywhere between 500 quid and a grand overpriced.

Probably. It was a chance to try an XJ before I test a Daimler.

David

TBH the Daimlers are a bloody disappointment if you're looking at one from that era. Nasty carpet by comparison with the Jag.

The absolute best from that era from a driver perspective were the very few (about three hundred) XJ12s made in the X300 body shape, just before the XJV8 arrived. Full of neat little toys like his and her keyrings that automatically adjust the seat to fit the driver, as well as a steering wheel that moves out of the way when you open the door.

And the engine, in good form, is like a turbine effortlessly punting you out of the sight of lesser mortals.

Sadly the V12 suffers if not properly maintained and since it is damned expensive to maintain most owners skimp and damage it. And of course there's the 14mpg to worry about.

lol beat me to it :(

They're not big. Smallest boot and interior in the class.

Audi A8 is biggest inside IIRC.

Big in a s**te kind of way compared to the Jag.

The A8 is like one of those American minivans inside. All it's missing is the disco lighting in the roof. The back seats are huge, and flat and shiny. If you attempt to drive fast in an A8, all you can hear from the back is screaming as the passengers slip about on acres of nasty over-polished "leather" that's more like vinyl.

To be fair to the A8, though, it'll still be working in 5 years time.

Umm yes, but a reliable sack of s**te is still just a sack of s**te.

there's a A8 not far from me, he can't park it in his drive as it's shared and it stops his neighbour from getting out so he parks it on the grass verge outside. parked next to it once in the local supermarket and it made my BMW 328 look more like a BMW mini! they are pretty long!

To ride in, as others have said, they're not comfortable. The ride is appalling. They're noisy. And I guess SteveH reckons they'll still be working in five years time? Perhaps. But your dentist will be much richer from yon fillings falling out.

Though your spine might not be

I'm looking probably at a LWB Jag XJR or a supercharged Daimler if the budget will stretch. If not it's an earlier 4.0 XJ6 LWB or Daimler.

That's the problem - it's checking that the maintenance has been done.

David

Except I don't want an A8.

If I wanted something that big I'd have got a Vauxhall Signum or Renault Avantime.

David