A major newspaper is looking to interview folks who learned how to drive stick in their adulthood, and either fell in love or hated it. Also welcome is any input on why people love to drive stick, and any unusual anecdotes about how you learned etc.
anybody have any seals/leakage. Just noticed power stearing or diff. fluid on garage floor, mostly behind passanger side front wheel, and up in the wheel housing, No warning lights, or change in performance, this is not a small drip, but not a puddle either. (3.0 sport with manual) 3k miles
Drove the X-Type (2.5 Sport, Auto) on Friday, Salesman let me take it out by myself for an extended drive. Nice car, great handeling, defintitly need the 3.0 if getting Auto, few complaints though, too small! I currently drive a '99 A4 and the Audi feels cavernous in comparison. I saw someone comment on wind noise at 65mph+ and it is very prominent in the car I drove, my Audi does it as well, personally I think it is a design problem with the rearview and drives window seals, but turn up the radio or open the sunroof and who cares.
I could not get over how small the car felt inside, the back seat is basically useless (Much like Markhampton I am 6'1" and need a larger back seat which is why I am getting rid of the Audi). Since I like Jag's I went and sat in the XJ8 and S-type (which I don't like the look of, too much like a Tarus IMHO) and the back seat of both cars was not much bigger, not sure what the deal is but for such a big overall car, not alot of interior room. The 5-series feels much bigger and the TL-S is much bigger still, also the GS300.
Also too me, the sport package, while makes for a great handling car, just kills the Jag benefits of the unbelievalbe comfortable seats, the sport seats are too bolstered/stiff for a Jag. Also the fit and finish of the buttons/stalks seemed a little too Ford for a 35k+ car.
Prices are high, but the Salesman I spoke with led me to believe that their is alot of room for negotiation. He was giving me exaples of drive off costs without my even asking of deals signifigantly below sticker.
Did you ever it in the back of your own A4. The interior of an A4 is smaller in almost every way. All european cars are small. The X is dimentionally basically identical to the C-Class, the, 3 series, and the A4. If you need a bigger car either buy Japanese or step up the 5 series, S-Type, or E-Class, all of which are still smaller than the Acura TL or Infiniti I35.
If you don't like the sport pkg. don't buy it, the regular X handles better than almost anything else out there. If you really crave the 17" wheels that come with the sport model, they are available as a dealer installed accessory.
Which part of the S-tpye looks like any ford product. Other than both having 4 doors, tires, and other general similarities the S-Type looks about as much like a Taurus as your A4 looks like a Jetta.
Out of curiosity, I used the "Compare" feature of Edmunds to check the interior room of the X-Type, BMW 3 & 5 Series and the '01 & '02 A4's. Here are the results:
All dimensions are similar, but note the rear space in the X-Type since you thought it was much smaller than your Audi. You will also notice that the BMW 5 Series is not that much larger than either the 3 Series or the X-type, and in some cases, smaller.
Out of curiosity, I used the "Compare" feature of Edmunds to check the interior room of the X-Type, BMW 3 & 5 Series and the '01 & '02 A4's. Here are the results:
----.----.----X----330i--530i--'02.A4--'01.A4 Fr. Headroom-37.3--38.4--38.7----38.4----38.2 Rr. Headroom-37.5--37.5--37.8----37.2----36.9 Fr. Shoulder-54.5--54.4--56.8----55.1----54.7 Rr. Shoulder-53.7--54.2--55.9----53.4----53.4 Fr. Leg Room-42.4--41.4--41.7----41.3----41.3 Rr. Leg Room-34.4--34.6--34.2----34.3----33.4 trunk size---16.0--10.7--11.1----13.4----13.7
All dimensions are similar, but note the rear space in the X-Type since you thought it was much smaller than your Audi. You will also notice that the BMW 5 Series is not that much larger than either the 3 Series or the X-type, and in some cases, smaller.
This car is selling like the perverbial hotcakes. Our only challenge is getting enough of the correct inventory. The factory is still producing odd-ball color and option combinations. But I personally sold 12 X-Types last month and have 6 out already this month. I'm actually taking a day off today but the office has already called me about 2 new potential customers (I'm the internet/fleet manager).
The most common trade in = 3 series BMW, C class Mercedes, Cadillac Seville. This is what you would expect, except for the Cadillac buyers.
Most common comment why they chose the X-Type. "If i'm spending $35K+ for a new car I don't want to see the exact same car on every street corner like I do with BMW, C-Class, ETC."
What do I think of the car? I just bought one myself. Platinum/Charcoal X1, P.Sound, Sport Pkg.
The X- type is more comparable in size to the 5 series than the 3 series. I was originally sold on the 325xi, but found it tiny compared to the X. The 525 was a better size, but has no awd, a must in my section of the world. I've had my 2.5 X-type for 2 mos. now. After 1800 miles, I am very satisfied. The car rides and handles like a dream. Keep in mind that I went from a 95 Blazer to the Jag. I can't get over criticism of the interior appointments by some reviewers. Edmunds called the interior spartan while CR referred to it as elegant I guess they expected a XJ interior @ 2/3 of the price. Fit, finish, and overall quality has been very good. The only flaw I could find is a slight distortion in the extreme right side of the windshield. I ordered the car on June 23 from the dealer. They had a pre-production prototype on display and I liked the look and standard equipment right away. Many standard items on the Jag were extra cost on the other cars I looked at such as the Passat , A4, and 325xi. The dealer in WB, PA treated me like an adult and not like an idiot as the BMW - AUDI dealer did. They warned me that it might take a while. Boy, were they right! I took delivery on Dec. 20. I understand that the factory was busy cranking out fully loaded 3.0's. I saw a number of these sitting on the lot while waiting for my Platinum 2.5 Auto. So far, it's been worth the wait.
A reporter is trying to find consumers who've traded up from mass-market brands (e.g. Toyota, Chevy, Ford, etc.) to luxury nameplates. He says, "I'm not looking for lottery winners, just regular folks who wanted more car." If you have a story to share, please send it to me at jfallon@edmunds.com. It is helpful for you to include your e-mail, phone number and city/state of residence when you respond. Deadline for submission to this one is March 6. Thanks as always for your input!
jburning: I have always found Geico to be more expensive then other companies.
I also wanted to put out there that Jag did not hit the $30k mark like they had said they would prior to the release of the X-type. It is an extreme difference going from $29,995 base to $44,000 which is what I have seen in Palatine, Illinois. It wasn't just a few models that were priced that way. It was all of the X-types on the lot. I was very disappointed at the extreme mark up by Jag and the dealer. I do expect to pay more for extra options, but $14,000 more seems out of whack. This is a car I would really like to buy, but not at those prices. What does the board think? Has anyone else come across this?
I am not a fan of Geico but have been a customer for over 10 years because I haven't been able to beat their prices. I've showed the quote to other companies and asked them to match it but they couldn't. I'm sure this varies from customer to customer and vehicle to vehicle. I don't like their policies but I'll stick with them until I find a better deal.
frohling, I agree with your pricing comments. The problem is that you can't just add options you want. If you want the larger engine thats $6000, to get a sunroof means adding a $2500 package. Want a tighter suspension? Thats $1500 for the sports package. Heated seats is another $1000 or so for the winter package. To get more than 4 speakers means spending $1200 for the upgraded stereo. All of these items are standard on a $32,000 260HP Acura TL-S. I love the X-type, but the only good pricing on one is for the base car with no options. The price quickly escalates to where its up against some pretty strong competition.
I've been reading several balks at the pricing of options, from whom I can only assume are U.S. nationals. The prices quoted seem very close to the Canadian numbers, which is odd because the Canadian dollar is trading around $0.62 U.S.
Could it be that the "other Americans" are getting a better deal than their U.S. counterparts? According to my calculations, using the Canadian prices and the current exchange rate, the three litre option should be going for $4,340.00 in the U.S., not $6,000.00! Or, looking at it another way, using the U.S. pricing, Canadians should be paying $9,677.42 for the larger engine. If that's the case, no wonder you guys are pissed!
I've enclosed a chart with some of the pricing packages offered when I ordered mine for your comparison (Canadian funds). Canadian U.S. 3.0 litre w/auto $7,000.00 $6,000.00 Premium $2,000.00 $2,500.00 Weather $1,000.00 $1,000.00 Sport $2,000.00 $1,500.00 Auto $1,490.00 ? Nav. $3,900.00 ? H.I.D. lights $1,150.00 ? D.S.C. $1,000.00 ?
If you qualify, you should check USAA out. I was in the military when I learned about 'em and signed up. I've had them for 13 years. Great company. Great rates. Great service. I've got car, home, and life insurance thru them. I esp. love fact they waive deductible on windshield repair (not replacement) if you use their windshield repair network. I've probably had 15 free glass chip repairs, and needed only 1 replacement.
faculty, you're correct, and you'll find the same for a lot of vehicles. many imports are far less expensive in canada based on exchage rates. jaguars are one example.
saab 9-3 starts at $26,495 US - exchange $42,153 CDN, canadian starting price $33,650 CDN
MB C-Class starts at $24,950 US - exchange $39,688 CDN, canadian starting price $33,950 CDN
Boxster starts at $42,600 US - exchange $67,763 CDN, canadian starting price $60,500 CDN
S60 starts at $27,125 US - exchange $43,145 CDN, canadian starting price $36,495 CDN
So you can see, there are many great "deals" to be had purchasing in Canada. The problem is getting them back into the US
Johnathon - Since you seem to be well versed in car pricing, indulge me in another pricing comparison. Do the domestics and Japanese cars experience similar discrepancies? - Steve
In addition to more flexibility in option packages, the same car could be had in Canada for ~10% less than in the U.S. The trick is getting it into the U.S. and licensed. It's doable, though, if you know anyone in Canada to establish an address for the initial registration. Getting the car registered in the U.S. after that can be an issue. . .but there are ways.
I found all this out too late. My LS was already on order in the States.
yes, but depends on the car as far as the difference. for example:
Buick Regal starts at $23,365 US - exchange $37,143 CDN, canadian starting price $29,080 CDN
Acura TL starts at $28,880 US - exchange $45,910 CDN, canadian starting price $37,000 CDN
Honda Accord starts at $15,500 US - exchange $24,640 CDN, canadian starting price $23,000 CDN
Toyota Camry starts at $18,970 US - exchange $30,157 CDN, canadian starting price $23,755 CDN
Ford Mustang starts at $17,365 US - exchange $27,605 CDN, canadian starting price $22,795 CDN
The automakers didn't take into account the pathetic cdn $ (as a canadian i can use the word pathetic to belittle myself), and now the prices in canada do seem downright cheap! The cheaper the car, obviously the smaller the difference.
I have a friend you said she saw a new or like new Jaguar with an XJ something symbol on it as well as a V12 symbol. Her husband said that she is wrong and that Jaguar doesn't make V12 anymore. So my question is what did she see? When was the last year Jaguar made a car with a V12 in it? Thanks.
The last year for a V12 Jaguar sold in the U.S. was 1996; that was the XJ12 sedan. The last year for the V12 in the XJ-S coupe and convertible was 1995; the XJ-S was sold in this country in 1996, but only as a convertible with an inline 6.
It's possible (I'm not certain) that the V12 was available in the Jag in other countries past 1996, but that was the last year for it here. Many of these cars tend to be kept in pristine condition by their owners, so it's entirely possible that the car your friend saw looked new but was really several years old. The big sedan has a distinct styling lineage, too, so older ones can tend to look very similar to new ones.
Here in Southern California we also have a fad of people placing badging from "higher end" models on their cars. I see at least one trade in per month where the person has changed an SL320 badge to SL500 etc. This practice seems most common with Mercedes owners and owners of old beat up honda's (Saw a 1980's honda accord on the road today with Acura Integra and Honda Civic badging on it).
The X- type is more comparable in size to the 5 series than the 3 series.
Maybe in the exerior. I drove my e36 bmw ( older 3-series ) to the jag dealer, and i felt the x-type had too little headroom, and the back seat was harder to get into. However, the trunk seemed very large. I would guess it depends on your overall bodytype too. If i had a small torso and longer legs i would have fit better, i think.
for people with medium sized builds, i have to say the x sport seats are some of the most comfortable available. but yes, you do have to fit right both in the seat and the seat back.
jaguars are not made for big & tall men. a friend of mine is 6'4" and sadly came to the conclusion he could never buy and xk8 because he'd need goggles as his eyes are above the windshield. my neighbour who's 6'5" couldn't fit in his girlfriend's s-type. we wee people get the jag benefit!
I am hoping to gather data from others who are, or have experienced the whining noise on their X-types. The reason I am doing this is because I have talked to the service manager at my dealership and he didn't have a clue. I called Jaguar Customer Service and was told that they don't have a clue. I have seen this problem posted many times on other X-Type forums with the diagnosis being a bad bearing in the driveshaft. The difficulty I am having is being able to duplicate the noise for the service department. The following conditions seem to be necessary for the noise to surface on my car, although it doesn't always happen:
1. The ambient temperature must be below 40 degrees F. 2. It occurs within the first 5 minutes, before the car is fully warmed up. 3. Vehicle speed is between 50-65 mph. 4. The noise lasts for only 10-20 seconds and does not reoccur.
The noise is similar to a tuning fork, or rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a wine glass. It is a harmonic sound, but there is no vibration in the steering wheel or anywhere else. The climate control can be on or off, doesn't matter. The tone is constant, doesn't change pitch but it does get louder. Since this problem is dependent on the temperature being below 40 degrees F, New Orleans doesn't have many of those days, especially heading into March. My concern is even if the noise is not present, something could be prematurely wearing. Is the description of my problem anything like yours? If it is, could you tell me what your service departments have done to cure it? I would also appreciate it if you would post your manufature date, located on a sticker on the bottom of your "B" pillar. I would appreciate your help. Jaguar Customer Service threw the problem back in my court by saying they have to be able to duplicate the problem before they will do anything. I will accumulate this information and probably report it to NHTSA, hoping they will open an investigation.
Call the dealer again and tell them to check the driveshaft. We had one X-type with this kind of intermitent whine and it turned out to be the drive shaft.
The temperature has to be just right, and it only happens at startup, and only at a certain speed for 10 to 20 seconds and then it's gone? I just hope my X Type never has anything more serious than that! Most of us with the stereo on and/or the fan for heat or air would never hear it.
re: desertguy - The noise is not what I'm concerned about and it is loud enough to hear above the climate control and audio at moderate volume. What does concern me is that it has been diagnosed as a faulty bearing in the propshaft, by service departments reported by several posters on other Jaguar forums. If the noise is produced by the friction of the rotating bearings, they could either overheat or fail. Just because the noise is only detectable under certain conditions and only for several seconds, doesn't mean they are working smoothly the rest of the time. I would prefer to eliminate any possible bearing failure for the peace of mind I should have in driving a new $40,000 car.
I have a 2000 Lincoln LS, rare manual version, which has been a great car. The only thing that I don't like about it is just a wee bit too little power.
I took a test drive in a X-Type 3.0 sport with the 5 speed. It was a great ride, but the car seemed a fair amount louder than the LS.
Anyone out there owned or drive both extensively and can give a real comparison? Ride? Comfort? Audio Systems?
I leased a 5/99 build LS V6 with auto. I thought it was the best handling car I ever owned and I have owned/leased a lot of varied cars. I now have the XType 3.0 and I believe the cars to be quite similar. I had Flowmaster mufflers and a K&N air filter on the LS and it improved the overall performance. I think you will enjoy the XType. OTOH, you couldn't go wrong with another LS. I would prefer the manual but spouse says no way.
I just picked up my 3.0 Sport 2 days ago. We had a good snowstorm here today (Denver, CO). It was ~10 degrees F this morning and sure enough, I heard the whining noise as I was getting on the freeway. It only lasted a few seconds but was definitely noticeable. It appeared to be coming from the front right wheel. I am also having a problem with wiper fluid constantly coming out of the sprayers when going 30 MPH or more. My car was manufactured 1/02.
Get the '02 A4 3.0 Quattro! Pound per dollar the new A4 blows away the X-Type in very category. Value,features,performance,looks.
In about three years the X-Type might be worth considering.
Due to poor sales though,Jaguar is going to sart cutting lease rates. So maybe you can find a good deal somewhere. The X-Type is overpriced no matter what trim you order it in. Trust me, go with the A4 and you won't be dissapointed.
I have the same problem with the fluid running out on the hood. I wonder if this is a known problem and/or there is an TSB regarding it. I checked the National Hwy site and don't see the problem mentioned.
The dealer is picking up my car tomorrow A.M. to 'fix' the wiper fluid problem and install a CD player. I will let you know if they actually fix it. It is also very annoying how once you use the sprayer, the wipers pause for a few seconds and do one final wipe of the window (basically spreading all of the crap you just cleaned off all over the window again). I'm not going to bring up the whining noise at this point - I want to see if it happens again.
Desertguy, how much is dealer charging for the CD player? My dealer quoted 699.oo for a trunk-mounted changer. Also, I am experiencing the whining noise and am scheduled for driveshaft replacement next week. It seems to occur only when weather is cold and during the first couple minutes on road.
Actually it is I - blehnerz - who is having the CD player installed I had the dealer throw it in for "free" - they are replacing the cassette unit with an in-dash CD player, so it's not a CD changer. Drive shaft replacement? How many miles are on the car? Yuck...
Sorry I misread your #940 blehnerz. Ours has only 700 miles. Ordered 8/01 and took delivery 1/14/02. Build date says 12/01. When I ordered, there was no in-dash CD option. I didn't think the cost of the Premium sound pkg. was a good value. Just wish my sales rep. had told me before delivery that for $200 I could have had the in-dash.
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The wiper fluid problem was fixed (still waiting on what the resolution was). As far as the whining problem, my service manager immediately knew what the problem was and ordered the appropriate parts. Evidently there is some kind of rubber bushing in the drive train that when the temperature gets below 40 F or so, it hardens and ultimately squeals (once it warms up, it stops squealing, which makes perfect sense). He tells me that Jaguar didn't test the car sufficiently in colder climates (those damn British - as if an all wheel drive car wouldn't be popular in snowy/cold climates!). They have a new rubber bushing that is softer for colder climates. Feel free to contact him for more information - he comes straight from Jaguar in Britain and knows what he is talking about.(http://www.peopleford.com/jaguar/service/index.cfm?brand=jaguar&sSubLocation=service_employees).
My wife and I went to Stevinson Imports in Littleton for an X-Type test-drive, and we liked the car, but in the end we never got to the negotiating stage.
How did you like dealing with Sill Terhar/People Ford? Were they willing to negotiate. If you happened to lease your X-Type, I would be most interested in particulars, like the residual and the money factor you got from them.
Sill-Terhar is absolutely fantastic. I can't say enough about my sales rep and the buying experience as a whole. I did about 5 minutes of negotiation with my rep - Marchelle Scaglia (mscaglia@peoplejaguar.com) - and they came right where I wanted them at (mention my name if you talk to her). The reps at Stevinsin were not helpful, had little interest in selling a car to a Gen-X'er (which I am) and ultimately blew me off. I received a fair value for my trade-in (Contour SVT), they offered approximately $3K under MSRP on the X-type, and negotiated a good lease (3 years, 36K). I am leasing a Platinum 3.0 Sport Automatic (I wanted the manual, but couldn't find any in Colorado) - no weather or premium stereo packages. Selling price was ~$39K, residual is 56% and money factor is .0013. I put $3250 down and my payment is $480/month. Also, when you buy a car at Sill-Terhar they spend an hour with you going over all options on the car with you in a special room just off the showroom floor. We even toasted Champagne with Ms. Terhar. You definitely get the deluxe treatment!
Has anybody delt with any dealers in the Chicago suburbs? If so, how were the deals and who do you recomend? I went to Patrick jaguar in Naperville and was quoted list price on a 39 month lease. That's a 2.5 sport, automatic,in-dash CD, X3, and Xenons. I was only putting done $1000. The quote, with tax came to $627.
If you hear what the problem/fix is for the leaking washer I would be interested to know. I have not been in to the dealer yet as I have no other problems but I'm sure getting tired of wiping off the bonnet every time I drive the car.
Comments
Hope to hear from you before Feb 22 via the Talk to the Press discussion or at jfallon@edmunds.com with your thoughts and contact information.
Thanks as always,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director, Edmunds.com
I could not get over how small the car felt inside, the back seat is basically useless (Much like Markhampton I am 6'1" and need a larger back seat which is why I am getting rid of the Audi). Since I like Jag's I went and sat in the XJ8 and S-type (which I don't like the look of, too much like a Tarus IMHO) and the back seat of both cars was not much bigger, not sure what the deal is but for such a big overall car, not alot of interior room. The 5-series feels much bigger and the TL-S is much bigger still, also the GS300.
Also too me, the sport package, while makes for a great handling car, just kills the Jag benefits of the unbelievalbe comfortable seats, the sport seats are too bolstered/stiff for a Jag. Also the fit and finish of the buttons/stalks seemed a little too Ford for a 35k+ car.
Prices are high, but the Salesman I spoke with led me to believe that their is alot of room for negotiation. He was giving me exaples of drive off costs without my even asking of deals signifigantly below sticker.
If you don't like the sport pkg. don't buy it, the regular X handles better than almost anything else out there. If you really crave the 17" wheels that come with the sport model, they are available as a dealer installed accessory.
Which part of the S-tpye looks like any ford product. Other than both having 4 doors, tires, and other general similarities the S-Type looks about as much like a Taurus as your A4 looks like a Jetta.
X 3 5 '02 A4 '01 A4
Fr.Headroom 37.3 38.4 38.7 38.4 38.2
Rr.Headroom 37.5 37.5 37.8 37.2 36.9
Fr.Shoulder 54.5 54.4 56.8 55.1 54.7
Rr.Shoulder 53.7 54.2 55.9 53.4 53.4
Fr.Leg Room 42.4 41.4 41.7 41.3 41.3
Rr.Leg Room 34.4 34.6 34.2 34.3 33.4
trunk volume 16.0 10.7 11.1 13.4 13.7
All dimensions are similar, but note the rear space in the X-Type since you thought it was much smaller than your Audi. You will also notice that the BMW 5 Series is not that much larger than either the 3 Series or the X-type, and in some cases, smaller.
Mike
----.----.----X----330i--530i--'02.A4--'01.A4
Fr. Headroom-37.3--38.4--38.7----38.4----38.2
Rr. Headroom-37.5--37.5--37.8----37.2----36.9
Fr. Shoulder-54.5--54.4--56.8----55.1----54.7
Rr. Shoulder-53.7--54.2--55.9----53.4----53.4
Fr. Leg Room-42.4--41.4--41.7----41.3----41.3
Rr. Leg Room-34.4--34.6--34.2----34.3----33.4
trunk size---16.0--10.7--11.1----13.4----13.7
All dimensions are similar, but note the rear space in the X-Type since you thought it was much smaller than your Audi. You will also notice that the BMW 5 Series is not that much larger than either the 3 Series or the X-type, and in some cases, smaller.
Mike
The most common trade in = 3 series BMW, C class Mercedes, Cadillac Seville. This is what you would expect, except for the Cadillac buyers.
Most common comment why they chose the X-Type. "If i'm spending $35K+ for a new car I don't want to see the exact same car on every street corner like I do with BMW, C-Class, ETC."
What do I think of the car? I just bought one myself. Platinum/Charcoal X1, P.Sound, Sport Pkg.
I've had my 2.5 X-type for 2 mos. now. After 1800 miles, I am very satisfied. The car rides and handles like a dream. Keep in mind that I went from a 95 Blazer to the Jag. I can't get over criticism of the interior appointments by some reviewers. Edmunds called the interior spartan while CR referred to it as elegant I guess they expected a XJ interior @ 2/3 of the price. Fit, finish, and overall quality has been very good. The only flaw I could find is a slight distortion in the extreme right side of the windshield.
I ordered the car on June 23 from the dealer. They had a pre-production prototype on display and I liked the look and standard equipment right away. Many standard items on the Jag were extra cost on the other cars I looked at such as the Passat , A4, and 325xi. The dealer in WB, PA treated me like an adult and not like an idiot as the BMW - AUDI dealer did. They warned me that it might take a while. Boy, were they right! I took delivery on Dec. 20. I understand that the factory was busy cranking out fully loaded 3.0's. I saw a number of these sitting on the lot while waiting for my Platinum 2.5 Auto.
So far, it's been worth the wait.
A reporter is trying to find consumers who've traded up from mass-market brands (e.g. Toyota, Chevy, Ford, etc.) to luxury nameplates. He says, "I'm not looking for lottery winners, just regular folks who wanted more car." If you have a story to share, please send it to me at jfallon@edmunds.com. It is helpful for you to include your e-mail, phone number and city/state of residence when you respond. Deadline for submission to this one is March 6. Thanks as always for your input!
Very best,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
I have always found Geico to be more expensive then other companies.
I also wanted to put out there that Jag did not hit the $30k mark like they had said they would prior to the release of the X-type. It is an extreme difference going from $29,995 base to $44,000 which is what I have seen in Palatine, Illinois. It wasn't just a few models that were priced that way. It was all of the X-types on the lot. I was very disappointed at the extreme mark up by Jag and the dealer. I do expect to pay more for extra options, but $14,000 more seems out of whack. This is a car I would really like to buy, but not at those prices. What does the board think? Has anyone else come across this?
Canadian dollar is trading around $0.62 U.S.
Could it be that the "other Americans" are getting a better deal than their U.S. counterparts? According to my calculations, using the Canadian prices and the current exchange rate, the three litre option should be going for $4,340.00 in the U.S., not $6,000.00! Or, looking at it another way, using the U.S. pricing, Canadians should be paying $9,677.42 for the larger engine. If that's the case, no wonder you guys are pissed!
I've enclosed a chart with some of the pricing packages offered when I ordered mine for your comparison (Canadian funds).
Canadian U.S.
3.0 litre w/auto $7,000.00 $6,000.00
Premium $2,000.00 $2,500.00
Weather $1,000.00 $1,000.00
Sport $2,000.00 $1,500.00
Auto $1,490.00 ?
Nav. $3,900.00 ?
H.I.D. lights $1,150.00 ?
D.S.C. $1,000.00 ?
saab 9-3 starts at $26,495 US - exchange $42,153 CDN, canadian starting price $33,650 CDN
MB C-Class starts at $24,950 US - exchange $39,688 CDN, canadian starting price $33,950 CDN
Boxster starts at $42,600 US - exchange $67,763 CDN, canadian starting price $60,500 CDN
S60 starts at $27,125 US - exchange $43,145 CDN, canadian starting price $36,495 CDN
So you can see, there are many great "deals" to be had purchasing in Canada. The problem is getting them back into the US
In addition to more flexibility in option packages, the same car could be had in Canada for ~10% less than in the U.S. The trick is getting it into the U.S. and licensed. It's doable, though, if you know anyone in Canada to establish an address for the initial registration. Getting the car registered in the U.S. after that can be an issue. . .but there are ways.
I found all this out too late. My LS was already on order in the States.
Oh well. . .
Buick Regal starts at $23,365 US - exchange $37,143 CDN, canadian starting price $29,080 CDN
Acura TL starts at $28,880 US - exchange $45,910 CDN, canadian starting price $37,000 CDN
Honda Accord starts at $15,500 US - exchange $24,640 CDN, canadian starting price $23,000 CDN
Toyota Camry starts at $18,970 US - exchange $30,157 CDN, canadian starting price $23,755 CDN
Ford Mustang starts at $17,365 US - exchange $27,605 CDN, canadian starting price $22,795 CDN
The automakers didn't take into account the pathetic cdn $ (as a canadian i can use the word pathetic to belittle myself), and now the prices in canada do seem downright cheap! The cheaper the car, obviously the smaller the difference.
It's possible (I'm not certain) that the V12 was available in the Jag in other countries past 1996, but that was the last year for it here. Many of these cars tend to be kept in pristine condition by their owners, so it's entirely possible that the car your friend saw looked new but was really several years old. The big sedan has a distinct styling lineage, too, so older ones can tend to look very similar to new ones.
Hope this answers your question.
Maybe in the exerior. I drove my e36 bmw ( older 3-series ) to the jag dealer, and i felt the x-type had too little headroom, and the back seat was harder to get into. However, the trunk seemed very large. I would guess it depends on your overall bodytype too. If i had a small torso and longer legs i would have fit better, i think.
dave
jaguars are not made for big & tall men. a friend of mine is 6'4" and sadly came to the conclusion he could never buy and xk8 because he'd need goggles as his eyes are above the windshield. my neighbour who's 6'5" couldn't fit in his girlfriend's s-type. we wee people get the jag benefit!
for the noise to surface on my car, although it doesn't always happen:
1. The ambient temperature must be below 40 degrees F.
2. It occurs within the first 5 minutes, before the car is fully warmed up.
3. Vehicle speed is between 50-65 mph.
4. The noise lasts for only 10-20 seconds and does not reoccur.
The noise is similar to a tuning fork, or rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a wine glass. It is a harmonic sound, but there is no vibration in the steering wheel or anywhere else. The climate control can be on or off, doesn't matter. The tone is constant, doesn't change pitch but it does get louder. Since this problem is dependent on the temperature being below 40 degrees F, New Orleans doesn't have many of those days, especially heading into March. My concern is even if the noise is not present, something could be prematurely wearing. Is the description of my problem anything like yours? If it is, could you tell me what your service departments have done to cure it? I would also appreciate it if you would post your manufature date, located on a sticker on the bottom of your "B" pillar. I would appreciate your help. Jaguar Customer Service threw the problem back in my court by saying they have to be able to duplicate the problem before they will do anything. I will accumulate this information and probably report it to NHTSA, hoping they will open an investigation.
Mike
Mike
I took a test drive in a X-Type 3.0 sport with the 5 speed. It was a great ride, but the car seemed a fair amount louder than the LS.
Anyone out there owned or drive both extensively and can give a real comparison? Ride? Comfort? Audio Systems?
In about three years the X-Type might be worth considering.
Due to poor sales though,Jaguar is going to sart cutting lease rates. So maybe you can find a good deal somewhere. The X-Type is overpriced no matter what trim you order it in. Trust me, go with the A4 and you won't be dissapointed.
Please respond by March 9 to lordusky@aol.com
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If it helps, my father is an attorney and also my business partner...
Bill
kirstie_h
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Edmunds.com
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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The wiper fluid problem was fixed (still waiting on what the resolution was). As far as the whining problem, my service manager immediately knew what the problem was and ordered the appropriate parts. Evidently there is some kind of rubber bushing in the drive train that when the temperature gets below 40 F or so, it hardens and ultimately squeals (once it warms up, it stops squealing, which makes perfect sense). He tells me that Jaguar didn't test the car sufficiently in colder climates (those damn British - as if an all wheel drive car wouldn't be popular in snowy/cold climates!). They have a new rubber bushing that is softer for colder climates. Feel free to contact him for more information - he comes straight from Jaguar in Britain and knows what he is talking about.(http://www.peopleford.com/jaguar/service/index.cfm?brand=jaguar&sSubLocation=service_employees).
How did you like dealing with Sill Terhar/People Ford? Were they willing to negotiate. If you happened to lease your X-Type, I would be most interested in particulars, like the residual and the money factor you got from them.
Thanks for the info. It's very helpful!
If you go back there, talk to John Yueh. He is young, very smart, and loves cars.
I ended up (no trade) with first month and security deposit down, on a car with X1, 3.0 standard, and am paying 458.00 on lease for 24 months.
The money factors are still great. I don't know, however, if they are still offering the 2100.00 incentive.
Brent