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I've been having a long, dragged-out, un-car fulfilled mid-life crisis and have been eyeballing that so frivolous, yet desired and necessary third vehicle... A local Jag dealer is advertising a deal: Lease an XK and they will make all the lease payments in 2007... Haven't read the fine print, never leased before. I keep cars 5+ years...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I am sure they will arrive and be clean. But North American ignorance may prevent their success:
"Unfortunately, the German companies' marketing machines are seriously lagging: Americans still perceive diesels as smelly, dirty, and noisy. In truth, the technology has sprinted light-years ahead. I recently drove a Mercedes E320 BlueTec diesel. There was no bad smell, no inelegant rattling sounds. The startup and takeoff were immediate, and the power on acceleration was addiction-forming (diesels produce far more torque than comparable gas engines)."
Hybrid Advantage
Now compare the diesel approach to the way Toyota has already marketed their hybrids. Apparently there are many people who can be swayed into buying a hybrid because of celebrity influence? For Toyota such ignorance is bliss. Dont believe me? Then please read the following:
"Toyota/Lexus has consistently, cleverly, and tirelessly spent an estimated $100,000,000 to make "hybrid" a household word. Based in Los Angeles, EMA is single-handedly responsible for getting droves of celebrities into Toyota (Charts) hybrids. EMA also played a key role in placing the top execs at the major Hollywood agencies - William Morris, CAA, Endeavor, and ICM - behind the wheels of hybrids.
EMA's board is an entertainment industry who's who: Pierce Brosnan, Blythe Danner, Ted Turner, and DJ AM, among 52 others. NBC Entertainment president and EMA director Kevin Reilly says, "Toyota's been a good partner - they realized they needed to make hybrids sexy; we helped." Jim Wiatt, CEO of William Morris and owner of a Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid, says, "Toyota was smart. The entertainment industry plays a leadership role in this country. It's about being able to demonstrate good values."
link title
I was about to call HD to try the new BMW lawn mower! The only thing that would motivate me to cut my own grass! I naturally assumed it would be the best!
Man, this place is moving right along. Can anyone provide Cliffs Notes for the last 100 posts or so? I can't keep up.
;-)
laurasdada, "Luxury Lounge" #1996, 24 May 2007 11:45 am
No sir, sorry to inform you, but the Chrysler 3.5L V-6 has been around since the '93 Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and Chrylser Concorde. Then it was later introduced on the '95 and later New Yorker/LHS.
Yes those versions were less powerful, but Chrysler revamped them for the '99 model year.
Say it as you may, but the competition has moved pass the Chrysler V-6 engines. The 2.7 and 3.5L can't match even the domestic engines for smoothness and effciency.
The GM 3.6 and 3.9's are miles beyond these engines. And the new Ford 35 Duratec trumps them all except for the Japanese-grade(interestingly enough, that where it's made) GM 3.6L V-6
Good to hear from you again. Hope you'll stick around this time, or come around more often.
I have a 5-car garage, so I'm not the best one to answer your question, but I do have a legitimate reason to reply.
We typically don't have the basements and attics here in California that are so common in many parts of the country. So... the result is that a five-car garage like mine can quickly fill up with "stuff" and then become a 4-car garage, then a 3-car garage, and before you know it, there is no garage any more. Most of the time I can get at least three or four in there, but even right this very moment, I can only sqeeze in two. Pitiful, I know.
The Jaguar gets a slot, and the Porsche gets a slot. That leaves the two remaining SUVs, and they are anxiously awaiting their slots to return, as soon as the wife and I decide what to do with all the "stuff" that has piled up where there should be cars.
The SUVs need to be washed more often, because they are hanging around outside and they get dusty a lot quicker. That's another drawback. To prevent any sun / water spot damage, I always get a paint sealant put on all my cars, and clean them often. I totally believe in those paint sealants, but I would never pay for it at the dealership. They'll charge a fortune for what a private detail shop will do for a fraction of the price.
Anyway, I hope that answers at least some of your question.
TagMan
I'm a New Englander (I was never a New Yaukah!!! Not that there's anything wrong with that... Go Sox!), and am the proud owner of a (finished) basement and unfinished attic. So, indeed I have room inside for junk. Yet my humble two car garage barely fits our two vehicles (aforementioned lovely TL, whose interior has generally been praised in every review that I'm aware of. Some don't like the "bubblegum" IP lighting, I do. There's a surprise, huh? And I agree that the light colored plood is a tragedy... And, of course, the de riguer wife's gas-guzzler tall, AWD Camry wagon), lawn mower (why am I the only one in my neighborhood who cuts his own lawn? Oh yeah, I'm wicked cheap) four bikes and assorted detritus (including a box o' Zaino stuff, my paint sealant).
South o' Boston here, we've been known to get the occasional snow (sometimes in April!), which presents my main dilemma. The car that lives outside will not be happy, especially if Mr. Plow-guy comes and builds a not that uncommon four to seven foot snow drift around it. Wouldn't make me too happy, either I suppose. Would I relegate my shiny Abyss Blue TL (0-60 in the 6.0 second range with 30mpg on the highway along with high skidpad numbers! And FWD!) to said driveway, also risking having the evil wife back into it (disclaimer: it is likely that I, too, may bump it. And I'm not sure that "evil wife" isn't redundant) whilst my XLR (OK, that should elicit a few comments. Sorry, I kinda dig it. SL500s are a dime a dozen 'round here. And in your zip code, even moreso), XK or, as I passed (!) on 128 this evening, my bright red 328 GTSi (cue the theme from Magnum, PI)??? Such a dilemma, such a dilemma.
Ok, this is probably why I don't post more. I'm wordy, without actually saying anything. And not nearly as learned as many of the scholarly, erudite and entrepernurial posters here (brightness, I work in your zip code! Was that you in the Ferrari?). But, hey, I'm not being graded.
I'll be in Pacific Pallisades/Santa Monica with la familia visiting my brother/father. The cars I will see, as always, will once again give me pause. I see 'em here, too. Just not as many or driven by folks half my age!
Thanks, again for the resonse, Tag. Others, please feel free to comment if you can. I'm going to go give my TL (quieter, smoother ride than the G35, with a significatnly nicer interior, 2005 comparison time frame of course. Not to mention that everything is standard, including a lockable trunk pass through for my skis) a quick California Dusting. Pollen season here...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
If Honda can make lawnmowers, then BMW can, too!... although BMW's would be with a twin-turbo, and the lawn would be cut in half the time, leaving time to go for a bike ride... in which case the 335i convertible with hitch and bike rack would be a nice way to spend that extra time. :shades:
TagMan
If you haven't already gotten too sick from looking at these pics, here's the article:
link title
You won't see this monstrosity in the showroom for a few years. And I thought the R-Class was as bad as it could get.
TagMan
Ehhh... I don't know about that. Mazda and VW are also quite good at performance oriented FWD cars. As for the TL, in automatic form it really isn't bad. Its no 335 or G35, but you can certainly do a lot worse. With the 6-speed though, when you put the hammer down and the car goes "guardrail here I come!" that's a big problem. Even Motorweek said the car has "the most torque steer we've seen in a long time", and they are shiny happy people that love everything.
FWD also can lead to a big turning circle, and the TL pays a heavy price there. That was one of the major reasons why my evil wife (jk, honey) decided to dump her RX300, it's just as bad as the TL.
While a BMW 328 is a fine piece of work, to me the interior, from an aesthetic standpoint is not a happy looking place. Functional, sure. But a bit austere and cold. Which may turn many folks on...
In black with aluminum trim, yes, I'd agree with you on that. Give the BMW tan leather and wood though, and it looks great. More importantly, the various lines and surfaces form a cohesive unit. The Acura to me seems much more like a shotgun approach of just scattering a managerie of shiny bits in various places with little to no regard as to whether they actually work together or not.
I have an attached two car, and a separate single car. My wife does not like a "man's" garage (read: filthy) so it was a peacekeeping necessity, I had tools everywhere, and the Austin Healey leaked oil like the Exxon Valdez. (Oh, the joys of owning a tri-carb Healey). These days I don't really use the tools anymore, and the Jag tends to keep its oil to itself, so the situation is reversed, the sports car is in the main garage, and the LS is in the separate.
I really hope you aren't seriously considering an XLR. You don't see many of them because they are lousy cars. Nothing says (American) luxury like a folding roof that dumps water on your luggage. And that interior, ugh...with the redesign of the CTS, the most expensive Cadillac will have the worst interior of the lot. Brilliant. Amazingly I was actually following one a few weeks ago. From the back it looks like an STS with the roof cut off, and a sort of tin-can top hat stuck in its place. Not an attractive car.
Blkhemi can certainly attest to the fact that I am not a fan of the SL. "Come on down to Motorworld Mercedes-Benz, we've got loads of lemon law retitled SLs and they are priced to MOVE!"
The XK though is absolutely fantastic. Easily best in class. Remember, there is no such thing as an affordable Ferrari. That new Maser Gran Turismo though, wow what a knockout. If anything could get me to leave the Jag, that would definitely be it.
I'm going to go give my TL (quieter, smoother ride than the G35, with a significatnly nicer interior, 2005 comparison time frame of course.
2007 comparison time though the pendulum has swung far in the other direction. Acura has a lot of work to do if they want even a hope of catching the G, or even the IS, for that matter.
Every time I think maybe a small pick up would be a nice addition I just slap myself and say forget it. Two cars in a three car garage are a perfect fit.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I sure would have loved to see it cut those lawn corners quickly, without any body lean. Oh well, without that option...I'll just let my regular guy do the lawn and spend the additional time right here!
If the design is selling, the others copy, regardless of taste.
One of the few BMW's I would so totally not be interested in.
Thanks for the photo.
Makes me want to run like hell in the opposite direction.
Oh c'mon not even with a good lease deal?
Our MB300D sits in our garage while my wife's BMW 5 series touring and my 3 series sits on our driveway. Our old Benz gets the VIP parking place because of its seniority.
NOT!!! :sick:
As far as torque steer, yup (I have the auto, may go back to stick on next car, if offered. I think I can live with it during my 40 mile daily commute?). As I've been a FWD'er all my life (save for driving Dad's '74 Datsun 260Z
Re: the XLR. I don't disagree with you. This one is irrational. I've had a hankerin' for a hardtop convertible forever. While I don't think the XLR is a lousy car, I firmly believe that for the asking price it is a lousy deal. Hence GM had to cut back production in half after only a year in Production. Yes, the interior is more suited to a Malibu than a flagship, another reason it hasn't sold well. Had they priced it just above the 'Vette, more inline with the (bulbous!) SC430, it may have fared better. And really, who in their right-mind would pay $100K for a GM product (XLR-v)!
I like the exterior style of the XLR, save for the rear end view as you mention. And the grille does look fairly cheap-plasticky. And I agree that while I appreciate the hardtop, it's deployment execution is, well, GM. The rising trunk (the "water wheel", re: your luggage comment) reminds me of the giant spoilers on the old Chapparal race cars. Wow, maybe I don't like the XLR that much!? :confuse:
I figured if I could get a two year old XLR for roughly half the MSRP, that might not be a bad deal. But, that $ neighborhood getw you new BMW 328 HT Convertible, among others. Heck, a Miata HT would probably be more fun... Why am I considering an XLR again? :confuse:
The Jag, aaaaaaaah, Bach (obscure MASH reference, but you knew that). My favorite "critisism" of the new XK has been that some complain that it looks too much like an Aston Martin. My anology is, "I can't believe you're considering marrying that woman. She looks too much like Catherine Deneuve!" If only the XK had an aluminum hard top. And EMC stock was again $104/share...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
"Five Golden Toques...! Four pounds of back bacon, three french toast, two turtlenecks and a beer..."
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
BTW, when I had the two 5 series, before we had the current house, I kept both of them out doors on the street because I did not have a garage or car port in Boston. They survived winters just fine. Dark colors help melting snow fast :-)
A little more seriously though, I can see BMW making a lot of money selling irrelevent junks to the brand worshippers. After all, Ferrari makes more money selling baseball caps, key chains, beer mugs etc. than selling cars.
Perhaps they should look at a riding mower? What would that be, the 'BMW.025'?
It couldn't look worse than that link Tag posted....
The lawnmover comes inside the F3.
TagMan
What about AWD? That would seem to solve the snow issues with no torque steer to worry about. M35x, A6 thoughts?
But, that $ neighborhood getw you new BMW 328 HT Convertible, among others. Heck, a Miata HT would probably be more fun... Why am I considering an XLR again?
The Jag, aaaaaaaah, Bach (obscure MASH reference, but you knew that). My favorite "critisism" of the new XK has been that some complain that it looks too much like an Aston Martin. My anology is, "I can't believe you're considering marrying that woman. She looks too much like Catherine Deneuve!" If only the XK had an aluminum hard top.
Clarkson said of the Jag\Aston connection, "That's like criticizing a bloke for looking 'too like' Brad Pitt". Heck, the last gen XK and the DB7 were actually the same car underneath, a 1975 Jaguar XJ-S.
I know retractable hard tops are all the rage right now, but I really don't think they are worth the huge weight and trunk space penalties (or the J.Lo rear end). I'm just glad the XK finally has an automatic tonneau cover. I think the Jag guys definitely made the right decision to go with the soft top. When you drive one, the last thing on your mind is "gee, I sure wish they could've made this heavier\slower\clumsier".
LG - I've been thinking about this and I keep coming to the same conclusion.... It simply depends on the car. Some cars clearly benefit (appearance and/or function) from the retractable hardtop and others simply don't. I wouldn't want one on my Carerra, but I could see one on a CLK, and I like it on the 335i. And we certainly agree that it doesn't belong on your Jag. Some cars can easily do either soft or hard, such as an SL, or even the Miata, IMO, although I think it is better with the soft top. It's subjective, but I think some of the cars define themselves fairly well. As far as the performance/space factors go, those are additional considerations that are also more important on some cars than others.
TagMan
Here's a blurb from The Wall Street Journal:
Undeniably better looking, faster and sportier than the standard version, the XKR is incredibly fun to drive, provided you're aiming the car straight ahead when you punch the throttle. The thrill rush provided by its 413 pound-feet of torque -- augmented by the supercharger -- is more akin to an American muscle car than anything laying claim to British ancestry. The vehicle's enormity only furthers that resemblance.
If Jaguar had seriously applied itself, the XK could have lost some weight in its transformation to XKR, but alas the opposite is the case. Its extra 150 or so pounds do nothing to prevent the XKR coupe from running 0-60 mph in a very respectable 4.5 seconds, yet they similarly do nothing to help the computerized suspension turn the car into a nimble sort of cat.
As fearsome and delightful a powertrain as the XKR employs, the car itself is just too big and too heavy. The coupe tips the scales at 3,814 pounds and the convertible's 3,924 pounds flirt dangerously close to two tons, which is perhaps to be expected in a car that is 188.6 inches long and 81.5 inches wide. By comparison, a Chevrolet Corvette -- a hulking beast of a sports car itself -- is over a foot shorter, almost nine inches narrower and weighs 600-700 pounds less, despite having a nearly identical-sized cockpit.
That the Jaguar employs a sophisticated and lightweight all-aluminum body, yet still weighs nearly 4,000 pounds, seems to be the kind of patently ridiculous engineering for which the British have long been known. A further example: This 155-mph sports car has a "feature" called ASL (for "automatic speed limiter") that's part of its cruise-control system. It does just what you'd think -- limit how fast the car can go, regardless of any further application of the gas pedal.
There is no room for this sort of conflicted thinking in a pure sports car, which is why those of us who would like to see Jaguar reach back to rediscover the ethos of the 1961 E-Type can't take the XK seriously. The E-Type, the firm's last true sports car, was eventually compromised by some of the same questionable engineering choices that weigh down today's model: a "2+2" seating arrangement that puts a useless back seat in a car that should by all rights be a two-seater, the use of a bigger and heavier engine to achieve greater performance at the expense of handling, and an increased emphasis on luxury content.
Despite its flaws, the new XK still comes closer to resembling what we imagine a true Jaguar to be than anything else to brandish the marque in more than three decades. Imperfect, yes, though its portent at least gives hope to the faithful.
DOW JONES
I live in a condo at the seaside, just at the mouth of the Bilbao estuary. Crossing the lane there is a tiny garden and a golden beach. To the right and left, grass-and-stone cliffs. Good for walking and biking. It snows a couple of times per year, but the snow only stays, for some days, on the hills around. It rains frequently. (Not so much as in Seattle, however
Two people at home: just my wife and myself. Our daughter went to Barcelona for studying architecture and decided to stay there when she got the grade, four years ago. A good opportunity to pay visits there as frequent as possible.
We have stayed before in other Spanish sites; also in Paris, Bonn and Oxford. All of them were not half as nice as the current one.
My windows face west by northwest. So, let my know your shirt color if you came to Bilbao by ship
Regards,
Jose
And, as previously mentioned, hardtop applications can vary. The Miata HT "only" adds ~80 lbs. vs. the ragtop and loses no trunk space. I assume that HT technology/design will continue to evolve as we've gone from the basic two piece of the prior MB SLK to the Rube Goldberg setups on the VW Eos, C70 and BMW 3 (simply saying two to three + piece tops). Couple of really depressing posts by a couple of Pontiac G6 HT Convertible owners in that forum...GM...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
A Chevy Corvette? Seriously? That's the first car they could think of to compare it to? I'm absolutely stunned that the Jag weighs more and can't handle as well as a Vette. Oh no wait, the exact opposite of that. Absolutely no mention of the 4277lb. 650i convertible, or the 4220lb. SL550. Brilliant reporting guys.
For the luxury GT class, of which the Corvette is not a member, the XKR is a very nimble sort of cat thank you very much. You only have to watch Clarkson fling it sideways on TG to see what it can do.
I suppose I shall have to continue to never read car reviews in the WSJ.
TagMan
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I just didn't really get the point of the review. It seemed like the author is still mad that Jag canceled the F-type. No, it's not a pure sports car, nor does it intend (or pretend) to be one.
It's like the author didn't understand the kind of car he was reviewing, like criticizing the S550 because it can't out handle an M3. It's too heavy, but no mention of the fact that its rivals are heavier. A 3900lb. aluminum car is "patently ridiculous British engineering", but no mention of the 4400lb. aluminum A8L. The XK is certainly not without fault and its fine to criticize it, but there should at least be some context.
TM
Germany, now that's a destination I would consider to do ED of my MB, BMW, Audi or Porsche... And, actulamente, I might like to visit Espana. Beautiful pais y I'm told la gente are muy simpatico (y inteligente y guapo!). There, now I've made no sense en dos lenguas!
If I do cruise by, Jose, busca por el hombre wearing a ski jacket!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
LG: I was going to describe my auto-style as more GT-leaning, your style sounds more Sports-oriented. I consider the XK a wonderful GT.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I'm somewhere in the middle. The SC430 is sleep inducing and the SL, imo, feels heavy and a little dull, though I haven't driven the AMG cars. While I liked the 911CS Cabrio I drove, I felt it was a little rough for PA roads, and found the Porsche tiptronic to be badly lagging behind the XK's ZF 6-speed (wife wouldn't let me get the stick, she can't drive it). So ultimately the XK porridge is just right.
His criticisms can equally apply to the BMW 6 series, Lexus SC and MB SL .
Let me just rephrase that: Five Golden Toques...! Four pounds of back bacon, three cars, two turtlenecks and one single garage..."
No offense intended, of course. Just a big fan (obviously) of SCTV! Edith Prickley, Bob and Doug, Count Floyd (oooooh, scary. Very scary) et. al., please come back!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
It's this time of the year (in Phoenix) that I wish I were someplace else, like home.
The current 911 with PASM isn't horribly rougher on the roads than the XK.
Compared to the Carrera, though, the XK becomes closer to a GT.
As far as the SL goes, the latest SL550 is so strong that its increased HP approaches the previous AMG.
TagMan
Indeed.
Do you (or others) think that's the case around here? It appears that some don't, and they're no longer posting.
But let's don't go off another tangent about other members.
Any idea why these new five symbols are still appearing up-and-down on my work computer, while they're somewhat more politely laying down (side by each) at home?
The horizontal arrangement is far preferable.