USED Jaguar XF Saloon (07 - )

My car

I have owned my Jaguar for 10 weeks of which 5 weeks the car has been off the road! I like many new owners looked for something different to my usual allegience to the German brands and frankly wish I hadn't bothered! how they score so well on JD and magazine reviews stagger me! I have had 1 demo and 2 loan XF's and my own and not one has been rattle free - the build quality is simply disgraceful for a car that costs this much and something I have never experienced with the German brands! Also, mine has a fault(vibration at speed under braking) that can't be fixed and has been referred again to Jaguar HQ - sadly for me owning the new plate has meant driving none stop loan vehicles on older plates! Jaguar for me have done little to nothing to help - they don't call or keep you up to date and seem to think it is acceptable to leave customers wondering what is happening with their £40k investment! The centre console heats up to the point it is like a radiator but guess what its a 'quirk' of the XF that all do! AKA bad engineering! The seats are not comfy on long journeys and the stereo is rubbish! I had a merc C class sport before this which totally puts this car to shame in all areas! You will be impressed with a test drive but trust me test it for a LONG time and you will save yourself from a big mistake that sadly I made!

My car

What a fabulous car. Had mine for just over a month now and am absolutely delighted with it. Great to drive and as fast as my previous Audi TT quattro, but with 5 seats and and all the toys, plus 40mpg. I set out to buy a Mercedes E class coupe but was underwhelmed by the spec and the dealer. By comparison, my local Jaguar dealer was excellent - friendly and enthusiastic, plus I got a deal which was competitive with buying via an internet broker. By sheer luck they had already ordered my exact spec and colour combination for 'stock'. I drove their demo car on Wednesday, my car arrived on the transporter on Thursday and I drove it away on Friday night!

The build quality is great and equipment levels on the 'basic' Luxury model are high - I bought a few extras on my car including a DAB radio, Ipod dock and proper spare wheel. The dealer had also pre-ordered a reversing camera, which I would not normally have chosen. However, it has proved useful as rear visibility is poor. It's also a fun gimmick with passengers - especially kids. The Satnav is easy to use and responds quickly. The standard audio system is very good, as is the bluetooth phone system. The engine and transmission are just stunning - very quite, bags of torque and instant response. The transmission has manual change paddles and sport and winter modes but the standard auto setting is perfect for everyday use. The ride and handling strike a brilliant compromise between comfort and driving pleasure.