USED Jaguar XF Saloon (07 - )

My car

This review is coming after a three day test drive. The interior is refreshing, nice leather and a good looking design and lighter and brighter than most of it's equivalent German rivals, but, still manages to feel cramped somehow. It also strangely manages to not feel like a luxurious car. The 2.7 diesel, which is I imagine the same engine as the Discovery I just got out of IS sluggish, there's no two ways about it. Do not be tempted to buy this car on the basis of a one hour test drive from the dealer (I have to say at this point, that the dealership I've dealt with so far has been fine). Take it long enough to get bored of the 'theatrical start up' procedure and you may not be as impressed. I currently have a BMW 530d M Sport on the same demo period and it manages to feel special for a 40 grand car, despite having a darker more spartan and less theatrical start up. For me, there is also no discernible difference in the comfort, despite every review you will read telling you differently. The BMW also feel more urgent on the road, and more trustworthy as a driving machine. Add in lower tax implications, and better fuel economy, from a bigger engine, and for me it's not a hard decision to make. I'm NOT a BMW fan boy, having never even driven, let alone owned one before before that accusation comes out. Were the residual projections made before the company was taken over by TATA?

My car

No doubting it's a wonderful car to drive. However, am I the only person who thinks it looks a little cheap? It has more than a whiff of Ford about it. And the chrome isn't right, too plastic-looking; the overall effect is all a little too... erm, Chigwell?

Can't help thinking, chuck a blue oval badge on it and it could be the new Scorpio.....

My car

I live in Germany and have owned 525d and X5d. I tested Audi and Lexus and almost bought A5. The Jag got it. Thank you Jag for letting me fly a bit of Britain in Germany(ok I know its not British but the Germans relate it to us)I am sick of seeing the German marques everywhere (god bless their loyalty)now when I go out and about there is a huge interest in my car and generally they like it. I find the drive fantastic and way better than anything I've driven before. The start up may get boring eventually, but watch how many copies appear. I recently completed a 600 mile autobahn trip and was not hanging around (she makes her top end), but averaged 36 mpg. One gripe is why o why did they not fit fog lights on the front airdam, where the chrome bars are. Apart from looks they are so handy when in heavy spray and poor visibility. Hopefully this will be addressed in later models. Verdict, very happy and if fuel prices drop I'll be looking at the SV8 next.

My car

Mine was one of the first and has already covered 12000 miles. An absolute delight to drive whether cruising on the motorway or twisting and turning on country roads. This car leaves you so fresh even after 400 miles in one day. People stop and look in admiration of the design. Great value too when you consider what it has as standard equipment compared to the BMWs and Audis. Fuel consumption is very respectable. Have I been able to find anything to criticise? It is my first diesel and I find it slow to take off at roundabouts and T junctions but once moving it's fine. Maybe I'm more of a 'petrol driver'. Problems: only one when the indicators stopped ticking recently. The dealer actually claimed that XF indicators don't tick so nothing was wrong, wasting a day off the road. The fact that they had ticked for several months was clearly irrelevant. After a lot of persuation on my part they got permission to replace the instrument cluster and it was booked in again. Now it ticks as before and I'm not the idiot they made me out to be! Jaguar - you have created an outstanding car, but dealerships remain your biggest challenge. Recommendations - go for 19inch wheels - look great but not as much road noise or as harsh riding as the 20inch. For the future - I can't imagine going back to the blandness of the competitors after experiencing this car.