Minding my own business, driving to work this morning, and I was just putzing along, I came up on a little car doing 35 in an unposted zone along KY 20. As soon as we topped a little rise, seeing no oncoming traffic, I punched it to pass. The first downshift was pleasant, but the second was exhilarating. I had not intended to pass 70mph, but just that quick it happened. Everything was getting kinda floaty over the undulating pavement when I backed off and there was only a speck in the rear view. After hearing a number of people complain about the lack of real power in the X-type, I was not expecting much. Maybe I've been driving the mommyvan too long, but that was about the most fun I've ever had with six cylinders.

 

I honestly think that the 3.0 is a great engine, but the auto tranny just sucks so bad compared to the 5spd which is why the xtype gets such a bad rep. Not to mention that most autos are slower than they should be because they slip under high load because the tranny fluid is "sealed for life."

Either way, I love the speed that my car has with the 5spd. The auto is good, the 5spd is great, but both trannys are far from sluggish with the 3.0

 

I'm happy to settle for the auto tranny. My wife won't drive a stick, my kids will be learning to drive and taking their driver exams on this car, and I'm not a speed fiend.

In fact, I'm enjoying this car so much that I'm thinking about getting an Estate, if I can find a decent one.

 

Gotta ask ya, Fake Jag...

..did you find it exhilarating enough to start referring to it as a "Baby Jag" ???



(I guarantee you this little fellow's name is NOT "Edsel"!)