I want to get an XF to replace my Nissan Maxima lease. I work for a major bank and we have some 2009 models coming back on lease at reasonable prices, but they all have the 4.2 liter... even the supercharged ones.

The lease on my Maxima is up next year. Should I wait for some 2010 models to come available so that I can get the 5.0 engine selections. Are they much better than the 4.2's?

 

From my research before buying a 5.0L yes they are.

 

It depends on what you are looking for in a car. If one of the features is performance, than yes ABSOLUTELY!

Every car i have ever had, was equipped with a V8 and it was rear wheel drive. Now, I have driven 09 4.2 liter, 4.2 supercharged and the 5.0 liter.

One of the reasons i decided not to purchase the 4.2 liter equipped car is that the excitement would run out after about a year or so. Not to say, the car isn't quick, nimble and very fun to drive.

My best adivce is, go to the dealer and drive them both and i promise, you will make your decision before you leave there.

 

The 4.2 is a very good engine. In supercharged form it is fantastic.

The 5.0 is new, direct injected and uses low resistance oil to achieve high output and excellent efficiency. In real World driving the 4.2 is just fine.

 

Both are great motors, but the 5.0 is much more advance technology better power curve, better gas milage. And in my opinion more fun to drive. I say go with the 5.0.

 

These are all great replies and tells me what I need to know. I will be happier with the 5.0 but I may need to wait longer and or pay more to get it. I want a dark color, probably black, with the spice interior. If one comes back off lease in a 4.2 at a great bargain, I may purchase it and sell my Nissan. If this bargain does not materialize in the meanwhile, I will turn in my Nissan at least end June 2013 and go with a 2010 5.0 XF.

 

Before I purchased my 5.0 I noticed a sharp price differance with the 4.2L. You can get some pretty nice bargains on 4.2L. But you will pay a premium on the new engine.

 

Get the 4.2L supercharged. You'll save money and still come out with a bit more hp than the 5.0L. If power doesn't matter to you and you want to get a little better mpg then get the base 4.2L. If both were evenly priced I'd still get the 4.2L SC over the NA 5.0L mainly for the power difference and the options. The SC version comes loaded. I own the SC 4.2L and I've driven the NA 5.0L quite a bit.

 

Also, forgot to mention, the supercharged versions and the 5 liter equipped cars come with bigger brakes.

09 with the 4.2l has good stopping power, where the brakes on a 5 liter stops on a dime and gives change back.

 

So Executive,

Are you saying you've driven the 4.2L, but you own the 5.0?

 

Sorry, i guess i was a little vauge with my post.

I do not own a XF yet, but have been test driving a bunch for the past 4-5 weekends. I came to conclusion that i like the 5.0 premium the best.

Just have to find the right car, with the specific options to pull the trigger on.

 

Brakes on my 5.0L are the best I have ever used. It brakes like a superbike.

 

@ the OP i was asking the same question you were asking when i started shopping for the XF. LOL this forum most likely will say go with the 5.0L unless it comes to money. I purchased a black 2010 spice brown interior with 5.0L and it rides beautiful. I cant compare to the the 4.2 i never test drove it, I would think that you wont be disappointed either way

 

The price different isn't that much. I see perfectly clean 09 luxuries going for mid $30s. You can have 2010 premiums all day for extra $2,000. It's definitely worth it.

 

Or you can have my 09 S/c for $35K. Porcelain white/Spice with every option and the 2010 Selena 20" wheels.

 

Without being silly have you ever owned a black car? I had one once and never again.
The only time they're perfect is the day you pick them up.
They show dirt, dust and scratches like nothing else.
The other thing is, of course, on a sunny day you'll die of hyperthermia before the aircon can do its stuff.

 

Stevie is right black cars are a nightmare to maintain. Always dirty with swirls. The smallest nicks show up. Its hell.

 

I have two black cars right now. Yes, they may show dirt more and need to be washed more often but I'd rather have that than a car that looks the same whether it's clean or dirty (IOW, blah).

Swirls are typically an artifact of improper care. The worst cause being the frequent use of automated car washes. You still have swirls on other cars but with the flatter finishes it's not as easy to see.

BTW, if you want to easily remove swirls then get a DA and some Meguiar's ScratchX. Wonderful stuff!

 

I absolutely agree with hackman.

If you can wash the car twice a month, wax it every 3-4 months and lastly, park away from people you will be fine.

Black car has it's advantages too, if it gets dinged it will show a lot less than a lighter car will.

 

My black XFR shows up swirl marks like nothing else I have ever owned - even other black cars. If you like to spend your weekends polishing then it isn't a problem to get rid of them. Even after a professional clay/wax treatment it isn't a huge amount better. I have better things to do with my time off work than polish my car these days (I am a recovering polishaholic, I confess). The more you clean your car, the more obsessive you become. My advice is to find a light colour and have someone else clean it!