Hey, wondering what and why you guys ended up owning an XF?

There has been a lot of chatter over on the S-Type list of how S-Type owners aren't really interested in owing a current Jaguar, other than F-Types, particularly due to the current styling.

Everyone over there thinks the current Jaguar don't seem visually distinctive and don't really see anything that sets them apart from Audis, BMWs, Mercs, Teslas. No one can figure out why someone would own a Jaguar if nobody knew what it was...

So, what brought you to a Jaguar and would you own a new XF, XE, etc.?

Personally, when my car reaches the end of the road I believe that I will look for a CPO XK coupe, 5.0 NA.
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)
Past Ours: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

 

Those guys are missing something....Justifying their own reasons for living in the past I suspect.

If you are talking classic design, then I'll agree. The XF and the XJ are not your father's classic Jaguar..Frankly I'm glad of that too..I think Jaguar was long over due for a face change..I mean living with ghost of Lucas and other stigmas Jag had in it's closet..Ford did some improvements over Jags original design, but cut a lot of corners too, like putting the S type on a Lincoln LS chassis, but kept with the classic retro styling as the X and S did convey..But when TATA took over they put in a bunch of money (Billion$) in a ground up redesign and overall improvements that carried into today's JAG....

As far as cookie cutting with BMW, Benz, Audi, etc....I don't think so..I see them on every corner, every day (Yawn)..It's rare to see a JAG in my area once or twice a week..and that is what sets them apart from these other common, no thrills, lack luster, boring, ugly cars...If you can't tell them apart from them, then you're not looking for them.

I will admit that I am not too happy with JAG's newer cars going with 3.0L and 2.0L engines, if I wanted one of those I would have stayed with the X or S type......That's why I'll stay with my 5.0L for quite some time..I only have 16,000 miles on it currently.

 

I agree with DPK. Jaguar has been plagued for decades with a bad reputation that was deservedly earned (I had an XK150 in the '60s) and Ford did make some improvements.
I had heard of the progress that TATA had made, and I needed a replacement for my wife's old Acura. We decided on the XF because of looks, which we thought were distinctive, performance for me, and exclusivity. Benz, BMW,and Audi seem common on our roadways, but rarely do I see a Jag. The reaction it gets is something like "wow a Jaguar" instead of "ho hum" for the others. I also love the growl of the V8 which is hard to get at a reasonable price in the other makes.

 

Those guys remind me of the guys on the corvette forum who bash the current generation while praising their own 4th generation models as the last of the true breed. You'll always have that no matter what the brand. Porsche guys might be the worst though lol.

I chose the XF for multiple reasons. I knew I loved the 5liter engine already as I had one in my 2012 Land Rover. I really missed it and the 3.0 supercharged is not a worthy replacement for it. Also, the looks at stunning. It's something you can walk out to and just stand, stare and say wow that is a beautiful car. That feeling continues on the interior, you just feel like you are in a special place. Last but not least, the performance.

I find it hard to believe that any of the S guys talking down on the new lineup has driven a XF Supercharged or XFR/S.

 

A friend had a 2011 XF Supercharged and I drove it around one day. Was hooked but hated the seats. Went to see if I liked the XFR seats better. Wasn't going to buy something until a year later, but the color combo and the price made me jump early. Soooo happy I did.

And remember, the people still in the S and X forums have had an opportunity to move on and haven't. That's their prerogative. What they're missing is that without the progress with the XF, there is no F-Type for them to pine for...

Car companies either keep up or die. Volvo died (or virtually died) once. Now they are breaking out of their narrow mould and making better cars with additional capital investment from other sources. And they are winning Car of the Year awards and nominations. As I said in another post, the new XF won Motorweek's best luxury car. Surprised me but if the journalists are giving praise, the Jaguar management is obviously on to something.

I'm all for progress, although I almost always like the old one for about two years before I accept the new one. Works good for my strategy of buying 3 years old.

 

Ok, thanks, so far it seems that current XF owners feel that their cars are identifiably different than Audis, BMWs, and Mercs. A modern style, as opposed the the classic styling of an S-Type, but a British/Jaguar style none the less.

Do you find that people are very surprise and respond accordingly when the realize that you drive a Jaguar? When they see it do they know it's a Jaguar or are the puzzled for a moment?

But what's interesting is that, like the current S-Type owners not being impressed by the XF, current XF owner don't seem to like the new XF.

Oh, just a note for anyone who might not realize it. The S-Type and the XF are nearly identical, particularly the original '09s. They are both based on the DEW98 platform and until 2010 (or was it '11?) had the same 4.2 engine.
================================================
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)
Past Ours: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

 

I dislike the styling of my XFR because it looks like the cars PAB mentioned. But it sure does run good!

 

I never liked the S type body work. It was much too retro for me. I looked at the X type when I saw it and I think it particularly holds up well in the styling department when compared to a lot of cars on the road today. I did not like the XF when it first came out, but Jaguar offered more bang for the buck in this segment. The interior is posh, the styling is on par with all the other lux brands and the horsepower is too good to be true for the segment.

 

I had atleast 5 friends/strangers come up to me and say "That is a beautiful car" or "I love this car". Not once had I experienced something like that with my Infiniti G37, BMW 135i, 328i, or 528i.

The XF is a standard luxury sedan, but has that emotional/exotic Jaguar vibe about it that the German competitors lack.

 

Yes, it is distinctive to those brands.

They don't always know what it is at a glance but figure it out pretty quickly. They aren't common, but really aren't rare either. They always say it's beautiful and then ask if it's reliable.

I don't hate the new XF. I just wish they hadn't changed a few things. I don't like the new button cluster around the shifter. I wish they kept the wood all the way across the top the doors. I don't understand the loss of two powered vents, but it's not a detriment. I hope they continue with the 5.0 supercharged cars and the sportier trim levels. That is the real complaint, but I know they are coming, so not really worried.

 

After test driving a BMW 335xi, the sales manager and his boss pushed me to the Jag XF. First, they couldn't believe that I wasn't thrilled with BMer...it was small, tight, almost no trunk, and for a price at 40k was basically stripped....no shifters, no sensors, no climate package, oh and $400/each run flats with no spare.

Next, when I mentioned that I had a Lexus GS350, Mercedes C300 and a Jag XF on my radar screen, they said that BMW puts their money into their motors...then tacks on the extras, where Lexus, Mercedes and Jag put money into the extras but not necessarily as much for the engine. They said BMW wants to be 1 second faster 0-60 and stop 100 feet shorter when braking. Living in a populated area of New England, I don't really care if someone beats me to 60 or stops quicker. I want some luxury, I want some safety, and I want something that is exclusive.

Other than at my dealer, I have yet to see one on the roads I travel. I do get a lot of Mercedes pulling up along side and checking it out...

I do think the XE and SUV are going to double Jag sales this summer...should see more out there.

 

Interesting how most of your comments focus on looks, exclusivity, etc.

Before my Jags, I had a series of German sedans. I've stayed with Jag because I prefer the way they perform, which is certainly against the generally held belief that the Germans hold the performance edge. They may from a numbers point of view, but in real world, everyday driving I find my cars a more enjoyable, engaging drive, with superior suspensions and dynamics, better ride, and better engines (no turbos!)

 

IVE had 2 Stype Rs... and really like the styling driving the power , and the uniqueness....my dad had and Stype R sold it and bought the 2010 XFS...i never really looked at it much,, thought it was kinda run of the mill blah...a week before he past this last summer...from his hospital bed he gave me the XF... he said he wanted me to sell my STR and take the XF so i didnt have any payments...plus the resell, as you know on them is horrible..i was going to sell it for him... but at 75 k new and with only 7000 miles on it it was worth maybe 32k so he would rather i had it...anyway, after changing the wheels and de chroming it i love the car.... i turn around several times on the way into the store...i care not what others think...most however know its something a little special,and not found everywhere....as im blowing doors off hauling *** down the road...

 

I had always liked the current XJ (Short body) but was actually looking for a 2nd gen CTSV, but a dealer pissed me off, went to another dealer who had me drive a 5.0 XF SC, that car was black with the cinnamon interior that was just head and shoulders above the CTSV's interior, I was hooked.

 

+ 1

 

I wanted a car that when I went out to the lot at work, I was the only one with one. (I work at a world headquarters of a Fortune 100 company, too many BMW/Merc/Audis to count) I wanted power, luxury, class, comfort, and power.

I can't tell you how many times I have been complemented on my two XF cars.

Two stories for you that sum up what the XF is like to drive/own:

I was at a family gathering in my 2010 Blue XF Premium was in the driveway along with my brothers brand new 2015 Black X5, and my cousins 2011 black S600 next next to me. An older couple came walking down the walk and started circling my XF. The completely ignored a 80k X5 and a 180k Merc and told me that my car was gorgeous. I showed them inside and they loved it.

A month ago in my 2013 SCV8 I absolutely blew the doors off a white Chevy SUV in town and was clearly doing 80 in a 35. That SUV was an unmarked cop car and of course he pulled me over. He came up to me and complemented me on my car, I showed him around the car and he was in awe. He asked me to slow down and left.

Incredible cars. Very rare in Iowa. Everything you could ask for in a luxury, performance sedan.

 

Had a 2009 Lunar Grey XF and have recently been looking (for over a year or so) for a replacement. I tested a lot of vehicles. Hyundai Genesis 5.0, Merc E class, C class, BMW 335i, Lexus 350, Audi S4 and a newer XF.

Hyundai is great bang for your buck however it is and feels like a Hyundai. Really nothing special other than its gadget offering. Drive, transmission, engine (although powerful) very "boring" for lack of a better word. Not much else to say here.

I really love the way the Merc exterior styling looks. I have recently been hung up on the screen that appears to be an after thought to the interior design. I really wanted to give Merc a fair shake however after going for a drive it seemed as though the drive was confused. A little peppy and sporty but lots of body roll and loose steering made for a weird drive. Not to mention the button placement and overall interior seems like it hasn't kept up with the exterior. It was actually quite a disappointing car in my opinion.

I have never loved BMW because it just seems like everyone and their dog has one. I have to say however after driving the 335 I really enjoyed it. Great tight drive, really quick and very responsive. Materials used inside feel good, seats hug a bit more than Merc and overall nice styling. Lots of gadgets including heads up display as well as the touch pad to control the screen/nav is really nice. The cameras outfitted are nice including the 2 side view and back view as well as the cameras on the front bumper to see around a corner. Lots going on in the car and really quite fun. Great 4 year warranty which includes maintenance which I think the only one of the group includes free. Overall BMW has a great offering however it just didn't "feel" right. Just not for me and really got no joy from looking at it or from sitting in it (although fun to drive).

The Lexus is great. Great reliability out of the group. The 350 is surprisingly a fun drive. Seats probably sit/fit the best for me out of all the cars however not real leather. The buttons in the car have good placement and the moveable dash (sliding right to left) is a really neat gimmick. The mouse that is used to navigate the screen is very easy and quick to learn. It is positioned well and has a nice feel while you're driving. The drive was peppy however a bit looser than the BMW. Value for money it is probably one of the best. Lexus is great and styling is great however again didn't love the fact that there is one around every corner. Brother in-law is a mechanic for Lexus (not in the same city) and that would've been convenient if I had any issues. If you don't want high cost of ownership and want a great car with a great drive with nice finishes (not the best but not terrible) then the Lexus 350 is a great choice.

Next the Audi S4. WOW. What can I say about this beast. The S4 is an incredible vehicle and I have always had a place in my heart for Audi. (Back when purchasing the 09 Jag I was looking at that compared to an Audi). Smaller vehicle than the XF but wow is the drive unreal. Took this out on the highway and it didn't take long to get to 160 without realizing it. The exhaust node is wonderful and cranking it on just makes you want to drive. The rumble is just so nice. Driving the vehicle it felt familiar even though I have never owned one. The materials used inside are great and feel higher end. Steering wheel feels great in your hand and love the flat bottom. The Audi has the most responsive pedal and steering out of the group and is just a joy. The interior is very nice as is the joystick that is used for the screen. The car is not "special" however not as common as BMW. There are a lot of Audi's around however I love the classic look. As I said this car is overall great and I have no negative comments. It came down to being between this and the Jaguar.

After I had ruled all vehicles out other than the Audi I thought I would then go for a drive in a new XF. I wanted to see if it was really going to impress me after I had been leaning to something a bit punchier and a bit smaller with a sportier drive. I took out the XF really trying to write it off as the next vehicle for me. I have to say it is hard to go away from something once you get comfortable. There was something about a new XF that just felt right. It feels like home. To me the drive is the best of both worlds. It has a nice smooth transmission and soft drive but can still take a turn like a champ. It is not as quick as a lot of the vehicles I drove but the car still has some great "get up and go". (V6 S/C). I have to say the engine and exhaust node are the only thing that leaves a bit to be desired for me on the vehicle (V6) but that's where it stops and that is definitely not the case with the V8 models. The exterior styling, in my opinion, is the most unique out of the bunch and the headlights and roofline keep you turning back for a second look. The cars look aggressive especially the sport pack, R or RS models. The materials used seem to be the highest end of all the vehicles. The materials just feel great. The eco mode, so far, is annoying. As mentioned by others on the forum, if I wanted an eco friendly vehicle I would've bought a Prius. The car has always had stares and comments. I cannot recall how many times people have commented on the car, talked to me at gas stations, stopped me after I just gotten out of it, or walked all the way around while I was close be not realizing it was mine. Not many people can say too many negative things about the drive, feel and styling that I know however it is all personal preference. I can go on and on but I will leave you with this, when I talked to every single other dealer about trading in my vehicle after they asked me what I drove and I told them a Jag XF their response, I kid you not at every single dealer, was "OH WOW!" usually followed by a "thats a nice car".

Sorry for the long winded response but I, as many would be on the forum, am passionate about my car and cannot wait to see it and drive it again. Hope this gives someone value if they are considering the vehicle. Give them all a try because it has to fit right for you and not for anyone else (maybe your wife as well haha).

 

Well said AaronW. Pretty much dead-on with the "competitors" vehicles that I was comparing the XF to as well. Something just kept me coming back to the XF. I'm really banking on the fact that with the auto industry pushing even lower end vehicles into the 30k range, the XE is going to bring in a lot of younger folks and we'll soon see a lot more Jaguars on the road. That could bode well for residual value.

Today I had an office mate ask me if that was my Tesla in the lot. LOL.

A second person came by to say they have ordered an XE for delivery in May.

 

I mostly agree with this sentiment. This is how I would sum up the XF vs the Germans:

BMW 535i M-Sport - Best handling in the group, really supple ride, but lacks emotion. Also the steering feel is lackluster.

Audi A6 3.0 S-Line - Very capable, well built, and handles really nice. But the driver has 0 feedback from the car. You can't tell what the front end and back ends are doing, no communication whatsoever. It just gets the job done in a very clinical way.

Mercedes E350 Sport - Understeer, little more understeer, and then more understeer. This is just a comfy cruiser.

Jaguar XF NA 5.0 V8/3.0 V6 - Very close to the BMW/Audi handling, with more ride comfort and much better turn in. The steering is lively, you can tell what the front and rear ends are doing. With traction completely off, you can make the car dance easily (One of the easiest cars I was able to get sideways and keep it there without much effort). Biggest let down is the body roll, the car can't deal with the fast transitions and tight roads too well, but that's understandable given its main priorities.

I am sure the XF Supercharged/R/RS handle a lot better due to the active suspension.

 

I can verify that the Supercharged and XFR do handle better, with less body roll. The suspension lets you push pretty hard, but you can't escape the weight.