Without any facts, your first message was an open invitation to the type of responses you deemed not worthy of answering. I assumed you to be the type of person they pegged you for and simply ignored your message.

If you wanted to help remove any rose-coloured glasses of Jaguar fanatics, you should have explained how this car shares a lot of the same components of the now extinct (for good reason) ford contour.

Now all that said, I feel the need to comment on one of your statements. You imply that Car and Driver and Edmonds either did not like the car, or that that they felt Ford was diluting the brand with the practice of re-badging.

That is not a true statement in either case. In fact, Edmonds points out, that unlike the Jaguar s-type, a car that no one will deny is a type jaguar, shares more parts that the x-type. Something like 40% with the lincon, compared to 20% for the x-type.

They needed to build a car for the masses that could be built at a price that allowed them to become solvent as a division, and to only share 20% of the parts and make it truly feel like a jaguar is quite a feet.

Lets no forget here, for all the "tarnishing" ford has done to Jaguar. They were only a coach-builder in the beginning and they have done MORE than their share of parts sharing long before they were owned by ford. Also, now that ford has taken over, you can have a jag in your driveway with no fear of giant oil-stains from the constant oil leaks.

Jaguar has been left to their own for design, they have been asked to become cost effiecient and that can only be a good thing.

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Now, you may think I am a ford fan from my comments. So, for the record.

I drive a Subaru for work, and I own a honda for home. I have owned in the past volkwagens.

I have never, and don't in the future see driving anything built or designed in North America, (unless the start paying attention to quality). But I am thinking quite seriously of buying a jag- x-type.

The other cars I am considering, Altima 3.5 (loaded) camry se loaded, Audi a4 (v6), infiniti i35

All of which cost less, but the x-type has really caught my eye...

Tot-Doc, Since explained your position well, I will answer your questions.

I think some of the people on this board are in a sense of denial. My last car was an Acura Integra (I bet you know where I am going with this). If I opened the hood there was a Honda engine, and I knew the car was a Honda with an Acura badge. I did not pretend otherwise. It was a great car! (which Car and Driver loved BTW) Sadly, I think Ford is weakening the Jaguar brand name by making 'Jags' that share the same platform and many parts with rather pedestrian Ford models. We will see how this plays out over the next few years.

Why must people attack the source of any negative review about the X-Type? It is true that everyone has their own opinion, but I think it says something that a women's magazine loves the X-type while the more serious car magazines are less excited about it. Moreover, I think many people do come onto message boards BEFORE they purchase a new car to get more information. I don't think X-type loyalists are doing anyone a service by attacking the validity of Edmund's or Car and Driver's claims. There really seems to be a herd mentality here. In contrast, if you go onto one of the sister BMW boards you will find people who admit that a BMW is NOT the best choice for everyone.

I do not think there is anything 'unfortunate' about my posts. Some of the responses were quite amusing?

Enjoy your car!

One least thing for all of you - It would be better if every response on this board didn?t start with "Re:"