Re: Choices are available....(m) (archive)

It's pretty tough to create a new car in this segment that will be a KO for the majority of people, even though there have been attempts (Lincoln LS, Cadillac CTS, etc.). The manufacturers studied the cars in the segment and had to decide how much they wanted to reinvent the brand VS. how much tradition they wanted to leave in. In my opinion, Jaguar has done an admirable job in this area.

It's tough to be objective when test driving unfamiliar cars. We are normally looking for something different than what we have and when test driving a car, sometimes the "different" feel that we experience can be seen as good. The excitement can mask the negative characteristics. Before I ordered my 330Ci, I drove a 323Ci because the 330's had not yet started reaching the dealerships. After my car arrived, it took about 4-5 months for me to realize that, while having more power than the 323Ci, the ride was stiffer and the steering was overassisted and numb. For me it was less enjoyable than the 323Ci. Especially on long trips, it became pretty tiring. The point is, it took those 4-5 months for me to get to know the car. I then realized the very reason I bought the car, handling, sharp responses, were too extreme for me. After 5 months of owning my X-Type, I have yet to find its weak spots. I still enjoy driving it as much as the day I drove it off the lot.

You are definite about the characteristics you are looking for. Just make sure those characteristics will not overshadow those that are of lessor importance. It's the balance that's so hard for a manufacturer to achieve. I do wish you luck in your decision.

Mike

By your own admission, the X-type does not offer everything you want. I'm sure that's a disappointment since you seem to like other aspects of the car. No car will give you everything you want. If the Saab, or BMW comes closest, go for it.

I may yet decide that the X-Type comes closest to it. I'm not participating in this board out of some perverse desire to throw mud on you all's cars - I have a sincere interest in the X-Type, and the Jaguar brand. I want them both to be the best - and I want to be in a position to clearly choose an X-Type over the competition. What we're talking about is the difference between the X-Type winning by a knock-out or winning on points - it certainly hasn't lost and it might yet win on points, but when I started following it way back before you could actually see one (much less drive one) I was hoping for a KO.

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