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Re: Observations on July R&T Comparison Test ( (archive)
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Posted by Jim on June 10, 2002 at 07:20:14:

In Reply to: Observations on July R&T Comparison Test (long) posted by Barnacle Bill on June 08, 2002 at 06:59:47:

What gets lost on the typical reader of these comparison tests is how R&T (and other journals) are at the mercy of the manufacturer providing the sample car. In this case, Jaguar provided an all-option spec car with a MSRP way above it's selling point. This is a severe disadvantage in a comparison test because price is one factor of success. On the other hand, performance is another factor, so the Sport Package would be a must, otherwise the testers would complain of undersized all-season tires' lack of grip.

Had R&T been provided a 3.0 with the Sport Package for a total of $37,000, I'll bet the X-Type would have placed in the top 5, rather than 11th.

Also, R&T prefers rear-wheel drive dynamics for dry road handling. Hence the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G35 as top picks. To their credit, they did mention the rain/snow advantage the X-Type would have over the RWD competitors in real world circumstances.

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