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Car Forum / Jaguar Cars / January 2006Future of Jag X-Type?
I still go back and forth in trying to decide whether to remain loyal to Volkswagen or to try a Jaguar X-Type sedan next time. Every time I see one of those cars, I fall in love again.......But...Can anyone tell me if this model is supposed to be discontinued in the near future? I've heard that this is a possibility. Some "purists" say it's not a "real" Jaguar, but merely a Ford Contour with fancy sheetmetal. It's probably the ONLY Jag I could ever afford, save for a very used S-Type.....Any thoughts? > I still go back and forth in trying to decide whether to remain loyal to > Volkswagen or to try a Jaguar X-Type sedan next time. Every time I see one [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > merely a Ford Contour with fancy sheetmetal. It's probably the ONLY Jag I > could ever afford, save for a very used S-Type.....Any thoughts? Ouch! What a comparison. What about getting a good older Jag when they were more obviously Jags. "And a spare as well" some would say! The X Type is a restyled European Ford Mondeo. The S-Type is a restyled American Ford Contour. Who cares what the cars were based on. The Contour was a very nice car for what a person paid, and the S Type is wonderful for what it is. The S Type has a brilliant suspension and a free revving V6 that is quite powerful. The X Type doesn't have the same quality of suspension that the S Type has, but it has a nice interior and drives very well. Also remember that the Mondeo won quite a few awards in Europe for being a great car before it got turned into the X -type. Don't get hung up on what the platform also underlies. What you are buying is the car that you are seeing and driving and if you love it then it's the car for you. There is a lot of good in the X type. If you like it, go for it! > The X Type is a restyled European Ford Mondeo. The S-Type is a > restyled American Ford Contour. Rubbish! Restyling means taking the existing car and changing its looks a bit. The X-type uses a modified, *shortened* version of the Mondeo floor pan, just picking up 6 "hard points". Some of the suspension and brake parts from the Mondeo were used as well, but remember that this Mondeo design never had AWD. The Ford Duratec V6 block was used as a *basis* for the engine, but it was strengthened and the innards are all Jaguar-designed (e.g. variable valve timing and variable length inlets). Aside from this and a few switches and filters, the entire car is a totally fresh design. The motoring press just ignored the facts for the sake of an eye-catching headline - as usual - and it has stuck. I don't remember them criticising the Audi TT because it is a re-bodied Golf, even when the car killed many of the early owners because of its handling defects. The S-Type shares far more components with the US car that was used as a platform (I thought it was a Lincoln - surely not a Contour!) but the press never went to town on that one either.  SignatureGnomeface > > The X Type is a restyled European Ford Mondeo. The S-Type is a > > restyled American Ford Contour. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > as a platform (I thought it was a Lincoln - surely not a Contour!) > but the press never went to town on that one either. If one is going to deride a car because of what it was "based on" then the original Ford Mustang was "just a Falcon". I believe the S-Type was originally built on the Lincoln LS platform, whatever that means. The LS is a nice car, but having driven them quite a bit, I'd never think that one vehicle had anything to do with the other. I also recall reading that in 2003 the S-Type was "redesigned" with 70% of the components being new (vs the 2002). Some folks like vintage cars, some like new ones. Some people prefer old houses to new contruction. Personally, I prefer old houses and new cars. :) Michael W. Chicago, IL, USA My post was lazy, and I apologize. The Mondeo platform does underlie the X-Type, but as I tried to point out the platform means nothing when you compare actual cars, and perhaps I didn't say that precisely enough, but you definitely drove the point home. In rereading it, I did not mean to say that the Contour underlies the S Type. That's wrong. I was being snarky because when the S Type came out people made the same accusations about it being a restyled Ford because it used a reworked Contour engine. To the best of my knowledge the platform was developed uniquely for the Lincoln LS and the S Type. It has hence been heavily reworked and put under the Thunderbird and now the new Mustang. Both of these platforms are fabulous, but just because the S Type and the Mustang share some chassis architecture does not make them the same car. They are like apples and oranges. What I am still trying to say to the original poster is that just because Ford used an award winning chassis to base the X Type on does not make it a Mondeo. Cars are a lot more than their chassis architecture or their engine. Handling comes from so much more and driving the two would show the difference. Again my apologies for being lazy in my posting. Everytime I see a S or X-type I think Taurus. i can't help it. Definately not a XJ or XK. > My post was lazy, and I apologize. The Mondeo platform does underlie > the X-Type, but as I tried to point out the platform means nothing when [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > driving the two would show the difference. Again my apologies for being > lazy in my posting. Hazey - OK... understood, and apology accepted. I have owned a 3-litre X-type for over 3 years, and whilst I accept that it is not in the same class as the XJ and XK models it is still a fine car. I also have a Mondeo, and whilst they are also good cars there is no comparison between the two. The X-Type all-wheel drive is absolutely superb, with 60% of the torque fed to the back wheels in normal circumstances, and I've never been able to get a wheel to spin even on wet roads without DSC. The grip when accelerating hard round a sharp bend from very low speed is simply unbelievable when compared with FWD or RWD. My Mondeo has only 130bhp (100 less than the Jaguar) but it still produces understeer and some wheelspin in the same situation, and my wife's RWD 145bhp MX5 roadster (renowned for its superb handling) just goes into huge oversteer - even with its limited slip diff. I'd still like an S-Type 'R' though. Its not to be discontinued Most modern mass production cars are built on a floorpan that is used by multiple models/makes, the specific manu then adds a bodyshell and various mechanical tweaks etc - very basically put - > I still go back and forth in trying to decide whether to remain loyal to > Volkswagen or to try a Jaguar X-Type sedan next time. Every time I see one [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > merely a Ford Contour with fancy sheetmetal. It's probably the ONLY Jag I > could ever afford, save for a very used S-Type.....Any thoughts? In article <3b00e7019f4a570403fe8a0a5760dae6@localhost.talkaboutautos.com>, > I still go back and forth in trying to decide whether to remain loyal to > Volkswagen or to try a Jaguar X-Type sedan next time. Every time I see one [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > merely a Ford Contour with fancy sheetmetal. It's probably the ONLY Jag I > could ever afford, save for a very used S-Type.....Any thoughts? Wait till the all-wheel drive Ford Fusion is available, then go for that. I am. BTW, I still own my '71 XKE. Al Ford Fusion? I assume in the USA, the fusion is a decent sized high spec'd sedan (saloon) It is far from that in the UK, far far from it! I read somewhere (and I forget where, I read so much) that the X Type will indeed be replaced, with a similar line up to the current models (engine choice). Most of the changes will be mechanical ... a Jag has to look like a Jag, right? The new Ford Mondeo (Contour in the USA?) is virtually production ready .... due out in 2006/7 ... date to be confirmed. The 'new' X Type will use the new floorpan on which the new Mondeo is built (along with several other Ford?Mazda vehicles no doubt!) > In article > <3b00e7019f4a570403fe8a0a5760dae6@localhost.talkaboutautos.com>, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Al I too have heard that the X-Type may be discontinued. The real question is, given your budget, when you open your garage, what do you want to see there? Forget about the purists, the guys who say to get a "good older Jag," etc. etc. etc. If you say that every time you see an X-Type you "fall in love," then in sounds to me like you've found your car. If you feel that way about a Ford Fusion, then get one of those. For me, it's my 2003 4.2 S-Type in British Racing Green. I love my car. :) In the US, BTW, three year old S-Types are easily available for less than the price of a new X-Type. Buy for many people, there's nothing quite like having a new car. Follow your heart. Michael W. Chicago, IL, USA I don't really care what platform the X-Type is based on, as long as parts will be readily available as they wear out. For example, is the 3.0 in the X the same engine as the 3.0 in the S-Type, or are they different? Also, I'm looking about 3 years down the road, anyway. Until my wife's SUV is paid off (34 to go @ $447.40.....)Even then, a new X-type would be out of the question. I'm thinking more like $20,000-23,000 for a used one 2 or 3 years old. Another problem is that I'm 100 miles (or 160Km, for our UK friends) from the nearest dealership. Since Jaguar only sells, what, 20,000 cars annually? in the US, there aren't that many dealerships. Jaguar US sales for 2004+5 were around 76,000 for the 2 years combined - 20,000 S-Types and 32,000 X-Types. Most X-types would have been 3.0L, and I guess that the 4.2L S-Type would be more common. The 3.0 engines are more-or-less the same - the S-Type develops about 10bhp more, but that is more to do with the poorer breathing of the transverse-mounted X-type installation than anything else. Current X-Types are one of the most reliable cars you can buy - and top of recent owner satisfaction surveys, beating Lexus. SignatureGnomeface The reliability thing is good to hear. Conversely, Consumer Reports, a major Gospel that American carbuyers (not me) rely upon, says Jaguars are "much worse than average" but they don't like ANY cars unless it has a Honda or Toyota nameplate........I go by my own anecdotal experience anyway. Consumer Reports gives Volkswagen bad ratings, too, and they are very good cars........But Jaguars are much prettier... Forget Consumer Reports. I never understood their ratings until they gave a positive rating to the Honda Odyssey when they were new. The car had a lot of teathing problems, and they were forced to explain their methodology. The reason that the same cars and car companies always get a good or bad rating is that 30% of their metric involves the company's past behavior in other models. So a company like Jaguar would take years to get over that entrenched "perception" which Consumer Reports puts into its rating. Just forget what they say.They're worthless for deciding whether a particular model is any good. Have to diagree with you about VW though. The one that I owned back in the 80's was in a perpetual state of rattling itself apart from the day that I bought it new. It's the only car that I ever owned which dies on theside of the road, and it did it several times, and repairs were horribly expensive. This was quite a few years ago, and a friend of mine bought one in 1999. It was worse. His check engine light went on and never came off. The exhaust rusted out within two years, was as thick as paper, and cost $2,000 to repair. His exhaust manifold cracked within 18 months of ownership, and he never was able to get the dealer to fix it even though it was a warranty repair. I'm glad that you've had good luck with them, but I would buy a Yugo before I got another Vdub. I have an X-Type 2.5 AWD SE which was purchased in June 2002, love the car but, big but, the car has not been reliable. The first trouble was at 7000 KM and the rear engine oil seal failed, at 10,000 KM the LH rear shocker failed completely, it took 6 mths for the dealer here in Canberra Australia to find that the complete steering colum had to be replaced because of a fault at 14,000. One month after the end of the 3 year waranty period at 41,000 KM, a intermittent small leak of pinky fluid on the garage floor would apear a couple of times a week and the dealer could not find the leak (This is the only Jaguar dealer in Canberra ,Australia's National Capital). Now we can not take the car on any highway trip beuause of the risk, only around town. The car has only 45,000 Km on it over 3.5 years. I do not know of the reliability of the cars here in Australia I've got a 2003 S-Type. I also love the car, primarily for its aesthetic contribution to the planet, as well as for its marvelous V8, rockin' sound system (320 watts), and gorgeous interior (sand) that draws compliments from my friends with Beemers, Benzes, and Audis. That being said, this car has been in the shop many more times than all of the other cars I own, and have owned in the past, put together. Nothing serious, mind you, but a seemingly endless parade of annoyances, such as faulty indicator lights, rattles from the sunroof, squeaking from the steering column, sound system malfunctions, engine issues (blamed on bad gas), and an oil leak (the dealer had to replace a main seal last week that required pulling the transmission). My car has only 24,000 miles on it. I have driven Acuras, Hondas, Toyotas, Chevys, and Chryslers for many years as well, and these vehicles have never had issues like this. I think the biggest annoyance was that the light on the clock in my Honda Odyssey van went out a year ago and needed to be replaced. Regardless, I still love my Jag. My lease is up this summer, and I'll probably get another one. Probably. I imagine I'll take a long hard look at the Acura RL and MB 350 first. Ford/Jaguar must resolve these quality control issues if they're going to remain remotely competitive. Michael W. Chicago, IL, USA >Ford/Jaguar must resolve these quality control issues if they're going >to remain remotely competitive. They have. Look at the latest indepent surveys. Right up there with the best of the Japanese, which is more than can be said of Mercedes or BMW. David Betts (davidb@motorsport.org.uk) The Classic Car Gallery: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=17830847103&n=398038677 Personally, I believe that the German Manufacturers, all of them, are the most over rated car companies in the world today from both a stand point of reliability and luxury. They aren't what they used to be. They never were what they used to be. > Personally, I believe that the German Manufacturers, all of them, are > the most over rated car companies in the world today from both a stand > point of reliability and luxury. They aren't what they used to be. Oh I don't know, I have a '72 Mercedes that I have had for the past fifteen years and that has treated me very well. I don't always rely on it as transportation, but when I have had to for extended periods, it drives like a new car. My father had several of them in a row from a '72 to a '91 that he is still driving [all bought new] , and although the '91 has been somewhat problematic, the others were wonderful. His '80 diesel was indestrucitble and he really tried. He didn't get the oil changed for fifteen thousand miles at a pop and drove it flat out then braked hard all the time and the car refused to die. That I think was the height of Mercedes, but those days are long over now. I've had a few myself, and they are as good as any other car built on an assembly line. The fanatics really have a fit if you tell them their car was built largely by illegal Turkish line workers. > Oh I don't know, I have a '72 Mercedes that I have had for the past > fifteen years and that has treated me very well. I don't always rely on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > then braked hard all the time and the car refused to die. That I think > was the height of Mercedes, but those days are long over now. >Oh I don't know, I have a '72 Mercedes that I have had for the past >fifteen years and that has treated me very well. I don't always rely on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >then braked hard all the time and the car refused to die. That I think >was the height of Mercedes, but those days are long over now. That's how they used to be, my friend. They are not like that any more. Mercedes have difficulty in delivering anything in the UK which doesn't have bits falling off it. This has been going on for three or four years now. Jaguars, on the other hand, used to have problems but are now right up there with the best of the Japanese. Nothing stays the same. Past experiences are an irrelevance when it comes to new cars. David Betts (davidb@motorsport.org.uk) The Classic Car Gallery: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=17830847103&n=398038677 > Jaguars, on the other hand, used to have problems but > are now right up there with the best of the Japanese. Nothing stays > the same. Past experiences are an irrelevance when it comes to new > cars. Interesting how the world has changed- see the fellow now using the Japanese cars as a benchmark to which he compares his Jags. I can remember when the term " Made In Japan " was a joke used by comedians to refer to any type of cheesy product. I wonder, now that the Chinese will begin exporting cars if the cycle will repeat itself. Maybe 30 years from now this fellow's son will tout that his Lexus compares favorably the " Mousy Tounge XS " I refer you to my post four posts up where I refer to German car manufacturers as the most over rated in the world for both luxury and reliability. We're on the same page here, and I agree that Jags have gotten far better than they used to be. I love them even though my mother's Jag has had some difficult problems, but that really seems to be unique to her. > Personally, I believe that the German Manufacturers, all of them, are > the most over rated car companies in the world today from both a stand > point of reliability and luxury. They aren't what they used to be. Bingo!!! We have a winner. I have a 4 year old BMW 5-Series (2003 model) and it fits your description perfectly. The car *IS* fun to drive but it is NOT fun to own. It's plenty fast, powerful, handles great (when it's not snowing) and has great brakes. But between the various electrical problems (display on the stereo went dark, I'm on my 3rd climate control unit, power window stopped working) and things like the check-engine light, lower control arm bushings, power steering fluid leak, etc, etc. It is a far stretch to call the car reliable and maintenance free. Luxury??? - Yes, but in a German sort of way. Certainly not the same type of luxury you'd get from a Lexus for example. The absolute best car I've ever owned was an Acura TL. I owned that car for 6+ years and never had a single problem with it. Easily the most reliable car I've ever owned. I'll go you one better. My mother in law's AMG CLK 55. Complete engine rebuild [with new block] due to an improperly installed piston at 2,500 miles; complete replacement of the ifra red start system (about $4,000 if not under warranty and left her standing in a parking lot wondering why it wouldn't turn on); plastic bits falling off all over the place; CELs on constantly mostly due to a bad ignition coil that the dealer refused or was unable to diagnose and fix which I finally diagnosed and told them to repair; other CELs have never been diagnosed just reset; braking system that Mercedes has now abandoned as unusable but unreplaceable on her car, and all this within 20,000 miles. And people are fool enough to say that Jaguar is bad and Mercedes is good. People have long memories because it has been the other way around for at least ten years in my opinion. Now the CLK is a total blast to drive when it runs, but it's a total pill to own. I indeed have seen a survey where Jags performed very well. As I recall, it was the JD Power "initial quality" survey re: first 90 days of ownership. Well, my car was flawless upon delivery and didn't go near the shop for the first 90 days. The various issues surfaced six, twelve, eighteen months later. Perhaps there are other surveys I am unaware of. Surveys are fine, but they're just that - surveys. They show averages. I'm just speaking from my own personal experiences, that's all. My 2003 S-Type has been in the shop more than a half dozen times, while my 2002 Honda Odyssey has seen the dealer once, and my 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser has never had an issue. Prior to the Jag, I drove an Acura RSX for a couple of years and I never had a single problem with it. Same for the Toyota Camry I drove from 1999 - 2001. Everyone has their own personal experiences and stories -- these just happen to be mine. It is what it is. :) Michael W. Chicago, IL, USA > years old. Another problem is that I'm 100 miles (or 160Km, for our UK > friends) from the nearest dealership. Km in the UK? we don't have those things over here. Load's of miles though. "(or 160Km, for our UK friends)" We use miles, just like yourselves .... just not pounds/ounces anymore! >I don't really care what platform the X-Type is based on, as long as parts > will be readily available as they wear out. For example, is the 3.0 in the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > friends) from the nearest dealership. Since Jaguar only sells, what, > 20,000 cars annually? in the US, there aren't that many dealerships. Jaguar's 2005 total US sales was 45,875 There are currently 160 Jaguar dealerships in the US Webserve > I don't really care what platform the X-Type is based on, as long as parts > will be readily available as they wear out. For example, is the 3.0 in the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > friends) from the nearest dealership. Since Jaguar only sells, what, > 20,000 cars annually? in the US, there aren't that many dealerships. > Jaguar's 2005 total US sales was 45,875 I think you've misread the figures... the ones I saw quoted 45,875 for 2004 and 30,424 for 2005 (after the rental concessions were withdrawn by Jaguar). SignatureGnomeface > > Jaguar's 2005 total US sales was 45,875 > > I think you've misread the figures... the ones I saw quoted 45,875 for 2004 > and 30,424 for 2005 (after the rental concessions were withdrawn by Jaguar). Since 2005 just ended all of the car manufactures report their annual sales figures. Below is the complete list. I moved Jaguar up to the top simply because it's the subject of discussion. (Note - These numbers are released at the end of every month/quarter/year. All numbers are relative to 2004 sales.) 12:06pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. JAGUAR BRAND SALES DOWN 33.7% 2:48pm 01/04/06 [HYMLF] HYUNDAI 2005 U.S. SALES 455,012 VS 418,615 2:41pm 01/04/06 [HMC, JP:7267] AMERICAN HONDA DEC. TOTAL TRUCK SALES UP 14.1% VS YEAR AGO 2:41pm 01/04/06 [HMC] AMERICAN HONDA 2005 CAR SALES DOWN 0.3% 2:40pm 01/04/06 [HMC] AMERICAN HONDA 2005 TRUCK SALES 624,650 VS 551,109 2:30pm 01/04/06 [TM, JP:7203] TOYOTA DIVISION 2005 U.S. SALES 1.96M VS 1.77M 2:30pm 01/04/06 [TM, JP:7203] TOYOTA LEXUS DIVISION 2005 U.S. SALES UP 5.5% 2:31pm 01/04/06 [TM, JP:7203] TOYOTA LEXUS DIVISION 2005 U.S. SALES 302,895 VS 287,927 2:29pm 01/04/06 [TM, JP:7203] TOYOTA 2005 U.S. SALES UP 10.1% TO 2.26M FROM 2.06M UNITS 2:30pm 01/04/06 [TM, JP:7203] TOYOTA DIVISION 2005 U.S. SALES UP 10.8% 2:26pm 01/04/06 [SZKMF] SUZUKI U.S. DEC. SALES UP 28% TO 6,662 UNITS 2:26pm 01/04/06 [SZKMF] SUZUKI 2005 U.S. SALES UP 11% TO 82,101 FROM 73,946 UNITS 2:22pm 01/04/06 [JP:7267, HMC] ACURA U.S. 2005 SALES UP 5.7% TO 209,610 FROM 198,919 UNITS 2:04pm 01/04/06 [MZDAF] MAZDA 2005 N.A. TRUCK SALES DOWN 21% VS YR AGO 2:04pm 01/04/06 [MZDAF] MAZDA 2005 N.A. CAR SALES UP 6% VS YR AGO 1:59pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. PONTIAC SALES DOWN 7.7% 1:59pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. SAAB SALES UP 0.5% 2:00pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. SATURN SALES UP 0.8% 1:58pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. OLDSMOBILE SALES DOWN 93.5% 1:59pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. ISUZU SALES UP 0.5% 1:57pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. GMC SALES DOWN 5.9% 1:58pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. HUMMER SALES UP 93.3% 1:56pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. BUICK SALES DOWN 8.8% 1:57pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. CADILLAC SALES UP 0.3% 1:57pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM 2005 U.S. CHEVROLET SALES DOWN 3.4% 1:54pm 01/04/06 [GM] GM DEC. U.S. CAR SALES DOWN 19.4% VS YR AGO 1:56pm 01/04/06 [DE:766401] VOLKSWAGEN 2005 U.S. SALES DOWN 12.5% TO 224,195 VEHICLES 1:45pm 01/04/06 [DE:519000] BMW MINI BRAND 2005 U.S. SALES UP 13.3% 1:41pm 01/04/06 [DE:519000] BMW 2005 U.S. SALES UP 3.7% TO 307,020 FROM 296,111 UNITS 1:23pm 01/04/06 [NSANY] NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 2005 NISSAN DIVISION SALES UP 10.3% 1:22pm 01/04/06 [NSANY] NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 2005 CAR SALES UP 7% 1:22pm 01/04/06 [NSANY] NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 2005 TRUCK SALES UP 12.6% 1:23pm 01/04/06 [NSANY] NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 2005 INFINITI DIVISION SALES UP 4.5% 1:21pm 01/04/06 [NSANY] NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 2005 SALES UP 9.6% 1:14pm 01/04/06 SUBARU 2005 U.S. SALES 196,002 UNITS 12:51pm 01/04/06 [DE:766400] AUDI OF AMERICA 2005 SALES UP 6.6% TO 83,066 UNITS 12:48pm 01/04/06 [DE:693773] PORSCHE 2005 U.S. SALES TO 31,933 VS 31,473 UNITS 12:48pm 01/04/06 [DE:693773] PORSCHE U.S. DEC. SALES UP 6% VS YR AGO 12:07pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. LAND ROVER BRAND SALES UP 30% 12:06pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. LINCOLN BRAND SALES DOWN 11.4% 12:06pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. JAGUAR BRAND SALES DOWN 33.7% 12:07pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. VOLVO BRAND SALES DOWN 11.1% 12:06pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. FORD BRAND SALES DOWN 4.7% 12:06pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S. MERCURY BRAND SALES UP 1.2% 12:02pm 01/04/06 [F] FORD MOTOR 2005 U.S SALES DOWN 4.9% 11:02am 01/04/06 [DCX] CHRYSLER GROUP 2005 U.S. PASSENGER SALE RISE 5% 11:03am 01/04/06 [DCX] MERCEDES-BENZ 2005 U.S. PASSENGER SALES RISE 1% > I still go back and forth in trying to decide whether to remain loyal to > Volkswagen or to try a Jaguar X-Type sedan next time. Every time I see one [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > merely a Ford Contour with fancy sheetmetal. It's probably the ONLY Jag I > could ever afford, save for a very used S-Type.....Any thoughts? Blah blah blah...POS just like everyone else is making these days... Neighbors Acura - never breaks because it has a scheduled repair every 15k. Oops transmission toasted, cost my neighbor 4500 plus labor. Only 70k on car. Neighbors Infinity Q45- has a fuel leak on fuel rail - required removal of intake system and replacement of all hoses under intake. So far he has spent $700 on hoses, $175 on regulator, 300 on knock sensors; labor is not included. Shop would charge several thousand dollars. My E320 Mercedes...worst car I have ever owned. Heater fan stopped working due to a blown speed regulator, only $700 (That's my cost and labor)to get heater fan working again. Later Heater controller fails and I sell the POS. 5 speed auto trans is a joke. Neighbors Toyoata minivan cooks engine- literally. All oil was cooked into sludge which destroys engine. Toyota claims they neglected car and neighbor sues and wins because all services done at Toyota dealership on time. My friends M3 explodes intake VANOS and destroys engine, BMW covers this. Later the subframe body mounts begin to tear from body. BMW covers this and they should, afterall they have had this problem since the 70's. My Chevrolet Minivan - Never a problem after 170k. In fact it runs as good today as the day I bought it. Everyone claims American cars suck. They dont, they just bore people. I could go on and on..the truth is why build a top notch car when buyers are buying crap from competitors? China makers and fine furniture companies are going bankrupt because people today dont know or care about quality or value. Why should they when everything is so disposable- just run down to Walmart and get something new. If people would return to buying quality and value then automobile companies would have no choice but to accommodate or go broke. But we are at the mercy of consumerism and insurance companies, soon we'll all be driving $100k pieces of plastic because thats what people buy. I think I will go and buy a nice old RR Marmon Limo; now thats quality. As Kreiger says. "Been here, covered that." DieInterim |
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