With my wife buying a new car without consulting me after her explicitly telling me I couldn't change mine without approval from her I'm now looking. I'm about to hopefully be promoted to store manager so I'm in 2 minds. This is my list:-

- Jag XJ 3.0 Portfolio Diesel LWB (30K) - although I think I'd need to look for a cheaper one.

- Audi A8 LWB diesel (10-15k)

- Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 170bhp elegance (8-20k)

- Vauxhall insignia 2.0 cdti 160bhp SRI

- Renault Laguna Coupe (<10k)

I'm a bit in love with the jag and the dealer was more helpful than all of the others even knowing full well I wasn't going to buy it.

The Skoda dealer ignored me..which seems to be the norm nowadays.

I could afford to change to most of them now except the Jag..so do I take second best (the others) or keep the Ceed even longer and save for the Jaaag. Or am I just seeing the Jag badge and dreaming..what would you choose? I really like the Superb but the dealers are hacking me off. I've been to 3 now and no one seems to be interested in selling me a car.

Love the new jags. If you can wait and really want one why not?

Lol at your wife! I buy cars in my house and my wife gets what I deem to be safe and economical and something I don't mind driving

It's just a car to her - hence why I got a vrs for me!

Jaaaaaaag!

 

^ correct spelling BTW

I can't wait. 30k is a long time saving..I'd probably meet in the middle with my saving vs depreciation but I don't think I can keep driving my Ceed. I really fancy an A8 like Manyos but I would need a diesel and it would be rude not to go for a 4.2tdi but mileage is astronomical and tax is nearly £500 a year!! I just don't know what to get..I want something good.

On the other hand I could just buy a sports car or hot hatch..but I want something with a bit of presence..hence the barge.

Jaaaaag. 3 litre diesel is a great engine too!

Here's my take on it:

 

- Jag XJ 3.0 Portfolio Diesel LWB (30K) - although I think I'd need to look for a cheaper one.

An awful lot of car for your money, very nice to drive, smooth, loads of room.
 

- Audi A8 LWB diesel (10-15k)

As above great cars - like you say huge tax bill. Together with Jag potential for huge repair bills if you suffer problems
 

- Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 170bhp elegance (8-20k)

Perfectly acceptable, good cars, not as good as the above and if you bought would you always be hankering after the Audi or Jag
 

- Vauxhall insignia 2.0 cdti 160bhp SRI

Not to my liking and given your choice of the above 3, seems very far down the list. Pretty bland and probably won't give you the comfort or build levels of the above.
 

- Renault Laguna Coupe (<10k)

Cheap for a reason? Will probably fail within 12 months - friend had a nightmare with his Laguna Coupe including a random starting problem. Was left on the ramps in a dealer overnight and they came in one morning to find that it was running, it had started itself overnight!

 

 

You obviously want a lot of car judging by the Audi and XJ on the list - have you considered the XF? More than capable and they are cracking cars to drive. You could pick up a 09 diesel for c£18k to £22k.

 

 

Thanks Coops. I'm after a degree of exclusivity (bar the insignia) I like the XF but I'd hanker after the XJ more then I think.

I also like the look of the Citroen C6..very few and far between but a rising spoiler on the boot..and exclusive. 2.7 diesel from the Jag S-Type/previous XJ..

The Jag XF is very good - tested one last year for a full day (took Dad to the Jaguar Factory in it!). Didn't realise we were talking latest XJ - now that is in a different league altogether. I'd suggest you contact member mandp (Mike) on here, he has a 2011 XJ.

 

I don't think the C6 is a patch on the XJ - yes they are very few and far between - there are only 11 for sale on Autotrader ranging from c£5,5k to c£10k (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/citroen/c6/postcode/nn118ea/radius/1501/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/quicksearch/true/page/1/sort/pricedesc)

 

Personally I'd go for an XF, cheaper than the XJ, virtually as good.

As above, don't discount the XF. It looks great from the outside, and even better from the inside. A neighbour has the XF sportbrake and it's an utterly gorgeous car. Its the only one I've seen in the metal as well, so pretty exclusive just now.

XF all the way. The Insignia is abysmal (space/ ride/ longevity), If it must be a Skoda the 170 Superb will be a cracking buy used.

 

 BUT, those Jags represent a huge amount of motor for the money and there are many to be had at an absolute song. 

Ok. I've been and driven an XF. It was ok, and I could use it every day and enjoy it for a while. My feeling is though is that it doesn't have any road presence and I'd get bored. I have generally always had something that is different to the rest. Superb, S60 Sport, 740i etc. I'm in a normal blend in type of car now with the Cee'd and I feel that I want something a bit different again. I'm sorely tempted by the A8s in 4.2 TDI guise but economy and tax are a little concerning. If I get a early one (2005/6 55 plate then that's ok but a march 06 onwards and tax is 460 quid odd a year!! Economy appears to be around 30mpg and ideally I need about 35mpg at least. Decisions decisions.

tricked up Defender?

 

Or go older and change more often?

Daimlers, S500, Shoguns...

I think you KNOW what you want

The XJ...the others are compromises etc..... If you need to wait and save... Then so be it, but it's the Jag you want... Anything else will leave you hankering lol..

You worked hard... Your doing well...reward yourself....save like mad and then. Treat yourself to the Dream car you want..even if you get a little older XJ to bring the cost down,, you will be happy. XJ....it's the best way

I've been thinking about going a bit more standard but with a twist..Ford S-Max in 2.5t engine form with a remap and a few other tweaks. Recaro front seats and a decent bodykit, although the standard one looks pretty good. Its just whether it would be able to go round the twisties..

Someone had one on piston heads running 350bhp. Not sure how it drove though.

Well I bought a 2.0 tdci S-Max in May (using my sensible head) and now wish I'd waited.

On the plus front all of my options have got a little bit cheaper...except the Jag which has stayed about the same.

I recently spotted a 2006 A8 6.0 W12 with loads of toys for 8k. That's a ridiculous amount of car for the money and certainly tickles my fancy. I find out about my promotion on Monday hopefully and then I can go test driving. I really want the Jag but 30k is a lot of dollar!