Goo-Net Showdown: Lesser Known Luxury

"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88) 05/08/2016 at 13:48 • Filed to: Goo-Net Showdown, Japan, Goo-Net, Daimler Double Six, Ssangyong Chairman, Rover 825Si, Efini MS-9

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Today’s Goo-Net Showdown will pit a quartet of lesser known luxury sedans against each other.

First up is a contender from the UK, this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This vehicle, based on Jaguar’s XJ, carries the model code ‘X305', has a 6 liter version of Jaguar’s legendary V12 engine, mated to a General Motors 4L80-E 4-speed automatic.

This fine example, with 72,000 km on it is listed for 1,289,000 yen/$12,034.92.

The next contender comes from South Korea, and isn’t a Hyundai or Kia.

This is a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , with a 3.2 liter version of Mercedes-Benz’s M104 inline-6.

This low mileage example with just 59,000 km on it is listed for 999,000 yen/$9,327.29.

The third contender is a combination of British and Japanese engineering, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Built in the UK and closely related to the Honda Legend, the 800 Series was offered with a variety of engines, including this 825Si’s 2.5 liter V6 (can’t tell if it’s a Honda C25A or a Rover KV6).

With 76,000km on the odometer, this 825Si is listed for 360,000 yen/$3,361.19, the most affordable of the bunch.

Lastly, a home market contender, this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , known in North America as the Mazda 929 or 929 Serenia.

Under the hood, the less powerful 2.5 liter J5-DE V6, as opposed to the 3 liter JF-ZE V6.

With a really low 40,000km on it, this MS-9 is also the second least expensive contender, listed at 390,000 yen/$3,641.29.

Now, it’s time to decide. Which one would you choose?

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dogisbadob > carcrasher88 05/08/2016 at 13:56

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Easily the Mazda

A Korean Benz copy, a high maintenance Jag stripped of its cat on the hood, and a Legend ruined by Lucas, no thanks.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > carcrasher88 05/08/2016 at 14:10

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That 6.0 V12 Jag is only four years older than my V8 Audi, cost $20,000 more when new, and has...three more horsepower.

That’s just sad. I really want to love that car, and I still do, but good lord.

djmt1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/08/2016 at 14:33

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Gearbox limitations. The continued thorn in the side to skint British manufacturers. Shame they couldn’t attach the 12 to the Merc gearboxes they used later. I really hope the new I6s mean a return to V12s somehow because man I would love to see this noise make a return:

Svend > carcrasher88 05/08/2016 at 14:41

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Rover 800 Series for me. Had an 820Si when I was younger and loved that car. It was a BRG metallic saloon and such a great relaxing place to be.

The local police had a 2.7litre version

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > carcrasher88 05/08/2016 at 15:30

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Jaaaaaaaaaag