Bad Car Ideas with Akio

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
09/30/2019 at 14:19 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

Not this one, but I LOVE those wheels

During the run up for our last cheap car challenge, the Jaguar S-Type was brought to my attention. I didn’t end up buying the one I looked at, but it has still stuck in the back of my mind. Apparently you could get it with a 400HP 4.2L Supercharged V8 that, in 2002, was allegedly the fastest 4-door in the world.

I want one.

My plan is to start hunting for one in the next couple of months, after I change jobs and after I get the Alfa and Saab in a little better health . While I would love to fill the wagon shaped hole in my heart, I think I’d rather follow up the Volvo and Wagovan up with something completely different. Would be on the hunt for a supercharged model in green. I wish you could get it in manual but alas.....

Allegedly you can coax 500+ HP out of them with relative ease, so that would be on the short TODO list.

Bad idea? Of course.

Fun idea? I think so.

What does Oppo think? What should I watch out for? What years are the ones to get?

DISCUSSION (15)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 14:26

Congrats on the new job (I assume?).

POWA! What’s been your highest HP car up to this point?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/30/2019 at 14:33

Not yet on the new job. Current place eliminated my department right before I left on the trip. Unfortunate, but such is life. I’d be hunting down one of these bad boys TODAY if I was sure I didn’t need that money to like.... live. Financial responsibility sucks.

Highest powered vehicle I’ve had is the Volvo at 252HP, and 300ish torque. At 3300 lbs that puts it right around 174HP/TON. Stock Jag would be 400HP at 4000ish lbs, putting it at 200HP/TON. Not a HUGE improvement, especially with a slushbox, but add 100 extra and things could get fun. Also RWD.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 14:46

Oof. Hope you find the right place to land soon.

Things might be changing soon for me, too. Should know more in a couple weeks. Very thankful that Mrs. addiction also has a good job, and we’re super fortunate to be debt free (just within the last year or so)...

250 per ton would definitely be fun! My car’s around 240.

facw > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 14:56

I hate the way these look, but if you like it, why not give it a shot.

citrus > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 15:30

I know nothing about s-types except that I irrationally want one.

Perfect mix of classy and bland

CompactLuxuryFan > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 15:39

Math on the Volvo isn’t checking out for me, at least not at the same time as the Jag’s (I think you’re almost using imperial tons for the Volvo, but US tons for the Jag).

Anyway, I would think Volvo -> Jag would be a pretty noticeable difference on the butt dyno! Did you get rid of the C30? I forget.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 16:10

Just buy a Spirit RT. It’s almost as quick and far cheaper to buy/maintain/modify.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CompactLuxuryFan
09/30/2019 at 16:48

Doh! My spreadsheet had 2900 lbs in there for the Volvo’s weight. No idea why. Volvo is 158 HP/TON with a curb weight of 3,200lbs. It has been a long week and I’m not mathing quite right.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > facw
09/30/2019 at 16:49

I did too! Very recently it was like someone flipped a switch and suddenly I like them. Oddly I used to like the XF but now I don’t :-/

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CompactLuxuryFan
09/30/2019 at 17:02

Yeah, I get 153...

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 18:18

I dropped off my XJ at the dealer this morning, and the loaner car waitlist was 25-deep.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/30/2019 at 19:21

Yeah sorry I did the math on that wrong. Or, rather, my spreadsheet had the wrong curb weight AND I remembered the weight wrong. The Volvo weighs 3,200 lbs curb weight for a power to weight ratio of 158 HP/TON.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 21:14

I think you’ll feel the difference.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 21:16

My old Mazda 3s hatch was just over 2700 lbs - so much fun to toss around.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
09/30/2019 at 22:45

Do it! I love my Jag even though it’s extremely slow.

I kinda like S-types too.