Very much liked test driving a thing.

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97) 03/11/2020 at 00:05 • Filed to: None

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Over the weekend I saw this Jag XE with a for sale sign and was intrigued. After all, I don’t need two trucks and have a general plan of pairing the Pajero with something fun and modern to drive to work. Reading up on these, I thought it might be an interesting test drive but with a relatively low likelihood of me actually being interested in owning it.

This car is a 2017 XE 25t with 52k, Black on black and tan inside, no accidents, all the records of dealer service since new and being sold by the original owner (who is still very much emotionally involved with her jag) asking $18.5k.

The reviews are correct in that the interior on these is nice enough, but in no way particularly special like the cats higher up the food chain. However, even with only the 240hp 2.0 turbo 4, this kitten is fantastic to drive. Paired with an 8-speed ZF auto and an aluminium chassis weighing in at 3300lbs, the baby jag is quick enough. The real magic is in the torque vectoring rear diff and the jag suspension. These are seriously good through a corner while riding like a c-class. Great steering feel, awesome turn in, and the torque vectoring does the good magic as you roll back on the throttle at turn-in.

A much more spirited than planned test drive had me grinning like a little kid at car I didn’t expect to rustle any jimmies. After about half an hour of poking around the under bits, it seemed like it could be a lot of interesting driving- to- work car for about $17k. The owner accepted my offer. Pending a few details, I think we’re going to trade money for paperwork on Thursday morning. I really wasn’t planning on replaci ng the F-150 so soon...

I drove it and looked it over during the day, but the only pictures I took were from the night I spotted it.

Chariotoflove > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 00:19

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That’s a big shift. The little truck you bought for fun suddenly becomes your go to for hauling stuff. Still, this seems like a much better commuter than a full size pickup. And you’re paid off. Sounds good as long as you don’t go into any debt for it. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 03/11/2020 at 00:22

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The Pajero becoming the occasional moving big stuff and doggo hauler was kind of always in the plan in addition to being a for fun adventure mobile. I can always rent a uhaul truck for a day if really need to move something large. I’d take out a loan to buy this, but it would be paid off as soon as I sold the F-150.

gettingoldercarguy > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 00:53

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Jaguar is Oppo car o f 2020?  I'm pleased.

phenotyp > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 01:04

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That’s how I felt the first time I drove the E60 550.

Spanfeller is a twat > phenotyp 03/11/2020 at 03:12

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One car I'm convinced needed a better exhaust system.

SmugAardvark > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 04:04

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Looks great! This would make at least three Jaguar purchases on here in the last 4 or 6 weeks. Brit cars are taking over Oppo!

Hope everything works out on the deal. Looking forward to seeing the purchase confirmed soon!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 05:49

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Congrats! I was turned off by the XE due to the price tag; it’s a perfectly good car, but not that much better than a high-trim Golf for double the price (or more). I was disappointed with the infotainment system, so I’d like to hear your thoughts.

True that the engine is sweet. It didn’t feel as powerful as it is, though, because of how the turbo spools. I like me a big kick in the ass of boost 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/11/2020 at 06:59

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Agreed on the interior, as it wasn’t that much nicer than a new, loaded GTI I test drove a few weeks back. That might have been harder to swallow in an expensive new car, but it doesn’t bother me in a $17k used car 3 years down the line

Wary of what I’ve read about the infotainment, I spent way more time fiddling around with it that I normally would on a test drive. My initial impressions weren’t bad. It was fine, in the since that it worked and I could make it do what I wanted easily enough. The 2016 mustang and the 2017 F 150 in the household both have the original Ford Sync system being nothing fancy trims, so it is way better and faster than those. It also struck me as more intuitive and less laggy than Mazda’s current infotainment that I’ve spent considerable time with in both a 2016 and 2019 Mazda 6. It was not, however, as good as Kia’s current system and some others I’ve experienced.

I know there were a number of big updates done to the software, and the records show they’ve been done to this car, so that could factor in. It may have been a lot buggier as it left factory.  It could also be that my expectations are pretty low.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 08:26

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Her Majesty approves.

avalonian > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2020 at 09:27

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That car has alot of phenomenal features, I'm seriously considering one as a commuter. If you go to the dealer they can set up the remote start from your phone. And if it has the big 10.1 screen it can be updated to andriod auto and carplay! 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > SmugAardvark 03/11/2020 at 10:32

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It should.  The owner had been trying to sell it since like September, but kept pulling it off the market when she got an offer.  She is still emotionally involved with her Jag.  I think this will go through this time, as she is selling the building her business is in and in the middle of buying another one.  She says her husband and her accountant both told her she has to sell it this time if she gets a good offer.  I've got the funds in hand this morning, so we'll meet after she gets back in town this afternoon.