bought an S type Jag (4.0 V8 280hp) about 6 months ago but I don't like it... would probably be ok if it was a manual
bought it on the spur of the moment because I liked my xj6 (which I bought quick from my hospital bed when I crushed my left wrist and needed an automatic), figured the V8 would be nice
they didn't make the V8 with a manual box, so swapping it for a manual is a no go
I don't like anything boy racer-ish or too flash... but like a bit of power... most of the bigger V8 cars are automatic
any ideas/recommendations ?
thought about an M5, but they look over priced to me ?
I like to keep price down so I don;t have to worry too much when I'm towing a fully loaded transit van out of a ditch etc.
Monaro?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/vauxhall/monaro
Audi S4 B5 2.7 Twin Turbo 4x4
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-s4-/281906563050?hash=item41a2f0c7ea:g:Vc0AAOSwwPhWk8Dj
Can do a lot to them to increase power and you got 4 wheel drive.
Audi S4 B6 4.2 V8 4x4
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-S4-ADVANT-2004-METALIC-BLACK-rs4-audi-s2-r32-golf-/281907359812?hash=item41a2fcf044:g:X8oAAOSwwE5WXa~T
VW Passat 2.8i V6 4Motion 4x4
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-Passat-2-8-2001MY-V6-4Motion-/252057902803?hash=item3aafd25ed3:g:1twAAOSwyQtVzzQd
VW Golf 2.8i V6 4Motion 4x4
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Volkswagen-Golf-2-8-V6-4Motion-5dr-/262198135172?hash=item3d0c3a0984:g:COYAAOSwJcZWdXKX
Good thing about these is lots of interchangeable bits like Full Recaro Black Leather / Heated Seats later for luxury :P
BMW E34 530i V8 - My personal favourite, getting rare and now considered a quality Retro
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-530i-v8-manual-e34-hellrot-red-drift-/262236628530?hash=item3d0e856632:g:TMIAAOSwcdBWSyJq
Monaro sounds pretty good, but looks a bit flash for me, I like more of a sleeper
A4 B6 looks like a decent possibility
4x4 would be nice
especially after I beached the jag in a field last week, swerving to avoid someone who skidded on ice, and then skidding on the ice myself
was only doing about 40, but I went up a 2ft ridge at the side of a field (took about a foot off the top of it) bounced over a 3ft gap (about 3ft deep too) and the down about 3ft at the other side.... I need a new number plate and a few self tappers in the bottom of the bumper... pretty tough this jag for looking soft!
(http://i.imgur.com/5oqCWnp.jpg)
was stuck enough that we pulled over a tree getting it out :-o
You can also look at the A6 and A8 as they use the same engine, the 4.2 V8 with Manual Box. Other than Audi you don't get a lot of choice as most cars with big engines now are Auto.
think I'll go test drive an A4 and see what I think of it
A8 is much bigger than I need, saw a nice looking A6 but I'll test an A4 first
Passat W8 4Motion - 4.0 V8 6 Speed Manual 275BHP Super Rare Car
https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/volkswagen-passat-w8-4-motion-4.0-v8-rare-car-manual/1149936969
Will need a fat wallet for parts though!
Dull cars.
Quote from: soopahfly on January 14, 2016, 19:06:30 PMDull cars
make some suggestions then....
something happy on the motorway, with plenty of power, bot not boy racer/flashy
remember old school diesels, you could stick leave it 3rd and drive around 'surfing the turbo" taking it easy but sing the boost out of roundabouts etc.. using power but not reving it much... that's what I like
modern diesels are too revy for me, and most autos drop and gear and rev like a hairdryer when you accelerate
He's going to recommend a Lexus LS or Soarer but you go find one in Manual Gearbox, i was going to list one.
Its easy to say Dull Cars and produce no alternatives.
For the money you can't go wrong with the VW/Audi route, lots around breaking, plenty of new and used parts, i wouldn't say a 4.2 V8 4x4 is boring but each to their own.
Quote from: Bacon on January 14, 2016, 19:40:13 PM
He's going to recommend a Lexus LS or Soarer but you go find one in Manual Gearbox, i was going to list one.
Its easy to say Dull Cars and produce no alternatives.
For the money you can't go wrong with the VW/Audi route, lots around breaking, plenty of new and used parts, i wouldn't say a 4.2 V8 4x4 is boring but each to their own.
I was on my phone quoting. I'll find some non-vag cars later.
Tbh, walking is more interesting than driving a Vag car.
Quote from: soopahfly on January 15, 2016, 11:17:36 AM
Quote from: Bacon on January 14, 2016, 19:40:13 PM
He's going to recommend a Lexus LS or Soarer but you go find one in Manual Gearbox, i was going to list one.
Its easy to say Dull Cars and produce no alternatives.
For the money you can't go wrong with the VW/Audi route, lots around breaking, plenty of new and used parts, i wouldn't say a 4.2 V8 4x4 is boring but each to their own.
I was on my phone quoting. I'll find some non-vag cars later.
Tbh, walking is more interesting than driving a Vag car.
Its not that i'm saying VAG cus its VAG, i drive a Vauxhall and i've had a lot of Vauxhall's but i wouldn't recommend a big engined one, the VAG ticks a few boxes, a lot of other big engined cars with manual boxes will have more downfalls in my opinion but i would be interested to see what you come up with, i have likely already considered posting it, but had a reason not too!
Plus i posted an E34 as my personal favourite.
Volvo S60R?
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4a/50/f4/4a50f4382fdeb0a45299d0dc9f724298.jpg)
*Girl not included.
I'm picking up a Mazda 6 TR2 2L turbo deisel next week, its surprisingly pokey. And infinitely better than the POS mk4 Golf its replacing!
Nice car that nige. I wouldn't mind a new car, my Focus is crap. But no point for a year.
yeah looks nice Nige, got plenty of storage spare for your worthers originals ?
Quote from: knighty on January 17, 2016, 22:46:35 PM
yeah looks nice Nige, got plenty of storage spare for your worthers originals ?
Knowing Nige he already has the flat cap and pipe to go with the Worthers if not i can sell you a flat cap from work :D
Quote from: knighty on January 17, 2016, 22:46:35 PM
yeah looks nice Nige, got plenty of storage spare for your worthers originals ?
Can easily fit loads of children in the boot, there's a dog guard attached so they can't escape too!
"You've Come a Long Way, Baby"
(https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAOMAAAAJDFkMzcyMTMwLTU2ZDAtNGQ5Ny1iM2ZmLTMxOGFjNzYzNWRhNQ.png)
Quote from: matt5cott on January 18, 2016, 23:28:58 PM
"You've Come a Long Way, Baby"
(https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAOMAAAAJDFkMzcyMTMwLTU2ZDAtNGQ5Ny1iM2ZmLTMxOGFjNzYzNWRhNQ.png)
(http://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/65836956.jpg)
I'm still lost... can't decide what to get :-o
half tempted to stick with the jag
I think half the problem is, the xj6 was 20rys old but it was immaculate inside out and, plus it was seriously well built, inside was amasing, real leather everywhere, real wood everywhere, and all the little things were perfect... daft things like the fan for the heater was silent until you had it on full blast, seats were really comfortable (parents borrowed the car after my mother hurt her back because it was the only car she was comforter in)... suspension was super smooth but still decent at speed
I assumed the S class would be even better, same Jag badge on it but much more modern, I figured all the new tech would mean a much better car... but the inside isn't as nice - bit plastic, suspension isn't as smooth going slow or as good going quick, seats aren't as good.... car just doesn't have the same feel of quality to it
and that's why I'm stuck... I want something with the quality of a 20yr old xj6, but modern.... and if the S Class doesn't fit the bill what will?
Modern Jags upto 2008 are Mondeos. A lot of the bits are interchangeable. Now TATA owns them.
True Jags are upto 89!
Quote from: knighty on January 21, 2016, 15:08:19 PM
I'm still lost... can't decide what to get :-o
half tempted to stick with the jag
I think half the problem is, the xj6 was 20rys old but it was immaculate inside out and, plus it was seriously well built, inside was amasing, real leather everywhere, real wood everywhere, and all the little things were perfect... daft things like the fan for the heater was silent until you had it on full blast, seats were really comfortable (parents borrowed the car after my mother hurt her back because it was the only car she was comforter in)... suspension was super smooth but still decent at speed
I assumed the S class would be even better, same Jag badge on it but much more modern, I figured all the new tech would mean a much better car... but the inside isn't as nice - bit plastic, suspension isn't as smooth going slow or as good going quick, seats aren't as good.... car just doesn't have the same feel of quality to it
and that's why I'm stuck... I want something with the quality of a 20yr old xj6, but modern.... and if the S Class doesn't fit the bill what will?
IMO the quality of pretty much all cars just nosedived on the turn of the millennium, my mr2 is still going today, 18 this year and it's the last MK2 revision!
If you buy 90s it's not going to lose any more value :D
I agree with Matt, I still have yet to find anything with the build quality of the old MX5s; I've had four of them and everything else thus far has paled in comparison. New cars have nice modern features, but sh*t build quality, they all seem to show signs after a few years. I'm hoping this relatively new Mazda 6 will be the exception (I'm picking it up in about 30 mins).
What do you think of it then, now you've had it a few days.
Hardly driven it much, been sorting out the old car and running the fuel down on it. But I'll let you know next week after a few trips to work and back.
Anyone driven a Merc cls500 ?
309hp, 7speed auto with tiptronic thingie and steering wheel padals
Auto.... But it looks like I'm probably stuck with that, all the manuals are too sporty... Tested a couple and ride is too rough for the drive home after working 14 hours
Quote from: knighty on January 25, 2016, 02:35:53 AM
Anyone driven a Merc cls500 ?
309hp, 7speed auto with tiptronic thingie and steering wheel padals
Auto.... But it looks like I'm probably stuck with that, all the manuals are too sporty... Tested a couple and ride is too rough for the drive home after working 14 hours
Owned a cls500 before I got my current car, was a 2005 car with approx. 60k miles on it. I loved it but there is a hell of a lot to go wrong on them. Airmatic suspension and SBC brakes can throw some massive bills.
Smooth quiet and comfortable, drove from west coast of Scotland to south coast England in one day with only a few short stops, was so easy.
what do you have now, and why did you replace the cls ?
did you have many problems with the cls ? most big engined cars seam to have more gadgets that I'd like
cls is flasher/more poser than I'd like, but they sound pretty nice to drive
Changed to a leased 420d as my daily commute went from 14 miles to 100 and it was drinking fuel, was fairly good for the size of engine though 25-26 mpg average on the dashboard.
I only had 2 issues with it, the airbox wasn't put back together properly before I got it so the AFM got dirty causing a dodgy idle, easily fixed. Then the drivers window regulator broke with the window down and jammed so needed replacing, this is a common issue with them weak electric windows. They are frameless and stick in the frost straining the motor as they drop whenever you open the door.
Only owned the car around a year. Was a low spec one (everything is an option) so had quad zone climate control and nav but no seat heaters so worth checking what each car has before buying as some are rammed with stuff others hardly anything. The COMAND on board computer entertainment thing feels pretty naff compared to the BMW I drive (comparing to a 54 plate 530d).
The gearbox had a harsh gear change the first 2 changes from cold, not sure if that was a fault or a feature. No paddles on mine but could swap up and down using the gear stick the same way, which I barely used.
The sound from the v8 is pretty much non existent, so much sound proofing and muffling on it. So if you are hoping for a decent soundtrack you'll probably need to get a sporty exhaust or something.
think I might go have a look at one :-)
not bothered about sound track... S type sounds like a hairdryer when you accelerate so not losing anything there!
what do they handle like ? - I thought there was something wrong with the Jag the first time I did 80 in it, handling was sh*t, felt like it was floating on the road, but had it checked out and there's nothing wrong with it/broken :-(
p.s. sorry for asking so many questions, normally I decide I need a new car, see something I like then go buy one all in the same day... but I'm pretty disappointed with this S type... think maybe I've lost some of my car kung-foo when I fell on my head :-s
No worries.
They waft along quite nicely but it gave me plenty of feedback and confidence, unlike the brand new 420d which feels like its on ice all the time and about to slide off the road at a moments notice.
Grab a test drive should be fairly easy. The adjustable suspension has 2 sports modes which can firm things up if you need it. The brakes on mine were proper sharp and the EBA when triggered can really pull the thing up despite the huge weight.
I can confirm the Mazda 6 is lovely to drive, nice short shift gear change that satisfying clicks into place, none of this spongey gear change nonsense. Good feedback and sharp steering, pedals all in the right places, pulls great, very happy with it and it feels surprisingly nimble for such a big car. Feels like a Mazda to me!
Where you expecting the pedals to be the wrong place ? :)
the pedals on the little kids bikes of course ! ;-) ;-) ;-)
Some cars have them in stupid positions/too close together (usually French cars) which makes you have to sit at a funny angle. The driving position is just right.
so... where's the photos ?
I'll put some up once I've cleaned it.