Posts Tagged purchase
2006 Jaguar X Type: Luxury for the Commoner
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 13, 2009
Prices for top selling luxury cars can easily top $50,000 when taxes, destination charges, and dealer prep fees are factored in. Generally, this isn’t a problem as the customer who purchases a vehicle of this renown can afford the big price tag. However, automakers have learned that there is a market for “entry level” luxury cars for up and coming buyers who want the name without paying the steep price. The dilemma for automakers is not to water down the product line, rather to offer a car that upholds the marquee without diluting its value. One such car that has successfully filled that criterion is the Jaguar X Type, the focus of this review.
Admittedly, I am biased toward purchasing American cars even through the ups and downs of the U.S. car industry. Still, I am fascinated by changes that occur in vehicles throughout the world as I know that at some point those changes will be incorporated into cars traversing North American highways. One such feature that I have seen grow more commonplace is the use of all wheel drive to power automobiles. Subaru, for years, has offered all wheel drive across their model line, but few cars – foreign or domestic – have incorporated what has chiefly been the realm of sport utility vehicles.
In 2002 Jaguar introduced its first all wheel drive car, the X Type, a compact sedan. Fresh on the heels of the successful launch of the midsized S Type, the X Type’s base price began around $30,000 well within the range of other entry level luxury cars in its class including the Saab 9-3 and Audi A4. As a “bonus” all wheel drive was made standard supposedly giving the X Type an edge over most competitors. Unfortunately, it did not work out that way.
The original X Type performed poorly against the competition. Published reports stated that the car was too small, less dependable, and not as powerful as other cars in its class. Sales were sluggish for the first three years before Jaguar overhauled the car in time for the 2005 model year. For 2006, these changes were brought forward and include as many as one thousand component changes over the original model.
If you purchase an X Type, there is only one engine that comes with the car: a 24 valve 3.0L V6. Paired with a five speed automatic, the engine kicks out a respectable 227hp, not bad for a car weighing in at just over 3500 lbs.
The interior is atypical Jaguar: beautiful. Bronze Sapele wood, finished chrome, and leather appointments truly make the X Type a car lovely to behold on the inside as well as the outside. Standard interior features include an Alpine® 10-speaker, 320-watt sound system; 8 way power adjustable driver’s seat; tilt/cruise; power everything; are some of the stand outs of the X Type. Optional equipment allows for owners to select Bluetooth® hands-free voice connectivity and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio. For ultimate luxury the Vanden Plas edition, formerly available on only larger Jaguars, is now available on the X Type. Larger wheels and an assortment of trim packages are the hallmarks of a Vanden Plas equipped car.
For the exterior, traction control is mated with the all wheel drive system to give an optimum level of handling and braking performance. Rain sensing wipers, power/heated door mirrors, and automatic headlamps are all features found on the X Type. Of course, one of the most sought after features is its looks: distinctive Jaguar lines, the trademark split grille, and quad round headlamps.
Base price for the X Type starts at about $33,000 for the sedan and is three to four thousand dollars more for the Vanden Plas sedan and sport wagon models, respectively. Roughly half of all Jaguar sales come from the X Type and the entire company’s success in North America is dependent on how well the X Type is received. Judging by the changes put in place by Jaguar, the X Type should continue to carry the lion’s share of the market while keeping the Jaguar name front and center.
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Jaguar For Me, Jag For You?
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 13, 2009
The British automaker, Jaguar, has certainly stepped it up a notch over the past decade. Don’t tell the British, but Ford Motor Company’s purchase of the venerable brand likely saved the company from oblivion. The cat is back. Read on for updates about this feline marquee.
I have a friend, his name shall remain anonymous to protect the guilty, and whose knowledge about Jaguar is fairly limited to put it kindly. Both of us enjoy cars, particularly powerful American coupes, and the occasional sedan or hot wagon, such as the Dodge Magnum. When Lincoln’s new LS made its debut more than five years ago I remarked how the Ford Motor Company crafted both it and the Jaguar “S” type from the same platform and that this was the first shared venture between the two companies ever. My buddy was perplexed as he considered what I had said. He then retorted, “how can Ford and GM build from the same car?” Huh?! I was mystified at first, but then I realized his ignorance was typical of many Americans regarding the British automaker: they just did not know the brand.
Unfortunately for Jaguar beyond shows such as Masterpiece Theatre, not too many Americans outside of major cities were familiar with the Jaguar brand. Today, that has all changed. With the introduction of the “S” type, a midsize sedan and the “X” type an AWD sedan, America’s perception of Jaguar – or Jag-you-are as some are want to pronounce it has changed dramatically… and for the better. Jaguar still produces larger sedans including the XJ and the XK, but it is the smaller cars that are receiving the most notice and producing the badly needed sales and revenue for Jaguar.
Even further down the line, Jaguar is really poised to pounce. An all new XK8, a 2+2 rear wheel drive coupe. Departing from Jaguar tradition, the XK8 will have a mostly aluminum veneer, with woods such as poplar and walnut optional. Retailing at $75K the XK8 will also be sold as a convertible.
Additional coupes and an SUV are also being planned and it is expected that the broader selection of vehicles will grow the brand in the US as well as in the UK. Gone are the days of V12 Jaguars, but in its place are some truly outstanding cars that are certain to capture the attention of the car buying public.
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To Keep Your Jaguar Running Optimally You Need Quality Jaguar Parts
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 12, 2009
Have you ever seen a documentary about Jaguars? These gorgeous animals are royalty among the other animals that share their habitats. They are predators that can move swiftly, yet can be playful as well. The jaguar is one of nature’s most powerful and sleek creatures. The jaguar is large, but agile and beautiful. They are so revered that even a car was named after them, one that contains the same smooth lines as the animal itself, as well as its great capacity for speed. Much like its name sake, the Jaguar brand car is a glorious mix of sleekness, agility, power, and beauty.
Instead of the honing of muscle and bone, the Jaguar is an infusion of technology and steel. Much like the jaguar of nature, the Jaguar of men is in a class all its own.
The Jaguar XJS is one the most awe inspiring luxury cars on the market. This GT coupe was released onto the market in the mid 70s as a replacement for the mythical Jaguar E-Type. Despite its aerodynamic shaping, and technologically advanced mechanisms, the Jaguar XJS could not compare to the E-Type on the race track. This fact not only further established Jaguar’s reputation in racing; it blew away all other competition as well.
In 1996, the last Jaguar XJS’s rolled off the line and are now considered highly collectable automobiles. If you want to own a discontinued XJS, you have an easier time of it now. If you own a Jaguar XJS and find yourself in need of parts, you can rest assured that the parts you need for your glorious car are still on the market. You don’t have to look very far to find Jaguar accessories, Jaguar electrical systems, Jaguar transmission systems, and more, which make repairing your Jaguar much easier. There are many online stores that specialize in these parts.
Why do you want to buy genuine Jaguar parts for your Jaguar? The answer to that is astonishingly simple: why wouldn’t you? Why would you want to take your high-performance, quality, powerful, and beautiful driving machine and fill it full of less than perfect parts? It’s like trying to make water into wine; it just doesn’t happen.
When you purchase Jaguar parts you are buying quality, genuine parts for your Jaguar. You don’t want to settle for anything else. For instance: why would you buy something as important as a suspension system from anyone other than a certified Jaguar parts dealer? Why would you want to put your safety into anyone else’s hands? You can trust that any parts you buy from a certified Jaguar parts dealer are going to be the best at maintaining your car, and even your life. There’s no point in taking chances. If you need parts, go online and select from one of the automotive parts stores that specialize in Jaguar parts.
