Who's Idea Was It To Buy A Jag

[martin.]

Decided to go fishing on saturday, weather was nice, know a nice place, just happens to be a caravan site aswell.

So there we are sat in the sunshine, peace and quiet apart from some yappy crappy dogs doing nothing but bark all the time from someones caravan, when all of a sudden this Jag rolls up, (I must point out that this site is storage aswell, so he's towed it 100 yards).

Now it's a nice jag, and a nice twin axle caravan, and the job is quite simple, reverse the van into the pitch, no obstructions, enough space, pretty straight forward really.

3 times he got it in and 3 times he brought it out because it just wasn't quite right, the shouting and cursing was comical, what was even more comical was the fact that everyone fishing was watching him, all the other vanners were watching him, simply because he drew so much attention to himself.

In the end he gave up and turned the engine off, you couldn't see the car or the van or half the site because of the clutch smoke, he got out of the car, slagged it off and got some of the other vanners there to help him push it into place, I nearly went over to lend him our Land Rover but I caught a fish.

I suppose my point is should people be better at reversing a caravan, or should people atleast buy a car that can do the job, because it was quite clear that the clutch on jag is made for cruising and not reversing a twin axle caravan, or am I just being a bit picky.

I must point out though that he couldn't see us all watching because there is a small hedge seperating the lake from the site so no pressure.

 

[KeithJ]

Martin - its all part of the entertainment when on caravan sites - much more fun than hotels!

Keith

 

[Chrisbee]

Martin - its all part of the entertainment when on caravan sites - much more fun than hotels!

Keith

or fishing.

 

[Zafiral]

Martin I do feel you are being too picky.

If you were trying to put people off from starting caravanning because of the attitudes of 'seasoned' caravanners towards newbies, then you may have done a good job.

Fortunately people went out of their way to help us when we started caravanning two years.

My most embarrasing moment was on a CC site in Devon two years ago when I was trying to level the caravan on a slope. I was on my knees winding one of the rear stays with the other half reading the spirit level. I was tipping the caravan the wrong way!! A fellow caravanner came over and firstly appologised for interferring (we said no problem, we need all the help we can get!) before advising me to level first by eye, then get the spirit level out!! Obvious I know, but when you are new, you panic abit.

What I am saying is that newbies need help and advice, not being laughed at on public forums.

 

[Glenn_5132962]

This is a troll is it not? Any clutch will over heat & smoke if its subjected to such abuse.

I hope you know more about fishing that you do about cars!! Or were you just jealous of the "nice jag"?

 

[thehoods]

Troll or not. Good story, made me laugh and brighten up my day a little. Best post I've read on here for a long time.

 

[martin.]

Firstly, Civical, i'm not trying to put people off caravanning, having spoke to the site owner as I left he's been a vanner for a while, he made it quite clear in his shouting that he didn't want any help but then did get it when he gave up, we have helped other people on many occassions both here and abroad, we had to learn once and know what it's like, made the mistakes, took them on board.

Secondly, Glenn, i'm not a troll, i've been on here for quite a while and help out where I can and no i'm not jealous of his "nice jag" and yes I do know more about cars than fishing and I can reverse my van better than I can fish, the wife fishes better than I do, but at least I try and I do ask for help and tips where possible.

It was just funny, all the shouting, all the smoke and all to move a van 20 foot, it's happened to me aswell, so I stopped, had a *** and tried again after i calmed down, worked a treat.

 

[Glenn_5132962]

I can see the funny side but in your original post you say the clutch on the jag is made for cruising which is rubbish. A Jag clutch is no different to any other car clutch if its abused while reversing!!

ps. I fish as well but I prefer to do mine in the sea

 

[JulieandStuart]

Actually it was certainly our idea to buy a Jag, in fact we bought one each, Stuart has a 4 Litre S Type and I have a 2.5 litre X type - we love cars and it's our main indulgence (closely followed by our 2004 Lunar Clubman we purchased in September). Both cars are automatic and no problem in towing or reversing our van!! and as Martin so elequently puts it, they cruise pretty well too with our without the van in tow!!

We're new to caravanning and would hate to think that any "seasoned" caravanner would find any difficulties we might experience during our early days, amusing.

To be honest, the people we have met have been superb (especially the conplete stranger in North Wales who helped us site our van in gale force wind and driving rain). The other other complete stranger who advised us on how best to level our van on a very uneven pitch, the people we've spoken to in caravan accessory shops sharing their experiences of this and that - the list goes on, we actually thought that all caravanners were the same.

If you could advise me which site(s) Martin and co frequent we'll make sure they're off our list.

 

[DavidW1]

Martin, to be fair you did title your piece to provoke attention so you should be able to take some flack from the Jag lovers out there if they bite back.

Personally I have always loved Jags having owned several ranging fom an old MK 5, a 4.2 E Type, An XJ 6C and an XJ 3.2 Executive. I wouldn't have used any of them as tow cars though, in spite of weight and power being massive as they sit far too low to the ground. The modern XJ's and S types are similarly designed and would probably need spring assistors to keep them from grounding over road humps or comming to grief on CL entrances and the like.

The X type is a different animal though and the 4WD model would be a super towcar.

Final note, what was matey doing with a manual Jag anyway, they just have to be Autos to be a proper Jag!

 

[Glenn_5132962]

Proper Jags have manual gearboxes!!

No auto's on Lemans winning D types

No Auto's on the proper early E types

No Auto on the XJR's that won Lemans in 1988 & 1990.

LOL

 

[DavidW1]

Proper Jags have manual gearboxes!!

No auto's on Lemans winning D types

No Auto's on the proper early E types

No Auto on the XJR's that won Lemans in 1988 & 1990.

LOL

Take your point, my E type was of course manual but I really meant the luxury models, cant see any one towing with a D type anyway.

 

[emmerson2]

My number one pet hate? People who call JAGUARS jags!!! GRRRR!

My number two pet hate? " " " RANGE ROVERS rangies! GRRR

 

[JulieandStuart]

Proper Jags have manual gearboxes!!

No auto's on Lemans winning D types

No Auto's on the proper early E types

No Auto on the XJR's that won Lemans in 1988 & 1990.

LOL

What's a manual gearbox - tee hee.

Everybody's point taken - we all have our favourites - good point about the S Type though, will take it on board.

Changing both cars Spring next year for an X-Type Estate when we become proud parents to a Japanese Spitz Puppy - does anyone have any comments about how this will tow?

Thanks in advance

 

[JulieandStuart]

What's a manual gearbox - tee hee.

Everybody's point taken - we all have our favourites - good point about the S Type though, will take it on board.

Changing both cars Spring next year for an X-Type Estate when we become proud parents to a Japanese Spitz Puppy - does anyone have any comments about how this will tow?

Thanks in advance

 

[DavidW1]

The X Type is a close cousin of the Mondeo and a lot of people rave about their towing qualities on here. I would say if you go for the diesel Estate then you will have a very good towcar indeed - a "posh Mondeo" - not sure if they are available with 4WD but if they are then really the CATs Wiskers.

Not sure about your new puppy though in a new car, all the puppies I have known chew everything in sight for over a year so the JAGUAR's (ok Emmerson) upholstery might suffer!

 

[Glenn_5132962]

The AWD X-types are only powered by the 2.5 & 3.0 V6 petrols. Other engines available are/were 2.1v6 petrol & 2.0 & 2.2 4 cyl diesel, these are all front drive (pity).

I've towed with 2 different X-types. My first was a 2.5 AWD saloon & my current one is a 2.2d estate. Both towed very well. The AWD was obviously better on slippy terrain & the diesel is obviously much more frugal. Both cars were very well made & fault free.

Many mock the X-type as a posh Mondeo & it is based on the same floorpan but Jaguar tweaked everything else & installed a bespoke interior. No-one complains about Audi's being posh skoda's etc so why complain when Jag takes the (best in class) floorpan for its entry level car?

 

[Glenn_5132962]

The AWD X-types are only powered by the 2.5 & 3.0 V6 petrols. Other engines available are/were 2.1v6 petrol & 2.0 & 2.2 4 cyl diesel, these are all front drive (pity).

I've towed with 2 different X-types. My first was a 2.5 AWD saloon & my current one is a 2.2d estate. Both towed very well. The AWD was obviously better on slippy terrain & the diesel is obviously much more frugal. Both cars were very well made & fault free.

Many mock the X-type as a posh Mondeo & it is based on the same floorpan but Jaguar tweaked everything else & installed a bespoke interior. No-one complains about Audi's being posh skoda's etc so why complain when Jag takes the (best in class) floorpan for its entry level car?

 

[Zafiral]

Glen I couldn't agreee more about the floorpan thing.

 

[JulieandStuart]

Thanks for the input - really helpful and who cares if it's a posh Mondeo, it's still a fab car to drive.

We're currently towing with a 4 Litre S Type so wasn't sure if dropping to a 2.5 litre X Type would make it all that more sluggish - Jury is out as to whether we should go for a 3 Litre but as it will be our only car and I'll be using it for work (work in Mancheter City Centre), fuel economy will be even worse than with my 2.5 Saloon. It will however been an automatic - will never ever change back - now, getting old in style!!

I agree about the build quality of the Jag(uar) - I had a brand new Astra on hire whilst car in garage - the doors rattled when I shut them, also squeaks and creaks - very annoying - been very lucky with my 51 Plate X Type - still feels a qulaity car.

Take on board the comments regarding puppy David, don't worry, said puppy will be crate trained as he/she will be a show dog to the upholstery should be safe (and so will the puppy!!).

 

[martin.]

Ok hands up my fault, maybe I should of thought a bit more about the title of this thread, i've nothing against Jaguars, I think they're a lovely car and wouldn't mind one myself.

I'm not attacking newbies, we were newbies once and do appreciate help even now if needed and we're always happy to help others.

It was just the situation that was funny, man gets out of car in a cloud of smoke and shouts "f*** it we'll push it in", it was a situation the that proves time, patience, and a calm head should always be in place.

Sorry if I upset anyone.

Martin.

 

[JulieandStuart]

No apology necessary Martin, found the whole thing slightly amusing to be honest - we're newbies and Jag(uar) drivers and enjoying every minute of our new hobby. We won't be the guy you watched though - our motor mover is being fitted next week!!

Happy caravanning!!