Based on "your" experience? No 2 cars are alike. They maybe close, but that's why they're termed lemons. Sure I've called my S-Type a f***ing piece of s**t, but I did that to all the cars I've owned over the years. Fixed whatever ailed it and then that was that.

Face it...all cars f'ing suck at times when you depend on them most and the let you down (stranded, lack of funds for repair, etc...). Buy a bicycle then and you'll complain that it's a piece of s**t when the chain pops off.

 

Yes dealer repairs are expensive. Hopefully it's still in warranty. If not, purchase an extended warranty. The best can be found at http://chryslerservicecontracts.com/.

Jaguar is a luxury car. Dealer service maintains that luxury ride and feeling. Taking it to an independent is a hit or miss thing. First out of pocket oil change I took it to Jiffy. How can you screw up an oil change? They managed to screw it up and the engine lite came. Took it to mydealer and all he did was laugh ashe firmly pushed the oil dip stick all the way in for a proper seal. After that experience, I bonded with the Dealer and its worth paying the extra dollars for premier mechanics.

 

Really, service is what it is. I know of folks that will never go back to the "theiving dealers" and I know of folks that will never go to "incompotent independents." Find someone you trust and stick with them, dealer or independent. It's not a black and white issue.