This was also posted on the XK/XKR forum for shared interest.

So, the time has come for my XK and I to part. The CPO warranty was about to expire on my gorgeous '08 and I really was not getting my use out of it after purchasing my 2012 XJL. The buyer is a lucky person, the car is pristine in every way.

After looking at newer XK, XKR, verts, I finally came to realize that the best route for us was not a 2 seater but, a larger car that is actually going to be my wife's. She needs room for large grocery runs, friends, etc...

So, enter a better-than-new late-2012 XF. Better than new, because it had 700 miles (7 hundred), never been sold by the dealership and, was sold to me as a CPO with the 6 full years and 100K miles Jaguar warranty.

The 2012 XK had a facelift; XJ-like headlights, front grill and reshaped rear deck, better looking wheels, just to name a few. The interior, that I did not think much of when I previously received one as a dealer's loaner, has been smartly upgraded and now looks very pretty with the Ivory leather and the high-gloss Burl Walnut wood trim. The seats are very nicely supportive with nice side bolsters. The exterior is Ebony. Good contrasts.

We picked up the car in San Francisco, after getting a ridiculously great deal on it from the Premier Jaguar dealer. Let's just say it hardly cost me more than what I sold my 5-years-od XK for. Side by side looking at the front, the XJL and the XK seem to be brothers. As if one just shrunk the XF a bit but, all the design features are the same. Looks like this is intended to be Jaguar's family looks.

We caravaned the 150 miles, my wife driving the XF. She was thrilled with the feel of the car. After getting home I got into it and took it down to our nice, winding country roads. The handling and the power is far and above the 4.2 XK with much more accurate steering, much more neutral handling on the stock 18", 245-wide tires. Extremely balanced feel. I was easily taking the 45 MPH marked twisties at 90 MPH, not feeling that I would be anywhere close to the limit. It has the same 5 liter engine as my XJL but, the car is smaller and it shows up in the agility. The XJL is a superb luxury cruiser and the XF is the true sport sedan. Good job, Jaguar!

The ride on the 18" tires is better than the ride of my XJL on the 19". I will also put on my H&R wheel spacers that I took off my XK when I sold it. It will make the handling even more sure-footed by increasing the track width. Of course, since it is my wife's car, she could care less about handling.

Altogether the 2012 is a great package. Note that in 2013 no NA V8 is available. A 4-banger is standard in the low priced entry and the SC 340HP V6 is the mid grade. The V8 is still available in SC form. After tearing up my local roads with the 385 HP V8, I can not imagine what the XFR would do with 510.

As it is the 2012 XF is a HUGE bargain. It is in the same class with the BMW 5 series but, can be had at a huge discount to the Beemer. Yet, with the V8 it is every bit as great or better.

As a final word, the XJL is breath takingly beautiful and luxurious. Nothing is better. The XF is a superb sport sedan, while it does not match the levels of the XJL luxury but, would be a choice for someone whose primary interest is performance. I really liked the "J" shaped LED running lights of the new XF in my mirror. It definitely draws attention.

Albert

 

Congratulations and many years of healthy driving!

Glad to hear you like the car. In Dynamic+Sport mode, the car can be a lot of fun to drive.

You having the history with race cars, got a feeling the XF will get borrowed a lot

 

You are probably right. Why would I want to install those spacers on "my wife's" car? Funny that I did not even put the car in Dynamic mode, just used the paddles to shift. The car already went around turns like an obsessed manta ray.

Here are some of the dealer's pictures.

Albert

 

Looks great!

I like the interior color scheme, especially with the black carpet.

Re: dynamic mode, it makes a significant difference. Drive-line becomes extremely sensitive, resulting in a very fun ride.

The more you get acquainted with the XF, the more it's limits will surprise you.