knightsmith

Peter, I agree, I don't think any diesels sound good,they all sound like London routmasters. But as I said, I cannot understand the fascination for the sound of a car . McLaren even employ an "Audiologist" . Like you. I prefer to be able to listen to the music. ATB, Trevor

Charlie, Believe me, the eastern European lot would make this shower look refined ! ATB, Trevor P.S. You can't upset me. i'm too ignorant !

Scott, No it's not the back seat to open the boot. ask the salesman when you pick the car up, bet he doesn't know . ATB, Trevor

Charlie, I would have a soup kitchen, but just serve vegetable soup to confuse the northerners down here . ATB, Trevor

Ken, Your model won't have the button on, that's why you have to take the fuse out .On mine it is a button that puts the car into dynamic mode, it tightens up everything and opens the baffles in the exhaust . The reason you have stated is why there is a fuse, Dynamic mode is good fun just to annoy the neighbours, but you wouldn't want it on a long journey . I can never understand why peeps want loud cars anyhow . My XJ Superpsort had double glazing and that was sheer bliss. ATB, Trevor

Scott, A little poser for you . Your XJ will have an electric boot, the battery is in the boot, if the battery is flat, how do you get it out of the boot to charge it up ? ATB, Trevor

Scott, It was a directors car which they gave me in exchange for my Aston which they mangled. It had every extra you could dream of, including three TV's, a Bowers and Wilkins 1200 watt 20 speaker stereo system, it went like s**t off a shovel, and Kylie Minogue came round twice a week to wash it . The wife hated it (although it was her going on about four door /four seater cars ), she said after the Aston it must have been like going out with Miss World and coming home with Susan Boyle . It was too big for the roads around here, but it was a brilliant car in every way, I cannot imagine there being a better big saloon. Short Top Gear film about it . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuANURnBzWQ ATB, Trevor

Scott, And there was a bit left over. My XJ Supersport http://www.jaguarownersclub.com/forums/gallery/image/389-car/ ATB, Trevor

Scott, The XK has computer controlled valves in the exhaust. These Valves open above a certain RPM to allow a deeper exhaust note. Jaguar did this because the XK is essentually a Grand Tourer and having the maximum noise all the time would be unacceptable on a long journey to most drivers and passengers . ATB, Trevor

Scott, They were big cans ! ATB, Trevor

Welcome Gidget, Which part of Hampshire land are you from ? ATB Trevor (also hate cyclists, and not fond of caravans or tractors either) P.S., What home page? all I got was a load of gumph, a web address would be better

Glyn, I would make them clean bicycles. I detest laziness of any description .. Peter, they enjoy sitting round doing nothing and being allowed to breed. I would cut their benefits by a £1 a week every week until they found work . I would also give them food an clothes tokens, if they can't be bothered to work, then they shouldn't be allowed !Removed!, drink, have tattoos, mobile phones, and Sky telly . But looking on the bright side, my pension being means tested has cheered a lot of the local idle scroungers up . So I do have my uses, and they haven't got a Jaaaag ! Today's walk, Braunton Burrows, North Devon. ATB, Trevor

Scott, Three. ATB, Trevor

Scott, Just makes the exhaust noisier , which some peeps seem to like . In the XKR there is a button that puts the exhaust into "anti social mode" . Removing the fuse on a non active exhaust evidently does the same thing. ATB, Trevor

Kenny, There is a fuse you can take out which improves the exhaust note , Fuse 19 . When "fuse 19" is being removed make sure it is from the correct fuse box, i.e. the fuse box behind the centre panel of the rear seat. ATB, Trevor

Kenny, Similar story for me , although I became an apprentice sheet metal worker and welder when I was fifteen. A scouse couple i know who have moved down here to be on the social at the seaside ( the decent northerners would have a fit if they saw the ones down here) are off to Cornwall for a weeks holiday tomorrow, and when they come back are moving into a nice two bedroom house (Sky and all). Nice to know the tax payers money isn't being wasted. What ever happened to pride ? ATB, Trevor

Peter, I understand all that, and the problems of those days where whole communities were thrown on the scrap heap due to closures (don't forget I was brought up in the valleys). And there were great difficulties, but times have changed . I'm sure you have done jobs in the past that the little loves wouldn't dream about these days. There is very little excuse for any able bodied person to be out of work in this day and age. ATB, Trevor

Peter, The XF 3 litre Portfolio diesel the stealership lent me when the Aston was in it's favourite place, the workshop, was excellent . It was this car that made my mind up I'd get a Jag. Didn't take any notice of the MPG, but was very impressed with the car in general . ATB, Trevor

Peter , I was on about able bodied people. I'm all for people who are ill or have disabilities being fully supported . But I don't believe able bodied people cannot get work if they really want to, they are just too choosy with the jobs they want, and are not flexible enough. In the past i've even gone to Botswana and Libya to work . I even went back to work six weeks (when I was allowed to drive) after I "flat lined" after a heart attack, and also had to look after the wife . A lot of people these days are not willing to accept a bit of hardship. But as I stated on another post, I'm probably too " Old School" Your brother sums it all up, wanted to work after having a stroke, it is just how times have changed. ATB, Trevor

Peter, I think the difference in price between the XF and the XFR is similar to the XK and XKR . But I think both are excellent cars. The reason I chose the XKR over the F Type (apart from the 5 litre wasn't out then) is because it is a tad more practical. Have you heard any whisperings at all about supercharger trouble with the F Type? I'm lucky I never have to pick anyone one up as my nearest relatives are 200 miles away, hence the XKR, I only let the wife in it if she behaves herself . ATB, Trevor

Peter, I think it was just called Risca Steel works , but this is going back to the early 1900's. I disagree with your point "there are quite a few genuine benefit claimants who would prefer to work, but can't." . If people are fit enough to work, there isn't any reason why they can't get a job, the "immigrants" that they keep going on about seem to find work. I've always managed to, as I'm sure you have . ATB, Trevor

Kenny, I agree, I'd also stop the work shy's dole and give them a "holiday" down the pits . I was brought up in the valleys so concur with what you say. This is where I was brought up Risca (must be where Tom Jones got the inspiration for his "Green green grass of home") . The factory with the smoke coming out is the local steel works, which was owned by my grandmother's family . ATB, Trevor

Kip, Both excellent cars, I agree with what Kenny says, I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much. Why not investigate the XFR ? ATB, Trevor

Kenny, I think Mercedes will probably buy out Aston eventually as they are also going to do the electrics, which will be a big improvement, and they need it . I can honestly say the Aston Martins are the worst car I have ever owned . They are poorly built, not that fast, very unreliable, and have electrics that are out of the dark ages . I have never had cars (i've had two) which have had so much go wrong The XKR is ten times the car that the Aston is in every way, I would pick one over it every time. And with the active exhaust it even sounds better . The Astons are vastly overpriced and are outperformed by all the high end cars. a basic service cost £1125, and the DB7 needs servicing twice as as often as the DB9. The Aston was meant to be my dream car, I couldn't believe I actually owned one when I sat in it. It has been the biggest disappointing in my life, next to seeing the Beatles live . ATB, Trevor

David, Firstly I have 20 " wheels and don't have any problems . Also, I have never had a long nights sleep in my life, I am always up before five (awake long before that , but I listen to the radio ) and I take the wife's dog for a three mile walk around the reservoirs at 5-45 every morning without fail . Not a lot of point in having savings as I am finding out to my cost, wish I'd p****d it all up against the wall over the years , the thanks you get for it. So go and buy an XK, or an XKR , you might as well ! ATB, Trevor