'That Looks Nice' | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Mon 17 Dec 2018 23:18

'That Looks Nice' - joegrundy

You know how sometimes you notice a car and you just think 'that looks nice, I could fancy that'? Not talking about supercars here, just something that catches your eye.

This evening, after days of valiantly battling man-flu, I went to my local supermarket for essential supplies. When I went back to my car I noticed nearby a dark grey 04 Jag x type 2.0d. I think it was an SE. I watched as it started up and pulled away. 'That looks nice' I thought appreciatively as it joined the traffic queue, quietly distinctive. I guess that it had done quite a bit lower mileage than mine (182k) and had had a more sheltered life. It seemed to have fewer 'dings'. It appeared to be an older person driving.

And yet, I thought, as I drove mine away, a few dings and all (also an SE but all in black) I've got new tyres, a new windscreen, recently tried and tested in severe mountain driving and freshly serviced, would I willingly change it for any other car here?

WBAC cautiously valued her at £145, less (of course) dings and admin fee. So, effectively, zero.

At this end pf the motoring spectrum things take on a different perspective.

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 00:02

'That Looks Nice' - Avant

I'm sure you wouldn't be tempted to look for a newer X-type: you got a good one in the first place and have looked after it. Your wisdom in hanging on to a car while it's going well is a prime example of advice which we give on here.

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 00:21

'That Looks Nice' - SLO76

I do have a soft spot for the estate which I think is a very handsome thing. Sadly most X-Types have disappeared up here thanks to the salt on the roads dissolving their sills, the 4wd petrols eating their diffs and owners who generally neglect the diesels. Keep yours sweet as I suspect they’ll make an interesting modern retro classic before long with a very high attrition rate on the remaining examples.

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 07:55

'That Looks Nice' - badbusdriver

I do have a soft spot for the estate which I think is a very handsome thing. Sadly most X-Types have disappeared up here thanks to the salt on the roads dissolving their sills, the 4wd petrols eating their diffs and owners who generally neglect the diesels. Keep yours sweet as I suspect they’ll make an interesting modern retro classic before long with a very high attrition rate on the remaining examples.

Agreed, i always felt the saloon looked a bit akward with it's pseudo xj styling which, to my eyes, just didn't work within the Mondeo proportions. But the styling of the estate worked nicely.

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 08:42

'That Looks Nice' - SLO76

Estate is a forgotten beauty, although for me the most beautiful estate ever is a 156 Sportwagon, rapidly disappearing. I'd have one in a heartbeat, but too difficult to justify with 3 vehicles already available to use.

Another future classic. I liked the saloon a bit more than the estate here especially the early models which looked a bit cleaner and simpler. The 1.8/2.0 Twin Spark were the best models to me as the heavier and more powerful V6’s spoiled the handling. Thinking of other estates that look better in my eyes than the car they’re based on and I’m seeing the Rover 75 and Volvo V40. The 75 is already going up in price quickly for any good examples.

Edited by SLO76 on 18/12/2018 at 08:44

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 10:20

'That Looks Nice' - craig-pd130

The other day I saw a very nice, original and unmolested Nissan 300ZX (a Z32 'flatfish'), in black, on an H plate, making it a 1990 / 1991 car.

They're dated now but still a very clean, handsome shape. And still a very fast, practical car too.

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 13:23

'That Looks Nice' - badbusdriver

The other day I saw a very nice, original and unmolested Nissan 300ZX (a Z32 'flatfish'), in black, on an H plate, making it a 1990 / 1991 car.

They're dated now but still a very clean, handsome shape. And still a very fast, practical car too.

I saw a retro Nissan a couple of weeks ago, though not quite as interesting as a 300ZX. An early 90's' Prairie in a rather fetching 2 tone green!.

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