Circle the Wagons! Eight Interesting Estate Unicorns

November 22, 2024November 22, 2024

Circle the Wagons! Eight Interesting Estate Unicorns

My Dad was a station wagon guy, and maybe someday I’ll own one if I tire of having an SUV. It’s a family tradition. I’m not sure what keeps me from moving in that direction. A couple of CarMax unicorn wagons hit the inventory, so I searched the inventory for more interesting ones that might be worth sharing. CarMax has 2,400 cars listed as “wagons,” although many are questionable. Four-door hatchbacks, really. I’m going to run through eight of them a little differently than usual and see if I can get this out quickly before they’re all gone. The “Highs and Lows” are all from Car and Driver reviews.

2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S

The E63 is a legitimate unicorn—a high-performance enthusiast car that has depreciated a bunch. At $48k, it’s just above my unicorn threshold, but maybe it’ll come down in price? It’s a beautiful color with low miles and a badass motor. Unfortunately, there are no rear-facing third-row seats like in normal E-wagons to let the kids watch the traffic disappear behind them.

HIGHS: This is not a vehicle for the measured and rational. It’s absurdity overload, unchecked enthusiasm manifest. It’s all ate up with hedonism

LOWS: It doesn’t have the 664 lb-ft this engine makes in the full-size S-class AMGs.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2013 Acura TSX

I’m bracing myself for Roger’s wrath, but I’m intrigued by this 11-year-old Acura with only 900+ miles on it. I have no idea why people don’t drive their cars. It’s not a terribly sporting vehicle, yet you don’t see many of these on the road. It’s in a three-way tie for second place (whatever that means) on my list at $24,998. Last, probably no need for MaxCare for this Acura, although you could get coverage until it’s damned near vintage and another 140,000 miles!

HIGHS: One of those rare cars that needn’t be fast to be fun or have a trunk to be stylish.

LOWS: One more gear, please.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE

What’s so special about a VW Golf Alltrack? Well, it’s one of two wagons at CarMax with a manual transmission. The other one is a VW Golf Alltrak also. That said, with AWD and a slightly elevated suspension, the VW could make a case that the Subaru Outback is also a wagon. Subjectively ruled the Subarus out for this. The other interesting thing about this wagon is it’s five years old and still under manufacturer warranty for another year and 24,000 miles. Again, no MaxCare is needed. How proud would my Dad have been if I had a manual transmission wagon?

HIGHS: Energetic handling, refined interior, generous cargo space.

LOWS: Below-average fuel economy, lazy infotainment-screen response, costly compared with the less SUV-ish Golf SportWagen 4Motion.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2019 Buick Regal Tourx Essence

I like this Buick wagon way more than it deserves, first and foremost because it’s a German Opel, albeit with an American motor—like my Merkur. You’d think I’d know better. This is Buick’s first wagon since the enormous Roadmaster gave up the ghost almost 30 years ago. This Regal has nothing to do with the Buick Regals manufactured in the US until 2004, or the Buick Regal wagon of the 1980’s. Buick started importing Opels as Regals from 2008-2017, and then this estate from 2018 until it was discontinued in 2020. Makes this Regal a true unicorn, since it’s extinct.

HIGHS: Nice lines, huge cargo hold, low starting price.

LOWS: Recalcitrant transmission, commodity-car interior, neither sporty nor rugged.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2014 BMW 328 XI

For $2,000 less than the Buick, you can get a more refined German compact estate, the BMW 328 XI. It’s five years older than the Buick and a few more miles. The drivetrains are similar – 2.0 liter turbo four cylinders making 240-250 horsepower and AWD, both hit 60 mph in about six seconds, but the BMW gets far better reviews as a driver’s car. The Buick has more modern features, like Apple CarPlay. Tradeoffs. Of course, I like the gold over tan senior citizen color combo.

HIGHS: Low and nimble feel, wagon cargo versatility, nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance, closet hatchback.

LOWS: Creamy six-cylinder no longer available, gets pricey with options.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2018 Jaguar XF S

Now that I think about it, the Jaguar XF S saloon may be the most solid unicorn wagon overall. Pricing, at $36,000, is right in the middle of the pack, and so is performance from the six-cylinder supercharged motor—a low five-second 0-60 mph. The “shooting brake” is also a lovely design. The only British car in the bunch.

HIGHS: Stunning looks, lithe dynamics, it’s a wagon.

LOWS: Lacks refinement for the price, subpar interior environment.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge PHEV T8 Polestar

A Swedish made, plug in hybrid, designed by “Polestar” and manufactured in a Chinese-owned factory? Third quickest to 60 mph on today’s list, after the E63 and RS6? Way too much for my simple blogging brain to digest. I understand Polestar to be Volvo’s acquired tuning shop, like AMG and Alpina, although entirely electric currently. As a 2024 model the Volvo Polestar is the most modern and well equipped on the list.

HIGHS: Impressive EV range, solid hybrid performance, did we mention it’s a wagon?

LOWS: Slow AC charging, modes buried in menus, limited front-row storage.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2021 Audi RS6

Finally, the all around world class champion of high performance wagons, the Audi RS6. A few more horsepower and a little faster than the E63. The RS6 is considered to be more exclusive with far more limited production numbers than the E63. Can and Driver bemoans the exotic price, but if you have $90,000 to spare…..?

HIGHS: Mind-melting, brain-rattling V-8; light-footed dynamics; fun for the whole family.

LOWS: Thirstier than a salmon in the Sahara, exotic price.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

LET’S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE?

(NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

The Polestar. You know it’s fast – it has yellow seat belts! Heated and cooling seats, Bowers & Wilkins audio, Apple CarPlay, auto cruise control, panoramic sunroof. Comfortable car.

The BMW 328. Could be just about any BMW 3-series. Clean tan interior belies 40,000 miles and 10 years old. Not much in the way or modern features. Not even a rear view camera. Pretty straight forward and ideal for folks who complain about too much automation?

The Acura TSX. Looks a little dated and despite less than 1,000 miles looks more tired than the BMW of the same age. CarMax calls it a “10” although all it has over the BMW is a rear view camera. Reliability over personality, I guess.

The Buick. Clean and Germanically efficient, too. Apple CarPlay, heated steering wheel, Bose sound system, navigation, and remote start. Nothing great to say. Nothing bad either.

The Jaguar. Has a sporting look to it. The same interior across the Jaguar brand in 2018. Heated and cooling seats, Meridian audio, navigation, safety stuff like cross traffic alert.

The Mercedes. I once owned a 2010 non-saloon version of this from CarMax for about 48 hours until something blew under the hood and I returned it. But in that 48 hours I found the cockpit to be a friendly place where everything was right where it was supposed to be. Well, except for the odd seat controls wedged between the driver’s seat bolster and the center console. Seems odd. This E63 is loaded. Auto cruise control, self-parking, seat massagers. If it had self driving and Apple CarPlay I would ditch my GLE63 and buy this.

The Volkswagen. That third pedal would be the clutch, and that’s what makes this more special and fun. This 2019 car also has Apple CarPlay, cross traffic alert, and heated “leatherette” seats. Adequate. A simple, functional, fun wagon to drive yourself.

The Audi. The interior says “RS” with the stitching and the upholstery. It’s high-tech. The cargo floor (way down below) has a motorized cover. It’s got the Driver Assistance Package and Executive Package. Auto cruise control. Heads up display. No seat massagers. I’m out.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE WAGON FROM THE “WAYBACK”?

(Answers at the end!)

1. Buick. 2. BMW 3. Mercedes 4. Jaguar 5. Volkswagen 6. Acura 7. Audi 8. Polestar

WHAT MAKES IT GO?

2021 Audi RS6

Engine & Drivetrain: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, 591 hp, 8-speed automatic, Quattro AWD.
0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds

2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S

Engine & Drivetrain: 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8, 577 hp, 7-speed automatic, AWD.
0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge PHEV T8 Polestar

Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4 + electric motor, 415 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds

2018 Jaguar XF S

Engine & Drivetrain: 3.0L supercharged V6, 380 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
0-60 mph: 5.3 seconds

2013 Acura TSX

Engine & Drivetrain: 2.4L I4, 201 hp, 5-speed automatic, FWD.
0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds

2019 Buick Regal Tourx Essence

Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4, 250 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds

2014 BMW 328 XI

Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4, 240 hp, 8-speed automatic, xDrive AWD.
0-60 mph: 6.0 seconds

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE

Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4, 250 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds

AND FINALLY THE ADS, LINKS, STOCK NUMBERS AND VINS

This 2014 BMW 328 XI is here in Austin, Texas. It’s a single-owner car that got bumped in the butt once. Just dropped in price by $1,000. Wonder why?

Original MSRP: $42,000.

STOCK NO: 26476987 VIN: WBA3G7C50EKN36268

This 2013 Acura TSX is currently reserved here. It’s a one-owner car that spent the last 11 years in Dallas, Texas. Did I mention it has less than 1,000 miles?

Original MSRP: $32,000

STOCK NO: 25846374 VIN: JH4CW2H60DC000678

The 2019 Buick Regal Tourx Essence is being transferred to Columbia, South Carolina, at the moment. Here’s the link. It’s a two-owner Florida wagon. Buy MaxCare. It’s German.

Original MSRP: $41,000

STOCK NO: 26522155 VIN: W04GV8SX6K1015943

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE is reserved here in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It’s a one-owner car that spent the last five years in Baltimore, my home town!

Original MSRP: $31,000

STOCK NO: 26154364 VIN: 3VWM17AU6KM503666

The 2018 Jaguar XF S is a two-owner car that’s been in Ohio and Kentucky and is reserved here in East Haven, Connecticut.

Original MSRP: $70,000

STOCK NO: 26512200 VIN: SAJBM2FV6JCY65617

The Mercedes E63 AMG S is currently reserved here in Irvine, California. It’s a two-owner California car that had one minor accident in 2021.

Original MSRP: $105,000

STOCK NO: 26554952 VIN: WDDHH7GB4FB123539

This Polestar is currently here in Orlando, Florida. Single owner, accident-free. Was leased just a few months ago – default?

Original MSRP: $63,000

STOCK NO: 26522012 VIN: YV1H60EP1R1616556

The 2021 Audi RS6 Avant is reserved here in Tampa, Florida. It’s a one-owner car that unfortunately rear-ended someone in Miami in 2023. Going too fast in a too fast car? Had to be towed away. Still the hottest wagon CarMax has.

Original MSRP: $116,000

STOCK NO: 26508128 VIN: WUA1CBF28MN903542

THANKS FOR READING!

May 14, 2024May 14, 2024

Mild or Spicy? A Pair of Low Mileage Jaguar XK’s

I’ve run with this Popeye’s Mild or Spice unicorn theme twice, with this kickoff in August 2023 comparing six pairs of enthusiast and enthusiast-plus cars, and again in December with a couple of Mercedes SL’s. No idea if it’s of interest to you all but I’ll keep winging it. Not going to chicken out. Heh-heh-heh.

Just going with one pair this time, a (relatively) mild and beautiful 2013 Jaguar XK, and a spicier 2015 Jaguar XKR – the last year for the XK’s. Jaguar produced this car from 1996 to 2006 as the XK8 (X100 series), and until 2015 as the XK (X150 model). The second generation XK debuted an all aluminum chassis and body panels, dropping weight by 200 pounds. The second gen also eliminated wood trim in the cockpit. Heresy.

Most of the XK’s I’ve blogged about have been black or silver, with the exception of this green one I transferred in and declined. Surprised me to see a red one. More interesting, the car was local to me – a one owner car that spent its whole life in Vienna, Virginia, 15 miles away from my home.

In my humble opinion, both cars are gorgeous. If you’ve been here before, you know I’ve flirted again and again with buying an XK. Transferred several into my CarMax over the years and couldn’t make the commitment in the end. No sunroof the first time (the ad said it did – turns out none of them have sunroofs!), and the last time I felt squeezed in the leg room – and later found the sales rep left the key box from the window jammed behind the driver’s seat, reducing leg room considerably. By then I was out.

The 2013 XK engine bay. The red paint probably gave that away?

Normally the obligatory motor photos go at the end of the blog, since I’m not convinced most folks care to see modern engine bays that are mostly plastic shields hiding the important stuff. I do. And the motors are what mostly set these two cars apart. The XK hosts a 5.0 liter aluminum V-8 with 385 hp and 380 ft-lbs of torque. The XKR has a supercharged variant of the same motor, making 510 hp and 461 ft-lbs of torque. Both have six speed ZF automatics. The XKR hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, not supercar fast but respectable, and the XK in just over five seconds. Both are governed at 155 mph. The XKR gets more performance upgrades in the chassis and suspension. Having driven both, I’d agree the XKR is a bit more stiff. It should be. It’s spicier.

But in the words of Hawkeye, the owner of the dealership where I bought my first car, “why you wanna look under the hood anyway? Nuthin’ under there but a dirty ol’ motor!” Let’s go inside the cabin of these luxury touring machines, shall we?

The 2013 XK (above) and 2015 XKR (below) are identically equipped inside, mostly, with heated and air conditioned seats, heated steering wheel, and Bowers & Wilkins audio. The XKR has the “bespoke” stitching option that I’ve not seen before. The cars are 2+2 seating, meaning two adults in the front and two gym bags in the back. Or two cases of John Smiths’ Newcastle Brown Ale.

The Jaguar XK’s are hatchbacks, I guess, although not as spacious in the boot as say, an Audi S7 due to the slope of the rear. But it’s not nothing and should hold some luggage or golf clubs just fine.

Of all the reviews I read, nobody liked the infotainment controls so I left them out. My wife hated the PRNDL (PRNDS?) knob and refused to drive it, so I left her out too. As we all know, with electronically controlled transmissions, there is no longer a need for a lever of any kind. Rotary knob should do just fine once you get used to it.

The 2013 Jaguar XK sold for maybe $90,000 new and has less than 20,000 miles on it. Pristine. The 2015 XKR was maybe $110,000 and still only 39,000 miles. Both are eligible for MaxCare for 60 months, and up to 125,000 miles. I’d buy the warranty.

The 2013 Jaguar XK is here in Newport News, Virginia. It’s a one owner car, accident free beauty.

Stock No: 25749435 VIN: SAJWA4FB1DLB49808

The 2015 Jaguar XKR below is “Coming Soon” to Austin, Texas. It’s a two owner car, Florida and Texas, and appears to have rear ended someone in Pompano Beach in 2018. Bummer. Here’s the link to the car so you can track when it becomes available.

Stock No: 25870059 VIN: SAJWA4DC4FMB55272

September 28, 2023September 27, 2023

Another MaxCare Anomaly From A Reader and Unicorn Owner – Beware

It’s important to me that readers share their experiences with CarMax and MaxCare to make sure I’m not being overzealous, that this warranty stuff is the be-all-end-all of unicorns and I’m overselling it all. Feedback so far has been that MaxCare is a pretty good deal on these high-end cars, although from time to time things don’t quite work out the way I’d like. I’ve heard of CarMax dealerships declining repairs as not covered by MaxCare when they were (a reader’s Range Rover supercharger), and manufacturer dealership service techs haggling over labor rates because MaxCare won’t pay the dealer’s rate (my ball joint issue with Guenther when I sold it).

Will share my hunches on dealerships at the bottom. First, wanted to publish the experience of regular reader and car guy Scott with his lovely Jaguar XJL as another cautionary tale, although this one by chance worked out. Over the seven years of blogging I’ve gotten to know more than a few readers by email and have even had coffee or drinks live with some, and I’ve had the good fortune of meeting Scott several times and seeing this gentleman’s car in person. It’s a great unicorn. And my apologies Scott….only took me five months since margaritas for me to publish!

From Scott:

Were you aware that CarMax does not cover interior plastic parts that break, even if said parts disable a vehicle function? I recently took my 2013 Jaguar XJL to (local Jaguar dealer unnamed to protect sources and methods and the innocent) for her 60,000-mile checkup and asked them to look into a check engine light that had just flared up. I also asked them to submit a warranty claim to MaxCare to fix the rear moonroof sunshade that had become jammed in the open position. (The 2013 Jaguar XJL has two moonroofs: one that completely retracts to open air in the front, and a fixed glass moonroof for the rear seats that has an electrically retractable sunshade.)

It turned out that the check engine light was being displayed because of a pair of malfunctioning O2 sensors, the replacement of which MaxCare covered under my 5-year warranty that expires in August. But in the same email sent from MaxCare to my Jaguar dealer, MaxCare disapproved the repair of the sunshade because the part that broke was plastic, and MaxCare claimed that plastic trim parts (emphasis mine) are not covered under the warranty. (I will come back to this in a moment.)

Unfortunately for my Jaguar dealer, their service advisor did not look closely at the email from MaxCare. They simply saw “warranty approval” in the email subject line and proceeded with ordering parts and making both repairs. Unfortunately, even further for them, they did not discover the error until today when I went to pick up my car. To their credit, the Jaguar service manager admitted this snafu was entirely their error, so I wound up paying only the $50 deductible for the O2 repair (plus the previously agreed-upon $1,400 for the XJL’s 60,000-mile checkup). Meanwhile, they are going to continue haggling with CarMax over the refusal to cover the broken sunshade. Out of curiosity, I asked the service manager how much they were eating, and I was stunned by the answer: almost $2,000 in parts and labor.

Now about that $2,000 sunshade:

I know that rubber parts are considered wear items and are not covered under the MaxCare warranty. I also know that exterior and interior plastic trim is not covered under the warranty. But from my point of view, a plastic part that breaks — not a pretty piece of decoration, but a functional plastic part — is not “trim” and should be covered. Especially if that broken part renders a vehicle function inoperable. And ESPECIALLY if repair and replacement of that broken part will set the owner back a cool two grand!

My story has a happy ending, but only thanks to a costly mistake made by the Jaguar dealer. For your readers, my tale of monetary peril might serve as a cautionary tale — apparently according to MaxCare, not all functional mechanical parts are created equal!

Please feel free to share my take with your audience if you think it would be newsworthy. The only thing that I ask is that you leave my Jaguar dealer’s name out of it. They lost a lot of money on this, and I don’t want my service advisor getting into any more trouble than he already probably is in.

End of Scott’s note.

Here’s my thoughts. First, the MaxCare ruling on plastic “trim” is arbitrary, ridiculous, and disappointing. Don’t know about any other readers, but I’ve never had to engage MaxCare directly to dispute findings and not sure how that would go. I’d probably lose and be banned. Scott’s experience, and mine, suggests in many cases questionable calls are best resolved when negotiations are between a dealership service rep and MaxCare, although in Scott’s case the repair was settled in his favor by accident only. Because I am cheap and I have a great service rep (Ryan, if you’re reading?) and a flexible CarMax dealership here in Dulles, Virginia, I almost always start at my CarMax for repairs. They have a decent technician for European cars, and yet if it’s too complex my CarMax will send my cars to the BMW or Mercedes dealership for repair. (Scott noted his Jaguar dealership has always been helpful on MaxCare in the past.)

That accomplishes two things; I still get the first $50 of my deductible (which is always $50!) waived, and more importantly, any coverage disagreements are between the manufacturer’s dealership and MaxCare, and if they can’t be resolved my CarMax steps in since they are technically the paying customer to the manufacturer’s dealership. I’m out of it. And, again my experience, is that my Carmax, one of the larger ones, is a high-volume repeat customer with the local manufacturer dealerships’ repair shops and has way more oomph than I would if I went directly to a Mercedes or BMW dealership for repairs and things went wrong. (I know regular reader and unicorn sniper Mustafa (well, he used to be a regular – where ya been, Mustafa?!) has owned many unicorns and successfully challenged a few MaxCare rulings but I do not know if that was with MaxCare, his CarMax, or his local manufacturer dealership.)

I also believe that CarMax has more stake in me as a customer than the manufacturer dealerships do when it comes to MaxCare. At CarMax it feels like I’m leveraging their product – MaxCare – and they’d like to see it work out. The few times I’ve tried to use MaxCare at a manufacturer’s dealership, or even an independent repair shop, and I mention MaxCare, I sometimes get treated as if I’m on welfare trying to get repairs and not pay for them – the “oh you’re going to be one of those!” looks from the dealer tech. Reminds me years ago using Priceline and bidding on cheap hotel rooms and at check in they treat you like a squatter that didn’t pay for the room at all.

Finally, I believe with CarMax or any garage, building a relationship with the service rep and/or the service manager pays off in the long run. I try not to be a jerk, let them work the system, and have no idea what it takes behind the scenes to negotiate with MaxCare. I’ve been surprised over the years when I was convinced parts weren’t covered and somehow my CarMax dealer worked it out that they were. When they aren’t I figure I’ve gotten my money’s worth over the years and go ahead an pay, but that’s rare, and I haven’t been burned by a mechanical plastic piece that failed – glad it worked out for Scott and appreciate him taking the time to write.

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023

Mild or Spicy? Fair Question for Chicken and Cars, and Six Menu Choices.

Earlier this week there was a decent preseason NFL game between the local Washington Commanders and my hometown Baltimore Ravens and that meant dinner in the recliner watching football. And football often means fried chicken. Popeyes being the closest joint I fired up the M3 and raced my way into the drive-through slalom for a four piece chicken meal with Cajun fries, cole slaw and a biscuit.

It didn’t take long for the dullness of preseason tryouts to set in, and so with greasy fingers I found myself scrolling the CarMax website for unicorns. And I noticed that just like the chicken choice at Popeyes, mild or spicy, many of these cars are available the same way. And so here are three pairs that you can have either way. The choice is yours.

First on the family-sized menu are a pair of Jaguar XF’s. Have to be careful here. Have gotten to know a great guy and Jaguar owner through this blog and we met for drinks once to talk cars. I mentioned this “mild or spicy” angle and implied his XJ was mild because there’s an XJR version. He noted his 5.0 liter V-8 was not exactly sluggish and he was correct. The 2012 Jaguar XF Portfolio below has exactly the same motor, rated at 385 hp, and runs a very respectable five second 0-60 mph time. The XJ only weighs a little more so probably not far off. Regardless, this XF reminds me of the unicorns I posted about when I first started this blog – it’s selling for $17,998, and there’s a slew of boring-ass cars you could be driving but don’t have to if you’re trying to keep costs down. Throw in a couple of grand for MaxCare and drive worry free, in style, for the next five years.

The black XF above is a little newer (2015), with fewer miles, and $11,000 more, but boasts the spicy, supercharged 5.0 liter V-8 making 470 hp. It is called (cleverly) the XF Supercharged! The additional horsepower drops the 0-60 time to 4.7 seconds and a governed 155 mph top speed. It also growls and snarls more aggressively. Sometimes that’s important.

The Portfolio interior (above) and the Supercharged interior (below) are pretty much the same. Nicely appointed, handsome trim. The Supercharged has a heated steering wheel and Meridian audio system. Both have heated and air conditioned seats.

The obligatory motor shots. Portfolio above, Supercharged below. I was hoping for something drastic on the Supercharged model, like giant intakes or orange heat panels like on a rocket ship, but no. To me indistinguishable. To Jaguar folks, I suspect they could spot the differences immediately.

The 2012 Jaguar XF Portfolio is milder than the Supercharged but is probably the better bargain. Eleven years old, decent mileage, burgundy over cream colors (just right for the Washington Commanders’ region), and a bargain price at $18k – sold new for maybe $60,000. It’s a four owner, accident free car. MaxCare to 125,000 miles. It can be tracked here as it’s on the way to Lafayette, Louisiana. And Lafayette is about 2 1/2 hours from where Popeyes got its start, just outside of New Orleans!

Stock No: 24462335 VIN: SAJWA0HB7CLS45542

The spicy 2015 Jaguar XF Supercharged below sold for maybe $70,000 and is now $28,998. It’s got quite the sleeper profile, with very muted exterior badging to indicate the super-stuffed motor. With only 40,000 miles MaxCare is available for another 85,000 – plenty of cruising cap. It’s currently on reserve in Clearwater, Florida so here’s the link to keep tabs on this quick tabby.

Stockno: 24502433 VIN: SAJWA0HP4FMU65358

(Secret Bonus Car below – a beautiful 2012 XF below with only 23,000 miles, a V-8 engine, beautiful blue over gray, and a $23,998 price tag! It’s here in Jacksonville, Florida.)

Stockno: 24337773 VIN: SAJWA0FB5CLS37782

July 13, 2023July 12, 2023

Quick Hit – A Pair of Jaguar “R” Cars Are Near and Far

On the East Coast we got this high performance 2014 Jaguar XJR unicorn with 55,000 miles awaiting a new owner. This is a first year model and when introduced got great reviews. The car was lighter than the XKR below, and with a supercharged motor hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds – a staggering number for a luxury family car almost a decade ago. The full instrumented Car and Driver review is here.

Written about so many Jaguars that by now the interiors all look the same to me, from the XF to the XK to the XJ. That means they all look luxurious and high end, to me. I’ve driven several of the XK’s and XKR’s and if not for a jammed key box behind my seat during a test drive that made me think I had four inches less leg room than I needed, I’d be the owner of an XKR now instead of an M3. The rotary shift knob took some getting used to but didn’t take long to master.

Don’t know what it is with Jaguar switches that get all rubbery, but they do. Previous owner left their fingerprints all over this one.

The Jaguar XJR has such nice lines, and the quad exhaust, the “R” badges, and some front end fascia upgrades are a few of the distinctions from the regular XJ. Befitting a luxury car of its day it has heated and air conditioned seats, a Meridian audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. And tons of room inside and in the trunk.

What makes the XJR special is the upgraded 5.0 liter V-8, a supercharged, 550 horsepower, high performance car that with an eight-speed automatic and will hit 174 mph. And again, Car and Driver was able to pull off a 3.9 second 0-60 mph run. The car sold new back in 2014 for about $125,000 and is now only $33,998. Find it here in Buffalo, New York.

Stock No: 24225873 VIN: SAJWA1EK6EMV66589

January 27, 2023January 27, 2023

Quick Hits – Six Unusual Unicorn Sedans. Cheap Too!

Going to limit my comments to pithy short paragraphs or these interesting unicorns. I’m behind the curve on my annual drive to Florida for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona this weekend. If any of you are attending please give me a shout – would love to have a coffee or beer and talk cars. I was stuck in Savannah (I just can’t help myself with my alliteration addiction!) because my BMW M3 went on the fritz and had to drop into Critz BMW in Savannah for diagnostics and a fix. After a couple of odd startups and alerts that my battery was either disconnected or discharging while off the car wouldn’t start yesterday, and once started wouldn’t go into gear. Had coffee and pondered options while visiting friends in Santee, South Carolina, and a couple of hours later – fired right up, went into gear, and I barreled onto I-95 south. Critz was able to fit me in and sent me a cool video this morning of them walking around my car and diagnosing….a loose negative cable on the battery post. Ugh. $237. I gave Critz my MaxCare info but I think it doesn’t apply. Glad they fit me in and glad it’s solved. Will continue south tomorrow. Let’s get to the cars.

This 2013 BMW 550i caught my eye because it’s cheap at $24,998 and it’s a V-8. Always like sleeper sedans.

But eagle eyed readers Nate and Hans both shared it with me because although it’s listed as an automatic, it’s really a six-speed three pedal manual transmission car! I don’t know how rare these are, but I do know that’s cool as hell.

Handsome interior above and surprisingly well equipped, with adaptive cruise control, seat massagers, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel and more! CarMax says it has the cold weather package, the driver assistance package, and the M sport package. The car sold new for maybe $65,000 ten years ago. Below we see the 4.4 liter twin turbo V-8 that makes 400 hp.

On one hand, a 400 hp 6MT BMW sedan with decent miles selling for less than $25,000 seems too good to be true. And maybe it is. But Jared shared with me the N63 motor has issues that even MaxCare might not make up for. Sure they would cover the cost of repairs, but the car would be in the shop more than out. That became a hassle and disappointment with my original unicorn, the 2004 Mercedes S55 that I loved – when I got to drive it. Googled the N63 and found “There are several widespread issues with the BMW N63 V8 engine. These include oil consumption, fuel injector failure, timing chain failure, leaking valve stem seals, and fast battery drainage.” (thebmwstore.com) If this loaded 2013 BMW 550i 6MTis for you it’s currently being shipped to Ontario, California but you can track it here.

Stock 23542210 · VIN WBAFR9C52DC271574

Break – the BMW below is NOT the same car above!

Got this one from Mustafa and Hans. The most affordable V-12 we’ve seen in some time – a 2014 BMW 760Li for only $32,998. That’s a steal. This was a $140,000 car nine years ago and really captures my enthusiasm for unicorns – highly depreciated and foolish to own without MaxCare. I cannot imagine walking into Critz BMW here in Savannah when I go to pick up my M3 and ask if they’d give me a five year warranty for another 75,000 miles on a nine year old V-12 BMW.

This 760 is loaded as you can see below. Has adaptive cruise control (even though CarMax doesn’t note that), heads up display, lane departure alert, and even night vision assist, which I still dig for no good reason. The car has heated, cooling, and massaging seats. Oddly, CarMax indicates the 760 has both the Harman Kardon sound system and the Bang & Olufsen audio. It has the Bang & Olufsen, or “B&O” as Mustafa taught me. I believe the B&O is a higher level of sound?

The BMW 760Li does have the 6.0 liter V-12 motor making 535 hp. Not as much as I’d like – the modern M760 hits 600hp, but as I learned with my 2010 S600 that Jared stole from me anything above 500hp in a V-12 is just smooth, quiet power. With the eight-speed automatic the 2 1/2 ton sedan will still scoot to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Sweet.

I believe you could be out the door with this 2014 BMW 760Li with MaxCare and taxes for $40,000. That’s unusual. It’s currently here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Not far from you Jared!

Stock 23541481 · VIN WBAYG0C56EDZ04826

Wait there’s more! Enough with these Euro-sedans, let’s look east.

December 21, 2022December 22, 2022

Quick Hit – A Couple Of Coupes Below $35,000

Still surprised to see Mercedes CL models at CarMax, and this month there were two. One just sold, leaving this 2014 Mercedes CL550 the sole surviving unicorn for the moment. Reminds me of last spring when I wrote about three CL550’s available at the same time. This isn’t a spectacular car like the CL65 AMG V-12, but it is a handsome coupe nonetheless, not a lot were sold, and 2014 was the last year for the CL-class – two door S-classes, really, before being replaced by S-class coupes. This is a nine year old Mercedes and is still eligible for another five years and 85,000 miles of MaxCare!

This was also the last year for this interior. The 2015 S-class was all new. Think the “discounted” price reflects that this car was three generations ago. It’s the same interior I had in my 2010 S600. I keep mentioning that car because I keep missing it – and will until I replace it. This CL550 is fairly well equipped with heated and cooled seats, seat massagers, heated steering wheel, night vision, Harman Kardon audio, and even AWD. The front seat leg room is 42.2″ – almost out of Justin Tuckers’ field goal range.

What I originally wrote: Remember the 2017 S600 I wrote about last week and its luxurious rear seating? Not so much in the CL550 coupe. No room for humans and hard to toss guitars or groceries back there. It does have a decent trunk.

Updated by blog reader Aaron – he rented a CL550 and was able to put four six-footers in the car comfortably. Believe he’s right this shot was taken with the driver’s seat all the way back. I still hate trying to get things in the back seat of two door cars (same with my M3) but you can get peeps in here if need be. Thanks, Aaron!

The 2014 CL550 has a good enough V-8 motor, all of 4.7 liters and turbocharged and rated at 429 horsepower and 516 ft-lbs of torque. That should be plenty. Even gets 24 mpg on the highway and will cruise for well over 500 miles between road trip fill ups. This two-owner, accident free, low mileage, 2014 Mercedes CL550 is between Baltimore and Washington at the moment, here in Laurel, Maryland. (I notice the link includes “beta” – and the photo below is NOT what I’m used to and I hate it. I’ll be writing a harshly worded comment to CarMax when I’m done!) The 2014 CL550 sold for maybe $117,000 new and is nicely depreciated at $35,000.

Stock 23450827 · VIN WDDEJ9EB6EA031990

Promised you a pair of cars, and I’ll coupe my promise with this pretty, and quite familiar and gorgeous, 2013 Jaguar XK “Touring” model. If you’ve been with me over the years you know I just love hardtop XK’s. But you’re thinking, “wait! This is a “Touring” edition, it must be pretty special, right?”.

Nope. Jaguar fans probably knew. I had to look it up. The Touring model was actually a reduced-price entry level Jaguar XK that sold for $5,500 less than the standard XK. This one sold for maybe $80,000. What was left out to bring down the price? According to Car and Driver, “the low-grade Touring coupe forgoes the XK’s suede headliner for a regular woven cloth piece; 20-inch wheels get downsized to 19-inchers; and the upmarket Bowers & Wilkins audio system is shelved in favor of a “Jaguar premium” system“. That’s it! What’s wrong with an Alpine radio, anyway?

The Jaguar XK has a nice interior and as with the CL550, it’s a 2+2 with no back seat room. It’s a low mileage car and very clean inside. Not as well equipped as the CL550, the Jag only has seat heaters and Bluetooth and a rear view camera.

The last Jaguar I covered was a 510 horsepower XKR, and this one is more tame – 385 horsepower from a 5.0 liter V-8. That’s what six-cylinder Jaguar makes now. But that’s probably enough to move this 3,700 pound coupe. I was struck by the pretty dark blue over tan – haven’t seen that before. Car and Driver also noted the Touring has an aero kit not on other XK’s, although I can’t see it. Another crappy “beta” photo below. This 2013 Jaguar XK Touring is here in Denver. Unlike the CL550, though, it’s a four owner car and has been in one fender bender. I think it should be selling for $5,000 less. I’ll watch and see if it gets reduced.

Stock 22576258 · VIN SAJWA4DB0DLB50533

December 4, 2022December 3, 2022

Quick Hit – Another Jaguar XKR – $38,998

The Jaguar XKR may be the one car I’ve blogged about the most, and for sure is the car I’ve had transferred in to my Dulles dealership the most only to weasel out at the last moment. Last February I came very close to buying a 2012 model at a reasonable price but the 24 hour test drive discouraged me. Here’s another one, a 2014 Jaguar XKR for a decent price and low miles.

The Jaguar XKR remains one of the most svelte, beautiful designs to me. A poor man’s Aston Martin. Or a unicorn hunter’s prize. The XK was imported from 1997-2014, so this is a last of the model run car. The cockpit below is identical to the XF and should be quite familiar. Heated and air conditioned seats, heated steering wheel, rear view camera, Bluetooth, and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Nothing fancy but not inadequate for the look and the price.

The reason to buy the car though, lies under the hood….er, the bonnet? It’s an aluminum 5.0 liter supercharged V-8 making 510 horsepower. The car I drove this past February was as exhilarating as the first I drove in 2016 when I was looking for Guether II, and I suspect this XKR is also. The snap shifts and the V-8 rumble and roar made me smile every time. The main reason I passed on the 2012 XKR in February was I felt cramped inside, only to learn when I returned the car the sales rep had jammed the key box behind the driver’s seat – costing me four inches of leg room. On paper this car has 43 inches of front leg room – more than a Mercedes S-class! (CarMax also had several chances to repair some damaged trim and didn’t, and that became agitating.

For not this 2014 Jaguar XKR is available here in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s a four-owner, accident free car that spent much of it’s time in Florida not being driven – really only 4,500 miles a year. It’s still eligible for another 91,000 miles and 60 month of MaxCare – take it. Then rev the hell out of this Jaguar without worry.

Stock # 23003548 VIN # SAJWA4DC4EMB53455

November 14, 2022November 15, 2022

Barriers to Blogging – Three Possible S600 Successors and an F1 Race?

Here we go again. Me whining why I haven’t blogged as much as I’d like. And for the most part, it’s because I’ve been obsessed and paralyzed by my own search for the successor to my beloved 2010 Mercedes S600 I sold in September. If you’ve been on this journey with me before, you’ll know that it’s not just about the next car, but also how it complements my daily driver (2013 BMW M3 and my wife’s car (2022 Kia Sportage). If she hates my cars, we always have to take her car on road trips. Her car’s not bad, but it’s not a unicorn. My pursuit is also complicated by my best friends recently buying a BMW X3 M40i, a BMW X5 45e, and a BMW X5 M50i – great SUV’s and now they are all off the table as options for me. And in addition to the search for a unicorn, I split for Austin in October to take in the US Grand Prix. Throwing that in at the bottom here just because. Let’s get started.

Surprise! I am absolutely intrigued with this 2017 Mercedes GLA45 AMG. I love these little buzz bombs and this one is cheap and well appointed with both adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay. I could easily see myself leaving home everyday in this to run errands, stop by the office, and throw music gear in the back for my gigs. Unpretentious sleeper.

While traveling I-95 between Baltimore and Washington I stopped by the Laurel, Maryland CarMax to test drive the GLA45. While waiting for the sales rep I sat in the car. Squeezed in and hit the seat adjustment button. Seat went back…and back…and back. The GLA45 has more front leg room than an S-class. Fact. I looked it up and for sure – 1/2 inch more leg room! Unfortunately, the sales rep never showed up and after a half hour of wandering the lot trying on cars I had to leave.

Before this stop I couldn’t explain why I like these cars. It’s not because it is allegedly a crossover “ute” of some sort – it’s not. The car has a really, really low ride height. Like lower than most sedans, not just crossovers. One critic complained that Mercedes took a CLA and raised it to create the GLA platform, then lowered it again to make the GLA AMG. Nonsensical. On the drive home I saw a Volkswagen GTI on the interstate and it finally hit me why I like the GLA45 so much.

The Mercedes GLA45 AMG is nothing more than a hot hatchback, and ever since I owned a pair of 70’s era Ford Fiestas (West German cars with the 1.6 liter Kent engines used in Formula 3) I’ve loved screaming around the back roads in unusual econoboxes. How much more fun in a modern one with 4WD and Apple CarPlay?!

The 2017 Mercedes GLA45 AMG is powered by a 375 hp 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder. It’s the most horsepower you can get in a gas-only four banger in the USA. The car sprints to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. It would be quicker than my old S55, S600, 911, and the M3 I’m driving now, although not as refined at high speeds I suspect. It would damned sure get better mileage. Why am I not buying it? If I could have the M3 as my convertible/sports car combo and a big luxury vehicle for long drives, this GLA45 would be perfect as a daily driver. That said, I (foolishly) agreed with the wife to be a two car guy again vice three cars, and I’m at a point in my life where I have a shot at splurging on that second car that I may not have next time around. This isn’t it. This GLA45 sold for over $50,000 five years ago and it’s not cheap at $36,998, but it sure is fun. Find it here in Laurel, Maryland.

Stock # 23516917 VIN # WDDTG5CB7HJ333732

November 8, 2022November 7, 2022

Quick Hit – Jaguar Triplets?

The Jaguar XKR above is not one of the triplets. It’s the last Jaguar XK I wrote about in February 2022 here. One of several over the years I’ve driven and thought about buying. And every single time I cover an XK I mention how much I love the svelte look of the hardtop and not really a big fan of the drop top – disrupts the flow from the B-pillar back to the deck. But I’ve also tried to learn over the years to not say a car isn’t pretty – it’s just not for me. I would offer that with the top down the body has a totally different vibe and is quite nice. If you’ve always wanted one of the X150 Jaguar XK convertibles imported from 1996 to 2015 here’s three nearly identical triplet unicorns for you.

The 2015 at the top is my favorite. First, Jaguar sold only 492 of the final year 2015 models (the web says three 2016 models were sold!). Second, it’s in unicorn pricing territory at $39,998 (update – it just dropped to $37,998!). Third, it’s low mileage at 32,000. Last, it’s the lovely tan interior below I equate with luxury. My wife equates it to visible coffee stains when my commute goes bad. We’re both right.