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#295250 - 14/03/2007 12:47 Moving home
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
So I was just looking over some old threads about how Empegs aren't used much in cars anymore...

Mrs lbt is just about to upgrade her little runabout to include an Empeg (and tuner - thanks Patrick). Wouldn't think of any other head units.

Mark - any chance of a hijack mod to integrate with the radar guided cruise control? I'm sure the Robs would be up for some interface design...



Attachments
295849-quartz_front.jpg (164 downloads)



Edited by LittleBlueThing (14/03/2007 12:47)
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LittleBlueThing Running twin 30's

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#295251 - 14/03/2007 14:35 Re: Moving home [Re: LittleBlueThing]
sein
old hand

Registered: 07/01/2005
Posts: 893
Loc: Sector ZZ9pZa
Seriously, seriously cool car!
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Hussein

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#295252 - 14/03/2007 16:23 Re: Moving home [Re: LittleBlueThing]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Quote:
Mark - any chance of a hijack mod to integrate with the radar guided cruise control? I'm sure the Robs would be up for some interface design...

I really wanted that option! Sadly I have to make do with smashing into the car in front when I take a snooze

Rob

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#295253 - 14/03/2007 18:06 Re: Moving home [Re: rob]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
Quote:
Quote:
Mark - any chance of a hijack mod to integrate with the radar guided cruise control? I'm sure the Robs would be up for some interface design...

I really wanted that option! Sadly I have to make do with smashing into the car in front when I take a snooze

Rob


Cushions and bungee cords mate, cushions and bungee cords...

Hey, maybe you can play with it at the weekend? I'll follow you, set it for 120mph and you can drive my car?

You said you were after a big, remote control XKR...



Hmm, I wonder what I could say in court?
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LittleBlueThing Running twin 30's

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#295254 - 14/03/2007 18:07 Re: Moving home [Re: sein]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
Quote:
Seriously, seriously cool car!


Denise says "thank you"

And she wants it to sound as nice as yours!
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LittleBlueThing Running twin 30's

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#295255 - 14/03/2007 19:17 Re: Moving home [Re: LittleBlueThing]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14496
Loc: Canada
Wow.. that is a beautiful car!

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#295256 - 14/03/2007 19:40 Re: Moving home [Re: mlord]
canuckInOR
carpal tunnel

Registered: 13/02/2002
Posts: 3212
Loc: Portland, OR
Indeed! Sadly, I can't make out the badge in the picture, and I'm not the sort that can recognize every car under the sun... what is it?

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#295257 - 14/03/2007 21:14 Re: Moving home [Re: canuckInOR]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
Jaguar XKR

4.2 litre V8, supercharged (upgrade with a faster supercharger, ECU remap and water/methanol injection - to 450BHP they say)
Slightly noisier than standard exhaust system so you can hear the V8
Lowered suspension - mainly a styling thing but I think the track may be wider than standard.

Naff sound system - for now...

Picking it up saturday - more pics after that - hopefully some next to Rob's
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LittleBlueThing Running twin 30's

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#295258 - 14/03/2007 21:35 Re: Moving home [Re: LittleBlueThing]
AndrewT
old hand

Registered: 16/02/2002
Posts: 867
Loc: Oxford, UK
Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson liked it, as do I!

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#295259 - 14/03/2007 21:48 Re: Moving home [Re: AndrewT]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
Ah, that's the *new* XKR.

We thought about it - then we looked at the price and stopped thinking.

We do like it - especially from the back.

The problem is, a year or so back we went to see them being made in the factory - they were gorgeous. When we came out though we waited by a car park until the minibus came to take us back to Jag HQ. As we waited we saw some cars parked up. It took a second look to realise one was the new XK. It just blended into the sea of normal cars. That's why all Jaguar's publicity shots show it from behind - heck even the dealers have them with the rear end facing the showroom windows!!!

That was the real deciding moment for us.

The old style XK never just 'blended in'
Especially when it was lowered an inch or so.
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#295260 - 15/03/2007 23:25 Re: Moving home [Re: LittleBlueThing]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
That's the MOST SEXY CAR ON THE ROAD that any reasonable man can own. "Reasonable", because the unreasonable Aston Martin DB9 is actually the most sexy car. Oddly, the only two men I know who own the XK are "unreasonable" in that sense (a compliment if you read it right).

The new XK took inspiration from tons of plain and boring cars. Air intake of a 1998 Buick Riviera, side vents remind me of the current 350Z. (my brain's not working tonight, because when I first saw the ultralight concept, I noticed about 5 other poor inspirations).

On or before 2011, I will own a 2006 Jaguar XKR. (maybe an '05, not sure I like the hood vents yet)
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#295261 - 16/03/2007 08:39 Re: Moving home [Re: FireFox31]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
We had a talk from Ian McCallum (designer of all recent AM's and also the new XK) at the XK Enthusiasts Club meet last year. Some reading between the lines was needed, but it was apparant that the major reason the new XK is not half as sexy as the old one is compliance with modern safety standards. The back is very high to get the eye level brake lights in the right place while still accommodating two golf bags in the boot (yeah really) and the front is too high so it can accommodate the gizmos that save idiot pedestrians when they run out in front of you. I think he also just screwed up on the front, it's just not pretty. Word is Jaguar already have a very nice body refresh standing by which might go on to the 500bhp XKR/R as and when they persuade Ford to make that project official. In the mean time several after market modification companies are launching body kits.

It's still too expensive though, where as the far nicer looking old model can be picked up for peanuts these days. Of course the running costs call for a whole other kind of nut.

Rob

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#295262 - 16/03/2007 08:49 Re: Moving home [Re: rob]
sein
old hand

Registered: 07/01/2005
Posts: 893
Loc: Sector ZZ9pZa
Quote:
Word is Jaguar already have a very nice body refresh standing by which might go on to the 500bhp XKR/R as and when they persuade Ford to make that project official.

Now that Ford have sold Aston Martin, I hope Jaguar will be free to build monsterous cars without their parent company telling them off for stepping on big brothers toes. Would be nice to see a Jaguar 'BMW M6' or 'CLK63 AMG'.
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#295263 - 16/03/2007 10:04 Re: Moving home [Re: FireFox31]
dr_dos
member

Registered: 02/03/2002
Posts: 134
Loc: Bendorf, Germany
Quote:
side vents remind me of the current 350Z.


Side vents? There's no such a thing on a 350Z.

-Peter

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#295264 - 16/03/2007 11:05 Re: Moving home [Re: rob]
peter
carpal tunnel

Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4180
Loc: Cambridge, England
Quote:
We had a talk from Ian McCallum (designer of all recent AM's and also the new XK) at the XK Enthusiasts Club meet last year.

That's interesting, I always thought those things looked like Aston Martins (to the extent that I had to Google Images both Jaguar and Aston to find out which that picture was actually of).

Peter

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#295265 - 16/03/2007 12:18 Re: Moving home [Re: peter]
sein
old hand

Registered: 07/01/2005
Posts: 893
Loc: Sector ZZ9pZa
Speaking of AM vs Jaguar, David/Denise on your XK are those aftermarket headlamps? They have a neat little bit on the inside corners which is like the Aston V8 Vantage.
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#295266 - 16/03/2007 20:52 Re: Moving home [Re: dr_dos]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
Peter: The XK vents remind me of the 350Z door handles, oddly. I remember now, the vents remind me of the new Range Rover. The rear wheel arches reminded me of some Mitsubishi, I think...

Rob: They won't cost peanuts in the US for 4 more years, unfortunately.

David: Did you photoshop that license plate?
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#295267 - 18/03/2007 13:32 Re: Moving home [Re: sein]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
No mate, those were standard - I think this is the last ever revision of the XK shape from Jaguar. Externally the only change that's been made was to lower it by an inch. Oh, and much bigger exhaust ovals but you can't see them yet...

Internally of course....

The next mod (after the Rio) will be paddle shift (but using steering wheel mounted buttons rather than paddles).

Hey, next best thing to a manual...
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LittleBlueThing Running twin 30's

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#295268 - 18/03/2007 13:32 Re: Moving home [Re: FireFox31]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
Nope, that's the standard plate.

But we're selling it if you're interested...

We just got:

MIST DG

for this car and

WISH DG

for the TVR
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#295269 - 21/03/2007 00:37 Re: Moving home [Re: LittleBlueThing]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
Heck, the old plate looked like your purchase date or something. I thought it was custom. Or did you just happen to get "XK" in there?

I saw a license plate containing "SLK", the hot little Benz... but the plate was on a Volvo 240 wagon.
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#295270 - 21/03/2007 07:54 Re: Moving home [Re: FireFox31]
Roger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 18/01/2000
Posts: 5683
Loc: London, UK
Quote:
Or did you just happen to get "XK" in there?


It's possible that Jag got a job lot of plates with XK in them. I remember seeing a lot of MG F cars with "MGF" on the plate.
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#295271 - 21/03/2007 19:29 Re: Moving home [Re: Roger]
matthew_k
pooh-bah

Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
Quote:
It's possible that Jag got a job lot of plates with XK in them. I remember seeing a lot of MG F cars with "MGF" on the plate.

It's been said before, but you guys have an amazing vanity plate process over there. I've never heard of anyone here paying anything besides the standard vanity plate fees to the department of motor vehicles, where over there, the sky is the limit. Now you tell me that the car company buys plates in bulk to sell with the vehicle?

Matthew

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#295272 - 21/03/2007 21:24 Re: Moving home [Re: matthew_k]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
I think the issue is that there are no vanity plates, only normally-produced plates that happen to seem to mean something. Add onto that the fact that you can privately trade plates, and you've got a whole cottage industry.

I also find it fascinating that apparently anyone can print a plate. I mean, I guess that the government has to issue the number, but as long as it meets certain standards, anyone can produce it.
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#295273 - 21/03/2007 22:59 Re: Moving home [Re: wfaulk]
petteri
addict

Registered: 02/08/2004
Posts: 434
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
Quote:
I also find it fascinating that apparently anyone can print a plate. I mean, I guess that the government has to issue the number, but as long as it meets certain standards, anyone can produce it.


In France it is also like that where anyone can print a plate. I had to drive out to the suburbs of Paris to get a "American sized" plate to fit my car. Should have taken a picture....

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#295274 - 22/03/2007 22:18 Re: Moving home [Re: Roger]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
Quote:
Quote:
Or did you just happen to get "XK" in there?


It's possible that Jag got a job lot of plates with XK in them. I remember seeing a lot of MG F cars with "MGF" on the plate.


I doubt Jaguar did it - I suspect the DVLA (govt dept that does car registrations) and dealers are just more savvy now - back when we bought a P reg car (94?) our car dealer got us P 50 ODG which we illegally mis-spaced to P500 DG (my name is David G and it was on a 5litre V8 so...) for a few hundred pounds - it's not 'cheap' but it does look kinda nice.

Heck - go here and have a look - try both the prefix and suffix searches.

Try a prefix search for H 15 XKR (gone, but HIS XKP is available - and with a bit of mud on the P.... you have HIS XKR - not bad on a Jaguar XKR - shame mine belongs to Denise )

Then click 'view on a vehicle'.... all very slick.

OK, then you have to phone them so but it took me about 10 mins to buy the two numbers.
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#295275 - 25/03/2007 16:32 Re: Moving home [Re: Roger]
andym
carpal tunnel

Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3996
Loc: Manchester UK
Quote:
Quote:
Or did you just happen to get "XK" in there?


It's possible that Jag got a job lot of plates with XK in them. I remember seeing a lot of MG F cars with "MGF" on the plate.


I've seen quite a few (enough to think it's not a coincidence) Audi TT with TT as the first two letters of the plate.

Can't say I've ever really 'got' personalised plates. To me there are three types:

* Daz's, Baz's and Gaz's buying Northern Ireland plates and sticking them on £300 Fiestas.
* People driving X5's/X3's with plates that have the model number and their initials.
* People trying to hide the fact their new car isn't 'new'.

A quick search of the forum shows that this isn't the first time I've had a rant at personalised plates.

Both my dad and brother were bought plates by my mum. I asked for the money instead.
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Andy M

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#295276 - 25/03/2007 21:08 Re: Moving home [Re: andym]
LittleBlueThing
addict

Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
fair comment.

I suppose I look at them as a small part of the cosmetics.
If you care about your car as a design or 'artistic' thing (note, not 'fashion') which, by some twist of my psyche, I do, then a number plate can have an effect on the looks.

You missed the 4th category (which we belong to).

Owners initials.

So one car will be MIST DG and the other WISH DG
It's good when you and your wife have the same initials
And I can't wait for a joint photo!

And these plates cost me about the same as a top-end detailing session on the car - or about the same as a set of 6" component speakers. Or, for the Jag, around 0.5% of the cost of the car... so things are relative...

And the 5th category - bloody expensive words - like
BAD 130 Y
which I saw on a mercedes once a long time ago.

The [DBG]AZ plates - yep, ugh.
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