The best part of my job: getting to drive, think, talk, and write about cars all the time. The worst: when someone asks me what my favorite car is. The answer is “all of them.” At this point, the person thinks I’m being a jerk, which I am, but doesn’t understand that car lunatics have a different favorite car every day. And often many favorite cars. Right now, I’m really liking the Jaguar XJ8, particularly because used ones are so reasonably priced. And I also am loving listening to Ferrari after Ferrari on YouTube. Is it a problem? Yes. Is it interfering with my work? Well, yes and no, for obvious reasons. Last week, I was really excited about the new Ford Fiesta, which with any luck I’ll be driving and reviewing later this month. Tomorrow it’ll be something else that I’m really interested in. It’s not my fault. It’s just that I love cars, even when I hate them (see: Lamborghini. see also: Toyota Camry).
Justin, why can’t you have both? Get a Jaguar XJ8 and swap in a Ferrari engine! It’s begging to be done.
I’d be hard pressed to nail down my favorite car in any given decade, yet alone all time! There are far too many variables to make a single definitive choice.
You can’t judge the mechanical and visual values of a prewar Packard versus a modern Lexus with a proper nod to history. I just don’t think it’s possible.
@ justin berkowitz
did you see the 5th gear review of the fiesta? it’s really good and they compare it to an ipod
The XJ will be SOOOOOO cheap once the new one comes out! And the current one’s aluminum, too!
The decade old XK is still pretty expensive, though. :O
Great picture.
I really like the new XJ – but one of my [many]favorite cars is the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL – similar lines I guess.
As nice as the XJ8 is, the XF is a damn failure of a Jaguar as far as its external looks go. It’s as bland and un-interesting as they come. Really. I’ve seen a few on the road. But barely! They do not stand out. There is no style to attract the eye. There is no uniqueness to desire. It’s boring as all fuck and a failure in that sense as a Jaguar.
“At this point, the person thinks I’m being a jerk, which I am, but doesn’t understand that car lunatics have a different favorite car every day.”
So true….
Justin, try not to interrupt people when they are talking. Do not be like Pete Rose, ask a question and let the guy answer it fully.
Wow, under $19k for a three year old XJ* VDP with every option including Sat-Nav. Holy smokes. That sucker stickered out at around $75k plus a pile of taxes just three years ago. Heck, here in CA the sales tax alone on $75k is over six grand. Even with a good discount back then I doubt the buyer got out the door for anything under $70k. That is the mother of all depreciation. Maybe I should ditch my TSX :(.
Heh…famous question:
“If you were to win a $50 million dollar lotto ticket, what’s the first car you’d buy?”
Being a car guy I get asked this question all the time and while people expect me to say “BMW M5” or “Aston Martin DB9” as I dunno, some way of hinting what my favorite car is, I usually hesitate and tell them I’ll get back to them. I love all cars (even the crappy ones at some random point or another).
Glad to see I’m not the only one who has trouble picking ONE favorite (even though I’m no where near auto-journalist material).