Can a Jag replace a Benz?

[lino]

I still haven't bought a new car yet. The more time I read and ask questions, the more I see how a used car from the 1990s that's out of warranty can be a handful with repairs. There is no Benz in my price range ($12,000-$14,000) that seems to be a safe bet. Either the car is last of the old generation (W124) of first of the new (W140). I will not buy a W140! So far, the top 2 cars on my list as of today are a 1996 BMW 740iL and a 1996 Lexus LS400. You can see from my earlier thread what I was looking at:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=120838&highlight=lexus

On the weekend, I passed by the Jag dealer and couldn't help from staring at a beautiful Black XJ they had. Considering that the 1998 and up generation is German designed with a ZF 5-speed automatic transmission with Bosch electronics and Japanese and Nippon parts, is it possible Jag finally got it right? Can a Jag be the car I choose over a Benz for the first time? What do you guys think? Are these cars an option or out of the question?


Here is one to look at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31847&item=4554459845&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW