Only some cars are more stylish than a dark green Jaguar XJ sedan. And when you put its smooth silhouette in front of a New England autumn background, you have got an advertiser's dream. You had thought a car that look this good would function flawlessly, particularly if you have just dropped some thousands dollars on it.

When I parked the car in the driveway the other night I forgot to lock it. But I did remember to take the keys with me into house. When I got in the car this morning, a warning light popped on with the message "Battery Low. Start Engine Now"