Growlers & Leapers
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
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From: Divided Federation
Leapers & Growlers
Hello all,
I just bought my first Jag. After walking away from every single one for 30 years, I finally found one I couldn't resist. It helps that I work full-time as a mechanic, because the labor is free and the parts are cheap...er, cheaper. So no time like the present!
It's a 2000 XJ8, with a 4.0L mill. 130K miles, sold to me by an electrical engineer who told me how he solved a problem with the throttle body connector. Ford must have understood why so many XJ6's have been converted to SBC 350's, so they figured they'd make the car Americans wanted all along. Just in time to sell the company, apparently. When I was considering a Series II, in my 20's, I was implored to make a call first, to an Australian bloke who said he had once been the GSM (General Service Manager) of a Jaguar dealer. This is rather dated advice, coming as it did before Ford bought Jaguar, but I still find it insightful. Among other things, he pointed out that since the cars were hand-built, "You don't want one that was built on a Monday, or a Friday...You've heard of Lucas electrical system?? We used to call it the 'Lights Out' electrical system...You need two. One to sit and leak all over the driveway, one for the shop, until they switch places...Walk away, unless you want to walk everywhere."
Better late than never, I guess. So far I have only replaced two coils, it will need an octopus hose soon, there's a noise in the front end I need to investigate next week, and with that, I'm going back outside to finish the detailing and cleaning I started last night...Easily the quietest car I've driven. I can hear myself think. It's like a Cadillac that handles!
Purrs like a kitten, she does...
I just bought my first Jag. After walking away from every single one for 30 years, I finally found one I couldn't resist. It helps that I work full-time as a mechanic, because the labor is free and the parts are cheap...er, cheaper. So no time like the present!
It's a 2000 XJ8, with a 4.0L mill. 130K miles, sold to me by an electrical engineer who told me how he solved a problem with the throttle body connector. Ford must have understood why so many XJ6's have been converted to SBC 350's, so they figured they'd make the car Americans wanted all along. Just in time to sell the company, apparently. When I was considering a Series II, in my 20's, I was implored to make a call first, to an Australian bloke who said he had once been the GSM (General Service Manager) of a Jaguar dealer. This is rather dated advice, coming as it did before Ford bought Jaguar, but I still find it insightful. Among other things, he pointed out that since the cars were hand-built, "You don't want one that was built on a Monday, or a Friday...You've heard of Lucas electrical system?? We used to call it the 'Lights Out' electrical system...You need two. One to sit and leak all over the driveway, one for the shop, until they switch places...Walk away, unless you want to walk everywhere."
Better late than never, I guess. So far I have only replaced two coils, it will need an octopus hose soon, there's a noise in the front end I need to investigate next week, and with that, I'm going back outside to finish the detailing and cleaning I started last night...Easily the quietest car I've driven. I can hear myself think. It's like a Cadillac that handles!
Purrs like a kitten, she does...
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Divided Federation
Growlers & Leapers
Greetings from the USA!
I just bought my first Jag. After walking away from every single one for 30 years, I finally found one I couldn't resist. Purrs like a kitten, she does. So, no time like the present!
It's a 2000 XJ8, with a 4.0L mill. 130K miles, as sold to me by an electrical engineer. Ford must have understood why so many XJ6's have been converted to SBC 350's, so they figured they'd make the car Americans wanted all along. Just in time to sell the company, apparently.
So far I have only replaced two coils, it will need an octopus hose soon, there's a noise in the front end I need to investigate next week, and with that, I'm going back outside to finish the detailing and cleaning I started last night...Easily the quietest car I've driven. I can hear myself think. It's like a Cadillac that handles!
The driver's seat is quite a nice place to be. The perfect blend of American muscle and British luxury, to paraphrase Motor Trend. In my view, it's also the perfect blend of the 20th and 21st century approaches to building cars.
I just bought my first Jag. After walking away from every single one for 30 years, I finally found one I couldn't resist. Purrs like a kitten, she does. So, no time like the present!
It's a 2000 XJ8, with a 4.0L mill. 130K miles, as sold to me by an electrical engineer. Ford must have understood why so many XJ6's have been converted to SBC 350's, so they figured they'd make the car Americans wanted all along. Just in time to sell the company, apparently.
So far I have only replaced two coils, it will need an octopus hose soon, there's a noise in the front end I need to investigate next week, and with that, I'm going back outside to finish the detailing and cleaning I started last night...Easily the quietest car I've driven. I can hear myself think. It's like a Cadillac that handles!
The driver's seat is quite a nice place to be. The perfect blend of American muscle and British luxury, to paraphrase Motor Trend. In my view, it's also the perfect blend of the 20th and 21st century approaches to building cars.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 120,439
Likes: 17,014
From: Durham, UK
Welcome to the forums hauserplenty,
I've merged your two separate Intro's.
Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-xj8-xjr-x308-27/ to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues.
Enjoy the forums.
Graham
I've merged your two separate Intro's.
Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-xj8-xjr-x308-27/ to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues.
Enjoy the forums.
Graham
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
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From: Divided Federation
OOPS! 
Sorry for the confusion. Since early posts have to be approved, and as my first post did not appear, I cleaned it up in case it was seen as disparaging. It was not intended as such, only as a cautionary tale about being too young to care for and maintain a Series II. The Australian bloke told me quite a bit more, but I'm here to learn about the car, since I fell in love with it on the test drive. As we say in the American, I was "buried." Clearly it was meant to be. Now I'll see how far this journey leads. I haven't had a smile on my face after driving since I had a 1988 Cadillac Brougham D'elegance...it had a 307, not the dreaded HT4100. Nothing like a RWD V8 setup, and this Jag is easily the most refined of all I've ever owned or driven. It's also my second car, so I don't have to rely on it or push it too hard. That said, I'm likely to drive it most days, and park my 2013 Grand Caravan, which, though quite useful, handles like a walk-in freezer. I think my next job, besides changing all the fluids, water pump, belt and brake fluid, will be either a wheel bearing or a ball joint...I will inspect it on a lift next week.
Cheers!
Sorry for the confusion. Since early posts have to be approved, and as my first post did not appear, I cleaned it up in case it was seen as disparaging. It was not intended as such, only as a cautionary tale about being too young to care for and maintain a Series II. The Australian bloke told me quite a bit more, but I'm here to learn about the car, since I fell in love with it on the test drive. As we say in the American, I was "buried." Clearly it was meant to be. Now I'll see how far this journey leads. I haven't had a smile on my face after driving since I had a 1988 Cadillac Brougham D'elegance...it had a 307, not the dreaded HT4100. Nothing like a RWD V8 setup, and this Jag is easily the most refined of all I've ever owned or driven. It's also my second car, so I don't have to rely on it or push it too hard. That said, I'm likely to drive it most days, and park my 2013 Grand Caravan, which, though quite useful, handles like a walk-in freezer. I think my next job, besides changing all the fluids, water pump, belt and brake fluid, will be either a wheel bearing or a ball joint...I will inspect it on a lift next week.
Cheers!
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 26,776
Likes: 10,318
From: Tehama County, California, USA
Hello,
Congratulations on your First Jaguar -- Finally!
I have a Series 2, with a Chevy 350, and a Ton of work done by the Previous (second) Owner.
After dealing with 30 years' worth of Deferred Maintenance it runs pretty well and drives like a dream. But I do understand where you're coming from.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
Congratulations on your First Jaguar -- Finally!
I have a Series 2, with a Chevy 350, and a Ton of work done by the Previous (second) Owner.
After dealing with 30 years' worth of Deferred Maintenance it runs pretty well and drives like a dream. But I do understand where you're coming from.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
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From: PHX some of the time
Welcome to Jaguar Forums hauserplenty,
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.
If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.
If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Divided Federation
Sorry to say, but I have had to sell my car. Needs must. Thank you for all your assistance, and I hope to return someday. Hope you are all staying safe and well in the UK and ROW. From the USA, this is hauserplenty, signing off.
