The XJ Super V8 has riveted my attention and I am now singularly focused on learning as much as possible about it. Specifically, one 2005 w/88K miles on it which is supposed to arrive at a Dallas re-seller next week. Texas Cars Direct. While I'm skeptical of them, and any business like it, I must have a look, just to see if it's all I think it is.

I'd never considered even considering a used car from a middle-man...they're not even a 'dealer', but the price is right, and it qualifies for the 100K extended warranty/Select Edition, and it's a solid $6K below what it likelyl would sell for, elsewhere...

Hi. I'm Kelly from Fort Worth, and I have a long-term addiction to large, luxurious land-yachts. Major bonus points if they are a Q-ship, and the XJ-series qualifies. I want every useful option and the top power choice.

I used to have an '89 Mercedes W126 (S-class) LWB gasoline car, but even with only the 4.2L in it, having it return an MPG number starting with a '2' was something to write home about. However, it was positively regal in the way it drove. Not luxury as we in the US expect it, but the car was nice, and ahead of its time. It was my Vegas mafia car, 'cause that's were I bought it, and my wife and I lived there for about 5 years.

I replaced it with a '95 W124 sedan, the E-class, and while the 3.2L is much better on fuel, returning 24.3-25.5 on my 75% empty highway, 60 mi. RT daily commute, it lacks, I dunno, plushness.

If I had a minature giraffe nearby, I'd say, "opulence...it doez not have it".

Also, I'll apologize up front in case I come across as a little 'odd'. I have a love for Jalopnik, which is a group of gear-heads who are well-read, sharp, and there are some Internet memes which are king.

Back to the Jaaaaaaag... If you're a fan of UK Top Gear, say that to yourself in Jezza's voice.

While there's nothing really wrong with my current 124, it lacks, I dunno...it just lacks. I mean, yeah, it's the near-perfect commuter vehicle. Good MPG, the interior is near-perfect, but at the same time, I'd like to spend my two hours per day in a nicer environment. I recently rebuilt the front-end, put new dampers all around, but it's just not quite 'right'. I know even with repairs looming I don't know about, yet, it'll be inexpensive to drive.

However, I have a (much) nicer job than I did for the past few years (thanks economic geniuses), and part of me wants to spend my daily drive in more splendor. I'm not a showy person, and that's what I like about the Jaaaaag...it's pretty low-key for a $90K car.

!!!!!!!

Wait...a $90K car. I know it'll kill me in parts cost as it ages, but such is the price of traveling in style and comfort.

I figure a new-to-me XJ I'd keep until at least 250K miles, preferably low-300's, so I can amortize the original purchace price to be reasonable, per annum. I'm shooting for 15 years, which'd put the odo near 325K.

While I'm an IT-guy, now, my first career was a decade of being in "the market"...back office mutual-fund guy. I got out when it was obvious the peole making trade decisions did not understand the calculus.

If I really like a car, I'll do nearly anything I can to keep it in good condition until I get sick of looking at/driving it, or actually need to change it. About the only thing I've not had totally apart is an automagic transmission. I've worked on valve bodies before, but not the gears/clutches, though I've had manual transmissions apart, as well as motorcycle transmissions.

I'm a totally DIY-kinda guy. I love doing it and I'm not 'afraid' of almost anything. Mainly because I find it interesting to see how things work, how/why they fail/wear, and if I can improve on it. Plus, I both don't like walking, and I trust myself more than "the guy". I like to be reliant on myself, 'cause you never know when something goes wrong and the only person around to fix it is you.

For example, my only timing belt was done on a Chrylser LH car, the 3.5L engine, in a rest-area in CO. Sure, it took me several hours, but I did it, and have no concerns about tackling anything like it anymore. The reason I mention this is I'm quite happy to see others here willing to dig into the "sealed" transmission, and do it themselves. That makes me smile. I've since done a timing chain on that 4.2L Mercedes motor, and I had pretty much no apprehension because of previous experience with the Chrysler.

Anyway, it's good to see this forum and I've learned to be aware the suspension pump is a wear item and the spring bladders can potentially cause trouble. Such is air-suspension, usually. Though the Freightliner-chassied diesel-pusher motorhome we have has had -0- suspension problems since it was new in '99. 'Course, that's a medium-to-heavy-duty commercial truck chassis, too.

For a luxury LWB sedan which can 0-60 in the low-5's...probably high-4's with a little bit of, um, 'tweaking', and will not Big Brother you into boredom, it's just about perfect.

Sorry for rambling, but I type really quickly, and I like people to know where I'm coming from....

 

Welcome to the site. That was quite the introductory post and I enjoyed reading it. I hope the XJ treats you well.

I'm a Jalopnik reader/commentator as well (been reading since '06), but I don't get on very often anymore (especially after the 5.0 upgrade, I don't like it). I'm a starred commentator and my username there is SSX.

 

Welcome to the forum Kelly,

Quite the intro indeed.

I've heard some good things about Texas Direct but would also be cautious, at least you are close enough to go and check the car out in the flesh.

 

Hey Kelly, welcome aboard one of the friendliest sites around Good to have you here with us .......What an intro too???

Loads of info about you / location / history etc.....great and thanks for sharing

Heard soo many great things about Texas Cars Direct and many a member here has used them......Please feel free to ask around for referrals.
We even have some fairly local members to them who I'm sure will chime in if asked....and probably even if they're not....lol

There's some great guys / techs here and always plenty going on, great info and usually plenty of banter.



I've manually upgaded you to full forum access so jump right in and enjoy

 

Welcome, great intro

 

Welcome to the forum, thanks for the decent intro, quite a few of the guys have used TCD.

 

Thanks. I like to write, which helps immensely.

Tip on Jalopnik. From the new Nibbles 5.0 page, put a 'uk' or 'ca' immediately after the http:// and you'll go to the UK and Canadian sites, which still used the prior-gen Nibbles.

Someone even wrote a script for the ca version, but I've found it doesn't update as reliably as the UK site. They're both a little flaky, but I'm not saying one word about it!

 

Wow! Auto upgrade and thanks all around. Yeah...this place is mighty welcoming!

I like the whole forum bit 'cause it's akin to a worldwide 'campfire BS session'. Wholly mechanical/engineering commentary, while usually helpful, puts me to sleep.

Since the '05 Super V8, I've since read up on the Portfolio. Oooooooo. I love the idea of better leather on the seats, worn interiors are a huge negative in my book, but I can't justify the extra expense, or the trip to Cali.

Got a better job...didn't win a large lottery....

 

I can find plenty to like about a number of Mercedes models...or just about any other car, actually. But there's no denying that Jaguars have a je ne sais quoi that is missing in others cars and that's why many people are loyal to them....despite the occasional foible. It's one of those "either you understand it or you don't" type of things.

It looks like you've been smitten. You're in good company here :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Welcome to the forum!