Hey, what's goin' on, I'm John (I also go by JbB). I'm 31 and I live in sunny Tampa, Florida (my hometown's Bradenton, Florida). I'm the proud owner of an '04, panda white-on-black Jaguar S-type 3.0 named Leona. Why Leona? Because Leona means "like a lioness". Yo, perfect, right?

I've had Leona now for about... 2 months, but honestly it feels like 2 years 'cuz I've been spendin' so much time with the car (upgrades, pampering, joyridin'). My previous car was a '93 gold Lexus SC400 V8 sports car named Sonya. Why Sonya? Because the Japanese SC400 version was a Soarer and the Toyota remake was a Solora, so "Sonya" fit perfect. But after 6 years of faithful service, her 200k+ mileage started gettin' the best of her and it was time for an upgrade.

This is actually my second Jaguar. Before Sonya, in 2000, I bought a mint condition 86' metallic grey V12... vee-twelve!!... Jaguar XJS roadster with... 42k miles original. Man, that was a high maintenance, and... dare I say, problematic?... car. Drove the XJS for a for years, went from 42k to 86k. But the car reached a point where repairs (75% of which I did myself) were just too much for a daily driver.

I've been planning on getting an S-Type as a replacement to Sonya for about... 4 years. Once the time was right, I selected a certain criteria for the perfect S-type for me; V6 only, 03'+, white, beige interior, all included options but excluding the touchscreen nav. I found everything (except adaptive cruise, couldn't find any S-Types with that option). I called literally 72 car dealers in Tampa and about 30 outside of Tampa looking for an S-Type, finally found the right one. It was perfect and drove, I kid you not, like an 08' S-Type. After I think 8 test drives and two mechanic inspections, I made that car my own.

Leona looked pretty standard when I first brought'er home, but I had a laundry list of modifications and upgrades that I had been planning to do for months, so I immediately customized her to my liking. I'll include pics in a follow up post.

Look forward to bein' a part of the community (from all the research I've done, I feel like I already know most of ya). JbB

 

Welcome to the forum JbB! Nice to see your enthusiasm for your new ride, sounds like you are enjoying it immensely already. Looking forward to the pics!

 

Hey, thanks Chris. Yo, I like your avatar icon.

Here's some photos of Leona.

 

Welcome to the forum JbB,

Good to have you with us,

Nice pics and intro.
Did you have a nickname for the XJS?


If you haven't already done so you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

Hey Norri. Na, never had a name for the XJS. It just never had a personality, the car felt like an "it" instead of a "she" or "he". Just kinda' funny how certain objects can make people respond differently in regards to a personality or soul. Like I love my iPhone to death, but the phone's an "it". The XJS was always an "it".

 

Welcome to the forum.

Great looking S Type you have there.

Good to have you with us.

My cars are always It.

 

Hey Translator, thanks.

 

You are welcome.

Maybe take Leona out, and post up some location shots in the Sights and Sounds section, or the Photography section.

We always like to see Jags in different places. (especially where there is some Sun involved) Dense sea fog here at the moment, have a hard job even finding the car!

 

Welcome John,

The last pic on the ramp is superb. The shadows and reflections really show off Leona's curves.

That was some search for the right S-Type.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum John.

Leona is certainly beautful, thanks for sharing the photos and your story. Definetly post up pictures as you do your mods!

Enjoy all the site has to offer!

 

Nice pics! She's gorgeous. Digging the red painted details in the engine bay. Nice to see some tasteful customization, keep up the great work!

 

Yo, thanks gentlemen. *grin* I'll try not to disappoint, haha.