I am in the trucking industry, and am familiar with the damage being done to heavy trucks and semitrailers by road salt and calcium chloride. I am thinking of buying a Jaguar, and wonder if anyone drives their cars in these winters? Thanks. Dennis

 

I for one know what the damage can be to a car from salt and the dreaded potholes. My car just came up here to Michigan from Florida this summer and since it's older and no problems I would like to keep it that way. So my answer to this is "NO" as it will not be driven in the winter any longer.

 

The newer (2004 or later) aluminum-bodied XJ8 cars with intact plastic panels underneath aren't likely to suffer the same as a steel-bodied car. With snow tires these should be competent, but as you know, it's the other drivers you have to worry about!

 

I don't drive my S Type daily as I drive a company car for work, but I don't park it for the winter either. I do rotate the snow tires(Goodyear Ultra Grip ICE-WRT) on though. If I do drive it while the roads are wet, I simply get a car wash with an under carriage spray. Most cities around here are using more chemicals now rather than salt so rust is becoming less and less a problem. If you buy a Jag, drive the jag. Enjoy it for what it is. just take care of it too.

 

I drive my XJ-40 all year round. In Winter I make sure to get the undercarriage sprayed at least once a week. So far so good.

 

The Jag (2008 XJR) soldiers on all winter. My 1982 Supra stays in the garage when there is salt on the roads. Being retired I tend to stay home when things are really bad like freezing rain and deep snow.

 

I recently sold my 2000 S Type that I drove for 9 winters. It was great in the snow with good snow tires. I sold the car this summer (and bought a 2006) and there was no rust on the car. Washed it weekly during the winter. I would not recommend driving it in MI winters without snow tires

Roger
2006 S-Type, 4.2, Quartz/black, 63,000 miles.

 

That's what my Land Rover is for

 

I think think the cars can make it in the snow (With snow tires or better yet a set of Blizzaks) but the main concern is other drivers driving 10-year old Cavaliers with bald tires on them. I worry more about someone sliding into me than me sliding into them.

For really bad weather, I have an AWD Mazda CX-7 that is great in the snow with an AutoStick 6-speed. Even the Millenia S has front-wheel drive with posi-traction so I am not without adequate "snow cars".

It's the uninsured drivers out there that worry me, especially those driving in a 15-20yo Chevy Impala or Ford Crown Victoria with bald tires.

 

Yes. That was one reason why I purchased the X-Type. I live close to where I work, but most family and friends are 20+ miles from my house. Plus, in my development even though I am the first house, with sever winter weather it is so difficult to get out of our development that I've had to ask co-workers to collect me at the entrance, due to the slight grade of our street. Plus my car is a driver not a T.Q.

 

I park mine. The 308 XJR is a bit of an adventure in the snow/ice.

 

We bought our 2004 XK-8 in November. The tires on the car were pretty much gone so I had the option of getting winter treads or going with new summer tires and hope the wife didn't get caught in the snow. I opted for the Blizzaks. Those of you in the Chicago area know that we have had essentially NO snow all winter. You can all thank me for that as had I gone with the summer treads it would have been snowmageddon.

BTW I bought the Blizzaks used off ebay for about $150.00 ea with very little tread wear. Seemed like a good strategy as I doubt I'll put more than 1,000 miles per winter season on them.

 

Winter is just getting started here in Chicago. I'm sure we'll make up for lost time (snow) in March.
I've found my Blizzacks to be a blessing. You will too, sooner or later.

 

I used to drive my X-Type year-round, even in heavily-salted roads. But the STR doesn't get the same treatment. It sits in a warm place, waiting for sunny days and clear roads.

 

heh, looks like you were right Tom. I was tempted to take the jag out this morning to see how the Blizzaks worked.

BTW I see you are in Downers - we're nearly neighbors. I grew up in Downers near Fairview and Ogden

 

I dont like the idea of storing so I try to get my car out at least once (for a 20 mile or so run) each two weeks. Hasn't been hard to do this year. Its not as fun washing it outside afterward as it is in the summer but I like "keeping it alive"! Jac

 

My XKR hibernates for the Chicago area winters. Between the salt, the chuckholes, the salt truck blasting, and all the rest I find a good rationale for owning my Chevy truck.

r

 

Parked in the garage... Waiting for the sunny days of Michigan. My 2000 XKR 60K miles was California car... No salt body perfect.. Under a Dustop cover and on a Griots Battery Manager...

 

I just want to know when winter is supposed to end around here

 

Here near St. Louis, MO with 8+ inches of snow and 7" over normal snowfall I have seen X-types, Series 2 XJ6, XJS V-12, XFs, S types, XJ8s, but no XK8s, driven thru the snow, ice, and salt thru the winter. I drove 2 - XJ6s ( a series 1 and a series 2)and a XJS V-12 thru the winter, only had serious rust on the series 1 XJ6.