Hello everyone! My beloved 2006 X-Type Sport (87K miles) was just totaled… 😢. So I’m looking for a replacement, and I’m looking at XJs, which will be a definite upgrade for me.

Just wondering how the XJ community feels about dealer fit hood Leapers? Some of the cars Im looking at have them, some don’t.

I don’t want to do something tasteless… 🫣

Also, I’d love any suggestions/recommendations for someone looking at 2009 - 2015 XJs…

Thanks…!

 

This question has been asked and answered many times.

Here's the most recent poll: Leaper - Yes or No?


That tread is entertaining and worth reading.

Bottom line: It's your car, your money, and your choice. But adding a Leaper requires drilling a hole in the hood/bonnet, which may make your car harder to sell.

Even people who admire Jaguar automobiles but can't afford one find a way ...

 

I recommend that you shop for a 2013 - up XJ because that's when the 8-speed transmission and Meridian Surround Sound system were introduced.

Read this thread:
Looking to Buy an X351

I assume that you don't need AWD because you're in SoCal.

 

Kevin, I did the same upgrade you did 7 years ago. Here are a few things that I will let you ponder to help steer you to the car you want/need:

-Auto START/STOP: this is a feature that was added in 2013 that when you stop at a stoplight, it will turn off the engine automatically and when you release your foot from the brake, automatically restarts the engine and lets you drive off. Some people love the feature, some hate it, most tolerate it. Atleast for the 2013 to 2015 vehicles, there is a way to override this, but it involves a small modification to the car (disconnecting a second battery in the trunk). If this is a feature that you don't want to deal with, then it will be 2010-2012 XJ's then.

Do you need to impress people? I know this sounds stupid, but hear me out. If you are say a realtor and you have people in the back seat of your car a lot, then getting the XJL is going to be money well spent because of the extra 6 inches of leg room they get and the XJL gets seat options (recline, massage, airline trays, etc) that you don't get offered in just the XJ. If it is just you in the car most of the time, then you can buy either.

How much performance do you want/need? The V6 is no slouch (340ish hp), but, that is also the smallest motor available in the US. I have the 5.0L naturally aspirated engine and I can cause a lot of other cars to really have to wind up the engines to keep up with me when my car is naturally shifting at 2500 RPM. The NA 5.0L also has lots of low end grunt. So, makes leaving the line hwen you need to a lot of fun. The supercharged 5.0L's are going to have even more. As is expected, the more power you talk about, the lower the mileage goes. So, that might be something of consideration. My car averages about 23-24 MPG with mostly normal driving, but I also drive a little on the spirited side. Gotta love rounding a corner at 20 mph, easing into the gas and holding the same gear till the car is up at 70-80 mph. The one thing I will give the AWD system is if you want to mess with people, getting the AWD system with the V6 (never got released as AWD and a 5.0L motor) will allow you to take corners at impressive speeds and in complete control.

Yes, the 2013 cars (and again in 2016), there were upgrades made to the car to improve some of the dislikes about the car (ie, slow screen response in the early cars, LED conversion of the headlights in 2016, 8 speed tranny (vice a 6 speed) in 2013, Auto START/STOP, etc. So, look over some of the option sheets and see what are must have options and go after that. I can tell you that if you need the back seat upgrades, they become harder to find in the later years. Also, the 5.0L NA motor gets removed from the line up at some point (not sure of the year, but it is around 2016 or so).

 

I'm curious; why didn't you cosider the XF? It's similar in size to your Jagdeo. Unless you need/want a much larger car ....

 

Good suggestion, Bernie. I really hadn’t thought about that, but it’s definitely worth a look. Are there some “key years” for mechanical and technological improvements in the XF - like 2013 and 2016?

thanks!!

 

I wouldn't know. The XF forum probably has a "what is best year?" thread going as here. I did drive an XF before buying my XJ. It is definitely more nimble.

The X250 was from 2007-2015, and was available with two V-8 engines. Developed with Ford, it shares the platform with the Lincoln LS, a car I just sold and am prejudiced toward. Ours (hers) had the N/A 3.9L V8 w/ "only" 285hp. The two larger XF V8's are delightful. The X260 was from 2015 to present, and is available with a supercharged V6 making 50 more ponies than her LS. With 3 more cogs in the gearbox, it would be all the grunt I personally would want.

If your write-off was not your only car, why not look around and drive a couple of different models? You'll know when you've found the right one.

ps: Her '18 MKZ w/AWD and twin-turbo V-6 is way more powerful, but not a $40k automobile. Shoulda kept the LS (but don't tell her I said so). Happy wife, happy life, as they say.

 

I went from an X250 to X351, I really wish they could put the XJ interior into an XF body, still really like the look of XF exteriors whenever I see them on the road, though I prefer the X250 to X260 look