About a month ago I purchased my 2006 XJ8 Vanden Plas (used with 32k miles on the clock). After 30 days of driving the car 50 miles per day in Chicago commuter traffic I have concluded that this is a wonderfully refined vehicle with just the right balance of comfort, handling, performance, and panache. My previous commuter car was a 2001 Cadillac DeVille which was nice but quite boring, and at 39 years old I was (unofficially) the youngest DeVille driver in the US. The Cadillac was comfortable like a big over-sized sweatshirt, while the Jaguar is comfortable like a perfectly tailored suit.

Each day I see countless Audi, BMW, and Benz sedans, most of which cost a tremendous amount more than my XJ8 and are far less unique. I get constant nods, thumbs up, and comments acknowledging the beauty of the car and coworkers have asked me if I recently hit the lotto. When I tell them that I paid a fraction of the car's 70k+ original sticker price they react with complete shock- testament to the power of the Jaguar brand.

Next I’ll get to see how the big cat handles the Chicago winter. I just mounted a brand new set of Blizzak LM 60’s on the factory 18 inch Rapier rims so she’s ready. I hate to let her tread through the salt but that’s winter life in Chicago.

Lastly, if anyone is lurking on this forum as they ponder the purchase of a Jaguar (like I did) please take my advice and do it! You’ll get tremendous value, a top flight driving experience, uniqueness, and true pride of ownership.

Happy fine motoring,
Scott

 

Great write up and review. Hang around and check in often, lots of good info and good people here.

 

Good to hear Scott, good luck this winter as well.

 

Where's the pictures?

 

Ditto your experience. I just bought my 2007 XJ at the end of august and still look for excuses to drive somewhere. I love everything about this car. It has just the right mix of sport/cool/oldfashionedstoginess for me. Like a Bowler hat on wheels ;-)

 

Nice car -- congratulations!

"I paid a fraction of the car's 70k+ original sticker price they react with complete shock- testament to the power of the Jaguar brand."

I would not, however, associate "a fraction of the car's 70k+ original sticker price" with "testament to the power of the Jaguar brand". They are a bargain if you buy the right car for the right price.

Twotone

 

Actually, I ever don't like and would never any FWD car at all . You moved off to a correct drivetrain car and even this itself produces a huge congrats for me
I hope you would enjoy your Jag