I've fallen deeply and irrevocably (until the first big repair bill ) in love with my XJR, and I'm taking it on a business trip down to Charleston tomorrow. The weather is going to be great, so I'm hoping for a smooth ride. Also, I'm leaving before dawn, so I might be able to semi-responsibly press the go pedal a bit. It's kind of stupid, but I'm really looking forward to just cruising for a few hundred miles.

Anyone know of a restaurant or bar I shouldn't miss?

 

I can't recommend you bar but a few things to remind

Check your oil level and tires pressures , I wish you happy trouble free driving

 

I can second your swooning. I bought my R about 1 month ago, and I have put the equivalent of a long road trip on my car, 10 to 20 miles at a time, completely frivolously. It's much better than I thought it was going to be. I cannot get enough of the 1/2 to 3/4 throttle, 2500-4000 rpm cycle from around 30 mph to 80-90 mph. I go out for groceries, and end up coming back home laughing and shaking my head at myself. It's highly addictive.

I've driven MANY fast cars, and owned several. Some of them have been very entertaining. Some have been downright SCARY. This car is scary, only because it's so easy to drive so fast. I'm smitten. Best car ever made with 4 doors: 2004-2009 XJR.

I'm looking forward to your post-road trip report!

 

I know exactly how you feel Trav. That is one of the best things to look forward to every time I get in my car and it feels like the first time everytime. I like to say "Going fast comfortably"

 

Well, the drive down was great. The weather is perfect, and I can vouch for Jim 'n Nick's Barbecue.

"Going fast comfortably" is so true. It's no surprise, but I'm significantly less beat up than the last road trip I took in the Mini. Ended up with 25 mpg average, according to the car's computer. Seems about right, as I used a full tank and a little.

 

Just an FYI- if you find yourself in Charleston, try to go to Oak Steakhouse, Husk, and/or Coast. I haven't eaten that well since I lived in New Orleans. Husk is particularly hot right now because of some Bon Appetit article, so reservations are a little hard to come by.

 

Craig,

FYI If you fill your tank on the Interstate with mid grade or high test, drive on cruse control at 70 mph you can get 27+ mpg. I once saw 28 mpg on one leg of a trip in the mid west but that was at 55 mph. That 6 speed transmission and super charger are fantastic.

 

Take care. When I went through the Carolinas several years ago there were several police cars in the roadside bushes with instant on radar. Also about the same time a co-worker was stopped and his encounter was hilarious to me, very expensive and disruptive to him, and like something out of a old movie.

 

I'm sure the supercharger makes this car phenomenal to drive but even the na version is quick. I'm surprised that you guys are getting that type of MPG from the S/C. Very impressive. It makes me want one! Mine averages 22-23 with mixed driving; it can hit about 30 on the flats.

 

The flat, Interstate driving, is what we are talking about. If you get 22/23 mixed driving that isn't bad. Mixed driving is a non specific term, however. I use the mileage check on Interstate driving to check the state of tune on the car. Sort of a rough gauge.

 

Humbug- there were plenty of cops on my return trip. I'll definitely keep an eye out for them the next time I'm down there.

04XJ8- The R is great, but I only see 30 mpg when coasting downhill. In day-to-day traffic I get closer to 20 mpg.

 

Just got an 05, 320mi road home was getting almost 33mpg on the computer for an initial flat stretch of about 100mi, averaging 65mph. Was floored it was so high! It dropped later when speed limit went to 70 and foot drifted downward, but still averaged under 29 for the whole trip. As good as my old 4cyl Saab 9-5.

 

OK Look here. I'll be very surprised if I ever get over 20 mpg in my "R". I'm in the go pedal too much. Call me sophomoric, the label will fit, when it comes to my car. But I bought an "R" for good reason. If I wanted to see how high I could keep my mpg, and how low I can keep my operating costs, I would have bought a Civic, or a VDP.

I mean, I was on the highway today. Every time there was some daylight, I was going the speed that feels most comfortable in my car: between 80 and 95 mph. Am I alone here? Or are you guys all just a bit more "mature" (stuffy/repressed) all in good fun.

 

Hey Trav. Have you checked out your speed limiter?

 

Hi Chuck. My car doesn't have that option "ASL". If it did, I seriously doubt it would get used. That defeats the purpose.

Caveat: a moving violation for exceeding speed laws might work to counteract my lead footed ways, at least for a short time. That could be called "VSL", or, Voluntary Speed Limiting.