Hi there,

I'm new to Jaguar's and considering purchasing a 2004 XJ8. Having no frame of reference, I was wondering how these vehicles steer, particularly at low speeds/around the city? Super light/assisted or on the heavier side like a BMW? I have a bad back and am looking for something that doesn't feel like a battleship turning when I'm driving around town.

Thank you!

 

Dalton,

I drive my '04 XJ8 x350 around a moderately sized college town at speeds 25 and under and it's pretty good. It is not as heavy as you may think thanks to the aluminum body. I like the steering, it is a looser steering vehicle compared to the stiffer BMWs like a 335i. My grandfather owned the car before I did and it did him really well with his back issues. The seats also have a fair bit of customization and are pretty easy on the back to sit in. I think you'd be pretty satisfied with the XJ8 overall. Definitely take it for a test drive if you can.

 

Yeah I plan to tomorrow I think. Thanks for the feedback!

 

Sounds great, I hope you enjoy it!

 

No work at all in the steering! Fingertip in the spoke will turn the car.

 

I had two of these cars one after the other, a 2003 and a 2007. They are very easy to drive and swing around town or around curves, the steering is not heavy at all, and the lightness of the car due to it's being all made of aluminium means it handles supremely well. Just be aware that certain suspension bushes don't last all that long, so make sure you check this out when buying.

 

Re. your back.......... the X350/X358 seats are quite firm and snug.
So if you have a larger frame, you might notice the presence of the seat bolsters more than you might be accustom to.

Otherwise, they are very nice to drive and actually spoil you for looking at other cars.
I now rather dislike getting behind the wheel of our Santa Fe'......feels like I'm driving a tractor in comparison.

 

Overall these xj's are very comfortable. In cruise mode and higher speed. Comfort is great
low speed over bumps is not a superior experience.
there are many differen seat adjustments possible .
i believe 10ways and 16 ways or so wich has more inflatable bags (soft hard) as lombar support movable up and down Check if all is working .
Heated seats and steering wheel , pedal position should be adjustable often just 1/2 inch should be like 3inches.
seat ventilation is fantastic . Prevents ruining the freshly put shirt

 

I drive around a typical ancient European city so I go from large avenues to narrow streets fighting for space with crazy spaniards!! I thought the Jag was going to be a handful but it's actually rather nice. Light steering at low speeds makes driving around town effortless. I literally just sit back in the comfy chairs, rest my head in the head rest and relax while I navigate around town. And if I'm in a rush, It's actually more agile than I could ever have imagined. Mine's a 2005. My only niggle, is something that's often been said, at low speed it doesn't handle the bumps well, a bit firm...

 

Congenital back issue, compounded by injuries, now age as well, here.

Hafta say that my 2005 "L" response to low-speed bumps - cobblestones are rare, but we have a OVERLY aggressive use of man-made "speed bumps", here - is not really all that hard on my back.

More the reality that it SOUNDS like it should be, what with a far more audible 'tell' than its normal road-speed stealth.

 

I have an ‘04 xj8 & a ‘04 xk8 conv. I personally like the xk8’s steering better than the xj8. It’s tight, GREAT turning radius. Xj8 is probably more comfortable. They are pretty different cars. Xj8 a lil boaty, the one I’m driving actually takes bumps well. Air suspension only has @ 6k miles, all 4 replaced at 49k mi. ($6,750). You’ll be fine in a Jaguar. In fact, once you own one–the ride & engine (4.2l v8) alone are awesome–I haven’t found a car I like better. If repairs, maintenance don’t cause you angst, you’ll be happy. (check repairs records, carfax.). Check headliners for sag, looseness. GL!

 

The 08-09 X358 seats have noticeably smaller side bolsters than the X350 04-07 seats. Being a little on the large side, I definitely prefer the 358 style seats. Best to try them on.

 

If this is not your first young-timer car you probably already know this...
When the need arises to disassemble anything on the interior, for love of god don't let regular mechanics do it. (Unless you see two or three other XJs in their shop.) Chances are they will break something because they can't afford wasting time trying to figure out how to disassemble stuff that easily breaks when you pull hard.
People who fix engines or change suspensions should not be asked to work on a car's interior. Better dive into the forums and then do it yourself, if it takes two hours to pull out the glove compartment then so be it.