Ok, so after months of looking I finally found a 2006 XJ8 L just over a month ago. It is black with beige interior. It has the Jaguar custom 19's five spoke. Nav and Xenons. I live in Massachusetts and found the car in Chicago listed on Ebay. Car is absolutely gorgeous.

I bought a one way ticket to Chicago and drove it back. Roughly 1000 miles... just cause I'm crazy I guess.

Maiden voyage was going ok from 2pm until about 10pm when the temp guage started climbing rapidly and the red light came on... my worst fear!!! I pulled off next exit to a gas station and let things cool down. Inspect everything no leaks and no overheat condition, just hot and fans going. Only added a little antifreeze... like a meaningless amount. After which I stopped at next hotel for the night.

Headed out next morning and no issue all the way home.

After getting home I went on some short trips and low and behold temp guage taking off again. Tbis time

 

This time I turned the heat on and the temp immediately came down. Turns out it was that foolish themostat housing assy. I bought a new one from jag dealer and replaced myself. NO ISSUES since. No fans running after shut off, etc. Whew!!

Now on to the fun stuff. It has the standard 8 speaker stereo... blah.

I have already replaced front door speakers with Pioneer 6.75 in case you were wondering.

 

Next is to replace rear door speakers, add the two dashboard speakers and the two subs in the parcel shelf. I'm thinking about using the alpine MRP-F300 amp, and a sub amp with two jl audio 6.5" subs.

Biggest problem I see is finding a parcel shelf with sub cut outs and privacy shade opening.

I replaced my wheel center caps with ones I bought on ebay.. cheap.

Eventually want to have each rim refinished to clean up some small curb rashes and other defects.

I've got somehow find the foolish acm kit for usb and ipod. If only the damn system would play mp3 discs!!!

Other than that, just have to have the drivers side bolster leather fixed as it has worn away.

Car is awesome!!!

 

Btw.. who is the genius that designed the thermostat housing assy. Stupid stupid.. lets see, lets take something has to endure super hot tempertures and design it with plastic and we will bolt it to an even hotter motor????? On top if that lets make it almost impossible to replace!!! Lol

 

Ahhh, it just adds to the DIY enjoyment to make it challenging. There will be more difficult tasks, and some easier ones too. The ACM is a fun one.