My beloved 2007 XJ8-L was tragically totaled by a hit-and-run driver last week.

After a long nationwide search, I purchased it CPO from Scott Jaguar (Charlotte NC) in March 2011 and enjoyed 13 ecstatic years of ownership. I always looked forward to driving it. The last time I drove it, I did two over-the-shoulder lookbacks to admire the lines and the fluted hood as I walked away. It did my heart good to own this car.

What happened? I was in the dentist chair above a Bank of America branch when a white box truck cut through the parking lot to avoid an intersection. The truck caught my front end and did extensive damage. Truck driver drove off leaving a debris field behind him, including my mangled grille and lots of broken plastic strewn across the parking lot. I ran through the dental office screaming profanities like a madman. Fully intended on chasing the truck until I got to my car and saw it was inoperable. More profanities.

It was incredibly reliable. Everyone said don't buy a Jag. Other than routine maintenance and a couple failed parts along the way, it wasn't a frequent visitor to the local mechanic. It was a pleasure to own. Only later in life did it garner attention at the gas station - "beautiful car," "they don't make 'em like that anymore," and the most common conversation starter: "what year is it?"

I held out hope that my insurance company would pay to fix it, but alas the appraisal (to fix) was $327 higher than the value. Connecticut State law governs the decision here, not the insurance company, and the car is totaled. Insurance company said I could buy it back less $1600 salvage fees and pay out of my pocket to repair it. Doing so would result in a Salvage title which could be replaced with a Rebuilt title if I had it fixed and shipped an hour away to the DMV near Hartford where they do bumper-to-bumper inspections to recertify salvaged vehicles. The universe told me maybe this is the end of the road.

The driver is still on the loose. Despite many security cameras mounted to the bank and numerous adjacent buildings - multimillion dollar assets housing all the major chains - nobody has been helpful enough to provide a lick of footage. Standard line from building owners, including the primary one in our town (Kleban Properties): "We only provide footage to police for privacy purposes." Fine, I respect that. Then voicemails from the officer on my case: "Property owner said cameras caught nothing. Dead end." I know the route the truck took, I saw it drive off, and I know which cameras it drove past. Call Kleban back: "I'm asking politely, and I know this isn't your problem to fix, but for a fellow member of the community can you look at the tapes?" Put it all in writing and provided details to building owners. No return phone call. Emails not replied to. Then, the final call from the cops: "Bank of America has no exterior cameras. Dead end." This despite the fact they have two. Bank manager plays dumb. "Tapes are in bank headquarters." Vice President District Manager whose business card is available in the bank lobby doesn't return phone calls. Cops: "Sorry, another dead end."

Well you can't fight city hall. Mostly I'm disappointed that nobody in my community wants to help. Nobody. Building owners invest in security cameras galore but no love for the local guy who shops in all the stores they rent out. Frustrating.

Rant over.

I wanted to sincerely thank this forum for being a quiet and supportive refuge on the internet. Every post I've read, and every poster I interacted with, have been ladies and gentlemen (okay most gentlemen lol) offering supportive help and advice. There's a special place in heaven for those who provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix things. The world needs more people like you.

My 17 year-old daughter and I visited the X350 at the collision center yesterday to retrieve my belongings. She has known this car her entire life. We ended up sitting in the car for nearly an hour. Felt like we were lounging in an Edwardian manor house moreso than sitting a car. It's that comfortable.

Thank you to VIN SAJWA79B87SH18614 for many years of happiness. You will be missed.


Moments after the box truck had its way with my beloved X350.

Bumper folded back up courtesy of the AAA driver. My last photo as it awaits a retrieval from the collision center after being declared a total loss. Don't know where it's going next.

 

My 07 was totaled in a minor fender bender.
Said the salvage title is meaningless to me.
Car was repaired, looks & drives as before
Body shop took pictures of the damage.
Prices paid for buy parts, and labor.
If ever want to sell it, i will show just what was involved.

 

I have a car with a rebuilt title, but it's mechanically fine, and the damage that totaled it was the convertible top, which I replaced with an eBay top frame and an aftermarket used top, which the insurance company can't do; they have to use OEM parts, which was 15 times what my repair bill was.

In your case, you would not come out so well economically. The cost of repairs would far exceed the value of the result, so letting it go and not trying to save it was the correct decision.

Was the truck not marked that you could see, or is that what you needed the video for? I'm sure the driver had some 'splainin' to do, and tried to pass it off as something that happened while he was not in the truck, but he should be fired, and the truck's owner (assuming the driver is hired help) is liable. You'd just have to find them and show them that the truck was there. I can't believe the security system owners can't be compelled to furnish the footage.

 

GregW - I have read your post three times and still shaking my head. It just doesn’t make since to me. You said the estimate to fix was $327 higher than the value.

If the estimate was from your insurance company did you contact repair shops to see if you could find one which would repair it for $328 less than the estimate?

If it was from a repair shop did you contact other repair shops to see if you could find one which would repair it for $328 less than the estimate?

Surely a compromise is possible such that you can keep your lovely motor car.

 

To my untrained eye that's a shame to write off.

The big dent right guard above right headlight is not apparent in earlier photos.
The Leaper "leapt" in the later photo.
Just sayin'

 

The plastic bumper cover, the drivers side fender, with lite, light wiring harnes.
Those parts, along with labor, & paint were enough to total mine.
Had it repaired after buying it back from the insurance co
Awfull nice car there to scrap for parts, believe i would fix it.
Best of luck, whatever you decide.

 

I wish I had that choice. I'd definitely have kept the car.

It came down to two options: Math vs Emotion.

Here's how it plays out:

1. Insurance company sends an independent appraiser to estimate the damage. He writes up the repair cost.
2. Insurance company estimates the value based on NADA and one other source.
3. State law says the lesser of the above wins. In my case, the repair cost is $327 greater than the value. Insurance company calls me and tells me it's a total loss. Clean it out tomorrow and take the plates off it.

My options:

1. Go with Emotion. Keep it. In this case, the insurance company says fine, we'll deduct $2,500 from your settlement ($2,000 salvage value plus $500 deductible) and report it to the DMV as a Salvage car. I can shop around and have the repair shop of my choice fix it. Doing so means I take the smaller insurance company settlement and put a few thousand of my own into the repair. If the shop encounters any surprises along the way, I bear those additional costs. I own an old house and an old car ... there's always a surprise. Once I've paid to have it road ready, I pay to have it shipped an hour away on a flatbed to the only DMV office in the state that does bumper-to-bumper inspections on repaired salvage cars. If it passes, I drive home an utterly worthless 17 year-old European car. An old Jaguar with a Salvage/Repair car has, at best, a value of $1,500 as a trade in. It has many original parts, including two original air shocks, and it's just one amber light away from another wallet-emptying trip to my mechanic. When it had a decent resale value I had no problem putting money into the car. As an old car with no value, I'd be hard-pressed to continue with future repair bills.

2. Go with Math. Insurance company cuts me a check for its pre-accident value. This is my last, final, never-again moment to "sell" the car for its pre-accident clean title value. Take a decent check and go shopping.


Believe me, I had nearly two weeks of sleepless nights, an inability to focus at work, spending hours looking at new car listings, not liking any of them, visiting my car to admire it, etc. I vacillated for days.

Ultimately, it didn't make sense to put several thousand of my own money into an old Jaguar fast approaching 20 years old with a Salvage title, many original parts, and no resale value. At that point it's an antique hobby car. Not practical as a daily driver.

When I bought the car (3 year-old CPO), I planned on keeping it for 4 to 5 years. I kept it 13. This was the end of the road. Not an easy decision, and the difficulty of this decision speaks to how gorgeous these cars are (see video below for gorgeous reference!).

It's been agonizing. I love the car, but the math is against me.

 

It's nice to see someone realize that the "sentimental" value of the car has no real-world application. Yes, you hate to part with it, as I would hate to part with mine, also a 2007 XJ8-L. I came close to totaling it, I think, with a hailstorm claim that paid just under $5000 for paintless dent removal of about 35 hailstone strikes, and was glad to see I could keep it. Like I said earlier, my Miata is a rebuilt title, but its only damages other than the top were cosmetic, and the repair to the convertible top was cheap enough to handle on my own. I bought it back from the insurance company for $1600, and there's no way I could have replaced it for even three times that amount, so that one made economic sense. Yes, it's almost worthless to sell, but I don't sell cars, I run them until they don't run any more.

 

Agreed too much cash, i was going on the $1600 figure, in your first post to buy it back.

 

I spent 50% of my purchase price on suspension (shocks, bushes). Over 6 years mind, and how was I to know. (turns out they all do)

It's the reason I'd be leery to buy other than the one I have, which very likely could have the same issues.

IOW, better the devil you know???

 

I'm sorry for your loss. Beautiful car! I know the feeling.. Two years ago my 04 got T-Boned at an intersection (driver blew the red light) and totaled my baby. I missed it so much that I found another one (07 XJ8L) and it will be 1 year ownership and 20K amazing daily driver miles.

Moral of the story.

Get another one!

 

Dreadful to your treasured vehicle written off in this way.

It's a straightforward repair but I would make exactly the same choice you have for the same very good reasons.

Graham

 

Damn, so sorry to hear but reading through - you made the right decision to move on.

 

I did the opposite. Bought a 06 VDP in 2021 I think, $ 2,500 salvage title. $ 15k spent in two years and it is the perfect car for me. New cars are overpriced and ugly appliances.

 

RIP….
I too was the victim of a total with my 2008 VDP (Indigo Blue Metallic) - rear ended by a drunk driver coming home from a movie with my wife and son. “She gave her life to save ours”, as my brother says. He couldn’t be more right but I still feel that void. My 09 XJL is more than a replacement, she is a continuation of the joy that comes with owning such a beautiful, powerful abad reliable vehicle. They scream exclusivity and taste.

Hope you can fill your void some day too. Cheers, pour some champagne on the ground for her….

-Indy