I saw something the other day I did not know existed. I was an 04 or later XJ8 VDP with a short body. I did not know the VDP edition came in short body version. It certainly would have changed my buying decission as I had rejected all VDPs because I didn't care for long body cars.

What do you folks know about short body VDPs?

 

When I bought my XJ8, I had a choice between 2 04's, a base (with 18" wheels, Nav., Xenon, heated rear seats, etc.) and a Vanden Plas, which was also a short wheelbase and similarly equipped. Don't know if the Vanden Plas was offered in short wheelbase after 04.

 

There was no LWB versions of the X350 XJ8 until the 2005 model year in the US. All 2004 VDPs are SWB from what I understand. All 2005+ VDPs are LWB.

 

That is what I thought from just visually seeing so many '04's but did not know for sure. My VDP doesn't look LWB and assumed there were none for that model year.

 

Live and learn. I'm still learning about these great cars every day. The one I saw was quite good looking and had caused a bit of a stir at a Jag service facility over a parts mix up re to LWB vs SWB.

 

The LWB in general was introduced in 2005. The post above is correct .

 

I have 04 VDP - it is SWB for sure, the only drawback is that it does not have the trays on the back of the front seats.

 

Or the extra legroom. Wish I had a LWB, did on my father 2000 VDP.

I know I know, what difference would 4 inchs or so in the rear make for the driver ? I have a 4week old ,infant car seats are HUGE. honestly, the civic takes the carseat a bit better then that Jag in regards to howmuch front passenger legroom I lose.

Have to bring the front passenger seat WAY up on the Jag (04 swb xj8)

 

I have the swb vdp - it's so much superior to the regular XJ8 LOL.

It's nice, but I'd be happy with the regular jag too.

 

True true, I was supposed to get an silver 05 VDP. But the dealer flaked on me and kept playing games, they must of thought I wasnt going to buy. Meanwhile I had the simplest terms... "heres a $1000, give me a bill of sale and Ill be here in 2 days with a Bank Check for you"

IDK how much easier I could have made it for them...

 

I'm looking at one right now, 04 vdp...

 

just got mine 2 days ago and i love it.... the swb is long enough for me ..... wish i could retrofit the rear tray though.....