1. Trunk is too small.
2. J-Gate shifter is outdated.
3. No auxillary inputs for audio system.
4. Nav. system is weak.

Otherwise, I absolutely love my '04 Vanden Plas. On thing I love that I don't hear many talk about is the tight turning radius which makes it extremely easy to park for a car this size.

 

Overall I love the car but...

* Rear entertainment system - the DVD player is in the trunk. If the rear passengers are watching a DVD and wish to change to another you'd have to stop and switch DVD's. (Of course the chance of anyone using the rear entertainment system in my car is miniscule, but it's still silly).

* The front and rear de-icers come on automatically when I start the car after parking outside for even a short period of time at temps below 5 degrees C (40 F). This even happens when there is no ice or snow on the windows.

* Phone call volume is not loud enough. At highway speeds the caller can barely be heard.

* No pass-through from trunk to back seat means my hockey sticks go inot the back seat.

Forgive me if any of these were mentioned previously. These are probably my only (minor) gripes.

 

OK, I'm silly, because my car is a Sport version with harder suspension, but I do miss the much smoother ride of my 1980 XJ6 Series 3. The air suspension lets through too much of the small bumps and road irregularities. However, I've got used to it.

 

You need to get the upgraded Jaguar microphone. This is a well documented issue and is about a $50 fix that you can easily do yourself. If you have the new one then not too sure. The mic upgrade fixed the same issue on my car....

- Tim

 

Hi Tim, I did a couple of different searches but couldn't find anything - I'd be grateful for more info or for a tip on search words to use for this. Sounds like the perfect fix for me! Thanks.

 

My black/tan 03 XJ8 gripes:

* Shallow/no pass-thru trunk (who puts a gas tank between the passenger compartment and the trunk?)
* No aux input/bluetooth to radio (fixed with Jim Roal's tutelage)
* No rear cup holders and the ones in the front are a joke
* Front seats are a bit tight and shallow (i'm 5'10" & 190lb)
* Wife gets cat-calls when driving it (seriously).

Other than that, no issues. Love the ride & acceleration.

Re: gripes regarding the nav system and CD changer... I've never seen a factory nav system that works well (Lexus, Mercedes, etc.). Smartphone/iPad with GoogleMaps is the way to go. As for CD magazine size, get an aux input/bluetooth module installed and forget CDs forever. I just need to figure out how to get an iPad secured in the cabin somewhere.

Cheers!

 

above everyones complaint on their xj i can live with them all, but the one that drives me crazy the most is the center consul! i hate it! it serves no real purpose and you can't put jack crap in it!

 

It's a Jaguar. It's drives like a Jaguar. It's complicated like a Jaguar. It's unique like a Jaguar. It looks classy like a Jaguar. You don't see a lot of them. When you drive down the street everyone else knows there goes a Jaguar... who's driving that car? If you want a big trunk, big cup holders, lots of room, leather seats, nice ride and a V-8 drive a Mercury Grand Marque or V-6 Chrysler Town & Country minivan for a lot less and better mileage and reliability. I love the car for all it is and isn't. I'm sticking with the Jag!

 

Whoever engineered the seat should be forced to sit in it the rest of their lives.There is no human *** that fits that seat.

 

????????

 

I don't get the problem with the seat either, I'm 6'6" and 280lbs, I'm so glad to sit in my XJR after driving pretty much anything else.

 

The 2004 XJR has rock hard bolsters that will press into your thighs and make your legs go numb.This happens after an hour behind the wheel.I'm not sure how any butt could avoid this discomfort.

 

The only things I hate about the XJ is the plastic parts used around the engine that crack over time. They could've at least used aluminum. Another thing i hate is the plastic interior components like the dash board. That should be leather stitching like the new model XJ's.

 

The cockpit has the most BORING aesthetics in the history of motor vehicles!

 

I wish sunglasses would actually fit in the overhead console. You need a very thin pair to have any chance of them fitting.

 

I don't like how the "recirc" on the climate control automatically times out after a preset period of time.

 

I don't like how the top coat is peeling off of my wheels.

 

I generally like almost everything, but, having said that, there is something to the seat discomfort. I have not been able to adjust mine to a position I can stand for 100 plus miles at a time. Other than the seat deal, the 2004 VDP I bought pre-owned, has been a really cool machine so far. I never thought that I would want a Jaguar, but now can't imagine driving anything else. I mean, what would it be?

 

If you keep your finger on the recirc button until you hear a beep, it won't time out.

 

Nice to know about the recirc button

I'm 5ft10 and 245, at first I didn't like the seat bolsters but now are perfictly use to them and like how they hold you in place when cornering hard

My Ray Ban navigators fit in the over head nicely

I agree about the small trunk but then it's twice as large as my wifes Mustang. Guess thats why I keep the GMC.

As for the cup holders or lack of, a Jag is meant to drive, if you want a car to eat in buy something else.

Can anyone guess that I love my Jag