98-03 vs 04-present
 

Greetings,

For those of you that have the 98-03 XJ's, are you happy with them all around or would you rather move to the lighter, more ford like 04 and newer models? Maybe one of you has experience with both models.

I posted a similar message in the 04-newer forum because I'm debating between an 03 XJ and an 04 XJ. I know a lot changed between those models but I'm hoping some of you could shed some light with your knowledge and experience.

Look forward to hearing from you. I want to finally be a Jaguar driver!

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

Go the 04, I just brought one, it's been my dream for years. you have the updated motor, alloy body, and it's bigger inside. what more could you want....

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

Although, the newer XJ models are much more nimble and have more horsepower, I prefer the lower silhouette of the pervious body style. I'm old fashioned and appreciate how the older models heldmore steadfast to the traditions of the car.

I'm an Engineer, but sold Jaguars for 2 years during the time the 04s were unveiled. The original poster hit the nail on the head when he called the newer models "more ford-like". That was my first thought when our first one rolled off the truck. I have an 01 black and cashmere VDP that I dearly love. To me the newer car isn't distinctive enough for me.

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

Someone else bought the 04 I was looking at. I'm bummed. It was a late 04, one onwer, purchased in 05, 32k miles with gps and alpine. That is what I get for putting off going to the dealership until tomorrow. C'est la vie. I can't get as excited about the 03 because it doesnt have the gps/nav. I love the nav because it's similar to the one I have in my Land Cruiser. I tell myself that I can get a sweet portable nav and everything will be great, but there's not a lot of room in the jaguar cockpit to be storing portable nav, radar detector, ipod and iphone. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I'm going to survive with the weak cup holders. I always have bottled water and extras in the car. It calms me down in traffic.

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

If I could have the X308 exterior with the X350 interior, that would be heaven. The newer models look generic, but I love the updated workings. However, the older model's exterior is pure Jaguar, and is what grabs people's attention.

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

What about maintenance and reliability on an X308 vs the X350. Which is the cat's meow?

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

The 04 and up seems to be a more sound vehicle. The early cars just look better. Of course, that's just my opinion.

RE: 98-03 vs 04-present
 

Yeah, '03 looks better than the '04 from the outside. I'm a Jaguar newbie, but it seems like there would be less problems with the '03 suspension (touring) vs the problematic CATS in the '04 +. I do like the cockpit and mpg's of the 04 and newer.