For the 2nd time this month, I've overheard folks talking about people that drive jaguars. It's the NUTTIEST thing I've ever heard.

The first was last week when I pulled up I'm my s type-- silver 2007, mind you. Nice little simple car. I get out and see two 20-something's look at me, and then one says to the other, "probably a drug dealer or something..." I thought they were crazy and went on my way. Then, JUST TODAY I'm driving around in the same jag, get out if the car and a lady next to me in the grocery store parking lot says, "nice car, but we don't want any trouble."
?!?!?! WHAT?! I'm the nicest guy. Look like your average 40-something. Minding my own business. My silver s type us just a normal s-type! Not souped up, nothing fancy, no bling-- just a regular silver jag.
I was talking to some friends today and they too, said that people who drive jags are RICH and are known for being "in the mob." ?!?!? Are they SERIOUS?? That is the most IDIOTIC thing I've ever heard!
Where does this "bad boy" reputation come from with jaguars?? My other jag is a 2003 super v8-- if they would've seen me climb outta THAT I would've had the cops called on me FOR SURE!!
Is it TV that's giving this image of sketchiness? Hollywood? Am I just living in a strange place? (Utah-- gotta be it!) or is this a normal reaction for others?? It's mostly the 20-something's I hear this from......your thoughts??

 

Hey dude....yeah, it must be Utah ;o]P
No, seriously, it's not the first time I have heard this and I am on the other side of the planet! ;o)=)
I would say TV etc is responsible for all this nonsense and as you know, it it's reapeated often enough it becomes gospel.....and I know how you Americans
just love gospel ;o)=)

 

The 'Bad Boy' image stems from the fact every bank robber or aspiring villain back in the swinging 60's drove a 3.8 MKII, the ultimate getaway car. I think legend stems from this. Certainly here in the UK.
Nowadays these types drive S8 Audi's!

 

Things like this all help to promote the image!



Graham

 

I have never heard that before! The image that I see/hear is the "rich, old man" one, not the "bad boy" image!

Oh well, enjoy it, live vicariously, just don't cause any trouble!

 

......later to be chased by two plain cloths sweeney in a brown Ford Granada !

 

I think it's great, maybe they will be more careful and not ding the doors. And on another subject, do you find a body in the trunk adversely effects handling?

 

Yeah, depending on the color and type of jag, some can look very sinister. Some movies have bad guys in x308 Jags like Quantum of solace super villain in the super v8. My xjr and Super v8 are black and chromed with limo tint... my friends all said it makes you look like a mobster... love it

 

These 2, nothing could keep up with a Jag back in the day making them the ideal car to do something illegal in, I think the UK started off the bad image the US followed, and then Phil Mitchell from Eastenders finished it off.

 

It would be great if you could rig up something so that when someone got near the Jag muffled sounds would begin to emanate from the trunk/boot. That might cut down on the door dings.

 

something like...

 

Hehehee....I try to avoid carparks.
Bodies in boots/trunks will upset thing s atad....specially if it's not tied down ;o]P

 

Its true .





Bad people drive Jaguars ,i heard even Hannibal Lecter had one .

{Look at the list baddys who drive Benz and Beemers}

 

I think this sums it up best....

 

That's too funny....


My opinion... Now bear in mind, I'm 29 years old, I scored my XJ for $800 (salvaged title, body & minor frame damage...the car was too good to scrap), and I'm in Florida....


But what I've found is that Jag owners here tend to be more passionate owners and drivers than other brands. They're also the type that will come up to you and ask you questions about yours...


In the past month, I've already had someone try to buy it off of me at a gas station, on-the-spot with cash... I've also had a guy approach me and ask me what year, mileage, etc etc, and he proceeded to tell me that he's on his 3rd X-308, and he said "people look at them and think they're big and unwieldy, but what they don't realize is how light these cars actually are and they really are rocket ships!" And another two people told me how they loved their VDP's and mentioned they knew mine was because of the wood trim and rear tray tables...


You just don't get that out of Mercedes owners down here, or Audi, etc etc... I've always been a driving enthusiast and when I bought this car, I expected it to handle like a Ford Crown Vic...IE, a Taxi Cab.... Then I drove it and couldn't wipe the grin off of my face!

 

I get this all the time as well. And of course, when I was younger, I would always be asked "Is that your dad's car?"

To be fair, I've been involved in 3 Jaguar Clubs over here, and I've always been the youngest member, by a long way...

As for the generalisations by Aussies and Americans... maybe it relates more to a slight dislike/mistrust for all things British, not just the people

I do love the Top Gear reasoning as well though, and it's kinda true, you can get away with a lot in a Jaaaaaag

 

What made Clarkson's comments even more humorous to me is that he has owned several XJ's over the years for his personal cars.

Here's one:
How long did Jeremy Clarkson own this Jaguar XJR? - You could own Jeremy Clarkson's old Jaguar XJR - MSN Cars UK

 

I agree-- when I see another jaguar owner, I get out and talk to them about it. I don't see other car owners doing that. We wave at each other at lights, chat about our jags at grocery stores, and chill at gas stations-- all as perfect strangers with one thing in common: we love our jags!

 

Miata drivers and Corvette drivers wave. (most of the time)

 

Perhaps it has to do with how common is the given car in that given city/hood streets. If it isn't very common to see luxury Europeans, then the presence of a Jag or a big Audi will, indeed, raise eyebrows because it is understood that the average person in such area just do not buy those cars.

Conversely, along the California coast line, for example, Jaguars, Mercs, Audi's and BMW's are quite abundant, including a silver S type, but... if you drive in-land, where Chevy and Hondas, etc. are the more abundant, well, that's another story and your silver S type will, again, become a "suspect".

Cheers,