Hello everyone!

I was on this forum a while back - 5 years ago. I have sold my XJ8 before I went to college and now I'm back looking to buy a 2000 XJR for my work commute / family car.

I have a wife and a newborn now, so my question is, how is it as a family car?

I'm also in the good ol' pacific northwest, how well do our RWD Jag's do in the snow? The car I'm looking at has had timing chain tensioners, thermostat housing, guides, all replaced. So it can be said she could last up to 200k miles?

Thank you, everyone, glad to be back after a long hiatus.

 

I have not driven xj8 in the snow except once quick drive but even in that time the traction control is felt bad. I first taught that the car broke until I saw the yellow indicator blinking. I was test driving one xj8 in the slush conditions. Later with my xjr and very wet roads I of course felt the same thing. And I quess that the single wiper is doing it's best but the none wipe area of the screen may be too large. Otherwise main thing may be the rust. Heater what I've heard is good for cold weathers.

 

snow performance is ok. use studded winter tires and you’ll get going unless you’re driving up a mountain road with 5 inches

trunk is small obviously, backseat is fine for kids i guess.

 

I've had mine up in Snowshoe WV & had no issue w/ snow & mountainous roadways. As stated above, space is @ a premium as far diaper bags,mats,play pens etc. storage.

 

Not a 308, but my 1997 XJR did remarkably well in snow; between the ABS and traction control it got around nicely even on old directional UHP tires. As for a kiddo, I had rear and forward facing car seats in it no problem, didn't have to move the seat crazy far up either.

 

The heater is better than the XJ8 as a SC engine will create more heat and get up to temp faster. Also very safe. True even on wet roads the T/C can be triggered but like driving any rear wheel drive car in the snow just go light on the throttle. As far as control it is surprisingly stable in snow once you get rolling. Some XJR owners on here have well over 200K on the original engine. However I agree being a steel bodied car rust can be an issue with road salt. If that is a big concern you may want to consider an aluminum X350 XJR.