Standing alone in a crowd of mediocracy
It's strange to me why people actively buy the most boring car in the most boring color available. I just got my 308 a few weeks ago and the day I first drove it to work, several people came up to me telling me how much they love it. All three of them drive boring, grey cars. People act like it's impossible to drive something fun or unique and that there's no choice but to buy a dull, grey car. Yet my 308 cost a fraction of what they paid for their "sensible" cars and the difference probably even pays for years of the extra gas and maintenance costs a car like a Jag might have.
It is one of those things that baffles me about modern society. People love spending 40k+ on a car that literally puts me to sleep just looking at it. I can't say I don't like standing out a little by driving weird cars, but I would still prefer a world where more people express themselves through their car choices. Or maybe they do. Maybe a lot of people are just the human embodiment of dull, grey sedans
It is one of those things that baffles me about modern society. People love spending 40k+ on a car that literally puts me to sleep just looking at it. I can't say I don't like standing out a little by driving weird cars, but I would still prefer a world where more people express themselves through their car choices. Or maybe they do. Maybe a lot of people are just the human embodiment of dull, grey sedans
Senior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 524
Likes: 230
From: Clifton, NJ
It's strange to me why people actively buy the most boring car in the most boring color available. I just got my 308 a few weeks ago and the day I first drove it to work, several people came up to me telling me how much they love it. All three of them drive boring, grey cars. People act like it's impossible to drive something fun or unique and that there's no choice but to buy a dull, grey car. Yet my 308 cost a fraction of what they paid for their "sensible" cars and the difference probably even pays for years of the extra gas and maintenance costs a car like a Jag might have.
It is one of those things that baffles me about modern society. People love spending 40k+ on a car that literally puts me to sleep just looking at it. I can't say I don't like standing out a little by driving weird cars, but I would still prefer a world where more people express themselves through their car choices. Or maybe they do. Maybe a lot of people are just the human embodiment of dull, grey sedans
It is one of those things that baffles me about modern society. People love spending 40k+ on a car that literally puts me to sleep just looking at it. I can't say I don't like standing out a little by driving weird cars, but I would still prefer a world where more people express themselves through their car choices. Or maybe they do. Maybe a lot of people are just the human embodiment of dull, grey sedans
They may look longingly at how your jag looks, but they would never want to own it. Its not just about the cost of repairs catching up with their original purchase price, its the time, hassle, and mental space an older car would require that ensures they never buy one. And who's to blame them. With 3 kids, bills, family obligations, etc., its pretty easy to see why not wanting to deal with older car maintenance and potential unreliability is logical.
For an enthusiast (which even buyers of new fun, sporty or interesting cars generally aren't), thinking about their car, how to repair/improve it, etc. is part of the fun. But we are a small subsection of the population.
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Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 12
From: Ontario, CA, UNITED STATES.
I’ve been driving and owning X308 Jaguars for around 15 years now having bought my first one in 2009. It was a dream car for me, I had a press shot of one on my bedroom wall growing up when everyone else lusted after Italian or Japanese sports cars. My ownership has not been consistent though, I’ve had several periods of being between Jaguars, but I seem to find myself back behind the wheel of a 308 eventually.
I’ve owned my current one since November 2023 and I’ve been driving it around here and there as I work though some of the issues she’s got. But today whilst creeping though some early rush hour traffic it occurred to me I haven’t actually seen another one on the road for a while now. As I looked around me in the fading light I realised that there were several of the same type of cars, mostly the same colour and there I sat in my BRG Jaguar XJR which stood out amongst the silver and grey jelly moulds.
I am lucky enough to be the owner of a few classic cars and whilst I love them to pieces they do attract attention whenever I take them out. I’m a pretty quiet person who enjoys his privacy, and it can be a bit much when for the eighteenth time that hour someone has honked at you in traffic or shouted to you. But the X308 is different. It has without a doubt reached reached classic status, but it’s a cool classic that slinks below the radar of the masses of armchair car experts and is appreciated by the educated few.
So as I continued my journey home I paid a bit more attention to those around me and whilst most people paid me no attention whatsoever, I did notice the few who’s eyes were caught as the big cat went by or the odd person who deliberately took a look at the lights instead of immediately looking at their phone. Despite the car being 23 years old it still very much stands out and is instantly recognisable as a Jaguar, more than the modern ones ever will.
But for me the best part is when you’re cruising along the motorway and someone in a car they believe to be fast lurches up behind you and begins to hassle you. I just love looking in the mirror at their face as they quickly learn the old car that was in their way and is now quickly disappearing still has a wicked bite.
I’ve owned my current one since November 2023 and I’ve been driving it around here and there as I work though some of the issues she’s got. But today whilst creeping though some early rush hour traffic it occurred to me I haven’t actually seen another one on the road for a while now. As I looked around me in the fading light I realised that there were several of the same type of cars, mostly the same colour and there I sat in my BRG Jaguar XJR which stood out amongst the silver and grey jelly moulds.
I am lucky enough to be the owner of a few classic cars and whilst I love them to pieces they do attract attention whenever I take them out. I’m a pretty quiet person who enjoys his privacy, and it can be a bit much when for the eighteenth time that hour someone has honked at you in traffic or shouted to you. But the X308 is different. It has without a doubt reached reached classic status, but it’s a cool classic that slinks below the radar of the masses of armchair car experts and is appreciated by the educated few.
So as I continued my journey home I paid a bit more attention to those around me and whilst most people paid me no attention whatsoever, I did notice the few who’s eyes were caught as the big cat went by or the odd person who deliberately took a look at the lights instead of immediately looking at their phone. Despite the car being 23 years old it still very much stands out and is instantly recognisable as a Jaguar, more than the modern ones ever will.
But for me the best part is when you’re cruising along the motorway and someone in a car they believe to be fast lurches up behind you and begins to hassle you. I just love looking in the mirror at their face as they quickly learn the old car that was in their way and is now quickly disappearing still has a wicked bite.
I live in South California in the Los Angeles area, and these cars are getting rarer by the day. Even as recent as two years ago (when I first saw one and was inclined to investigate), you would still see one on the road around once every couple weeks. Its been months at this point and I haven't seen a single x308 anywhere out here (save mine).
I absolutely love my car, and as mentioned before, it is a pain to fix, but to me it's absolutely worth it. She stands out over all cars anywhere and pleases the eye of everyone from teens to older folks. I don't use my car for attention, but seeing people love it warms my heart. I'll probably never sell it and just LS swap once this engine gives out. Until then, I'm proud to own one of these beauties and wish only to preserve her.
May these cars exist for as long as possible,
-Eric N.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 12
From: Ontario, CA, UNITED STATES.
Interesting quote there. I personally believe you are right. People don't seem to have much taste in anything anymore. Everyone owns the same phone, same house, same car, etc. To me it's still very important to embody who you are as a person in the things you surround yourself with. Standing out is important to me. Not because I want attention, but because being "me" matters to me.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,924
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From: TN
They will last as long as either, ....we are able to financially support the maintenance, or
we are "hands-on" enough to keep up with the deterioration of 20+ year old parts.
we are "hands-on" enough to keep up with the deterioration of 20+ year old parts.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,737
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From: Lancashire, UK
The only downside to this desire to be different is, as I mentioned in the first post, they do attract attention. It can be pretty difficult to enjoy a drive in one of these cars without being harassed. I cannot take my Triumph out anywhere without having people constantly giving it attention, worse when you park anywhere. We took her out last summer for an evening drive and we stopped off at the top of a hill where there’s always an ice cream van. But as my wife and I sat on a bench trying to enjoy our deserts, we had a constant stream of people who’d seen me turn up coming over and talking to me rather than just giving us the respect and appreciating the car from a distance. I was still chewing the last bits of my ice cream cone as we drove away.
But as I also mentioned, the Jag is different. It does attract attention but it also commands respect. People do look at it when I park up but they keep their distance, they don’t immediately rush over and bombard me with comments. If they want a look they tend to wait for me to walk away, it’s very rare I get people bothering me the moment I arrive anywhere.
One thing I have become aware of in recent times is how low down I feel in the Jag, it used to be a big car but now it’s almost dwarfed by what are the small cars of todays market. My neighbour drives a Peugeot 3008 which is a crossover model based on Peugeot’s 308 medium sized car similar to a Ford Focus, this is a lot taller and somewhat wider than the Jag. He even said the other day “Where you first moved in and had that silver Jag I used to think they were massive. But that one looks smaller for some reason.” He may be right, but mine is better looking, a lot faster and is likely more roomier inside.
Grace, Space and Pace indeed.
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