I am going back through old threads and almost all
of them are repair and issues posts. As a new owner
I would love to hear why you like your Jag. Please share
your positive experiences and stories and why you own
a Jag instead of any other make of vehicle.

Let's get some positive vibes going!

 

Just look at it! Can't think of anything I'd rather have for $6,000.

 

Despite the issues these cars have with the tensioners, gearbox issues, electric gremlins that can develop, etc, I have yet to drive a car that is this much fun.

I've driven a $100,000 Corvette, more than one high end AMG Merc, Porsche, Camaro... But they all lack something. The XJ8 is the perfect culmination of power and beauty. The ride quality is superb. Furthermore, the style of these cars is truly something. A word that I would use to describe ONLY Jags is timeless. Despite the fact that this vehicle is only 15 years old, you'd be surprised how many people ask me "what year is that?!"... Just like any car, Jags have their issues. What brand doesn't? But not every company produces vehicles as beautiful as Jaguar did.

 

The Jaguar XJ is simply a beautiful piece of art! I honestly fell in love with Jaguars when my mother was shopping for a car back in 1992. She test drove a gold XJ6 and loved it, but the anecdotal stories of bad reliability scared her away and she bought a Camry instead.

From that moment back in April of 1992 I said that I would own a Jaguar XJ and in April of 2015 I realized my dream with the purchase of a 2008 Jaguar XJL. I also plan to in 3-4 years find a 1995 or 1996 XJ12 sedan as a classic.

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your beautiful XJR! I have british cars in my blood. My Dad has had numerous british classics through the years, and its no coincidence he had me find him an '02 XKR after a little time with my XJR. I always loved the look of the first gen XJ6s and at the time the X300s, then I came across a small blurb in a 97 Sport Compact Car magazine talking about the fastest 380hp sedan in the world. It instantly became a dream car. I have been building my car in my head since that day. Had many other builds in the interim over the years, but in 2012 I came across an XJR needing tensioners, brake work, wheel bearings, no heat, radio cut out, no interior (most anyways), 4 mismatched tires, no exhaust, every light and warning lit on the dash, and a lot of body damage and rust/rot. It was perfect for me! Dream car acquired and its been a beautiful part of my life since then! I was mid restoration on my MG Midget and it still is mid resto, I cant step away from the Jag, its a love/obsession/disease I'm sure everyone else has a passion story such as mine, birds of a feather flock together!

 

if I must put it in one word. that is the"look".

Just like men love hot chicks even they are gold diggers

 

I've had Mercedes and Beemers.. This used S-Type I bought just 5mos ago is the best car I've ever had..

 

First; Organize a free-item-give-away, and see how many members are showing up .
Obviously, there are many more owners out there without problems.

Second; I looked, and still look for other pre-2000 cars.
Think older BMW 5, 7 or 8, Benz S and SL-class, and some other brands just as they will show up.
What is really holding me down so far is the 'plastic' feeling of the interiors.

Although I am not a real fan of glossy wood in itself, I think the combination of the wood with the ivory leather and the little chrome here and there is marvelous, and is superior to any other car its age. I simply love it.

 

I've own one other in my 31 years of driving. A 1992 Nissan Sentra For 8 months..
Thunderbirds, Mustang,Lincoln MarkVII, truck after truck after truck.
All way's worked in construction of some type. Nine years for myself doing kitchens,bathrooms etc.. A year and a half ago took a office job which happens to be 6 tenths of a mile commute. After a year of warming up the diesel for the trip just seemed senseless, not to mention the F350 even though a Lariat isn't quite a great ride.
Cruising through CraigsList wondering what i'd want, I came across the 98. Clean body, not running the seller looking for $1600. Hmm, how else could I ever afford a $70,000 car right. So Got him down to $1300 and loaded it on the trailer.
Thanks to this forum, confirmed the dead fuel pumps, and brought it back to life. Then the brakes, timing chains, tires, and fixing all the other little bits that had been neglected over the years and here we are.
a 17 year old car that rides better, is quieter inside and more fun than the 2014 Lincoln MKX that a coworkers owns.
The car just fits. The seats feel like what I had in the cobra replica. But I actually enjoy riding in this more. If it rains I don't get wet. If it's hot I can turn on the AC. If cold, heat. A radio!! All this in a $1300 car that your lucky if you see one other in a weeks time...
Whether it's shiny new or old and beat, someone also say's "Your driving a Jag".

 

Serious? You take a car for that? Ever heard about walking or a bicycle?

 

Serious? Your going to criticize how I choose to live my life?
You know the roads here? Lack of sidewalks?

 

What's not to love? I love the interior; the wood, the leather, even the smell. The exteior is timeless; the curves, just everything. The engine is so smooth and not too quiet so you can hear that wonderful V8 sound.

Just to think I was just a normal teen looking for a older BMW, Audi a few months ago until a family member decided to give me her Jag. It's been love at first sight since. I always get compliments, wherever I go.

And of course, there's just that 'feeling' about a Jag that I can't quite explain. Sure, the Jag has a few electrical gremlins but she runs strong. Hoping to keep the Jag for as long as possible even if that means big costs in the future. Labor of love, no?

- Pilotman

 

I love luxury sedans more than sports cars, and I love the classic, low, and traditional and clearly identifiable lines (a hood, the cabin, and the trunk are crisp and clear). Looks-wise, I really like the XJ40 the most actually, but they are bad cars...

The second big thing I like about it is it's low - the car is low, the seats are low in the cabin, the hood is low, so you feel that it's a bit like a sports car, but bit with a long hood, and the wide stance. The overall position of the interior really fits my body like a glove - it's like a custom Italian suit to my body type, while most others who get in the car besides me finds it too low/small, etc.. I like that

Third thing is it's "rare" - few of these cars in good condition are on the road, and it looks like a million bucks. It's shocking how many positive comments/questions I get about the car, even though it's 10+ years old, and most people think it cost 4x more than I bought it for. It stands out as being unique, even in the Bay Area where there are more 5-series BMW's than people.

Also, really perfect suspension to my taste. It eats the small bumps really well (tons on our terrible CA roads), but is a nice balance of luxury and sport on the bigger bumps. New cars are WAY too harsh.

 

Just the fact, that the XJ is so typically and traditionally Jaguar. Any person knows it is a Jag. People see it but can't put an age on it. Timeless classical design. Flat, wide, long, elegant, sporty, dynamic, emotional, ... Basically everything a car could be.

 

It drives like supercharged butter.

And look!

 

wish i'd had mine in high school

 

Another thing I really enjoy about my XJ8 is that it is just so simple to work on!

I find it much easier to work on than any American built car, and being that these cars were originally developed to house a v12, there is more than enough room to work on the v8 in these vehicles.

 

One of the most beautiful designs ever created, a stylish work of art that goes real fast.

 

This is a fun post.

Every time I get in my XJR I think to myself, "Man, I love this car!" The interior is perfection (with the exception of the cup holders!). I think the combination of the beautiful dark wood and leather and curved lines of the dash make this the most beautiful interior of any car ever. Driving this car feels like a sports car on luxury steroids. It is everything I would want; it's super fast, quiet but not too quiet, rides well, and handles like a sports car. I also think the size is just right. But the exterior! Does it get any better? Truly, the low curved lines of an X308 are a work of art. I love the hood with the curves around the headlights, the grill, the leaper, all of it. Even the trunk area and tail lights are beautiful. There is simply not a more well-designed car around. See...

 

I grew up with them ... my dad started driving them after the WWII and we always had one or two .... sometimes more in the driveway. My mother started driving MB's in the 60's... mostly because of the larger trunk. My older brother had an XKE. Jaguar remained a bit of a throwback to the old school of motoring. MB was all about form following function .. Jaguar was about the design .. then making it work mechanically (or not). BMW was highway car. All this has changed -- today. A Honda civic will out maneuver and have more HP then most 911's from the 80's.

The X308 was the end of an era ....