I have always been a big fan of not seeing what I'm driving. Not many Jags in my neck of the woods.

 

Positive? Yeah...

What other marque blends performance, ride, and class like a Jag?

Mercs? Too Teutonic and mechanically precise. That can, IMHO, be a bad thing.
Beemers? I'm way past being a 30-something yuppie with a trophy wife in the right seat...big hair, long nails and all that (think of the neighbors in "Christmas Vacation")
American Iron? Nah. BTDT (Caddies, Lincolns...). Soulless.

When you pull up in a Jag (and I have my 2000 XJ8 and an XF)...people notice. Not bragging, but, it makes a statement. Like the difference between a screw-top bottle of wine and one where you wrestle with the cork and let it breathe. Both will have the same effect...one shows taste and the other shows practicality.

Besides...I have the Lotus if I want to REALLY make a statement. I'd rather, if I'm honest, arrive at my destination relaxed and in good shape than having been beaten up and feel as if I've had to struggle through the event.

besides...who wouldn't want to come out in the morning and have to choose how to get to work:



Or maybe:

 

Ever write with a fountain pen? Ever use a mechanical watch? Ever own a perfect work of art?

That is ladies and gentlemen is what Jaguar styling is all about. Perfect proportions and timeless design. Jaguar's are trend setters and not followers. How many other cars tried to copy the XJ quad headlamps? I can count E-Class, Lexus GS, couple of Kia's & Hyundai's, even Bentley...

 

I'd always driven trucks and sports cars. After having back surgery in 2011, I found my truck too harsh for everyday and figured I'd buy a budget used super luxury car to drive while I healed up. The x308 was just going to be a temporary thing, but I found that I still enjoy driving it plus, my back never did get much better. I've been enjoying all the aspects already mentioned, but she is starting to show her age, mostly cosmetic, and Jaguar doesn't seem to sell hardly any new parts for 308s anymore. I've shopped for new cars but I just don't like much of anything, particularly in the luxury sedan class because they all look too much alike. Too bad I can't buy a new retro-styled Jaguar sedan.

 

Because when your in a parking lot thats a sea of silver Lexus's and typical german marques you stand out. A jaguar is unique and it makes a statement its not the safe choice, its the bold choice. At school all of the kids have shiny Merc-C classes and Audi Q5's and I notice them staring at my old jag. The X308 is a timeless design and I wish that Jaguar would go back to their roots.

 

I agree; at school I see people staring plus receive many compliments. Even my teacher gave a compliment!

Goes to show how amazing our 308's are.

 

other than beauty, seeing a 75 year grey headed man whipping a bros rear end in his 5.0 mustang with his xjr. didn't know mouths opened that wide.

 

And that is priceless.

 

Good thread OP.

My XJR is my fifth Jag, from Mark 5, Mark 2, and 2 Series III XJ6's.

I haven't had to post to any other trouble thread on here, because since I've had the XJR it hasn't given me any. I've driven her, in company with up to 20 other Jags, on country run all over the state in the last 12 months, and with the power, the ride, and the look - well you just can't beat her.

Great car. Love it like mad.

Lyndon
South West Sydney.

 

Jennifer,
Our history with Jaguar is mostly attributable to my wife. Many years ago she heard Regis Philbin mention his Jaguar on television and she began to feel the need to get one for herself. Up to that point, we had driven primarily Lincolns and Cadillacs and I always kept a 4x4 of some sort around for foul weather. She didn't get really serious about a Jaguar until the X-Type debuted. She liked the smaller version because she is all of five feet tall and weighs about 110 pounds. Our first Jag was a new 2004 X-Type in Radiance (Red) with ivory seats. She was in Heaven! Personally, I prefer larger cars and my 2004 Lincoln Town car suited my taste better. While back at the dealership (80 miles away) for service however, I sort of fell in love with a grey XJ8L in the showroom. I couldn't quite fathom becoming a two-Jag household but I was tempted. Then tragedy struck: my wife suffered a massive stroke in early 2007 that left her severely impaired, thus ending her career and her ability to drive. We kept the X-Type for a while after that, but she ultimately decided if she couldn't drive it, she didn't want to look at it. We sold it to CarMax. I continued on with my American cars, purchasing new Lincolns in 2008 and again in 2012, plus we acquired an older BMW Z3 roadster at my wife's request. She loves a convertible and I can sometimes lure her out of the house that way when nothing else works. The Z3 was problematic though, and in 2014 I replaced it with a new Mustang convertible. Along the way, several years ago, I purchased a 1997 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur which we enjoyed for several years but were hesitant to use for traveling any distance. We wanted something luxurious but more reliable and idea of another Jaguar popped up so I started looking for one.
We're talking about a vehicle that will probably never see more than 4000 miles use per year so buying new seemed a waste. I ultimately found a 2011 XJL Supercharged with 40K miles and fell in love with it. It gets as much attention as the Rolls ever did and, being sportier in nature, is much more fun to drive. With all the wood, leather, etc. I felt like I didn't give up anything in the transition from Rolls to Jag... this one even still has the wood picnic trays in the rear! Best of all, it is Lunar Grey, reminiscent of the gray XJ8L I liked so well so long ago. We absolutely love our "new" Jaguar and plan to keep it for a good long while!

 

dga57, that is a very touching story, and more about loving your wife then loving your Jag.
My hat off to you and your wife.

 

Thanks Eric! You caught me; a man in love with his wife... and on Valentine's Day at that! lol Come Summertime, the Mustang will be calling out to her again but for now, if I mention going out she asks, "Are we taking the Jag?"

Dwayne

 

My regular motorway (freeway) trips allow a good view of whats about (can't tell one make from another these days, modern cars are so boring ) - I very rarely see any car as old as mine (2000MY) yet alone an XJ8 (or X300 for that matter). I love the V8 roar as the rev counter slips past 3000 (70mph officer....) , having previously owned a 3.2 X300 - great car but a little under powered.
My 4.0 litre N/A has enough power for me but I'd love an XJR for a while just to expeience the madness - you gotta love Jaguar here, old fashioned wood/leather/suspension but lets put a 390bhp monster under the bonnet grandad !
I bought mine 3 years ago for £2k, for a £40k car thats just been run in. Says it all.

....... edit...
and of course the support on this forum has gotta be second to none, so many knowledgable people willing to help out just because they own the same car - brings a tear to your eye !

 

Because when I sit in and go for a drive, it makes me feel like a million bucks

 

Besides looks, comfort, and subdued menace; it's fun to dust off those hot shoes who think their cars can keep up. There's something very satisfying about destroying egos.