I have now owned my '01 XJR longer than any of the probably 100 vehicles I have owned.

Recently I had an itch and started thinking about replacing it with something newer although not brand new.

​​​​​i looked at Maserati, Tesla and others. I soon came to the realization that while some certainly have cooler tech features, there is nothing out there that I consider to be really better. None look as good as the x308 and none match the overall package of luxury, power, sportiness, even reliability, etc. Likewise, as they become ever less common, I get compliments on the Jag wherever I go.

The only thing I found intriguing was a Panamera. Most other new vehicles are indistinguishable from one to the next. Still, the price differential on the Panamera not worth it to me. For now, I think I will be keeping the XJR for at least several more years.

 

all I can say for sure is car made from the same era, by now they all look outdated but X308 still looks timeless.

my second pick will be X358(but I don't like X350). but the nothing beats the lower roofline of our X308 I think it is impractical with the low roof inside thou.

 

I couldn’t agree with you more. Was next to a newer jag yesterday and were it not for the fact that it had a leaper on the trunk I wouldn’t have noticed it. It looked like every other car in line. I couldn’t even tell you which model it was or the year.

 

Indeed. Now I did "update" (not upgrade) to a newer model just because as cars get old, they become increasingly unreliable and the repair time, searching for and waiting on parts, becomes increasingly long. Eventually you won't be able to get parts at all. There just comes a point where an old car is rather impractical as a daily driver. Like people, when city traffic gets to be a hazard to their health, cars need to let the younger generation take over, just cruise country roads on the weekends or relax at a car show. They should get to enjoy their "retirement" while they still look and run halfway decent. Bore all the other classics at Cars and Coffee with the same old story over and over again. "Did I ever tell you about the trip I made to Yellowstone. I'd just had my tensioners replaced and....."

 

I'm kinda partial to the 305's although I may be a wee bit biased. Maintenance is an issue with the older crowd. But it still looks timeless.

 

Love the wire wheels. Are those 16 inch Daytons?

 

Yepper, 100 spoke.

 

I've driven e39 m5's and e55's. Yet, I went with this. I agree with OP.

 

I feel the same way I love my 100
I really do not like most newer cars. If I ever decide to get rid of my Jag, I think I'll go back to driving a truck. Probably a new F-250 Super Duty, because I like the idea of having an all-aluminum body that won't rust. I also hate having to borrow someone's vehicle every time I need to move something around that won't fit in my trunk. It would be nice to have 4WD too.

 

Beautiful! I had 60-spoke Daytons on a ‘89 XJ40 I picked up, but spokes started breaking about the time the Dayton offer to replace the wheels expired, and I only found out about it after it had closed out. Loved those wheels and sold them to someone in Mass. I just checked the price of 100-spoke ones for my 308. Yikes. That’s about the wholesale trade-in value of the car!

Anyway, great looking car and wheels.

 

I bought brand new pickup trucks and drove them every day for half my life. Eventually went in search of a luxury sedan after needing to have spinal surgery. Pickup truck ride quality just became too painful for daily driving. They have very stiff springs for carrying heavy loads and sit up very high which exaggerates every bump in the thinly asphalted cattle trails that Texas calls streets. You get into a 3/4 ton and its even worse. But still can't be without a truck. Hauled a load to the dump yesterday. And 4wd does come in handy about once every five years such as our February winter storm. You just need to have a specialized vehicle for every purpose, a truck for Home Depot, something 4wd for inclement weather, a sports car for fun and a comfy sedan for the daily commute. When its critical that you're never late to a business meeting, then a newer, more reliable daily drive is paramount and the others can be 20 years old or more.

 

I’ve had my ‘02 XJR longer than I’ve ever owned any other car save for my Jensen Healey. I’ve had this car more than seven years. I don’t ever want to sell it. No other car feels as easy and comfortable to drive. It just flawlessly does everything you ask of it. And it’s so reliable! Who would’ve thought a 19 year old Jag would be so reliable? I still look back every time I park it and sometimes I just go out into the garage to admire its perfect lines. Sometimes I get young people complimenting me on it or asking about it.

I do like the X358’s and have thought of getting one but they just aren’t as pretty. They don’t have the sporty, sleek, low look to them like the X308’s do. I think the X308 is the perfect combination of luxury car and sports car. And I also love how Jaguar kept the feel of the Series III but with a modern look.



After all these years, I’m still smitten! 🥰

 

Wow what a pair! That is a dream combo to me. 🐆🐆

 

Thank you! I really can’t decide which one I love the most. They’re so different! The XJR is definitely more fun to drive. 🤗

 

I bought my 2003 X308 in January. it is in wonderful condition and the only issue I have had so far has been an oxygen sensor which I replaced and the odd check rear lights warning. It is smooth, quiet and looks fantastic. My wife cannot believe a car that cheap (and that old) gets so much attention.. I get comments everywhere.

My next door neighbour summed it up best. "it is like having an old, classic car, except it drives like a newer car"
I really enjoy it, I can see me keeping it a long time (it only having 32k miles helps too!)

 

LOL. If you take a quick look at my signature, you'll see what my previous 2 daily drivers were A 20,000LB 6-wheel drive monster riding on 4 foot tall knobby tires, and a classic car with rubber-band tires (18" front wheels, 20" rear wheels.) I think the ride of a normal pickup would be just fine And Winter here in Illinois is pretty bad, so 4WD would be great. As for vehicle reliability, I only live a mile from where I work, so I can always walk/ride a bike if I had to Unfortunately, my boss knows that, so I have no excuse for not showing up Being so close to work also means that I don't have to be concerned about fuel economy either

 

You seem to be adding miles to your X308 about as fast as I am to my '03 VDP. Mine had 29860 or so in mid-August when I bought it, and it now has a whopping 32,700 or thereabouts! I generally do a couple of 30-35 mile trips on weekends for farm markets, and on rare occasion take it out on a 100 mile RT to the Blue Ridge mountains. Love the car. The only maintenance items to check off now are front tire balancing and tracking down a speed-related hum research suggests might mean a torque converter flush or replacement. It's only money.

 

The secret may be getting out. There is a nice XJR on BAT currently up to 2x what an equally nice one could be had for just a few years ago. I plan to keep mine for many years but, seeing prices skyrocket does make selling tempting ..

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-jaguar-xjr100-2/

 

I drove an '05 XJ8L for 4 years and loved every day...it was my daily driver that was totaled a year ago with 235K on it. I still miss that car! After looking around for months, I found "Ol' Blue, pic below, that I got from 2nd owner elderly woman. It's an '01 with tensioners done and reminds me of the '05. After 8 months, I still go to the garage and run my hand from the trunk (boot) to the door handle like caressing an old girlfriend. They don't make cars that look, feel and drive like that any more.
I think my '92 XJS ragtop beside it is jealous, lol

 

The BAT car mentioned earlier sold for $25k before buyers premium. It was a really nice example but, not super low miles.

I know that many BAT vehicles sell for BatShitCrazy prices that make no sense. While it's nice to see values increasing, this one seems a bit extreme to me. Then again for some people $25k is like $25 dollars to those of us who actually work for a living.