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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/cla...current-model/
"What’s telling is that when the two cars are parked after the drives it’s not the speed and power of the newcomer that has left the greatest impression, but the sublime ride and handling of its 50-year-old predecessor."
And just look at the size of the modern XJ compared to the first generation. My old X308 was not much bigger than the XJ-S, but the X350 started to get fat. The X351 of today is just such a bloated beast. No wonder sales of the XJ have declined. The rest of the line is gaining...
The old cars (up to 08’) still had a bespoke feel that the new cars just can not capture. Other than the “Jaguar” slapped on the back l, new one do not have anything in common with the cars that preceded
I love these contrast shots. Here are two from the Colorado English Motoring Conclave a couple of years ago. That is my F-Pace next to the E-Type; I also have an XKR that I feel has more of the DNA of the E-Type than the current F-Type. Love these older Jaguars, would defiantly consider a 50 year old XJ if I had the garage space.
And just look at the size of the modern XJ compared to the first generation. My old X308 was not much bigger than the XJ-S, but the X350 started to get fat. The X351 of today is just such a bloated beast. No wonder sales of the XJ have declined. The rest of the line is gaining...
Yeah, nowadays all the cars seem to be so tall.....with those massive slab sides that look like the flanks of a battleship. When driving my Series III (or even my 1995 Honda!) I'm looking up at the everyone else. Not Just SUVs, mind you. Even ordinary passengers cars.
The old cars (up to 08’) still had a bespoke feel that the new cars just can not capture. Other than the “Jaguar” slapped on the back l, new one do not have anything in common with the cars that preceded
I'll go back even farther
For years I drive a 1995 XJR. Wonderful car but even it never felt all that Jaguar-ish to me.
but the sublime ride and handling of its 50-year-old predecessor.
True for the XJS as well, says I.
Greg, can't comment on the new but you are right on the money with the old.
It's my daily driver, track day car, race car and take the wife out car. All bases covered for 2k + 16-18k in getting it to where it is..... still a cheap all-rounder.
For years I drive a 1995 XJR. Wonderful car but even it never felt all that Jaguar-ish to me.
Cheers
DD
yes, but at least up to 08 the round lights and flutted bonnets where there. Today every single car they make has the same boring face and gigantic grill every other car has and they are apparently in the business of making little SUV’s. And the current XJ with its bloated proportions looks like one too.
yes, but at least up to 08 the round lights and flutted bonnets where there. Today every single car they make has the same boring face and gigantic grill every other car has and they are apparently in the business of making little SUV’s. And the current XJ with its bloated proportions looks like one too.
I drove an X308 for 3 years. I have occasionally driven an X350 XJ8 4.2l and always thought it was good but not a Jag. It's handling wasn't right. And it was just bulky and bloated. Sure, it had power and would pull but it just lacked the Jaguar'ness. It was large, tall, looks extremely heavy. If you look at an X308 and earlier, they have very fine lines. The A column is straight and not curved. It has a low greenhouse WITH a low bodyline. The X350 has a high waistline, like all modern cars.
It looks just like an inflated X Type. Or the X Type like a shrunken X350.
And then the X308 doesn't handle as well as an XJ Series I-III, because of all that unsprung weight on the rear. You feel the wheels often struggling to keep the car straight. The wishbones weight far too much. Purposely as they didn't fit radius Arms or other kinds of guides for the rear axle. The XJ Series I-III is just so much more refined.
And that goes for all XJs after the last Series III. The XJ40 handles rat her crude. The X300 a bit better. The X308 a bit better than the X300. But still miles away.
But the same goes for the XK8 vs. XJ-S. The XJ-S will spin circles around an XK (X100). Top speed and acceleration in a straight line are XK bits. But comfort, etc. is all the XJ (-S) territory.
Like many here I've driven many cars, old and new. Many of them very capable and impressive in many ways.
Still, for me, nothing surpasses my experiences with the XJS and Series III sedans.
I'm not asserting they they're the best or better than anything else. But, in my experience, nothing else provides the same overall feel. For me, it's a Je ne sais quoi type of thing.
Like many here I've driven many cars, old and new. Many of them very capable and impressive in many ways.
Still, for me, nothing surpasses my experiences with the XJS and Series III sedans.
I'm not asserting they they're the best or better than anything else. But, in my experience, nothing else provides the same overall feel. For me, it's a Je ne sais quoi type of thing.
Cheers
DD
Same here, Doug. No matter how fancy the car is built on the suspension side or with power etc., it doesn't result in the same kind of car.
Old and new compared
