Originally Posted by chriskindbooks

Well said Orangeblossom. I had family(now passed on) who's garage complimented several classics of various makes and models. There were three Countaches, one Maserati Ghibli ,one Merak, Mistral and the 3500 GT. I got to drive most all of them. I have been to Borgo San Lorenzo and my ears are still wringing from the whine of the Ferrari's and that was five years ago. Everybody's pallet is different when it comes to the classics. Give me a well maintained XJS over all of the above for our Canadian Highways, that includes most all US muscle cars. The E Type comes in a close second, but the ribbon goes to the XJS.

Originally Posted by ronbros

if the Jaguar XJS was a truly extra special car it would be worth more money.

If you go back to the 70's you would find people saying the very same thing about E types, TR6's and just about any muscle car from the 60's.

Do I think the XJS will ever be as coveted as say a E type or a XK150 for example, No I do not but let's look at the landscape of what you can buy if say you have $10,000 to spend on a classic car. Not too many classics are available at $ 10,000 or less and turn key at that.

I bought the XJS because the E types and all the other older Jag sports cars are out of reach now, but as the saying goes " a strange thing happened ", I really LUV my XJS'. I realized what a great value this car is that I went out and bought a second one so I did not feel like I would ever be separated from my XJS for even a month.

Simply put I figured it was cheaper to go buy another one at today's prices vs. worrying about having someone hit my first XJS and putting me out of commission. That is how much I LUV this car. Crazy but they just grow on you.

Would I love having a E type or Aston Martin in my garage, you bet I would but for the money to me the XJS cannot be beat and now I cannot imagine not having at least one XJS in the garage. Just have not come across anything for what I have into my XJS' that gives me every thing this classic gives back.

Originally Posted by Bc xj

Dont get me wrong, I love my car but I drove my friends V8 vantage a couple weeks ago and it was awesome. Fast and great handling. I would trade it in a minute if I could work on it myself or afford the maintenance. I like the fact I repair and maintain my car. I get a feeling of closeness with my car while Im working on it. Zen like.

Originally Posted by orangeblossom

While it may be faster or handle better than an XJS and have the James Bond thing all going on.

It really isn't the kind of Car that I could fall in love with, it just doesn't do it for me, especially considering the price tag!

Though when I first saw my XJS

It was love at first sight 'I had to have it'

I'm obviously not alone in this, as despite the many problems that we seem to experience with these Cars, none of us seem to be swayed by taking the soft option

of buying a much more modern and reliable Sports Car.

Now I've got her Sorted thanks to 'Greg in France' and others, I know that I've finally found the 'Love of my life'

Originally Posted by Daim

As I saw my first XJ-S, which would be around 1990 as I was 4 years old and lived in Lowestoft (UK), I instantly fell in love with the styling, the looks, the sound, the class. I only had that feeling again, as I saw my Volvo C30 in 2007 and bought it a few months later...

I can't say that any Aston Martin causes the same feeling. The only modern day car I would say would get close, is the last Saab 9-5... No other car on the market, classable as a 'budget' supersportscar, would get anywhere near the XJ-S.

Call me oldfashioned, but an engine designed for torque and refinement, easy able to maintain high speeds coupled to a primitiv automatic is the best combination possible... Any 'screaming' car, like Ferraris, Lambos, Astons and co, don't appeal to me.

Originally Posted by LuvmyXJS'

As much as I like having and driving a convertible as a special car I have to say I really like the Aston DB9 coupe. That car just looks right to my eye and I love the sound of the V12 exhaust on it. Of course when I price them out I just cannot justify spending that kind of coin on one.

To me what really stands out about the XJS is the overall sophistication and unique styling at such a great entry level price. The fact that the XJS was made for so many years and comes as both a coupe and convertible with the V12 and 6 is just icing on the cake.

All I know is my XJS' just put a smile on my face and it makes me feel like its Christmas every time I see one out being driven. I hope every one gets to feel that way no matter what car you fancy.

Originally Posted by chriskindbooks

Maybe I am also just too old fashioned. It seems the roar of the Ferrari/ Lambo and several others on the market are nothing more than attention getters, wishing to make a statement with the wine of an exhaust. Just put the ''peddle to the metal'' and listen to the V12 come alive with balance, contact, control, relaxation rhythm, suppleness, straightness. All of this with the quite, sleek, movements of a true Jaguar. This vehicle is legion in my library.

Originally Posted by orangeblossom

'They don't make em like this anymore' Is a Tag that happily applies to the XJS

It's a True Iconic Classic and as such a very individual Car, everything about it looks just right and as far as the Styling goes, there isn't anything that I would alter.

Apart from the Interior which I feel would look much better with round gauges.

Originally Posted by Daim

Some nice Smith gauges would be nice... But I still like the dials in the prefacelift models. They do have some style too... British Leyland style to be precise!

Originally Posted by orangeblossom

Round Smiths gauges, would really be the icing on the Cake.

Originally Posted by Greg in France

OB
Apostasy, Apostasy. Ye shalt not stray from the path of true belief!

The barrel minor gauges are one of the finest XJS touches! Everyone who rides in my car who has never seen them before loves them. They were developed from aircraft principles, apparently. The idea being that you only had to glance at them as a group, and if they were all in line you knew all was well ! Remember this was from an era where high speeds were still thought to be a good idea...

Greg

Originally Posted by Daim

As I saw my first XJ-S, which would be around 1990 as I was 4 years old and lived in Lowestoft (UK), I instantly fell in love with the styling, the looks, the sound, the class. I only had that feeling again, as I saw my Volvo C30 in 2007 and bought it a few months later...