My name is Diane and I picked up a 1997 cabernet XJ6 VDP from Chicago and drove it home to northern VA over the Labor Day weekend. The car was gifted to me by my mom, who just replaced it with a new Mercedes Benz.

I've always loved this car and luckily it didn't take too much persuasion on my part to talk her into giving the car to me. After all, my daily driver for the last two years has been a 2005 Honda S2000 -- a BLAST to drive but rather limited in practicality.

My life is never without adventure so of course something had to happen on the drive home. The Jag's a/c compressor seized about 90 minutes outside of Chicago, thankfully as I pulled to a stop at a rest area. Realizing its belt did not interfere with the water pump, it was removed and the rest of the drive was very pleasant, especially since the weather was sunny but not too warm. I was very lucky!

Yesterday the engine and interior were thoroughly cleaned and tomorrow it goes to Intersport in McLean VA to get the compressor and upper front shock bushings replaced (sounds like loose change over bumps). I'll be looking to get the paint polished as well - 11 years of no wax and brush car washes have done quite a number on her. With some TLC she should look half her age in no time.

As for me, I work in strategic communications as a contractor for the federal government; I am going for my SCCA competition license this fall; I'm going to the Belgian F1 grand prix next week; I also lease a horse, and shoot at the NRA range with friends. I've owned Alfa Romeos before and so am used to "quirks" so anything the Jaguar shoots my way won't be too much of a surprise.

Cheers,

 

Welcome !
I'm glad we have a new great member like you . You bought a one of the finest Jags ever made and yet quite reliable too . I know most Alfas suffer from weird issues and if you're not an Alfisti you would never buy them again lol

 

Hey Diane and welcome to the forums sweetheart.
Sounds like you got a really nice ride there from the informative intro you gave.....cool!
Re the paintwork Diaine...........I'm not sure exactly where you are, but check this out https://www.jaguarforums.com/m_18014/tm.htm
A really thorough detailing job albeit on a newish car but shows the kind of resulta that can be obtained by a professional!
Look forward to seein more of you around Diane.

Jim

 

Hey what part of chicago is it from, cuz I probably know the dealer it from. The dealer I go to is real good about giving people the service history of cars they sold, if you were intereseted in trying to get that.

 

Thanks for the welcome and the offer to assist; however, the car wasgifted to me by my mother (thus exempting me from paying sales tax), who bought it brand new from Imperial Motors in Wilmette back in '97. Therefore I have all the receipts.

As for the detailing, I used to do the HD Cleanse/Zymol treatment 2x/year on my Alfa. The first time took me nearly 8 hours! (All done by hand.) The paint is scratched in many areas but does not suffer from oxydation as she was garaged her entire life, so since I don't own a polisher (and don't have the experience using one), I will leave it to professionals to buff/polish her THIS time.

She's in the shop now I hope the news won't be ridiculously expen$ive!

Cheers,

 

Sounds like a good idea Diane......leaving it to the professionals I mean, well, at least until the bill comes in.
Why not post a pic of your car in the photo gallery section to show her off a little, and join in the fun in the mug shot thread in the off topic section by posting one of yourself.

Jim

 

$5K in repairs and climbing...happy Jaguar ownership to me!

 

The joys of motoring eh[&:]

Jim

 

Finally...the woman of my dreams. A rally racer, who drove the ONLY RWD Honda made, and now has a Jag, PLUS she works on her own car and I won't have to spend the weekend detailing the cars by myself but instead WITH her. Then, if someone would dare try and do something to the cars, she can handle a gun and let the theif know who's the boss.

WILL YOU MARRY ME!







































AWW CRAP...I'm already married. Disregard.[sm=bangbang.gif]

 

Lol.....Nice one Biggie.
I think I can safely say that you've hit the nail on the head and voiced the opinion of more than a few members, myself included............Plus........she just happens to be very good looking too

Jim

 

[sm=love.gif]


[IMG]local://upfiles/2053/0762103825EF475BB8D9C6F514EB2FB8.jpg[/IMG]

 

Is that a yes? LOL! Looks like you have a good sense of humor like the rest of us. If you do, you'll enjoy the forum and find yourself right at home here. Most of us are jokers and play around a lot, but we never like to offend anyone, so if we do...let us know!

 

BTW the best part about taking the car into the shop was the ride home I got yesterday afternoon...in a Porsche Turbo. [sm=hail.gif]

 

You keep amazing me!

 

Nice one Di

Jim

 

The car is home I had to bring it back the next day the front door check broke during the repair work, sounded like the door on an old pick up truck. lol
I'll post pix when I'm back from Germany/Belgium on the 17th. Thanks for the warm [sm=badbadbad.gif] welcome guys!