Well, I just took the plunge and purchased my first Jaguar. It's a black 2005 XJ8L with a black interior. My lease on my Malibu is coming up and I started shopping for my next car. Initially, I was either going to buy a new Chevy Sonic or a used Buick Regal GST but couldn't quite pull the trigger on either. The Regal was a bit out of my budget and the Sonic was just a pure utility purchase if I pursued it. Super cheap commuter to give me another 3 years to decide on a new car at minimal cost. In my search, I started looking at early 00s XK8s as I've always been fond of them and the lack of a functional back seat made me lose interest. That's when I started shopping XJs and came across a lovely example from within state.

I brought it home yesterday and I'm very pleased. It's been raining so I don't have any pics, but there isn't anything on it that you all haven't seen.

I've always been a bit of a car guy but finances over the years have been pushing me to commuter cars with very little finesse or fun factor. It's good to be back in the world of cars that I actually really like. In the past, I've had an Omni GLH, an Escort GT, an SVT Contour, and a '66 Chevrolet Biscayne that I restored with my dad after purchasing at 14 years old. Unfortunately, the latter was a casualty of a long late 00's layoff and it's bothered me since. I had a 94 Ranger that I outfitted with some off roading capabilities and that was fun while it lasted. My car taste is a bit eccentric, so I suppose it's not unusual that ended up with a Jaguar to help complete the unusual combo of vehicles.

 

Congrats on your new XJ8! I have a '01 XJ8 and she's just amazing, Couldn't ask for a better car.

 

Hello, David,
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome to the forum David,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-x350-x358-xj6-xj8-xjr-28/ to the X350 forum for help, advice and information.

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Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!

 

Welcome David. Congrats. Its not very similar to a Sonic is it? Excellent choice.

 

You know, they all have their merits. I've driven cars that were all about satisfying some attribute and, in general, been happy with most of the cars I've picked. The XJ8 was the most emotionally charged purchase I've had because most of what it offers me is unnecessary, but fun in it's own way.

I'm quite pleased with it. With 63k miles, it's probably going to need some work to get it to where I want it to be where I don't have to worry about air suspensions going out on me, but it's lovely to drive.

Thanks all for the warm welcome.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums David,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
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I had the signature entered but neglected to select "show signature".

 

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Thank you, Jim!