My first Jaguar - XJ8 - a Brit living in Florida
#1
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Hi,
Having moved to Florida from the UK last year I was in the process of buying cars for myself and my wife/family. To keep my wife happy I bought a minivan first and then set about looking for 'a runaround' to do the daily 30 mile commute.
Well after spending weeks searching for a car that hadn't been baked by the sun or had a pack of wild dogs set loose inside (as most of the reasonably price cars seem to have here), I visited a dealer who had an S-Type R advertised.
(Un)fortunately the S type had been sold, but they had a 1998 XJ8 Vanden Plas sat on the forecourt which was in pristine condition. I took it for a drive and thought how well it drove - like a stately home on wheels, but it had a traction control fault on the dash display.
Whilst still considering the '98 VDP, I drove my first X350. Wow. It still had the same classy feel, but it was so much more modern that I just had to have it.
So I am now the (very) proud owner of a 2004 XJ8 - my first Jag and my first Aluminium bodied car (I'm an aircraft engineer by trade, so this just feels right!). It is my little piece of England as I drive the highways here in Florida and dodge the crazy locals.
I can't believe that I waited so long to drive a Jag and just know that it won't be my last, although I hope that the timeless shape of the XJ8 and reliability will mean that I won't be looking for another for a while.
I've already had an explore around the forum and am compiling a list of the 'jobs to do' and things to check (I have water in the boot (or should that be trunk?) so that is high on the list). My tools are still in the UK, so will probably have to find a Jag specialist to carry out the first service (which may be worthwhile anyway, to pick up any faults) until they arrive.
Can anyone recommend a Jag Specialist in South Florida?
Having moved to Florida from the UK last year I was in the process of buying cars for myself and my wife/family. To keep my wife happy I bought a minivan first and then set about looking for 'a runaround' to do the daily 30 mile commute.
Well after spending weeks searching for a car that hadn't been baked by the sun or had a pack of wild dogs set loose inside (as most of the reasonably price cars seem to have here), I visited a dealer who had an S-Type R advertised.
(Un)fortunately the S type had been sold, but they had a 1998 XJ8 Vanden Plas sat on the forecourt which was in pristine condition. I took it for a drive and thought how well it drove - like a stately home on wheels, but it had a traction control fault on the dash display.
Whilst still considering the '98 VDP, I drove my first X350. Wow. It still had the same classy feel, but it was so much more modern that I just had to have it.
So I am now the (very) proud owner of a 2004 XJ8 - my first Jag and my first Aluminium bodied car (I'm an aircraft engineer by trade, so this just feels right!). It is my little piece of England as I drive the highways here in Florida and dodge the crazy locals.
I can't believe that I waited so long to drive a Jag and just know that it won't be my last, although I hope that the timeless shape of the XJ8 and reliability will mean that I won't be looking for another for a while.
I've already had an explore around the forum and am compiling a list of the 'jobs to do' and things to check (I have water in the boot (or should that be trunk?) so that is high on the list). My tools are still in the UK, so will probably have to find a Jag specialist to carry out the first service (which may be worthwhile anyway, to pick up any faults) until they arrive.
Can anyone recommend a Jag Specialist in South Florida?
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#4
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Welcome to this friendly Forum, Chenzo.
Your car's technical section is
XJ ( X350 & X358 ) XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
and there's a Regional one too
Lower Atlantic - NC SC FL GA - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
Enjoy your membership here.
Your car's technical section is
XJ ( X350 & X358 ) XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
and there's a Regional one too
Lower Atlantic - NC SC FL GA - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
Enjoy your membership here.
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#7
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Location: Glasgow, Scotland UK
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Welcome aboard....... good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums
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use the search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Helpful_information
Please also take the time to check out the regional section for your area!
There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
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Chenzo (05-27-2013)
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