EPA ratings are still a handy reference for comparison purposes. The Wikipedia article you sited claimed up to 11% better mileage due to the 8 speed over the 6 speed ZF transmissions. I simply quoted the EPA estimates for overall improvement in XJLs with 5.0 Liter engines.

The SWB does have a slightly greater MPG rating than the LWB XJ.

I used the KBB for comparing 2013 versus 2012 model XJLs costs.

The $9,300.00 difference does not reflect you will have to pay greater sales, license and property taxes, and higher insurance fees on the 2013, nor the fact that the 2013 will depreciate far more in dollars after one year of ownership than will the 2012.

In addition if you finance the purchase you have to factor in the interest costs for financing an additional $9,300.00, at say 4.0%/year over the life of the loan.

 

Wow, you could have saved $20,000.00 for essentially the same car one model year earlier but didn't? Your obviously in a different league financially than I, so good for you!

My 2011 XJL after 40,000 miles has had no issues with roof popping; has a great ride and handling after upgrading the OEM tires to Continental ExtremeContact DWS ultra-performance all season tires; has had no door vibration issues with the standard audio system (which is great); and has had no battery drain issues after replacing the three-year-old OEM battery.

One thing I find interesting is that the 2013 has less warranty coverage and fewer standard features than the 2011.

 

That's the bad thing about Jaguar "de-contenting" from year to year and then making those items an option. Yes the warranty is the same length but they do not cover any consumables other than the first your oil change and inspection. They used to match BMW and Mercedes on wear and tare, but no more.

Yes I did pay more, but got a good deal and Jaguar, even, sent me a thank you check for the inconvenience ($4,500). So I am please.

 

One of the reasons this site is so important is the information first hand by actual owners and I have already thanks some on this post for there insight. I really wanted and in the future might get a XK but I have shifted gears and decided I MUST have a XJL. Wife is getting the RR and I will need something to drive. I really don't want the 6 so that takes me back a couple years to get an 8 then after reading this post I think I am leaning 95% towards 2011. Seems I can get all the things I want as standard equipment without having to search high and low for the properly equipped one.


This being said, finding a CPO in the color combo I want might take a little time but thanks again to all who posted relative info based on there personal ownership. Sometimes people don't respond but unknowingly you have answered there questions.

 

John,

I was hooked by the interior, particularly the wood grain on the doors.

Stuart

 

John,

I decided to address the financial points you raised so you will understand why it made good sense, financial and otherwise, for me to buy the XJ.

To make a very long story short, I lost confidence in my 2007 Lexus LS460 (and Toyota) due to safety issues regarding my airbags and a related wiring harness TSB together with an attempted rip-off by my Lexus dealer. Failure to "do the right thing" caused me to leave the Lexus brand and their so-called "relentless pursuit of perfection." Actually, I found Lexus to be engaged in "the relentless pursuit of deception." I decided to get rid of that LS460 because I did not want to put my life or the lives of my passengers at risk due to questionable airbags and defective wiring. And, although it had been exceptionally reliable up to that time, my LS460 was out of warranty and after 7 years it would need brakes, hoses, belts and other repairs.

I wanted a newer car with a warranty that did not use Takata airbags. and the XJ had a great CPO warranty, plus it was gorgeous and was much more fun to drive than the LS460.

The Jaguar Select Edition CPO warranty is 6 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date initially placed in service. The CPO warranty on my XJ runs through December 26, 2018. I bought my XJ on 10/31/2014 so my CPO warranty is almost 2 months longer than the new car 4 year/50,000 mile warranty if I had bought a brand new XJ on that same date!

My annual insurance premium increased by $153, which is much less than I expected going from a 7 year old car with a $72K MSRP to a newer 2013 XJ with a $92K MSRP and more technology, safety and other features. For me, that was money well spent.

Although my general rule is to not borrow money to buy a depreciating asset, I decided to finance my XJ because the interest rate was only 1.9% for 24 months. The total interest over the life of the loan is $840.36. For me, that was a no-brainer since I am confident that my investment principal will earn more than $840 over the next 24 months.

As for taxes, in Georgia the tag stays with the owner and not the vehicle. Since I already paid for 2014 tags on my old Lexus, the tag transfer fee was only $20. A drop in the bucket. As for Georgia sales and ad valorem taxes, pursuant to a new law enacted in 2012, owners of cars purchased prior to March 1, 2013 continue to be subject to the old annual ad valorem ("birthday tax") every year for as long as they own that car. But new and used cars purchased on or after March 1, 2013 pay a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) which, for 2014, is 6.75% of the net cost (after trade-in value). The GA TAVT on my 2013 XJ was less than $2,500 and it was rolled into my 1.9% financing. No more birthday tax - paid once and I'm done.

As for depreciation, you only take that hit when you sell the car. Since I don't intend to sell my XJ for a long time, depreciation is of no concern to me. The first owner took the really big hit, which made my purchase affordable.

One important aspect was that my XJ was a lease turn-in, and I bought it from the original selling dealer who had all of the service records. The lessee was a local corporation (the CEO's car). It was serviced by the book and was immaculate inside and out.

Bottom line: I got into my 2013 XJ SC for zero out of pocket with my first payment due 45 days after I bought it. Sure, the value of my LS460 trade counts, as do my monthly payments. But those payments will be offset by my expected portfolio gain (or loss). If the market goes south, there is no prepayment penalty so if it makes sense to pay the loan off early I can do so.

Life is short, and I intend to enjoy the ride all the way to the end of the road!

Stuart

 

Great looking car! I also like your pedal covers, I have the same ones!

Rob

 

Stuart-
Sounds like you made a good decision based on your circumstances and objectives, and that you made a good deal!
Enjoy your new ride!

 

Summary of my post: How reliable are the 2011 xjl cars? Do I need to get a CPO (+$2000) or not? I intend to buy a 2011 with ~20k miles and drive it for another 40k miles.

Currently, I own a 2013 xjl awd purchased new (for $72,500 + taxes including 6 year 100k warranty) and a 2012 xf (leased new).
Jaguar has a $10k rebate, usually in October and that seems to be a great time to buy a new xjl.
I owned two Lexus ls 600 HLs and I sold one to buy the 2013 xjl.
The Lexus LS 600 Hl is a great car but it is my personal opinion that the xjl is the best looking car in its league. The new S class is very nice but it depreciates a lot because of 2014 model year.

I want to buy a used 2011 Jaguar xjl - 2011 because it has the best warranty - hopefully for 2 more years, depending on date of service.. I intend to keep it only for 2 years and put in about 40,000 miles.. I am not sure if I would get the CPO or not. It would cost me about $2000 more, to get CPO.. versus getting it at the auction. I noticed that I can find a 2011 xjl with as low as 20k miles.. for what ever reason, it is not difficult to find low mileage jaguars.

I have not had a single problem with my 15 month old xjl.. but it has only 17000 miles.

The only thing I would miss most would be the adaptive cruise control, which I use very often in my ls 600 hl. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to find a 2011 with adaptive cruise..

 

John: that's a really nice looking automobile.
It seems like it is a real deal if going with a 2011 especially due to the warranty situation.
In November I got a 2012 XJL Portfolio from Ebay--it only had 7300 miles; the color is Claret
w/ ivory leather interior. Even though it has the base sound system I'm pleased with it.
A relative in October bought a 2011 XJL (blue), it had over 60,000 miles when he got it and it has the same interior features as my 2012.
These automobiles (I can't call it a car) are really enjoyable to drive and they convey a certain level of class.
Enjoy your ride John.

 

As of this writing, these fine "motor cars" (as I call them) aka depreciating assets can now be had for $30k in the MY2011 XJL.

Always buy from a private seller with full service records to save on dealer fees & taxes. And a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Jag specialist is mandatory. I did that with my current car and am still lovin' it everyday.

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

a lot of great viewpoints from the various contributors and definitely worth considering the experiences of others. Bottom line though--go with what you feel most comfortable because in the end the money is coming out of your pocket.
In all my years of vehicle ownership I've never purchased a car before taking it for a test drive and looking it over--however, my XJL purchase was a Florida automobile and it came thru Ebay (Nov. '14) and I'm very pleased with my decision. In all honesty though, a relative in NC had just purchased a 2011 XJL w/ 60,000 miles and I drove his for a week so I did have some feel about this automobile. The low mileage (7300) on my XJL was a big influence toward my purchase. However, the cpo warranty can't be beat in my book.
Before I got my XJL I also drove a 2014 Porsche Panamera w/ stop/start and I did not feel totally comfortable with that situation. I'm an old guy so the 385 hp 6 speed tranny, long wheel base XJL meets my needs. As you can see we have too many vehicles at our home but at least the gas mileage for the XJL (I use Shell premium) is better than what I get in my 1999 GMC (I use 87 octane) truck so I'm not complaining--although I get about 35 mpg in the Goldwing so it's relative depending on what you drive, how often it's driven, and how you drive--again, I'm an old guy so the supersport model Jag is not for me. When I'm ready for the 400+ to 500+ hp in my next toy that money is going for a 2015 Corvette.
You only live once but let me say, to me MBs, Lexus, Audis and so forth almost all look the same whereas the Jaguar is so classy--be forewarned though, the looks you will get while driving this vehicle (or when it's parked and you can see people checking it out) might make you a little uncomfortable but as was said by another person, you're not the conformist and that's why you own a Jaguar. ENJOY whatever you get!!!!!