I've been building car show cars from VW, Volvo and other European marques for 20+ years and I have to say these cars are very rarely complimented compared to almost everything else - especially compared to the VWs I've owned.

My 2002 Eurovan Westfalia would get complimented at least weekly with people leaving their telephone numbers on the windshield in case I ever sold it. My 1969 show Beetle was frequently pulled over by enthusiasts offering cash for the car.

The Jaguars (not unlike my previous Volvos) maybe get a compliment twice a year - and that is usually after weeks of rain when the sun comes out, cars are clean and people generally feel a bit more pleasantly disposed. The same is actually true for many newer "exotic" cars in this part of the country.

If you seek compliments, older restored cars or car marques with lots of enthusiasts are you want to be. Example, if you own any modified car older than 1980 or any year 3-series BMW (especially E30 and E36), Golf, Subaru or rear wheel drive Nissan, you'll be set. I have a love/hate thing for the anonymity the Jaguar provides; I'm attracted to nice cars that are rarely modified, but would love to see more people seeking similar pursuits. I can't get excited about E36s or murdered-out cars anymore, they got boring after the first few hundred examples seen.

 

Here in Southern CA I never get compliments; it's just another 'nice car' in a sea of nice cars as a previous poster had mentioned. However, back when I still had my '86 Series-III VDP I got compliments regularly!

 

Don't think any of us are "seeking compliments" exexpat, just a comment about any made in passing, by strangers or otherwise.


Spent a few days detailing mine recently, feeling a little better about her







Jim

 

Reminded me of the lady who had just picked up her imported VW Beetle which still had Euro plates on it telling her friend about being pulled over for speeding by a highway patrol officer. Her friend asked "What did you tell him? and she replied, "I don't remember exactly, but it was in German."

 

Years ago in a discussion of "which Jaguar" on Jag-Lovers, someone wrote that you could drive a Mk2 and be thought of as a quirky eccentric or you could drive a Series III and pretend to be the rich SOB that people would take you for.

Also some years ago when I was driving my jet black 87 XJ6 with Dayton wire wheels my wife had gone to the lady's room before leaving a restaurant while I went out to start the car, and a couple of business men were hitting on her as she and they were walking outside at the same time and one of them said, "Forget it, John, she's getting into the right car."

 

Your car looks incredible, Jim. My compliments to the detailer.

I don't think any of us are seeking compliments with these cars; I wasn't trying to suggest that. The understated elegance doesn't warrant it.

 

Thanks Jeremy.


Your car is just out there, in terms of what you've added / changed / modified and just its overall general look. I know it's been featured in magazines and has gained a lot of attention.


I do hear what you're saying though, in that certain marques / models etc do lend themselves more to that kind of attention.


Where I was coming from were the comments / compliments on probably the car itself, most people love a Jag to some degree, as well as how its presented etc.
Mine's is nothing special in many ways, fairly standard with a few mods here n there, but looks pretty good when cleaned up and on point.


Appreciate your input as always and have always loved what you've done with your car, certainly a one off.
Jim

 

I bought my first Series III for $1500 back in 2005 at the wee age of 20. I used to get a ton of compliments and looks in that car. Everyone thought it was much older/classic (in a good way) and more expensive than it actually was. It would instantly impress girls and their parents when I would roll up on a date. On the other hand, the mother of a friend thought I was a drug dealer when she saw the car.

 

Pardon the dead thread, but finally I got compliments last Sunday when I pulled into the Cerritos, CA JLR dealer. In a sea of new F-Pace, F-Type, Velar, XF and XJ's, I purposely parked my 12 year old X350 IN FRONT of the glass lobby entrance, next to a Velar. At least 2 of the staff complimented me and asked me about the car, and quite a few stares from other customers and passers-by. One young guy had his eyes glued to the car as he walked past lol.

The real purpose of my visiting the dealership was checking out Velar vs F-Pace and I'm at an impasse. The F-Pace sits higher and feels like a proper SUV, whereas the Velar looks and feels like a station wagon and does not have that 'commanding view' of the road of a Range Rover despite its name. But the Velar has an absolutely sublime, luxurious interior that makes F-Pace look like a Kia.

What a fun Sunday.

 

Funny, nobody says much about my 2005 XJR, but they are so rare especially in the state I live in. I do believe it gets attention when I'm driving for those that know what it is. This is coming from a guy that also used to have a Phaeton in the US that got similar reactions. People who knew what it was went crazy, other people thought it was a Jetta.

 

I know it's an old thread but like many things in life some old things are best.
I get compliments every week , whether at the petrol station, at my local store or just sitting in traffic.
I get a lot of attention especially from Audi drivers who really like to come up on my inside at traffic lights and glare. When the lights go green, they are gone for dust and I take a right turn !!. I made a promise to myself many years ago to never do anything in or to a diesel that didn't involve ploughing fields.

Yesterday was a beautiful morning here in Dublin and I was on my regular drive into the city very early with little traffic about. While parked at the lights I noticed the dreaded sight, in my rear view, of a motorcycle cop coming up behind me. I don't know about you guys but here in Ireland they audition for the biggest A-holes in the police force and put them on a motorcycle.... no exception, they are always bad news.
I had my window down and he pulls up beside my and raises his visor..... ' beautiful Jag' he says as he gives me his card. 'If you are ever selling, please call me'........ I thank him for the compliment and head on my merry way..... once the lights had turned green,of course.

 

I couldn't resist adding something a friend recently sent me.Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere. It makes your heart race and changes you forever.............. We call these people cops.

 

Thanks for posting this. I am grateful for all of the support in troubleshooting and repairs on these forums. But it is nice to see posts and threads like these that focus on some of the many positive aspects of owing these cars.

I had a very similar experience last year btw. Thought I was getting pulled over. The officer just pulled up next to my driver side window and said "that thing is clean brother" and gave me a thumbs up and kept going. Scared me for a minute. Good thing we drive elegant cars huh?

 

I drive my 2008 VDP for the way it looks and feels. No car makes me feel the way this one does. I always get compliments by car guys on the road with a thumbs up or a head nod as well as a small complimentary comment at gas stations. The best one was when 4 Aston Martins on their Sunday drive decided to surround me on the highway and practically escorted her majesty for about 2 miles. That was a treat and a car like this will always command respect on the road. Cheers!

 

Nice........