Hi guys,

Most reviews I have read have said that the 2004-2009 XJs lag behind the competition in a few important categories for a flagship luxury sedan (mostly amenities, noise levels, refinement, ergonomics, and ride quality).

I am looking to buy a 2005+ flagship luxury sedan in the near future (probably over the next year or so), and the XJ is one of the top contenders on my list. (I don't think I could afford the maintenance on the German makes, and Lexus, while incredibly refined and low maintenance, seems quite bland.)

So my question is, given the XJ's drawbacks, is its abundance of character and heritage enough to keep you interested? I could potentially keep my next car for 3 or 4 years so I need something that will keep me entertained!

--Alan

 

YEP...warts and all!

 

Say you have a group of people standing on the corner watching the traffic go by. The "car" guys and gals in this group will look at and follow all XJs that pass. Sort of like all eyes follow a beautifull woman. They just can't help it! Ditto for some high end Mercs. Not so much for most other high end cars.

All of them, car people and regular folks, will look at the exotics. Sort of like all eyes follow a naked woman, even the repulsive ones.

So, I ask you: You want people to look at you and your car because you are a beautifull couple or because you are both naked?

 

Ahahahahaha

 

The reason for buying a Jaguar is style. Ok for years they were behind on lots of things, but have now caught up, I think. Lexus cars can go to Mars and back but have no style at all. Having said that, I had a Mazda Xedos once, and there is nothing quite so satisfying as a car that never goes wrong. I would say Jaguar is the equal of the German makes now. Only the Audi 8 has an aluminium body like the Jaguar. It probably doesnt matter in the US, but the lightweight of the Jaguar, plus its diesel engine means it gets around 40 mpg (UK gallon). My father's Nissan Sunny doesnt do that !!

 

My 85 YO mother doesn't know anything about cars. She can pick out the older Town Car(she has a 97) and any model Jaguar that goes by. She says all other cars look alike to her.

 

I've driven (and owned) a lot of cars. None feel quite like the XJ. I bought mine used and have been happily driving it for two years. Not sure who told you the noise level or ride quality aren't quite up to par with other high end sedans; everyone that takes a ride in the car mention how smooth and quite it rides.

 

I was in the same position a year ago and bought my 2.5 year old XJ diesel with 103k miles with the intention of keeping it for 6 years
The ride quality is superb even with 20" wheels,its a real head turner unlike the Mercs,BMWs and Lexus which are two a penny.
Ive driven a number of prestige cars to and from our bodyshop and every time I do Im so glad I chose an XJ.
Its got all the toys,in my case fantastic ecomony being the twin turbo 2.7 diesel,great performance (which will be tweaked considerably after its forthcomong remap),style,room and its service next week at a dealer desperate to keep my business is only costing me GB£160 (around $220?) as they price matched a local specialist.Passengers in the back like the car to as its got heated reclingin rear seats with rear entertainment system with independeant headrest DVD screens,games consoles, etc.
If you want to pay a lot of money for a bland car buy one of the other makes, if you want that magic carpet ride with interesting contrasting interior colours and piped ruched leather seats get the XJ.

 

Heritage, esteem and class is what brought me to the brand in 1999 and even though I have strayed, I seem to "come home" so to speak.

I've never owned an S-class Benz (driven several, just never fell in love. They bore me). A Lexus LS never even garners a thought in my book as I simply can't take an Asian luxury car seriously. I know I opened up a can of worms on that one...

I will say that in my mind there is not a luxury sedan in this category that holds more eye appeal than the XJ, as other posters have stated. I have not owned mine long enough to see the long term expense incurred but recently returning from owning an M3 Bimmer and being aware of the insane amount of maintenance required on the 02-fwd 7 series, I am quite confident I am for the better there. At least my XJ doesn't require frequent downloads to function properly.

Will eyes follow? Absolutely. Will basketballs drop due to shock and awe of onlooking teens playing horse? Yep. Will you love it unconditionally? Only time would tell but there isn't a more beautiful car on the road for the price....and you'll never be sitting at a greenlight, pissed off because you can't properly operate the i-Drive system

 

I like Buck's phrase "Magic Carpet Ride". Hope I can steal a use of it going forward. I've owned lots of Euro Marques and I've described Jaguar ownership in terms of the "thrill factor". Nothing gives me the thrill of driving and ownership as a Jaguar does....evidenced by the fact that I'm into them at the moment, 3 deep!

 

Wow, there's something new 2 me: a diesel Xj! Go figure. Quiet?

 

Jaguars with diesel engines are not exported to the USA, as the petrol there is so cheap !! Here the diesels are the best-sellers as they do around 40 to the gallon, and, for the UK at least, income tax on company cars is based on CO2 emissions, and the diesels emit the least. Don't mention all the black smoke though, our politicians know a useful tax-raising scam when they see one!

 

Jaguars are more for style. Look at the 1998-2003 X308 both interior and exterior. In my opinion that is the classiest Jaguar model overall. The 2004 and on XJs have two very stylish exterior body designs, but the interiors started to get more and more modern like every other car. The new XFs in my opinion look like an Infinity or Lexus.

Mercedes has always had a very stylish exterior, but they to have just the regular looking interior. I dont know why people purchase BMW?? They look like every other car inside and out.

Jaguar style is the best. Its a stand alone road car.

 

Well, I'm going to go ahead and answer my own question. The answer is undeniably yes!!!!

I just went to a Jaguar dealership to look at a 2006-ish XJ8L. It was GORGEOUS. I spent a good 10 minutes just staring at it from different angles. In the flesh, it is much more sumptuous, and dripping with class and mystique. I really don't give a rats *** how it drives, a car that looks like that inside and out would make me proud to drive every day.

Oh God I want one!!!!!!

 

yes definately stay clear of appliance manufacturers no asian cars

 

I am still concerned that I can't afford one on a $900/month budget. What say you???

 

Used is the way to go. I'm paying $300 a month.

 

I have had a torrid love affair with Jaguars for years. I absolutely melt over the XK140. Of course, who can say no to an E-Type? I love the Series 1, 2, & especially Series 3 XJ6s. The XJ40 was not as nice but still very distinctive. It was a big leap in technology, especially in the interior.

The XJC makes me sad that they never again made an XJ coupe, because it is certainly one of the most beautiful cars ever. Same goes for the original model XJS coupe. Gorgeous. Wasn't too wild about the taillight revisions later on.

The XK8s and the new XKs are very nice, but they seem too Aston Martin-rip off-ish to my eyes. I wont even discuss the X300s or X308s, even though I realise alot of the people on this forum adore them.

When the X350 first debuted, I thought to myself "At last, here is a true successor to the Series III XJ6!" In my opinion, definitely the most beautiful luxury sedan in the world.

I wasnt crazy about the X358 facelifts, but I did like the fender vents. As for the new 2011 XJ...lets just say Im very sad that Jaguar has "sold out" to the German/Japanese luxury markets. Sir William Lyons would roll over in his grave if he saw the new XJ, or even the XF. Hey, at least my X350 body is the last of the classic XJs, which seems to have helped their value recently.

Anyway, back to the point...Jaguars are not the greatest cars ever built but they definitely have a style and character that no other car brand has. Why do you suppose the XJ is the least ticketed car in American two years in a row? Because when you drive a Jaguar, it says that you dont give a s**t about whats cool or hip or trendy; its tells people you are an adult with timeless style, not some douche in a blacked out Benz or Beamer jacked up on rims.

 

$300/month? In payments?

 

Nothing like someone saying "Wow look at the beautiful Jag" and you say "Thanks, its mine."