Well, maybe I can afford one. I was looking at the Edmunds TCO anticipated maintenance/repair costs for an '06 XJ8, and it's quite high. (Something like $350/month). However, if you think about it, that entire analysis assumes that the car is being driven 15k miles per year. So an '06 XJ8 would already be 5 years old and have 75k miles on it.

The XJ's I'm looking at have around 30-40k miles, so it would be more prudent, IMO, to look at the maintenance/repair costs of an '08 XJ. For the first couple years of XJ ownership, the maintenance/repair costs are around $80/month (for an '08 XJ, equivalent to '06 XJ in my case), which is definitely doable, IMO.

I believe that brings the total monthly cost to around $800.

 

Funny! How about a beautiful naked couple?

 

I must say that I agree with the above that the XJ is just a beautiful car, period. I like the 750Li and the S550 and even the Lexus LS460, but they don't capture your heart. They are luxurious and competent machines, but they lack the soul of a Jaguar, IMO.

 

I'm up for that, sounds like fun, but what does this have to do with this thread?

 

Re the naked couple;
Go back to post #3. One of my more "dead on" observations if I do say so myself.

 

Is the throttle body really the only common problem with these X350s?

 

I'm not sure you can describe them as common problems but throttle body and air springs are the ones that seem to cost a pant load to repair. It comes as a shock to those of us who are not familiar with current high end car repair prices for sure.
It's a fair question though-- do XJ Jag shocks and throttle bodies represent a weak point in the cars design and if so, compared to what?

 

Interestingly, I looked up on Edmunds the reliability ratings of the XJ versus the Lexus LS430. The LS430 is supposedly the most reliable car in the world, yet it had a yellow "cautionary" mark for engine problems. All years of the XJ since 2002 or so have had full marks on their website!

 

Common problems, which are few and most havn't turned up in the 05-09.

Torque converter lock-up
Transmission sleeve
Headliners falling
Air suspension shock
Air suspension compressor
throttle body sensor
Control arm bushing (maintenance)
Sway bar bushings (maintenance)

 

I'd say the most common issues with the X350 are the coolant expansion tank nozzle (which just breaks because its cheap plastic), the throttle position sensor (not the actual throttle body itself, but because you cant get the sensor separately, the ENTIRE unit must be replaced), and the air suspension components.

The ONLY thing I really don't like about the X350 is the air suspension. Even when its working properly, it still feels like crap compared to the older XJs, which made you feel like you were floating on a cloud. I think they made a terrible mistake and should've just used upgraded regular shocks. The air suspension is overly complicated and really serves no use. Fancy suspensions failed on the XJ40, and its no wonder they went back to a more normal version with the 2011 XJs.