Just checked the new 2011 XJ 8L at a Denver dealer today. Very nice looking car and much better than the last series. But why can't they make rear windows that go completely down in the doors like the competition? It's these little details that get me. Soft close door assist would be nice too.

I will seriously consider buying one in three years when gently used ones are going for 30 - 40 percent of MSRP.

Twotone

 

I agree about how the rear windows lower, but to be honest, I had to check this out since I never lower them. No car is perfect, but this one comes darn close--so far, I am very impressed. I really like the blind-spot monitors in the side rear view mirrors--I don't know how many cars are coming with these now, but it is a nice feature. I always check my mirrors before changing lanes and this tells me if someone is in my blind spot.

 

Here are some pictures I took in my garage.

 

Great pics, nice car!!!!

 

HouTexJag, I feel so bad because I just criticized the new Xj for having a not very pretty interior and that I couldn't get in the colors that I want, but yours has that beautiful interior that I've yet to see in the new Xj.

I do believe that most of the competition does have rear windows that go all the way down. It would be nice, but I believe it's viewed as a safety feature for the children sitting in the back seat. Now, it'd be really nice if everything went down, pillars and all to give it a convertible feel. Mercedes, and Bentley have that on their coupes, but for a saloon, the lack of pillars would destroy the car's rigidity and cause it to explode (or something else bad).

 

I need to get my post count up so I can view and post pictures!

 

TopHatChef,

I kind of struggled with the interior color selection. My 02 and 05 XJR's were both black with a light beige interior that I really liked. The only current seating colors that came close to this were ivory (a little too light in my opinion, almost white) and cashew, but neither were available in jet (black) contrast (dash, console, upper door rolls, carpet, piping, and stitching) which I definitely wanted with a black exterior. I considered jet seating, but, although it came with jet dash, console, upper door rolls, and carpet, the piping and stitching were ivory--I would have considered all jet, but not available. So I decided to go with London tan seating with jet contrast and am very pleased. Even the floor mats are jet with London tan piping--nice touch (did not have the mats yet when I took the pictures I posted--they came in 3 weeks after the car was delivered).

 

Very nice. I really like the "coffee" interior of my car. It's a bit Bentley-esque IMHO, but it would have been nice if it had the black over tan that my old Xj40 had.

Sounds like in a couple of years (it's going to be awhile though. The next car I want is an 02 or 03 Super V8) I'll be going for your car (if your'e ready to sell).

 

I wish Jaguar brought back to the blue and burgundy color interiors of the 80's.

I have yet to meet anyone who is not enamoured with this car once they see it in person. It's an insta-styling hit.

 

How do you like the car after a month? Is there anything that is a problem? What features do you like the best? I need to up my posts to see the photos!

 

I am absolutely loving this car. The design, the features, the performance. Coming out of a Maserati QP that has almost no cutting edge technology, I am like a kid in a candy store in the XJ. Some of my favorite things:

Rear view camera with park assist
Blind spot monitors in side mirrors
Hard drive to download 10 CD's so you can remove them
State of the art nav system
Automatic bluetooth phone connection
Intuitive touch screen interface
Supercharged POWER (faster than the QP)
Air conditioned seats that really work well (front and rear)--nice to have in my neck of the woods
Independantly adjustable bottom cushion of front seats (fore & aft)--most cars lack this adjustment for getting thigh support right
Panorama roof with individual front and rear sunshades
Virtual instruments (they glow red when the car is put in "dynamic mode"--very cool)

So far everything works as advertised and no problems. Have just over 1,000 miles so far.

 

Nice!

 

After a month, I am ready to sell my other car and get another one. Best feature? Well the massaging seats of course. I love them!

 

It still has to grow on me though

 

I again sat in one at the local dealers, and this time tried getting into the rear seats, and promptly banged my head. The lowering roof line rearwards means there is quite a low entry to the rear, far lower than my X350. A small point, but remember, if its a chauffeur-driven car, the Managing Director will be banging his head each time he goes anywhere !

Triumph of Form over Function ?

 

And that is very true. Went down to the local dealer this morning to look at a silver 2011 XJ. The car is awesome looking. It rides and handles superbly. The interior and appointments are outstanding.

 

Me too. I'm trying really hard. Maybe the Mods will make an exception for us.

 

I agree.

 

seen this a few weeks ago in person, in a nice deep blue. looked great !

 

have you had any problems with the car?

just curious - i looked at the 2011 xj while at the LA auto show in december and thought it was really beautiful. But, i have had 3 XJs in the last 20 years as my main car and i just dont trust jaguar to make a problem free car (even j.d. powers agrees with me). Thus, i bought a 2010 LS 460 after going to the auto show. This is the first time in 20 years that i haven't owned at least 1 jag.