as the title says. im looking to purchase a vanden plas or an xjr? is there any problems associate with these cars that i should look for? do you guys feal an xjr is a downgrade from a vdp?

 

The answer to your question is more subjective than objective but I will give you my take on it. Hopefully others will chime in and you will start to develope a set of core requirements/beliefs.

I would set 05 as the lowest MY to go for. The XJ was a totally new car after 03 and was better "sorted out" by MY 05 as evidenced by the number of changed part numbers for 05 cars and the number of remediel actions for the 04s. Not that the 04 was a bomb, but you just sweeten your chances a touch with an 05.

As to the choice of a VDP over an XJR I'll set it up for you from my perspective:

Pros and Cons of XJR vs VDP:
1. XJR short body over VDP long body prefered by many.
2. More power, particularly in mid range for XJR.
3. XJR Easier to sell when you are done with it, as cheep hot cars are more popular than cheep regular cars.
4. XJR ride is just a touch harsh, particulary on long trips.
5. Fewer usless do-dad features to go wrong on XJR.
6. The risk that car was abused by previous owner is higher on XJR. Watch out for bent wheels.
7. VDP ride is the comfort standard of the world for it's class. Unique combo of ride/handeling charastics.
8. Standard list of comfort/convience features on VDP is empressive.
9. The longer body of the VDP is more formal and prefered by many.
10. VDP seats are marviolusly comfortable, particulary for long trips.The XJR seats are great for sprot driving but short on comfort after a few hours.

I would stay away from any car, VDP/XJR, with modifications to wheels, induction/exhaust system or sound system as these may indicate a "boy racer" previous owner.

 

Tarheal,

Nice list started. A couple other considerations, although these are a little more obscure or personal and might not be part of the consideration.

The R is more complex and has more mechanical parts to fail with the supercharger. If you cannot or will not use the extra horsepower, it will be more economical to operate the VDP.

Based on your state vehicle taxation, the R will probably cost more to register if cost is an issue. Same thing with insurance.

On the other side, ans so I'm not only talking down the R, I prefer the shorter WB. Gives the car a more aggressive stance, rather than beach whale stance.

I like the sportier, less opulent look of the interior in the R than I do in the VDP, and I've owned a VDP. Overall, I like the outside look of the R over the VDP with a little less chrome.

I completely agree with you about the mods. I once rejected an XK8 when I was shopping for mine because I found a K&N air filter on it. Extreme maybe, but important to me

 

The simple solution is to just get the best of both and buy a Super V8. All the long wheelbase goodness with all the supercharged fun. And no one mods them as far as I can tell. BTW, that's a Super V8 driver shown below. An 06 is a good year as that's when the 400hp engine arrived.

 

I have to agree with this. The Super V8 is the way to go.

 

well i checked out an 04 xjr today with 80k. it was black with white interior.
it was posted for 13k. it was ok i liked the car very much but im a fan of leather. thats were the vanden plas comes into play. price wise the xjr are is cheaper but the vanden plas to me is luxurious. tomorrow im going to check
out another xjr. lets see how that goes

 

Where did you find a Jaguar without leather???

 

the leather on the xjr is cheap american style leather. the leather in the vanden plas is full conoly semi anilene leather. vdp leather is supple. moist to the touch yet dry