Sorry, folks, I traded in my '05 XJ8L. Loved the car, but the RWD was somewhat of a challenge on a ~10 degree inclination with the snow :-( Got a '13 XJ AWD just this week. Was sorry to see the '05 go...

I will continue with the same user name; that XJ8L was my foray into Jaguar land, and my id will be an ode to that!

 

Nice upgrade.

 

Congratulation! What a car........

 

What are your observations & driving impressions on the next generation XJ versus the X350/358, which many consider the final version of the "classic" XJ?

 

Greg, I think the new XJ drives harder/sportier. The drive on the last generation was smoother and I want to say more luxurious. This new generation has a lot more toys in it - haven't even looked over all of them yet!
As far as comfort goes, both are Jaguar :-)
Had I not had the issues with the RWD, I would not have traded in - just yet. But, I do not regret it.

 

Congrats on the new ride! I just read a nice article in either Motor Trend or Autoweek where they drove an AWD XJ and a Mercedes 4WD SUV to Stowe, Vermont on icy roads, and the review of the Jag was quite positive.

Cheers,

Don

 

AWD has transformed the Jaguar XJ sales offer in the northern US states that suffer severe winters. I do hope it halts the SUV dominance of the market, but I suspect the march of the SUVs is not over yet. Every man and his uncles are now making SUVs.

 

Fraser, yes every man, his uncle - and our friends in Jaguar product development - are making SUVs: New Jaguar SUV to Unveil at Frankfurt Motor Show

 

Greg, in my earlier post I forgot to mention that the AWD works beautifully on the car. Earlier in the month when the dealer had the Spring Sales event, they had built a path in their rear parking lot through snow, with still maybe 4 ft tall snow banks on the sides, and were letting drivers drive through this path for testing. I sure did. Drove beautifully. Wouldn't have taken my own RWD through that. Ever!

 

Congrats on a beautiful upgrade, you lucky devil