As far as the small trunk:


When I was a kid in the UK (40 odd years ago) the xj then (basically the same design as the x350) was considered to have a massive trunk compared to the cars around in those days. I guess trunks have got bigger and bigger over the years and overtaken the jag. However, I kinda like the shallow trunk as I don't have to bend over so far to get the groceries in and out.


The only thing I don't like is the leaking air suspension in the winter months when it drops below 30 degrees.

 

Depreciation. Brutal. This thing misbehaved once too often and is now gone. I tried to sell it and couldn't. A Jag dealer tried to sell it and couldn't. The only way to get rid of it was to trade it in for something else. I lost fifteen grand. In three and half years, I drove it only 10,500 miles so depreciation alone cost $1.43 per mile. It spent its winters off the road in a barn and its summers on a hoist in bits. A fiscal and operational disaster. I'm now older, sadder and wiser. And poorer, of course. I still have my 1999 SAAB 9-5.

 

Yes that's why I plan to keep mine probably forever

I say "probably" because unless someone makes me an offer I cannot refuse, I am going to keep it. I have listed my car on various car sale sites for 2 years now and have only gotten 2 serious inquiries and 3 offers. So I would definitely say the Jag market is a buyer's market.

So, shop for your new car wisely. I usually buy mine close to 100k mi that's near fully depreciated and has all service records (or pass a pre-purchase inspection by an indie specialist) with all the important parts replaced -- air suspension, new tires/brakes, timing chain, battery, etc.

My '05 XJ8L had 97k mi when I bought it and now it has 112k. If I sold it tomorrow I would lose only $2-3k in depreciation... Not bad. It has been the most reliable, not to mention comfortable, car I have ever owned...and that included Toyotas and Hondas.

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

I love everything about the car! Only issue is the display isn't bright enough and should have been a TTFT screen instead of an old fashion TV screen. Also, needed an EXT Temp button to see the temp outside, I hate having to turn on the AC just to see the temp and then having to go into the menu and turn off the AC.

 

Do you have the touchscreen? If so, you can go to Menu and adjust the bright/contrast of the monitor as well as day/night/auto settings for the NAV system.

 

I actually plan on the depreciation when I buy a Jag. I wait until the car is mostly depreciated and then buy it. I made a killing on my S-Type that way and I plan on keeping my XJ8L until I can no longer drive. I bought it for 9K and it still drives like a new car. New, it listed for around $65K. Realistically the only thing I don't like is the black interior. I would have preferred the Dove interior as that would have gone better with the Quartz exterior.

 

Drive a 1973 Lincoln Continental Town Car for about a week. After that, you'll think the Jag feels like it has the suspension of a rock (or maybe an indie car).

 

The rear-view mirror on my 04 XJ8 wasn't quite as badly aimed as yours, but it still didn't seem to adjust far enough upward. A few days ago, I got a good strong grip on it and slowly, but firmly tried to move it up a bit more. Sure enough, it moved past whatever had been stopping it, enough to provide a clear view on the traffic behind and not the bottom of the rear window. Perhaps yours will also move if you put just a tad extra strength behind it when you try to adjust it.

 

As someone who is deciding if I want to take the plunge and purchase an XJ, and who is also the owner of a Saab 9-5, your post is very disheartening.

I know I've had enough of the crap my Saab has given me, if you're able to dump the Jaguar and go back to your Saab I dont stand a chance owning one!

Can you go into detail as to what went wrong during your ownership?

 

The depreciation for my 03 STR after driving 70K mi is $ .33 mi. Got it 05 with 22k mi. Not bad for enjoying a $64 K car for a fraction if its original cost.
Great formula---
$$ x max depreciation = greater savings

 

1. If it is very rainy outside, if you crack the window a cm the rain drips in.

2. Blind spots.

3. Navigation uses limited to parking mode.

4. Key placement.

5. Glove box is off colored.

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

 

Cars are like kids, some become pillars of society others end up in jail.. ;-)

Not helpful, I realize.

Don't be entirely dissuaded by others wheels-off experiences (honestly), and like houses, don't buy the first nor the most affordable, but rather seek out the car with the most transparent service history and longest tenured owner (if possible). Also, walk from a car that has had too much service, not preventitive, but reactive service, as "Christine's" hide in Jaguar's too..

I drive an '08 XJR every day unless snow dictates otherwise, it gets very respectful gas mileage, and is more or less bombproof with proper maintenance.

I think you'll find the JLR group to be at par with most every other vehicle of the same vintage, however, I personally believe it's best to stay late '06 or newer. In rovers it's imperitive, in Jaguars it's a personal preference, but being that they share many of the same bits, it's a good rule of thumb.

If you lookup LR3's for instance, 05-06 had noted electrical issues (amongst other failing bits), whereas our late '07 LR3 just rolled 110K, and aside from tires, brakes, fluids, a set of tie rod ends / plugs and a battery, it has been a Toyota in terms of reliability and wear.

Same basic needs were on the XJR (now at 82K) with the addition of a MAF and recently (damnit) a loose headliner, but all usual stuff.

I gotta say , my favorite part is peering down the bonnet, and seeing the same basic lines of my old XJ12, it's just a really special car and 400hp ain't bad either..

Good luck and stay patient, you'll find one!

Cheers,

Jeff

 

"When its running well its Unbeleivable, when its not running well its UNBELEIVABLE"

1. More Electronics and Wires than the Space Shuttle
2. Constant faults, sensors, problems
3. Electronic Parkbrake engaging for no reason leaving me stranded. Lucky i had bolt cutters
4. Cup holders designed by people who never use cup holders (barely large enough for a Coke can)
5. Headliner comes loose like a 25 year old pontiac would
6. Gas Tank Door button POINTLESS. i would rather someone steal all the gass out of my car than have to walk back around and press that dang button every time (because you always forget)
7. Bluetooth Clicking sound untill you use the hands free option and then the Signal drops off and on. Its useless.
8. Automatic Up/Down windows work at whenever they feel like it.
9. Parts prices are astronomical
10. Air Suspension system will break at every component over time untill you have eventually replaced every item($600 per shock).

If you dont own one, and really love the style and looks of the car, save yourself the money and trouble and buy a Poster to hang in your garage to look at. If you dont know how to work on a car or dont like to, Dont buy one. The Repair expenses will exceed the value of the vehicle within a couple years. Every time this car has an electronic sneeze the parts alone costs minimum of 100$.
(Wow a jag thatwas $74,000 is only $10k ?!) <<---There is a damn good REASON.

If i could ever get the Warning lights and Fault messages to go away long enough i would Sell it. but untill then im stuck with a big red turd that Depreciates in value at the same rate the parts and problems costs Rise.

 

Well today I found it a bit depressing as I read the posts on this thread. So was depressed I felt compelled to write my own thread.

Maybe it's the year or maybe some cars are just problematic. But my 2006 XJ8 L has been great for me. It has been my everyday car for 5 plus years.

I love how the car drives. Nothing I've been in rides as smooth as my Jag. Power/ acelleration are great. Inside th cabin is roomy for myself and guests riding with me. I keep my car clean (it's not easy as I have a black on black Color) so it looks great.

So for all you complainers out there - I am very happy with my Jaguar.

Signed
Steve - Owner of a 2006 XJ8 L

 

Pretty much same here...

 

I agree.


If you are somewhat of a gearhead and are well-versed with internet shopping, a LOT of problems can be fixed/repaired by yourself a LOT cheaper. If you're not, then the $$$$$ of repairs will pile up.


I have corrected/fixed a few problems with my XJR and even replaced the plugs myself. That was probably a savings of $500 or so.


I'm replacing a burned ballast this weekend. Got a part from a online parts store for $100(used) and will replace myself. It's amazing the wealth of info you can find on YouTube and forums like this to do repairs yourself.

 

For me, it is like owning an older, more unusual brand motorcycle. You seem to have some kind of tolerance for some naggy issues or a bit more expensive in exchange for the pleasure and experience of the older vehicle. And yes, I consider my 2004 XJR an older vehicle

And agree to some above posts about doing your own research and work. For example, when the gearbox error happened to me, I didn't listen to both shops that said new tranny, I researched. Tried a suggestion (reflashing the TCM) and it continued. So now I live with it and know how to get it to reset.

I could easily describe that same situation in a negative light, but I am willing to forgive it (call it quirky) because of how much pleasure I get from the car.

If you feel annoyed and disappointed, sell the car now, it doesn't get better. If you see it as just one of the pieces of owning a relatively unique vehicle, drive on!

 

aerowagon, I've sent you a pm.

 

Interesting to hear all these horror stories. I've often wondered if these cars benefit from frequent, sometimes hard, use, as both myself and two other high mileage XJ owners just don't seem to have half the problems everyone else does.

When I bought my XJ it was a relatively high mileage example, and I've since done around 60k in it. The only unexpected expense I can think of was £500 for an electrical fault - not much else has gone wrong, and the few things that have were relatively cheap to fix.

In the last 25k, I've spent £100 on a wheel bearing, and that's it. Other than servicing and consumables, no other expenses whatsoever.

Obviously, I never abuse the car by flying over speed humps and thrashing it from cold, but I suspect it gets driven harder than 99% of XJs, and in a wide variety of conditions - from deep snow to hot sun.

Or maybe I've just jinxed it and the air suspension / gearbox will implode tomorrow, who knows?

 

I bought a 2004 XJR with less than 100k miles and after having a deep inspection done on it and the necessary repairs accepted the fact that it would cost money to run. Now it has over 135k miles and has had a few problems, the worst of which was a cracked timing chain cover that may have been linked to a collision.
The one thing that bugs me most is the occasional parking sensor staying in reverse and the inability to get rid of a yellow airbag warning light (clock spring replaced), but the overall experience has been superb. We will probably keep it until about it is about 15 years old.
I am now looking for another 4-6 year old Jaguar to do the same thing with, but am not a fan of the latest body style.