Hi All, New to this forum, not to Cats. Have owned several series 1,2 and 3 XJs all three of which still hold my heart. I am in the process of purchasing a series 1 at the present time. I have benefited greatly from the knowledge on here while researching these newer sedans. I did see other threads covering my question to some degree. I would like to be more specific. I have an opportunity at two cars. The first is a standard or base XJ8 2003 with a build date of 06/02, super low mileage at 27k all one owner, older couple, southern car as I am in Texas. The second is a 2008 base XJ8 with less than 20k miles all one owner and someone whom I know well, northern car. An opinion of a good friend and Jag enthusiast is to never buy any of the cars made before 2005. The knowledge on here is giant and I will defer to you guys. I really appreciate your opinions. I do understand the design differences, just want to know if the 2003 transition cars are a bad deal. Having owned all of my series cars, understand that a Jag is a luxury item and thus not for the faint of heart with regards to maintenance. This is a car that I would drive three days a week, all in town, and the car would be maintained on the level of aircraft. Thanks, Patrick

 

Older cars are more expensive to keep on the road?

True in general but not necessarily in particular.

My last car before my current Jaguar was a 2008 Chrysler 300 Diesel which I bought brand and kept untill 200.000 km (125.000 miles). That car needed repairs from day one. The first two years covered by warranty, then costing several thousand Euros each year. In 7 years I went through 2 sets of shocks, 3 power steering gears, uncounted wishbone bushings, deteriorated „leather“seats, leaking fuel lines and so forth. Finally a Diesel specific repair was more expensive than the resale value of the car, so I had to let it go.

Due to the exhausted transportation budget I then bought an older car: A 2003 Jaguar XJ6 with 70.000 miles on the clock. I‘ve got it a little over 2 years now and besides regular maintenance it doesn‘t need much. During the 31.000 miles I put on the car the total repair bills sum up to 1500,-€ (1845 $) including new brake pads all around.

I am very satisfied with the X350 and drive it as a daily driver. My 2014 VW Beetle therefore spends most of the time in my garage. The Jaguar is just so much nicer to drive!

 

Get the x358... I am biased but its looks have aged well.

A more serious note... The newer car is far roomier and thus comfortable. It is also more fuel economical.

 

If the 2003 is an X308, it is within the last on-sale year of these cars so will have had all the issues sorted, (the car being introduced in 1997) so is likely to be a good car for you. The 2008 X350 is within the last production year, so, again, like my car, has all the issues mainly sorted out. However, having run a 2003 X350 for six years up to late 2016, some issues, like short life of certain suspension bushes was never sorted as far as I know, maybe the material used was improved. Certainly my 2007 X358 Sovereign has been good so far and I have had to do little over the last 18 months except servicing, but a few weeks ago, did whack-out on a new heater matrix to improve the heating. Sludging-up of the heater matrix is one issue that was never resolved, but I suspect it is a lot to do with not replacing coolant at the recommended 5 years. Funnily enough my previous X350 had a good heater and I never replaced the coolant !!

It is likely you'll find the X308 has a better ride, with much less harshness. These were the last Jaguars to have the "Magic Carpet" ride. We have a current mania for large wheels and low profile tyres at the moment,and unfortunately the X350 cars follow the fashion. Last year I swapped from 19" to 17" tyres and find the ride is now a lot better. On 20" it shakes the fillings of your teeth out !

PS: when the agent was replacing the heater matrix they gave me an X351 current model XJ as my courtesy car. It was brand new on 32 miles and drove very well and the ride was very acceptable on its 19" wheels. So it seems criticism of ride harshness has been taken on board by Jaguar, and rightly so, as this is a luxury saloon, not a track car !