If people say anything about my XKR, I just say thanks and change the subject. More often than not the comments are based on jealousy. Every so often I'll talk to someone who knows about cars and then I'm happy to indulge and chat about my Jag but it's true that more people have made snarky comments about this car than my BMW, my Audi or my husband's Porsche. I don't understand why people can't just be happy for you instead of judging how you spend your money?

Enjoy your car. You don't have to justify a thing.

 

I don't have a Jag yet, but I've owned other high-end vehicles and I've usually gotten positive comments (crowds gathered in parking lots to talk about it, etc). Most of the comments I get at work are people asking how I can afford it (most are genuinely curious and not spiteful). I usually just explain that I spend/save my money wisely in other areas and treat myself with my cars.

A few interesting comparisons I've used in the past:

• You can get a 3-4 yr old XK (or many other high-end vehicles) for under ~40k. This is pretty close to what some people pay for a new minivan/crossover/etc.
• I had someone at work who bought a new car every year or less. He would finance the maximum amount on a brand new car, get bored with the car, and roll the debt over into his next loan. I explained to him that if he'd just buy a car he truly loved in the first place he wouldn't have built up so much debt.
• My monthly payments on my CL55 were less than my friend's base model Civic. That's what happens when you keep rolling debt from one loan to the next.

 

I knew I was going to feel uncomfortable with some people regarding the cost of it, particularly with one close friend who would love to buy a really special car if he could afford it, and knew the first comment from him and others would be how much it cost. I didn't want him to feel badly and decided that whenever somebody asked me about its cost I'd reply...

"you can ask me anything about the car except what it cost".

I've used that a few times, and always with positive results. People seem to respect that, and perhaps realize it wasn't an entirely appropriate question to ask in the first place. It encourages them to discuss other aspects of the car if they're actually interested. When asked why I bought it, or chose it over something else, I tell them..."I just fell in love with it", and tell them what a pleasure it is to drive.

Everybody has their favorite car, or think this or that is great or better because of this or that (usually performance statistics/price), but love can't be debated...and it happens to be true! The Corvettes, Mustangs, new Camaro or whatever are all impressive for sure, and for different reasons, and I always fully agree with anyone that thinks they're awesome, and it doesn't take anything away from why I chose the XKR. That might even encouraged them to take a closer look to discover for themselves what makes the XKR special...but either way you can both feel good about the cars you both think are king.

Bruce

 

Exactly! One of my co-workers was constantly on my case as to how I could afford such an expensive car until I pointed out he paid $3,000.00 more for his Honda minivan then I paid for my 3 year old XK.

This does not only apply to Jaguars. In 2006 I bought a new Land Rover LR3. My sister made more than a few "look at the rich man" comments until I pointed out she paid the same price for her new Ford Expedition, as I paid for my new LR3 (and mine was 4WD)...She didn't believe me. I had to show her the sales contract. She never bought it up again...

BTW, I still own the LR (which is now paid off and is looking and running perfectly). She has since traded the Expedition as well as two subsequent vehicles, and is upside down in the latest vehicular acquistion (a really cheap a-- Suzuki)...

 

I've read and re-read this thread, and it is still problematic to me for several reasons: It's no fun to realise that you have "friends" and acquaintances who will think nothing at crossing the line. I remember now that I have done it too, when I asked a co-worker how much his boat cost-at the time (1981) I was halfway interested in one. His answer was "do you mean how much would it cost you?" I said yes, realising that I had overstepped. I have not done it since. You also have been singled out, and feel like you've been put on the stand. Out of respect, you want to answer their question, but, you would be showing respect in the face of perceived disrespect, which creates conflict in your mind. You usually go ahead and disclose something but regret it later, and dream up all manner of clever come-backs which would surely have taught the much-needed lesson to the would-be inquisitor. I don't have the answer, but sure hate being singled out, and having someone else's standards applied to me arbitrarily, and then seeing others somehow exempted from scrutiny.

 

"You wanna see a pic of my Porsche race car?"

 

I had a great one the other day: A "friend" walks up to my car and without saying a word slowly looks it over... as if trying to find something cross to say... after a good minute of silence finally walks up, gives the fender a tap and exclams "Hum... sheet metal sounds cheap, I wouldn't own it!". It took everything I had not to laugh. I just replyed "It's aluminum, and you don't (own it)..."

The only reply I got was a look of complete bewilderment.

 

Easy, do what I do with my Z06. Take them to the track with you. That was usually enough to shut them up.

tom

 

My friends are happy for me or ignore my car obsession. I find that strangers reactions are far worse than anything else. I have had many an incident where strangers have drawn on my unwashed car, spit on it, or scratched it on purpose.

 

The biggest problem with people is....PEOPLE!

 

I bought my 10-year-old XK8 back in June for $15K and began bringing it to work.

Here are a few co-worker comments regarding the Jaguar:

From a lovely woman: "Your car is simply the most beautiful car on the lot. Is it new?"

From a practical guy: "Yeah, I had a friend that owned a Jag...it was always in the shop. He said that a headlight cost him $600." This guy drives a 1980-something Isuzu pickup with a crumpled fender.

From the informed guy: “You do know that’s just a Ford, right?” This guy spends a lot of time on Google collecting coupons to impress his co-workers. (I generally don’t reply to this one, but I do smile.)

From a guy who took a test drive: "This thing if pure luxury. It’s so damn solid and quiet. I love the dashboard.”

From another guy who took a test drive: “I never knew a Jag could do 0 to 60 in 6 seconds!"

From a married guy on a strict budget: "Man, if I was single again, I'd get something like that."

From really nice guy who drives a Chevy Volt who was addressing a group of co-workers: "Mike's green Jag is really fast, but I do what I can for the environment." My reply (said with a smile) was: "Yes, I like Dave's Volt, too. We're going to race for pink slips at lunch. Then, I'll own a green car and a red car."

Away from work, I cannot go a week without someone admiring the car at the supermarket, post office, etc. with comments like:

“Man, I used to have a Jag…” (Lots of variations on this one...)

“Is that a new Jag?” (Jaguars have timeless body designs, so people are often fooled by their age.)

“….bet you don’t like the payments.” In this case, I normally don’t have the heart to tell the guy that I paid cash for the car.

And, so it goes. It’s not easy owning a thing of pure beauty and performance.

Cheers.

- Mike

 

I have had my xkr for a few months now and have experienced some of what has been described. My friends are not the problem. I don't have lots of so called 'friends' but i do have true friends. Some i have known for many years. They now how hard i have worked to own my xkr.
The problems i usually get are from co workers or moronic strangers. At first i took their behaviour personally and gave back ten fold. This only stressed me even more and so it goes on. Now i am gradually learning a more subtle approach. They don't get the response they were hoping for. It's them that stress on it now not me.
The other week i had someone say "Oh Jaguar, aren't they owned by a tea bag company?" I just looked at him and instead of my past demonic response lol i just said with a smile.
" When Jaguars look like that (points to car) who cares who owns them"
I got in and drove off............no stress

 

Haha, you think it's bad for you old people. When I had an X350 a couple years ago and I was the youngest and most inexperienced employee at my office and had arguably the nicest car, I got a lot of looks and snarky comments!

Most of those comments are in jest, though. Why can't people just take a joke!?

It's not just a problem with "expensive cars" either. I got a lot of snarky comments when I bought my 2012 (almost) base Mustang. Some people just think impractical cars are a sign that you are rich. Maybe it's true?

 

I used to get irritated by derogatory/snarky comments as well, not just with cars but other things in life to. Then I realised I could change my mindset. Now I just smile to myself that I've irritated someone I don't like and I didn't even have to put any effort into it.

 

I just say, My good man, if you have to ask, you clearly have no business of one, followed by You there - boy! Fill it up with the Petroleum Distillate and vulcanise the tyres at once!

More seriously - they say the difference between a socialist and a capitalist is, the capitalist looks at a big Jag or Merc rolling by, and says Someday, I'll have one of them! The socialist says Someday, I'll have that jerk out of that! So it goes. They see me rollin', they hatin'...

Personally, I'm delighted that my Jag has a Yank V6, a Fordson tractor gearbox and a clutch from a Transit van. It's good, strong, properly-engineered stuff that works and is maintainable, and means I can drive a beautiful Jag every day without any major headaches. I hope the Indians are clever enough to be able to do the Growler badge justice.

 

This is an interesting situation. Last year I bought a 2012 xjl portfolio base. Retail $ 81,500. Before this car I have had a 2001 Mercedes S class and a 2007 S class and a 2010 Mercedes E class. While I did get a few comments about driving Mercedes its nothing compared to the comments and stares I get about this 2012 xjl. I say nothing and just take them with a grain of salt. As far as the money goes. We all know thatTODAY a 2012 xjl retails 20-25 thousand dollars less than a similarly equipped mercedes S class. I had reliability issues with both S class models. So far the ONLY problem with my 2012 XJ is an un resolved issues with the glass panoramic sunroof rattle and creaking. Most people that make comments just THINK Jags cost a lot more probably because they are rare compared to all the Mercedes and BMW s here in Houston.

 

Well, you're less of an ******* if you drive a jag over a BMW i can tell you that much.

But, I don't care what anyone thinks really.

 

The comments I get from some friends "That car is beautiful, but it's not the fastest car on the block." I do not want to get into that argument as there is always a faster car, bigger house, fancier watch... Say what you want, but we know who's car looks better ;-)

It's like saying Cindy Crawford is too old... Well, ok... People just don't want to see someone else with the upper hand.

My co-workers love the car and make no negative comments. Several co-workers also have nice cars, but I am the Jag owner. When asked about the car I say, "Easy to drive, good gas mileage on the highway, and reliable". Three things they probably weren't expecting, but are certainly true.

 

Before taking the cover off the new XKR-S/taking it out of the garage...I look down the street to make sure nobody is out...I quickly get away from the neighborhood...I never park it in public...keep distance from people on the road. THIS IS MINE...and the have not's will always take from the have's...OR DESTROY IT (key it/kick it/whatever if they cant take it) Its tough - but trust no-one. God I sound paranoid...I just do this with the XKR-S. But then again, if people could be TRUSTED - there would be no armies/police...you decide on which fence you stand on...they can be jealous for a split second (and then we are gone (the xkr-s and me driving it!)).

 

Seems to be that way in Columbus, OH as well. I spent last evening walking with my girl around a posh shopping mall called "Easton". If you have a supercar - it seems your driving it around Easton. This is a cow town for crap sake but I saw a ferrari 458 spider and 100's of BMW M3's. I saw one Jag XJL 2 yrs ago and STILL remember it. Its something you have never seen before and likely wont in this town. Im so concerned about the XKR-S that I wont take it there to "show off". Likely get key'd!! haha