I hadn't seen this thread before either.

I've always owned one nice and one not so nice vehicle.

I've never been a look at me person. I buy vehicles I enjoy. Those cars tend to be unusual. I prefer not to see myself coming and going. But I really don't care if others approve or not. Heck, my wife never liked the fancy car I owned when I first met her. It didn't matter...I liked it.

Sadly though, even though I enjoy driving it, I actually do try to sneak in to and out of the office to avoid the raised eyebrows.

Some probably are jealous, but some indeed see it as an extravagance.

Every purchase has opportunity cost.

 

I also have never had a negative comment other than the occasional "you don't buy American?" to which my reply is "Ford owned Jaguar when this was produced... try and keep up." I cycle my cars (xj's) twice per year I call it fleet week so a different color jag in the work parking lot each day. 500+ employees spread over 4 shifts and I park out in the pickers by the entrance so not to get any door dings. When asked what's up with all the jags I tell them it's a rolling 401k plan. Nothing but smiles in return. (Too bad they were not all '70 Hemi Cuda convertibles). My xkr gets nothing but thumbs up everywhere I go.

 

My first car was a 70 Barracuda! Unfortunately not a convertible, though. Also had an 88 XJS. Back in the days of 12 cylinders. (And not one electrical problem.) But the XK kicks as much butt as the XJS did! My Jags are my ego cars. Anytime I need a little attention I just drive that gorgeous baby with her throaty engine, and strangers ask for a ride. :-)

 

This thread is surprising to me - and sad. One of the (many) things I enjoy about the various Jags that I've had is that they don't seem to generate the jealousy of some other premium brands. I notice this in some more subtle ways - people giving you space, letting you into traffic etc.
I've never suffered vandalism, and rarely receive anything but smiles. I hope that you meet nicer people in future.
Good luck,
Rob

 

Thanks for this great thread. I have just purchased my 2010 5.0 supercharged XKR at 39 years of age and have to say I had some concerns around the statement this car makes and what some might think. I would be interested to find out what the average age of an XKR owner is?

 

When you get older, you won't give a rat's *** about what other people think about how you spend your money. Be proud and confident in the fact that you earned it and it's yours to use as you please. Then tell them that you bought it to celebrate right after you made a $100,000 donation to the Democrat party.

My age? 10 years younger after I bought my XKR. What statement does my XKR make? That it's a thing of beauty.


P.S. I just noticed that you're in Australia, so my reference to the Democrat party does not apply to you. My diagnosis is that you appear to be infected with liberalitis, the primary symptom being guilt from financial success due to brainwashing. Fortunately, there is a cure.

 

Thanks Stuart, you are very accurate with your diagnosis. Unfortunately success and wealth creation in our country has spawned the tall poppy syndrome where you are brought down a peg. I'm sure you have the equivalent in the states but it is more pronounced in Australia.



This is my new toy!

Cheers

 

What is wrong with Democrats? We like nice expensive cars too, and we earn them also with hard work and good financial money management.

 

v8cat,

I get it...you're absolutely right! Democrats work hard to get other peoples' money and are good at spending more than they will ever have.

Stuart

 

Murdoch29,

Gorgeous new toy! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine.

I doubt that "wealth envy class warfare" is more pronounced in Australia than in the USA. We've changed from being the land of opportunity to being the land of the handout.

Stuart

 

I'm saddened to see this thread degrade into political pettiness. Nothing will alienate folks faster than this sort of thing, I've seen it happen on veteran's sites all too many times.

It's about our Jags, right?

 

+1

 

Stuart, the last thing I expected to see in this Jaguar forum is a "snarky" political post. It should be "off topic" if anything.

You know nothing about me and I doubt you are doing as much for your favorite causes as I am. Even if you are, it doesn't give you the right for the political attack on my party and me. My wife and I are endowing an athletic scholarship in the area where you and I both live. Check and see how much a full college scholarship for perpetuity costs before you categorize me/my party. Now you have brought others into this place, and like someone says it can mess-up relationships over a subject that should never have been brought up in the first place.

 

ElGreco,

You are absolutely right. My apologies to all for my offensive comments. By the way, I'm a Vietnam veteran. And yes, it's all about our Jags.

Stuart

 

v8cat,

Please accept my apology for misinterpreting your previous post, as I thought you were being facetious. It was never my intent to offend you or anyone else.

Stuart

 

Thanks Stuart, and welcome home from another vet.

Let's go drive!

Cheers

 

V8Cat,
I believe Stuart was saying it "tongue in cheek" and for you to take it otherwise and whip out "mine is bigger than yours" is far more offensive to me. For cryin' out loud, now humor has to be politcally correct on Jaguar forum posts?

 

It's best for me just to leave this site. Sorry to do so since I got a lot of valuable information here, but it is just not worth it. I always will love Jaguars not because they made some sort of financial statement, but because they are beautiful and rare. Other people looking for a so-called "luxury brands" seem to choose Audis, BMWs, and Porsches. I kind of wanted to go against the grain. Anyway I'm a "car guy", but my life revolves around a lot of other things. I always thought Jaguar owners were different (better in all respects) than the owners of other brands mentioned above. Even Jaguar service advisors that have dealt with owners of those other brands have told me they would rather handle Jaguar owners. Anyway I wish the best for all of you in the future, but I'll be happier elsewhere.

 

Lighten up and stick around ... unless, of course, you're selling your Jag and would have no further interest in the forum. No hard feelings, OK? Or how about a reset?

.

 

Hi Murdoch,


Well, I bought my XKR in my 40s, but was driving XJS' from the age of 18.
(Not from great wealth - in the UK, they were very cheap! Plus, if you put a manual gearbox, decent exhausts and suspension on a V12, it made for a great Q car, on the road and even on the track)


It's impossible to generalise and be accurate, but I'd like to think that - to a degree - people buy Jaguars most because they simply like them, as they are not in all honesty the most fashionable car.
Certainly in Perth, the response has always been entirely positive.
Your choice can hold its head up in any crowd, but is individual enough to make you hard to pigeonhole - great choice. Enjoy!