It's official Princess is gone, passing into the darkness, away. Sale went smooth at the bank, cashiers check, bill of sale, smog cert, title signed over, happy buyer who can take much better care of her than I can in my situation. I am just not in the right place to keep a jag, no place to work on it, my only car in city where I am alone, coming off a long unemployment, new job a long commute on the punishing 405, etc etc. Painful to see her drive away forever, this was not just another car to me. I love these cars, I first saw them when they were new when I was in college in Vegas(Mech Engineering) and I loved them when I first saw them. That was one thing I wanted and I finally got one. These cars offer average joes the opportunity to drive a true exotic at the purchase price of a used corolla or prius.

They are a way to get a piece of the life that only the relatively wealthy can afford(but appreciate MUCH less) and thus are at a special point where average joes can figuratively give the finger to those bankers/CEOs who make their money coming and going unlike the rest of us.

After a bit over a year of ownership I have no major complaints about Princess. Almost all the maintenance I did was preventative like the tensioners, new tires and cooling system components. The only pests I had were the intermittent ABS/TRAC lights and codes and I wish the new owner luck with that. I know it's just a harness or pin in the abs module connector so no biggie. 56700 to 63875 miles. Washed almost every weekend, premium everything. This car was not to impress anyone, it was just for me. Sadly I lost my job and after the long job hunt I racked up too many living expense bills so it's got to go to pay off said bills, etc.

I'd like to thank this site and everyone who contributes here, this makes owning a jag much easier and is quite enjoyable to contribute to to help others with the same problems!! THANKS TO ALL HERE!!! Keep on giving them the finger!!!

 

Best of luck to you at the new job! You do what you've got to do.

 

We'll look forward to your return as well.

 

Sorry about your loss, but understand the decision. If it's any consolation, I have had to go "practical" more than once and have always bounced back to own cars for enthusiasts.

Good Luck out there and hope you're back soon.

 

Sorry to see Princess go but good to hear the deal went smoothly. You've obviously had a lot of enjoyment from ownership and it's certain you'll have another Jaguar. You can also be proud of the fact that, with the tensioners and cooling system taken care of, you've handed on a vehicle with no hidden surprises for the new owner.

I hope you'll stick around here to contribute the knowledge you've gained to others and it's not too long before you're back behind the wheel of a Jaguar.

Graham

 

No need to own a Jaguar to stay on the Forum - as you say it can be fun to help others here.

 

You will get another one to replace the Princess sometime in the future, just wait and see........

Good luck with your new job.

Vector

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with us and I wish you the best!!

 

Cars and the time we spend with them represent lost youth. You can't ever get it or them back. I can't think of a single car I have ever owned that I wouldn't have back were it possible or practical. You can't say the same about ex spouses. All you can do is hold on to the memories.

 

Don't go away!! Sooner than you may realize, you'll be needing the helpful advice so willingly shared by everyone here. In the meantime you can certainly enjoy the comraderie that always comes through. Good luck in your new endeavours.

 

best of luck. you left the new owner with a well cared for cat that provided you a years worth of fun and excitement.

 

have no fear, you'll be back in the saddle soon enough

 

Goodbye (for the time being) and good luck

 

You made the right decision - practicality should always supercede indulgence. When the time is right, you'll find another XK8. And I'm sure that this forum will help you locate the ideal candidate. Best wishes with the new job....

 

You'll find another one it's just a matter of time. Good Luck with your new job.

 

At least you got some nice photos.
In my opinion the best looking xk8 without those horrible plastic side skirts jaguar put on on later models.

 

I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but all of my vehicles seem to take on their own "personality". Obviously, they don't have one, but they all do have certain characteristics that are unique to them and my brain manages to form that into a "personality".

Some of them, over the years, felt like they just wanted to run hard and fast all day. Some other ones seemed to get a little "tired" after a long drive.

I grew up riding horses, so I guess I equate some of that to how different horses responded. Some of them were perfectly content to walk along and you had to REALLY prod them to get them to gallop. Others wanted to take off running like bats out of Hell whenever you got on them.

As for cars, I'd say that "Princess" could be a good reference for one of our Jags. There is beauty, grace, refinement and class all in one package that behaves like a Thoroughbred who just wants to run wild in the fields if given its way.

I hope to be able to keep mine for a long, long time.

 

Thanks for the kind replies all! Yeah I'll stick around it is kind of a nice community to contribute to, and help out when you can.

Boy I tell you what the beaters I've test drove are a far cry from Princess!! 1996 Nissan 200sx, 2000 Echo and a Kia Spectra so far. Looking for a good condition Prizm or Corolla 2002. But having the extra money is good to pay off credit cards(some living expenses while unemployed not junk!).

 

Glad you found work!
There are more princesses in the sea, and, when the time comes, you'll have another.

 

Good luck, and when fortune smiles back upon you, we'll be happy to help find you another coupe (unless you fancy the sun and stars, hence a convertible will do nicely!)

I know how difficult it is to contribute to a forum you so dearly enjoy when the item and/or interest you share is no longer present as the common bridge. Do what you can, read for enjoyment, but expect it not to be the same...just as driving to work every day has changed for you. Keep your goals in mind and work towards them as best as you can. It will make 're-joining' the group here all the more exuberant.