My Bride of 24 years has a 2001 XJ8.
Good points:
- We bought it for very little money.
- X308s (The 1998 - 2003 XJ8) retain that elegant Jag styling that always garners complements. No one will mistake it for a Taurus.
- It's been a very reliable car.
- The ride is very nice without being "floaty" like a Buick.
- Handling is quite impressive. I keep trying to get The Bride to let me take it to the track. I bet it would surprise most people.
- For a 4,000 lb car, it will get up and haul a$$ if you drop it in sport mode.
- It makes The Bride happy.
- Did I mention we got it for very little money? She's a tough negotiator.
Bad Points:
- X308s retain some of that elegant Jag styling - Big on the outside, small on the inside.
- When working on the interior, you have to be very careful of some of the trim, like the shifter surround. Saying the attachment pins are delicate is a gross understatement.
- Parts are in the Porsche price range.
- While the glove-leather seats are butter soft, they do not wear nearly as well as the leather seats found in a BMW or a Benz.
- Like most newer cars, you're doomed if electrical issues manifest. The car utilizes a hand full of computers and a multiplex wiring system. There must be 500 lbs of wire in the car.
- The Jag forums pail on comparison to most auto forums. Still they're worth subscribing to.
Here's a stale pic pf our XJ8. I never realized I'd use theis pic so mush. Ineed to take some new ones...
