Jaguar XJ8 3.2

My wife located a silver X308 XJ Sport, which was 17 years old (1998 reg) with 65000 miles on the clock.

Whilst I know I will need to do the tensioners by the 75000 mile mark, and look at the water pump and automatic gearbox fluid which are always the stock fixes you should make, and it has a scuff on one corner of the back bumper it is other wise immaculate and I am looking forward to starting on those jopbs maybe this summer..

It drives smoothly, and in sport mode if you give it about 2 seconds to get itself together it goes like a rocket :-) Around town it is an incredibly smooth ride, with light steering, it is gorgeous.. the turning circle is not ideal but good for the size of car, and the light steering makes it easy to park.

It is thirsty - a tank of fuel is about £80 whereas my X-Type takes about £55 to fill up.. and both cars work through the tanks at the same rate meaning the XJ is maybe 22 to the gallon as opposed to the X-Types 28 to the gallon....

But it is *soo* comfortable with big seats, plenty of legroom for the kids in the back, a decent stereo system and the list goes on.. plus the gorgeous sound of a V8 :-)

It will never fit a small parking space, or be a boy racer round town - but it is the only car I enjoy driving just for the experience of being out and about in it... consider the standard repairs needed, and fuel consumption... but the road tax is cheap because it is older.. and just have a test drive they are a gorgeous drive

Having got my first jaguar an x type three years ago I never felt it was a true jag then two months ago and at the age of seventy I purchased a xj executive 2002 reg,although this car has 87000 miles on the clock it drives like new,there isn't a scratch on it inside or out and although I still have my x type there is no comparison at all,even if i'm going nowhere I just take it for a spin for the pleasure of it.

I bought my Masons bl;ack/Oatmeal leather interior Jaguar XJ8 in June 2004 with 70k on the clock. It now has over 300k on the clock and rising by about 30k per annum. The nylon tensioners lasted for over 200k miles and the gearbox a further 50k miles, when a rerfurb was required (just after the oil was changed-coincidence?) No nilasil prtoblems. It goes up and down the motorways all over the country in great comfort and style. BMW? No thanks. They all look the same and there are far to many of them.

I paid top money (£9k) in 2004 for the best I could find and was well worth it. It looks like a 100k car even now. 2 years to retirement then we both retire!

The only problem other than the above I have had, twice, is overfuelling on start up,but that averages once every 120k miles, so acceptable! Oh, and an engine temperature sensor once.

Get a good one now-you won't be dissapointed and so cheap-great value for money. Up to 35 mpg on the motorway (at legal speeds)-never less than 25mpg in town.

I've had my XJ8 for a few years now as a "weekend car" and still look forward to driving it.

Classic styling, adequate power, comfortable and safe, this vehicle has "prescence" in todays lookalike world.

Still, remember to renew the timing tensioners, water pump and gear oil - well documented and simple tasks.

I'm in the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club so never short of good advice.

With low purchase prices, low road tax for pre 1990 cars and low insurance you'll not be too worried about fuel costs - 30mpg on a run is easily obtainable!

An interesting option is a gas conversion, giving you about 50mpg but best avoid the supercharged XJR unless you have deep pockets...

Get a sound car and you won't regret it.

Fell in love with my XJ Executive when it was just 3 years old sitting on a forecourt looking fantastic. The curves took my breath away. Took it for a test run and was sold; as was the car to me. The salesman had nothing more to do other than agree to my negotiation for £1,000 off the asking price.

Just to sit and drive this car cruising gently around in any kind of traffic condition infuses me with total relaxation, calm and feelings of peace to all mankind. Strange that BMW drivers feel some kind of need to stress themselves out with a display of arrogance and unwarranted mindless driving style whereas Jaguar drivers know that their car, particularly the XJ model, says everything for them without the need for any show of bravado. To drive this car is to feel on top of the World especially when it attracts such admiring looks.

my first Jaguar so no basis for comparison, but what a dream to drive. 12 years old but drives like new having just had the timing chains and guides replaced. Duco and leather interior in top condition. Only a 3.2 litre but ample power for cruising the long stretches of highway in country Victoria in Australia. I plan on keeping this car forever.

I bought my XJ8 as a weekend car, to enjoy and be a bit different. Its a first class vehicle, comfortable stylish and quick, so I'm not disappointed.

Bear in mind that there are certain jobs which must be done but which are well documented. Timing tensioners,water pump and gearbox oil must be renewed for peace of mind. You can get a good example for under £3K and low insurance for agreed milages. I get 30mpg on a run and guaranteed pleasure!

absolutely fab best car i have owned car is 11 years old and drives like brand new bit thirsty but you cant have power and performance like this andget fifty to the gallon i suffer with my back but could still drive round the world andback no problems anywere joy to drive everyone should have one

Jaguar XJ8 3.2 Before puchasing listen/check carefully for a very slightly lumpy idle. This may well be worn timing chains/tensioners which cost over £450 plus time to fit, I believe early tensioners were made of nylon? which have a tendency to wear/split. The car is otherwise very reliable and if your annual mileage isn't particularly high can be used economically. Extremely comfortable and stylish in every respect, excellent control features on all models, climate control, cruise control and top quality sound system. These later model XJ8's are a dream come true for the British luxury market enthusiast. Top tip (for purchasers of any car), drive it like you own it on your test drive and apologise for accelerating hard up hill (checking mirrors for smoke etc.) and braking hard downhill, before you do it!

There are two cars in the world that I would buy just for their engines. One is a BMW M3, the other a Jaguar XJ8.

Introduced in September 1997 the Jag is fitted with an aluminium V8. Even the smallest 3.2 litre version produces 240bhp, and the standard 4 litre has 290bhp boosted to a whopping 390bhp in the supercharged XJR. Whichever engine you choose, a discreet but glorious burble comes as standard.