Ask the Car People.SM


Jaguar XJ-Series

2801 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2012 at 10:12 AM

You are in the Jaguar XJ-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jaguar XJ-Series, Sedan

Messages Page 171 of 281

#1696 of 2801 Considering 99 XJR purchase, need advice by cat_owner

Apr 28, 2003 (3:25 pm)

I have never owned a Jaguar before, but I have always loved (my wife would say "lusted after") the XJRs. Up until recently I couldn't really afford one either, but now it looks like used 99 XJRs (or at least some of them) are selling at a price I can afford.
 
There are 2 similar 1999 XJRs available here in town; one is a certified XJR at a local Jaguar dealer with an asking price of $40K (but the sales agent said they could probably sell it for $35K), but right next door at a Volvo dealer they have the same car (same colors, similar mileage and condition) for only $29K.
 
I like the lower cost of the 2nd car, but I am very concerned about potential problems with a car that is out of warranty. XJR woes such as those reported by "jlapcat" have me concerned, especially without the new car warranty coverage.
 
Any recommendations?
What would a third party extended warranty cost?
What third party extended warranty companies are good/bad?
 
My wife is recommending a new Lexus IS300 instead, which I can get for about the same price. But my heart really prefers the XJR.
 
Any and all replies (public and private) are welcome.
 
Craig in California

#1697 of 2801 '04 XJ by vusic

Apr 30, 2003 (9:51 am)

Can't wait for the cat calls on this one.
I saw the new XJ in the flesh yesterday and although it would be futile to dispute Wild Bill's assessment of what is probably a mechanically and ergonomically superior automobile, built for capture of a larger share of the luxury car market, there was one huge thing absent......presence. That feeling I get when I stand next to many Jaguars, that feeling like your in the presence of a passion for the automotive art.....is gone. In all candor, I felt cues from the Ford Taurus.
maybe it's gonna take a while to warm up to it, but it seems to have bloated it profile (check out the sheet metal between the top of the rear wheel well and the deck lid), which explains the increase in trunk space but at what cost to design?
It seems the emphasis at Jaguar is shifting from tradition and design to market share and utility.

#1698 of 2801 04 XJR "presence" by pathdoc

Apr 30, 2003 (12:50 pm)

I would have to disagree re the previous comment. I have seen the new XJ on the dealer's showroom near the older model and unless you are knowledgeable they could be mistaken for the same model. I see this as an advantage since I like the current series. I have a 2001 XKR convertible and before that a 1998 XK8 convertible. Since I also need a sedan when taking more than one passenger I have in the past had to rule out the XJ8 because of it's small trunk and cramped interior. I currently have a 99 Mercedes S500. I look forward to seriously being able to replace the Mercedes with the XJR\XJ8 if it turns out to be as much of an improvement as it initially appears.

#1699 of 2801 '04 Presence by 97vdpguy

May 02, 2003 (6:53 pm)

I went to an open house at my dealer the other week and checked out the new XJ series cars. I felt like I was standing next to and sitting in a Lexus!
 
It just didn't feel the same to me. I like my '97 VDP. Maybe it's just me, but I kind of like the fact that the hood of the car opens up the way it does on the older XJ's.
 
The new model has a "plain old hood". Just another bit of esoteric styling that is going away.
 
I didn't drive the car, but I doubt that would sway me. If I want more HP, I'll upgrade to a V8 '98-'03 VDP.
 
Cheers

#1700 of 2801 by jagboyxtype

May 02, 2003 (6:58 pm)

Different strokes for different folks. They're all great cars IMO, and I wouldn't mind any of them (though the S-type R is next on the list of cars to get).
 
No Jaguar has a "plain old hood," it has a "bonnet."

#1701 of 2801 HID lights for 1997 XJ? by 97vdpguy

May 02, 2003 (7:02 pm)

Ok, here's where I show my ignorance...
 
I have a burned out foglamp. The dealer wants $230 plus $45 labor to replace it. I assume it's halogen because they tell me HID isn't available for my model year and they won't install them.
 
I found an H3 Xenon HID kit for around $540 that includes two bulbs and two sets of ballast, plus a wiring harness. Given the cost to replace ONE bulb at the dealer, this seems like a reasonable buy..
 
But I don't know if these kits will fit my car. Are the Jaguar foglamps sealed beam units? Or it it as simple as removing the burnt out bulb and replacing it with the H3 HID bulb, then connecting the ballast?
 
The Jaguar dealer is being completely unhelpful since I'm talking to them about desacrating the original equipment.
 
Advice??
 
Thanks!

#1702 of 2801 No bees in this Bonnet... by 97vdpguy

May 02, 2003 (7:03 pm)

You're right, it's a bonnet.. How silly of me to forget that

#1703 of 2801 Cat Owner by 97vdpguy

May 02, 2003 (7:16 pm)

Wow.. $35K for an XJR... I paid $36K for my 97 VDP+extended warranty two years ago. I would have loved an XJR!
 
The extended warranty will set you back around $2,800. I haven't used mine much, but if I have a major problem, I'm covered for the cost of the $100 co-payment. If you buy a car under Select Edition warranty, you can always add the extended warranty after the SE warranty runs out (which will be soon).
 
Bill (or someone else) will tell you what to look for. I suppose all things being equal, lower miles is better, but lower price makes for smaller monthly payments.

#1704 of 2801 Lindsay8 by 97vdpguy

May 02, 2003 (7:31 pm)

Yes, the aerial should be cleaned and lubed. My radio displays the message "Clean Aerial" about every 3 months.

#1705 of 2801 Re: Bonnet by jagboyxtype

May 02, 2003 (8:31 pm)

It's perfectly understandable. You were just getting over the shock of it opening the wrong way, and forgot what to call it.
 
I personally agree with you, in that the touches such as the bonnet's opening direction, etc. should have stayed on the 2004 model, despite that not being mainstream. It made up part of the uniqueness of the car, and Jaguars are not cars for everyone, so they should be a little quirky (for lack of a better adjective). Thank goodness the J-gate stayed! The bonnet opening this way works on the models like S-type and X-type, however, because they opened in the direction they do today the same way on the original 60's S-type and Mk 2.
 
Cheers!

Messages Page 171 of 281

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement