Jaguar XJ Saloon (1994 - 2003) 4.0 Sovereign 4d Auto (LWB) (97) (2001/X) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Fat, balding, middle-aged bloke with delusions of grandeur!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Impressed / bemused / Amazed / Totally Ignored. Why would anyone want such a large thirsty car? Frankly, it doesn't matter what others think. I love driving this car, and the views of others are irrelevant!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes. I might be tempted by an XK or XF, but I think this series XJ is the most beautiful car Jaguar have ever made (including the E-Type, nice though that is). The 1997-2003 XJ is just gorgeous! And the V8 engine is a real gem of power and sensuality.

What are you likely to buy next?

Another Jaguar of some sort.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£5,500

When did you buy the car?

November 2009

Did you get a good deal and why?

I paid the going rate from a private seller for a low mileage car in excellent condition with lots of "toys".

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I no longer needed a people carrier now that the children are older, so naturally my thoughts turned to a Jaguar XJ!

What was the dealer like?

Did not buy from a dealer.

What's it like to drive?

Superb! Why have I ever driven anything else? It is easy to drive either slowly or fast. The engine is smooth, refined, and quiet; and never feels stressed. When driven fast the performance is astonishing. It goes from 45mph to 75mph in the time it takes me to blink and look down at the speedo"! The ride is not as plush as you might expect. Mine has Jaguar "touring suspension", but the ride is quite firm. You don't get thrown about but you are aware of the road surface at all times. The ride is more like a touring sports car than a luxury executive saloon. There is good feedback in corners and tremendous grip from the tyres. However, the standard fitment Pirelli P-Zero tyres are noisy and track tarmac seams. I will be replacing them with something else when they wear out.

What's it like to park?

With practice it is possible to park in gaps which are only a few feet longer than the car. The rear parking sensors are really useful for parking since you cannot see the boot when reversing.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Plenty. A lot of people seem to have had a trouble-free experience. My advice is do not buy one unless you have plenty of money in reserve because this car is expensive to fix. My experience: Both knock sensors replaced at 80k. Leaking plastic Thermostat Tower replaced with the new aluminium type at 81k. Front roll bar bush replaced at 82k. Throttle Housing replaced at 83k. Current spend in 8 months of ownership: Sevicing & MOT £300 Problems fixed £1800 You have been warned!

What's most practical about your car?

This is not a practical car. There is very little storage space inside the car - the door pockets and glove compartment are quite small. The centre storage console on mine is filled with the Jag phone. The boot is a reasonable size but quite shallow due to the lowness of the car. The rear seat does not fold down for carrying long items. Dogs can only be carried on the back seat by using a hammock to preserve the seat leather. Having said all of this the seats are really comfortable (I wish I had them in the living room) and you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and relaxed.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Where do I start? In winter the heated front screen is a real boon. At any time of year, the climate control keep the inside of the car fresh and dry. The 6 CD Autochanger is great (this is not a iPod generation car). The rear parking sensor is really useful for parking and reversing. I thought I would use the cruise control more than I have but it is such a great car to drive properly that I rarely use it. Despite being 2G and not bluetooth compatible, the Jag phone is really useful. I divert my mobile to it when going on proper trips.