Should you buy an X308 Jaguar XJ or XJR?

We give you the definitive answer on if the X308 Jaguar XJ or XJR is the right car for you!

[timdoyle]

I actually watched your older "should I buy an x308" video and it was a significant data point in my decision to get my 01 XJR. You've described the car fairly and (to my perception) perfectly...its a wonderful place to be, the feeling of driving it is like nothing else and the engine...just wows me every time. I've put 13k miles on mine since August '22 and it hasn't given me a bit of trouble. I'm in the DIY and enjoying it category. This car is near perfect for me.

[SeattleForge]

I'd look for a used Jag for years but they were always poorly maintained. But 3 years ago my boss' boss sold me the 1998 XJ he inherited for a small adoption fee. It had 44k miles and the only work it needed was reasonable maintenance on a 2 decades old car. I recently serviced it costing $5k. More than the value of the car if I were to sell it, but it is such a lovely place to be. It gets a lot of looks. British racing green, biscuit interior and in amazing shape.

[JC_WT]

This and the XK X100 are easily two of the most gorgeous cars of all time, in my humble opinion

[wantmp]

I've owned a lot of different cars/trucks. I've received the most compliments when driving my XJR, people love it so much.

[gregdettling]

Here is the thing for I was traveling a few years ago I seen an old Mercedes Benz. Gosh it must have been from the 1960s or 1970s it was not only such a beautiful car BUT it was also
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART!!!
It left me feeling and thinking gosh they sure don’t make them like that anymore!
They might be a big beautiful car but they aren’t a the classic masterpiece work of art they once were. You got to go back to the 60s and 70s for that!
But the JAG? This XJR 308 in the late 1990s and into the OOs they still retain that old world status as a classic Work of Art!! They were to my knowledge the only car maker left still continuing to be doing that by then. These still had that masterpiece work of artness about them that other makers had lost.
I believe this is one of the main things that makes these last of the old JAGS so special.

They retain that thing about automobiles that’s hard to define. That’s where the love affair with the automobile came from.

Among other things about them there is a PRIDE and PRESTIGE and an old world masterpiece work of art sort of status.

Human beings were creating something very special and bringing it to life.

Sadly it’s not really like that anymore but these are all that is left as examples of that long cherished legacy.

I’m not originally a JAG fan to be honest but these ones are going to go down in history.


It’s a beautiful thing!
It’s a work of art!
It’s a long standing cherished tradition!

QUINTESSENTIAL TIMELESS ICONIC CLASSIC EXQUISITE AND IRREPLACEABLE

THE IDEAL AND IDEALISTIC SEDAN AUTOMOBILE OF PLATO’S HEAVEN....brought down here for us mortals to enjoy on earth.

Yeah! They took their very best stab at all that and they were proud of what they had created.

In the wealthy British tradition a large 4 door automobile extremely capable and ideal for making a fast trip down to the south of France and perhaps to Italy ( for fun food and gambling ) and quickly and safely back home again and doing it in style and be back at work in the office in London on Monday morning, looking rather modest elegant understated reserved and conservative. The perfect long weekend English get away car! Just as at home on its way to the FRENCH RIVERA AS TO THE OFFICE PARKING SPACE IN METRO LONDON just in time for afternoon English tea or a strong Italian coffee!

Yesss they sure don’t make them like this anymore!!

And just like in the ‘Stephen King’ short story of years ago about another great foreign car with a V8 a pretty cool woman behind the wheel of her little go devil is also a great odometer and a clock!

[christhompson]

Hey Josh, great video, thanks. Ive owned lots of luxury cars: 2 Mercedes, 6 BMWs, 4 Caddys, a Porsche...I have gotten TEN TIMES the compliments on my base model 2003 XJ8 in the past two decades than all my other cars combined. People LOVE this car and actually THANK me for keeping it on the road! I think it's the leaping cat hood ornament that makes them lose their mind...The number of times people have yelled across the street: 
"Bond! James Bond!" makes all the maintenance and repairs worth it!

[NarcissistAU]

I bought a '98 XJR in 2004 to be my daily driver. I said when I found a better car I'd replace it. I'm still driving the same XJR. :D

Over 250k Kms, 0 seconds with the -supercharger- sport mode off, 0 critical failures. Almost 20 years and I still grin every time I jump in. I thrash it too much and probably go through perishables faster than I should, but it's never let me down. My Green Angel is my happy place.

[kennethtalbott]

Hey Josh, a couple of things you could have mentioned is, if you want extra space is, get the long wheel base version like my super V8, crazy amount of leg room in the back, gives you so much extra space, the other thing is to probably buy one that has had a great service history that has had everything done including hoses and timing chains.. really looking forward to seeing you sort that head lining out. it keeps bugging me watching your vids with that they're not that difficult to do and it'll put a smile on your face getting it done.

[donnielspears]

I picked up my Jag this year. Iv always loved this body jag the first time i got to drive on a 2001 xjr in 2001. What a car. I got a 99 Vanden plas supercharged. Got to do the job you just did to mine. Your vids are awesome and full of great detail thanks for doing all of it. Did you ever put a parts list up for all the motor parts and upgreads

[IWarwickI]

The X308 XJR was claimed to one of the fastest 4 door sedans in the world at its release.

[gregdettling]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours!
Top 3 for sure!
Your attention to detail is amazing.
These cars are a WORK OF ART!
There isn’t really anything quite like them in a
4 door sedan before them and there won’t be anything since.
I’m of the camp where I also like BMW, MERCEDES AND LEXUS. But these are special. There is nothing quite like a big JAG!

[bils]

Just picked up a 1999 XJ8 L with probably not enough background video review, and happy to discover your assessment. I'm the mechanic and the car is (so far) in decent shape now that it's getting some attention. Looking forward to your videos as I dig into some of the deeper engine work. And now I'm somewhat regretting not getting the R 😅

[jonathanbarajas]

Very reliable car, my black on black XJR has been awesome, just keep up with her needs, maintenance is key.

[georgemichaeldobrea]

I saw my first XJ in 1968 walking to my grandmothers house - I was 13 and fell in love immediately with the brand - and promised I'd have one someday. My first was a rusty 1988 XJ40, British Racing Green for $1, 000. Next was a 1991 XJ which wasn't very good and gave me pause to buy another. In 2018 I bought a 2005 Super V8and while I don't do my own work (yet), and it has cost a good bit of money, I love the car and would buy it again. That being said, it is true what experienced Jag owners say - which is buy the best one you can afford - especially if you're not doing the work. The video here makes this very clear.

[kevinmelody]

Just copped a 2000 XJ8-L and I fucking love it. British racing green and sand interior. Love your videos!

[carsandallaboutcars]

Also the 2002/2003 models based on data seem to be the most reliable - most of the issues with the secondary timing guides and tensioners seem to have been worked out by then. Mine is the XJ with the 4.0 - superb engine, smooth delivery, and smooth transmission when serviced. I have 226, 000 and I have seen examples with up to 300, 000 miles on these 2002/2003 XJ8/XJR models

[citizenx]

This is a very fair appraisal. I have one and although it's had some issues and has cost me a few quid lately, I still love it. I used to have a 3.2 V8 which was also nice, although nowhere near as powerful.

But reputations are powerful and they have a very VERY long tail. I'm convinced that Jaguar's poor reputation comes exclusively from the period 1976 to 1980. That's almost 50 years ago. That's how important it is for a brand to protect it's reputation.

[jonathanbarajas]

I've had a black XJ8L, sounds amazing with the Minda gallery air intake, just a clean V8 noise it makes, I actually prefer that noise over my XJR 😳

[gregdettling]

@ Josh
Last message before Christmas
From
Greg


I was sold when I found out it was a supercharged V8 with a Mercedes Benz transmission and what is likely regarded as the last true Jag.
Other than that I wasn’t interested in owning a Jaguar. The big wheels and tires were attractive too.
My previous car, my BMW which was a 2003 that was well equipped but closer to a base or mid range model lacked some things I always wanted in a big four door sedan.

The steering adjustment was actually manual.
There was very little hardwood in the car.
No power seats at all. Those were also manual.
No leather in the car that I can remember except for the wheel and the shifter I think.
I was very happy with it other than these things.
It ran extremely well and for being just a little 2.2 L straight six it had enormous power.
Shifting and handing were superb!
No cruise control too.

The first thing I liked about the jag XJR is that I thought it must have the most perfect front seats ever made and so classic and iconic and quintessential. Those seats alone are worth 16, 000 haha I love the seats to no end. Heated too with all power adjustment and memory including the head rests.

They have to be one of the most comfortable leather seats I’ve ever sat in. These seats are special.

I’m going to teach my son how to drive using this car the 1998 Jaguar XJR

The steering is a bit soft and light compared to the BMW but that’s a JAG thing.

I think the X308 will be a good car for him to first ever drive and learn on.

I first drove at age 9.

1981 ford pick up Alberta special F150
305 V8 I think ….I could be wrong.

By this coming summer my son will be 11 closer to 12 actually. He’s old enough to see what driving is like on good back roads.


Did you know there is a small metal storage safe under the front drivers seat.
A person I was talking to ask me if I have it.
I do.
He said it could be used for keeping anything but some of the secret agents back in Europe and the UK used it for keeping a gun.

I do have keys with the car I have no idea what they are for.

One might be for that little safe.

I’ve never tried to open it.


Seasons greetings !!!
To you JOSH
thank you for your help getting me through that long long dark tunnel with this car.

From
Greg

[RobertSavello]

Sold. I enjoy wrenching on my own cars. Been shopping around for a few weeks, found a couple that look decent but the time just isn't quite right to buy yet. but soon....