Jaguar ownership, respected or not?
Discussion
NormanD said:
It depends on the Jag, XJ and XK8/R yes, X and S probably not
8Pack said:
Drivers of "Jaguars" are:......"Gentlemen".
I've had two XJs over the years, and would like to think 8Pack is right. Certainly my experiences when not a Jag driver do bear that out.
On the other hand, NormanD is also right for the same reason: I have NOT noticed that X and S type drivers are gentlepersons (let's not be sexist) in general, and are often more like the current drivers of a certain German brand that has taken over from BMW as the car that ignorant prats drive.
IMHO XJs are the cars gentlepersons drive, and Saabs are cars that nice people drive - I hope, given my history, that makes me a nice gentleman!
Prof Beard
I had an XJ8, it was good, but I should have held out for an XJR which was what I really wanted.
To me they are very nice cars and seem to cut across many psychological barriers, and yes a jaguar is a respected brand.
It is still an intention of mine to get an XJR at some stage, but one criticism I have what with two children and associated baggage is the the boot is god awful, and simply not big enough for long trips / holidays. That's why I have a merc estate for family stuff and a TVR for those teeth shaking moments
To answer your question, most definately yes.
To me they are very nice cars and seem to cut across many psychological barriers, and yes a jaguar is a respected brand.
It is still an intention of mine to get an XJR at some stage, but one criticism I have what with two children and associated baggage is the the boot is god awful, and simply not big enough for long trips / holidays. That's why I have a merc estate for family stuff and a TVR for those teeth shaking moments
To answer your question, most definately yes.
I recently joined the Jag boys. I have an XJS which does get noticed and respected. Few people try and cut me up and people get out of the way on motorways.
I love it. It doesn't get the respect a 'proper' classic like my old MGB GT did but it gets the looks.
I lusted after one when I was 14 and I guess I was not alone. I overheard a couple of small children on bikes recently:
"What's that"
"It's a Jaguar"
"Wow."
Not bad since they were about 10 and it has almost no logos and badges on it (the back ones fell off).
I wave at other XJS drivers too - and they always wave back.
FYI - I am a gentleman.
I love it. It doesn't get the respect a 'proper' classic like my old MGB GT did but it gets the looks.
I lusted after one when I was 14 and I guess I was not alone. I overheard a couple of small children on bikes recently:
"What's that"
"It's a Jaguar"
"Wow."
Not bad since they were about 10 and it has almost no logos and badges on it (the back ones fell off).
I wave at other XJS drivers too - and they always wave back.
FYI - I am a gentleman.
I'm about to take over ownership of my Dads beloved XJS V12. It looks like a real old school classic, in BRG with creme hide and lattice alloys. I love the interior which is devoid of plastic. Even the mirror controls are solid metal lumps. It's a cool slice of proper motoring history and I'd say it's quite hard to not give it some love and respect.
I don't feel the same way about the new diesel estate modeo's, funnily enough. The word respect does not sit at all well with disguised fords. The real company no longer exists, except in the minds of marketing departments and motoprway reps.
I don't feel the same way about the new diesel estate modeo's, funnily enough. The word respect does not sit at all well with disguised fords. The real company no longer exists, except in the minds of marketing departments and motoprway reps.
4WD said:
I don't feel the same way about the new diesel estate modeo's, funnily enough. The word respect does not sit at all well with disguised fords.
Although currently Jag-less (I'm in a Saab patch), I still count myself as a Jag enthusiast. I agree with this comment and tend to agree with the view expressed on Top Gear once:
"What's the point of a little Jag, if you're going to have a Jag you might as well have a big one!"
Prof Beard
Well, I drove Mk 2 XJ6, XJ40 2.9 and X300 on occasions over the years and having owned and driven sparingly an immaculate V12 XJ-S convertible for the past few years, and now having taken delivery of a new 'S' type oil burner last month to replace a Merc coupe, I think I am qualified to comment.
The XJ S a piece of motoring history recieves admiring looks waves and conversation wherever it goes, treated with respect by all but the new breed of Audi A4 drivers, A proper Jaguar in all respects.
The 'S' Type is also a proper Jaguar in the mould of the Mk2 or previous S type, it feels and drives just as a Jaguar should even if it does have a deisel under the bonnet it has a little less Grace Space and Pace than the XJ6 but not significantly so.
It also recieves admiring glances and frequent comments of what a beutiful car, with the exeption of the aforementioned Audi's, a penily challenged *uckwit driving a blue Vauxhall people carrier thing down the A1 in North Yorkshire last Sunday and drivers of M3 Convertibles I have noticed I am treated with more consideration than I was when driving the Merc which preceded it.
The XJ S a piece of motoring history recieves admiring looks waves and conversation wherever it goes, treated with respect by all but the new breed of Audi A4 drivers, A proper Jaguar in all respects.
The 'S' Type is also a proper Jaguar in the mould of the Mk2 or previous S type, it feels and drives just as a Jaguar should even if it does have a deisel under the bonnet it has a little less Grace Space and Pace than the XJ6 but not significantly so.
It also recieves admiring glances and frequent comments of what a beutiful car, with the exeption of the aforementioned Audi's, a penily challenged *uckwit driving a blue Vauxhall people carrier thing down the A1 in North Yorkshire last Sunday and drivers of M3 Convertibles I have noticed I am treated with more consideration than I was when driving the Merc which preceded it.
I think you're right that jaguar drivers are generally "Gentlemen" but that's probably because they tend to be "OLD FARTS"
Jaguar is the traditional old mans car. The Rover man done well kind of car.
Don't be suprised to learn that I too have a Jaguar and grew up with my dad heavily involved in the Jaguar scene. (He was old too)
My daily driver is German and it's strange to see people here putting people in boxes but how does that work when like I many of us own a selection of different makes from all sides of the world?
The Germans know how to engineer and build cars that is a fact. Sometimes over-engineered I would agree.
Jaguar is the traditional old mans car. The Rover man done well kind of car.
Don't be suprised to learn that I too have a Jaguar and grew up with my dad heavily involved in the Jaguar scene. (He was old too)
My daily driver is German and it's strange to see people here putting people in boxes but how does that work when like I many of us own a selection of different makes from all sides of the world?
The Germans know how to engineer and build cars that is a fact. Sometimes over-engineered I would agree.
As a Jaguar employee working on X-type I'm F*cking offended by the negative comments expressed towards the Baby Jaguar. 
Drive one - especially on a streaming wet day and appreciate what a magnificent 4WD sports saloon it is. Even the 2WD chassis deserves praise. That it shares some components with CD132 (mondeo) is well known. Audi share parts with Skoda - don't crucify Jaguar for it.
So it might not have the acreage of hide found in an XJ8 - But remember it is made to a price/competitor. Don't devalue the credentials of the car by kudos/pricing snobbery alone.
Thankfully, due to Jaguar's image you'll never be considered a 4WD Subaru Hooligan. But you'll be having just as much fun.
Drive one - especially on a streaming wet day and appreciate what a magnificent 4WD sports saloon it is. Even the 2WD chassis deserves praise. That it shares some components with CD132 (mondeo) is well known. Audi share parts with Skoda - don't crucify Jaguar for it.
So it might not have the acreage of hide found in an XJ8 - But remember it is made to a price/competitor. Don't devalue the credentials of the car by kudos/pricing snobbery alone.
Thankfully, due to Jaguar's image you'll never be considered a 4WD Subaru Hooligan. But you'll be having just as much fun.
vpr said:
I think you're right that jaguar drivers are generally "Gentlemen" but that's probably because they tend to be "OLD FARTS"
Jaguar is the traditional old mans car. The Rover man done well kind of car.
Well for many years, Jaguar mainly made large, expensive, saloon cars. Most young people could not afford them. I don't suppose the age profile for the XJ was much different to the 7 series, or the S class. I don't remember seeing any young people ever driving the old 6 series either. I bought my XJ in my early thirties, I'd done coupes by then, and fancied a sports saloon. I've never looked back.
vpr said:
My daily driver is German and it's strange to see people here putting people in boxes but how does that work when like I many of us own a selection of different makes from all sides of the world?
The Germans know how to engineer and build cars that is a fact. Sometimes over-engineered I would agree.
I'm not so sure about "know how to", perhaps they do "know how to" but knowing and doing are two quite seperate things. My wife's E-Class spends far more time in the garage than my XJ6 has ever done. It's her second German car in a row, the previous one also seemed to have been a Friday afternoon example.
It's no secret that MB have had reliability issues in particular with new E Class. MB have always been trying to achieve industry firsts in terms of innovation and probably released cars into the market prematurely. Having said that my wifes E55 est has had no such reliability issues.
It's also generally acknowledged that Jaguar drivers are in the main older folk or if not then younger people that are old before thier time. Look around.
If that's the only stigma attached to Jaguar ownership then that's not a bad thing. I recently sold my Bavarian wagon after 3 months ownership because I could no longer tolerate the negative "image" thing even though it was a stonking car.
Again I have had many Jaguars over the years (mainly old)and I suspect there are always exceptions to the rule.
It's also generally acknowledged that Jaguar drivers are in the main older folk or if not then younger people that are old before thier time. Look around.
If that's the only stigma attached to Jaguar ownership then that's not a bad thing. I recently sold my Bavarian wagon after 3 months ownership because I could no longer tolerate the negative "image" thing even though it was a stonking car.
Again I have had many Jaguars over the years (mainly old)and I suspect there are always exceptions to the rule.
Wow, You peeps have certainly got a most excellent view on this subject and have brought a smile to my face, something that should have been difficult given the B of day I have had. Thanks for that.
Respect, yep I have to agree. We have a XJ6 4.2 SIII with TWR body kit and matching suspension, polished inlet ports and a slightly modified ECU and Airflow meter. Get loads of looks - I would like to think they are admiring rather than look at that heap.
Daily transport is however a TWR XJ-S with all the performance mods. This car is so good that the BMW has sat on the drive at home unused for three months. Does the XJ-S get respect? - sure does, always get people giving me room to pull out, moterways clear and like CML stated, I, too wave at other XJ-S drivers, you get a sense of belonging when you own a classic Jaguar.
Has to be said - unfortunately the X type looks like a Rover (that was a sad day for us in the UK - loosing Rover...) and the S like a Merc (albeit a more reliable Merc, Sorry had two both let me down big time). That said they are great cars as are the other current cars - XJ8, XK8/R etc.
Jaguar owners, are a breed of (as one contributor so elegantly put it) gentlepersons very rare that you see a Jaguar with the stereo pumped up so loud that old ladies get blown over or that the rear wheels are screaming or have an exhaust note that would frustrate motorhead fans. They get driven with respect and so I guess others respect them.
Respect, yep I have to agree. We have a XJ6 4.2 SIII with TWR body kit and matching suspension, polished inlet ports and a slightly modified ECU and Airflow meter. Get loads of looks - I would like to think they are admiring rather than look at that heap.
Daily transport is however a TWR XJ-S with all the performance mods. This car is so good that the BMW has sat on the drive at home unused for three months. Does the XJ-S get respect? - sure does, always get people giving me room to pull out, moterways clear and like CML stated, I, too wave at other XJ-S drivers, you get a sense of belonging when you own a classic Jaguar.
Has to be said - unfortunately the X type looks like a Rover (that was a sad day for us in the UK - loosing Rover...) and the S like a Merc (albeit a more reliable Merc, Sorry had two both let me down big time). That said they are great cars as are the other current cars - XJ8, XK8/R etc.
Jaguar owners, are a breed of (as one contributor so elegantly put it) gentlepersons very rare that you see a Jaguar with the stereo pumped up so loud that old ladies get blown over or that the rear wheels are screaming or have an exhaust note that would frustrate motorhead fans. They get driven with respect and so I guess others respect them.
Prof Beard said:
I have NOT noticed that X and S type drivers are gentlepersons (let's not be sexist) in general, and are often more like the current drivers of a certain German brand that has taken over from BMW as the car that ignorant prats drive.
IMHO XJs are the cars gentlepersons drive, and Saabs are cars that nice people drive - I hope, given my history, that makes me a nice gentleman!
Hardly a nice gentleman Prof Beard when you suggest fellow Jaguar owners are "ignorant prat" like.
g32turbo said:
I have NOT noticed that X and S type drivers are gentlepersons (let's not be sexist) in general, and are often more like the current drivers of a certain German brand that has taken over from BMW as the car that ignorant prats drive.
IMHO XJs are the cars gentlepersons drive, and Saabs are cars that nice people drive - I hope, given my history, that makes me a nice gentleman!
Hardly a nice gentleman Prof Beard when you suggest fellow Jaguar owners are "ignorant prat" like.
I am predisposed to warm to Jag drivers, but my own experiences have led me to the view that sadly, amny X-type drivers are more like Audi drivers than the nice people I find most Jag drivers are. I know it sounds daft, but by and large I find drivers of XJs and XKs and old jags are most gentlemanly.
Just an observation, not a blanket conclusion either, so don't take undue umbridge - I'm even seen gentlemanly BMW drivers on (rare) occasions
Prof Beard
fwdracer said:
As a Jaguar employee working on X-type I'm F*cking offended by the negative comments expressed towards the Baby Jaguar.
Drive one - especially on a streaming wet day and appreciate what a magnificent 4WD sports saloon it is. Even the 2WD chassis deserves praise. That it shares some components with CD132 (mondeo) is well known. Audi share parts with Skoda - don't crucify Jaguar for it.
So it might not have the acreage of hide found in an XJ8 - But remember it is made to a price/competitor. Don't devalue the credentials of the car by kudos/pricing snobbery alone.
Thankfully, due to Jaguar's image you'll never be considered a 4WD Subaru Hooligan. But you'll be having just as much fun.
well said ghunt3 of Core programme planning!
I've had my XK for just about two years and have had nothing but positive comments about it. There appears to be no stigma attached to owning a Jag, although I would agree that the traditional Jag attributes associated with owners does perhaps only stretch to the XJ and XK as well as the older ones. Perhaps it's because Jags just sit there looking pretty :-) and don't offend anyone. As has been said, drivers of certain German makes don't seem to comprehend that a car that is pretty can also be fast! Perhaps Jaguars are some of the only cars remaining that are designed with taste in mind!
Alastair
Alastair
Not so long ago I would have thought “respect being earned by the car you drive? What rubbish!” Well I’ve had a black XK8 now for a couple of years and it’s true! People just wave you out of junctions, you get admiring glances from almost everyone. I often return to my car to find a crowd around it, even a group of Japanese tourists one day. They were taking turns to be photographed in front of it!?! I hadn’t even cleaned it. All this for a second division footballer’s car! Quite embarrassing really.
If they only knew how much it rattled.
Elpus out….
If they only knew how much it rattled.
Elpus out….
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