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That thing on the dash is the display panel for a integrated radar detector - quite an expensive bit of kit in Japan - might not be much use in the UK, I don't know what frequencies the police operate on there.
New subscriber Jay, thanks for the upload. I'm willing to bet that if you took that LWB to a proper suspension/steering expert, they could correct for your minor critisism. Sounds to me like they literally shoved 5" into the wheelbase without changing any of the steering or suspention geometry - that can be addressed.
I put 367,000 carefree miles on a 2005 XJ8L and got 28 MPG. It was an ultra reliable car. Traded it in and have regretted it ever sense. Ford did very well. In every way, it was superior to my previous 7 series BMW's.
It was rural South Louisiana highways, so 55-60 miles per hour. I take very good care of my vehicles (take the recommended service intervals and half it). A droopy head liner from the excessive heat, was the only issue. Ultra reliable car. I did the same with the BMW's but each was a constant pain in the rear. @@anastassiosperakis2869
As a lad of 14, I started in the car business washing cars at my uncle's Jaguar dealership. My dad drove a fabulous 3.8 L, manual transmission with O/D Jag Mk. X. And i became a lifelong lover of everything Jaguar, with my uncle's 1963 E convertible in Primrose Yellow that is still my lifelong favorite car. The day I turned 16, I passed my driving test in dad's Jaguar, then drove to my uncle's dealership and bought a new Mini Cooper S 1275. After that day, I never again drove that Jag Mk X. My dad switched to S class M-B next. I have always loved the styling of the big cats up until the styling change in 2009. E-Types will always be my favorite, although though the years I have come to prefer the early Coupes the best, and Primrose Yellow is my favourite colour.
Always been tempted by this model year of XJ, even a diesel one. Always thought of them as an old man car but I’ve just turned 30 So I’m basically a pensioner so it might be time 😎
15:30 It took me a few seconds to punch in a search for that device, the SuperCat CR660iq: it's a Japanese radar detector or some other such device from a manufacturer that primarily sells radar detectors (that might be a translation error, it might be a GPS-based radar warning device).
I have driven the similarly specced Daimler Super Eight from 2006 and I remember how pleasantly surprised I was by its driving dynamics! It also featured some, rather special 20 inch alloys but instead of the forged items of the Super V8, the Daimler had some gorgeous lightweight BBS Split-rims with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. It is one of the best disguised sports saloons of its era.
Having owned one of these, a Quattroporte, an S500, and an A8 W12, all from around the 2005 era, I actually owned the Mercedes the longest. The Maserati was wonderful, but drank like a fish, and was once in the workshop so long, the MOT on the courtesy car ran out. The Audi was very similar to the Merc, but very slightly worse in every way. The Jag though had something about it. The engine was a gem, the handling was excellent, and the chunky steering wheel had nice sportine to it. I still look at them today. And yet.. every morning I'd pick the S class 😂
I still own one of the 145 cars made for the US market. Mine is "Cherry Black". It has only 60 700 km. I just don't have the courage to part with such an elegant beauty...
A friend of mine worked on the development of these when he was at Jag and bought one of the development cars when his family visited mine. Wow! What a car! It was like sitting in a very fast armchair! Unfamiliar with the roads in my area, he was about to go straight over a crossroads that we were meant to Give Way at, I shouted "stop" or "give way" or similar and he stamped on the brake pedal and it was almost instantly at a stop. It went like stink and stopped just as quickly too. Brilliant car
I owned a ‘regular’ Super V8 and it might be the best car I ever owned. Just spectacular. 90MPH cruise at 27 MPG and just loved a long, windy road. The only fault is the air suspension which dried out in the Western US every few years. Like others here, selling it is a regret that I think now and then. Great Car!!
Lovin it! I am on my fourth jag XJ , had my current XJ v8 for the last four relatively care free years. The next one is definitely a XJ R, or maybe a XK R when my daughter has left home!
I've been completely intoxicated by the newer x351 version lately, I'm still not sure wether to go XJR or XJL 5.0 ultimate, not that I'll ever sit in the back but they're just so lovely
I went through the same intoxication a few years back, and ended up going for the 5.0 Supersport. Monumental engine plus all the toys. Fabulous fabulous car and the best year of motoring I've ever had. If you can afford to do it, I'd say go for it. The only thing you'll regret is when you decide you ought to be more sensible and sell it on.
@@davidhills3100 I've still not owned a V8 yet, so when I do I want the car to be equally ludicrous, most likely the Jag or a CLS shooting brake 5.5 I'm hoping to enjoy it as much as my wallet doesn't
@@ReeceT20 Got to spend time with a V8 before they're all gone, and the more ludicrous the better, I agree. I've not tried the CLS, but I did have an Audi S8 for a while. The Jag is the one I'd have again in a heartbeat.
I think this was Jaguar in its prime. I really like the new Ian Callum XJ which came 2009, it's very nice car. But it's a bit like Porsche transformed to water cooled... sure the new ones are faster and better on paper but they are not the original Porsche 911 anymore. You know what I mean? The "spirit" was lost. 1972-1997 was pretty much the same car up until the 996. This is the last true Jaguar sedan in my eyes. The spirit still comes from 1968 series I. Sure XK and F-Type are nice too but they're different kind of cars. I doubt 4-door sedans even become super collectible but at least these can have SOME collectible value in the future. Especially the XJR's and the supercharged models. Beautiful car.
The reason I love this car so much is just because it looks like a classic Jaag, but under the skin quite modern. Loved the one before this also and must go back to the square headlight one to find one I really don't like that much. The newest and the square headlight firmly in my opinion the worst looking XJ's. I remember to this day the awe of the polished one in the Top Gear studio 20 years ago. This looks like a Jag should, only thing I want is that 5 litre v8 out of the XKR 550hp lump. Light tan leather with true walnut trim is my dream car... edit: Forgot the; God bless and lots of love from Norway..
Second the British Motor Museum, both my kids loved it almost as much as me and my daughter isn't car mad but they had some fun movie and TV vehicles which added to the experience. The volume of cool Jags they've got is simply staggering.
The last of the classic design XJRs were when Ford owned Jag, this is truly the sexiest Jag of them all, a true touring sedan. The 2007-2009.5 models Nothing Tata makes today can touch it...
I'm only 5 mins into this video and i have to say this is the most informative and interesting video i have seen in a long time. I'm going through a British car phase. I have an old series 2 xj6 and I'm hoping to buy something like this someday.
Being employed by a system supplier to JLR back in the day, I had some project responsibility during the life of this model. The X350 really was the bee's knees under the body shape, but they made a silly over-conservative decision with that body shape. If only they had gone for the 'modern' shape of the successor model back in 2003, they could have ruined the market for their competitors. By contrast, the S-Type was just a badge bodge - they took the Lincoln Town Car and rebadged it. I'm pretty sure the first time I ever saw a car that shape was in Washington DC at the turn of the century and it was a Lincoln. It may have been (marginally) more modern-looking, but it was heavier (no aluminium construction), so less efficient and it was only a Ford in reality - not a real Jaaaaag. When the X250 came along, Jag wanted to do aluminium for that, but Ford told them they could have either aluminium or gadgets, so they opted for gadgets and had (again) a heavier car than their XJ flagship If I'd had the money (and the space) for a Jag back in those days, it would have been an X350, but equally I'd have jumped on the modern-shaped successor as soon as that emerged. A bit of a shame that LandRover had knackered the quality for Jaguar by then!
It wasn't a Town Car, it was a Lincoln LS. Or the LS was an S-Type ... one way or the other. LOL They were both based on the same platform, along with the Ford Thunderbird, iirc.
Now I get it, a Daimler Super 8. What a lovely car! It should have a 6 speed box and with the small pulley it should kick out 430 horses near enough. Ford made Jags reliable and well built but messed up the retro look for many. It's big though, not for 1950s designed multi story car parks. Nice report, thanks.
I've had a succession of XJs over the years since my Series 3 about 25 years ago. The X350 is really well put together: significantly better as well as more hi-tech than the X300/X308 etc. I'm now on a 2004 XJR and it's absolutely the most "dignified way to be in a hurry" imaginable!
Nice video, thanks. I think it’s a first video in youtube with portfolio. I have also super v8 portfolio in Ukraine in perfect condition. I bought him from USA and made a full restoration.
When that was launched I was Sales Manager for the Jaguar dealer in Qatar the middle east state,we had 5 of them sold all to same customer a member of Qatars royal family,who used them once for guests at his daughters wedding,the parked them up,never used since as far as I am aware.
Nice review, they are great cars, well I would say that seen as I own one (a Super V8, but not a Portfolio). Need to get rid of that barnacle that is the radar detector on the dashboard though, oh and get a @jagdroid upgrade of course!
I own an X350 and I love it! Even with the 3.0 petrol engine! And because it's so nice I'm looking for another one! 🤦🤷😆 Same with the Mazda MX-5: I bought my first in December 2019 (which was my last Corona-FREE car) so I bought another MX-5 and I still own both! Lovely cars!!! (XJ and MX-5)
I united States for these too, but not the facelifted model. They were available in 2006 I think, w video and 4 place seating. It's effectively a vdp w a blower.
For my money this may be peak Jag. I've always been partial to them ever since riding in my Aunt's 1984 XJS when I was a little kid. It's almost a toss up between something like a 1992 XJS V12 or one of these as "if you could only have one Jag what would it be", but this one edges it out. The XJRs of similar vintage are still stupid cheap along with this model. Oh and that black leather looks fantastic.
Considering these cars are a minimum of 13 years old they still look as fresh as anything. I have owned a number of variants of XJ's and would have one of these in a heartbeat...
It's a shame they discarded the low roofline of previous XJs. That always made the XJ look so sleek and elegant in the flesh. Whenever Jag's electric XJ comes out I hope the low roofline makes a comeback.
Just drove my 05 superv8 from Nova Scotia to Arizona 3,400 miles in 5 days . 27.5 mpg @ 75 to 90 mph , 10 to 11 hours a day . Just a dream to drive . At the end of the day your not tired of driving at all. A superb Road Machine, power to spare, surrounded by luxurious leather, a true land yacht. 70,000 miles so far. I will never sell this Dream Machine. Wanted to open it up but didn’t want my wife to bale me out of jail. I did a couple of times between Abilene and El Paso. Hahahahaha
19:12 the last time I looked into it the XJ seemed to be in-between the 5 and 7 series. BMW actually made a 5-series L model for China though not elsewhere, so perhaps this car is comperable. Biggest example would be trunk size. I don't know the Maser, as I had an E39 M5 and a Supra, then R35, then F430, and still love the E39. And no-one with those pairs of cars would ever need the Quattroporte.
The main spec difference with these Japanese import Jags is the lack of a heated front screen which in most parts of the UK would be a winter essential. Certainly put me off buying one when I was looking for an x350.
With ALL RESPECT, the XJ350, is 13 centimeters higher than a XJ X300/X308, even higher than an MB CLS.. It went from Luxury Super Sport Sedan , to luxury Super Sedan... I fell in love with jaguar because of the low seating position, combined with that middle console, on the MK II. I love how my X308 follows the road, while weighting + 1800Kg. So direct to the road, and also corners, when using that J-Gate proper, every bend or Corner, also in a LWB, will give U excellent control! No other Super Sedan car brand, offered this manual J-Gate experience. This is what differentiated Jaguar from other Brands, and especially, when they decided to make, the most sportive automatic transmission gear layout, while mostly selling it to people, who will never use the manual option... I have a X308, and started using the J-Gate, after 3 years of driving it. Now I often use it, to break , and adjust RPM , to corners. It makes driving the X308 way more challenging, while more effective. And the X308 Supercharged, got the 5G-Tronic transmission, able to handle 700BHP, if U maintain it every 60K Km. I love my X308, it is a Powerhouse, but also made me experienced, in beating Gremlins.... So, for the more passive XJ fan, that don't like top be terrified by a Supercharged V8 and it's Gremlins, I advise the X300 6 Cylinder 4liter Supercharged. Collector's Item > Daimler Century
I knew about the Super V8, but not the 'Portfolio'. Yes, I would like one, but I would prefer a SWB, simply because they are not as long. I really must get an X350 of some description. I think any one of them are a good car. It is hard for me to believe these are over 20 years old now.
HI JayEmm i just want to say i really enjoy your videos i recently got a jaguar xkr x100 4.0 S/C after watching your video and im currently looking at getting a ford mondeo st220 also becuase of your video .If you ever find yourself in south africa let me know . Got a view interesting cars around .
The biggest turn-off for me on all big Jags is the PRNDL without any manual option. Strangely enough I once bought an XJ40 3.6 saloon with a 5 speed Getrag and cloth interior. It was great for me. It seemed more sporty and cruised at 70 just ticking over at 2,500rpm. The cloth seats were cool in summer and warm in winter and you didn't slide about in them. But, when it came time to sell it ..... impossible! Cloth and manual were the two Satans of Jaguar options. I had to buy a full leather interior from Ebay to move the car. The perfect cloth interior went to the tip .... I couldn't even give it to a good home gratis.
I noticed that too. Just bought my second x350 and wanted the cooled seats but they are hard to find… found it in a couple of x358 cars only. They were white too so not my ideal colour choice.
My mind settled on an X351 XJL for a relatively modern daily driver, but the heart has always ached for the old school style of a long wheelbase X350 or X358. These look like nothing else on the road. Someday...
I’ve owned 3 of the X351 models. For me, the LWB in the X351 looked out of proportion (too slab sided). I think the LWB best suits the earlier shapes. Anyway just my feelings as I am now settled on the X350 and X358 shape, coz of its classic Jaguar style. Hence my X358 SWB super charged.
I have always loved Jaguar until they changed the body style and I also have heard of th V8 portfolio, my boss had one in Oklahoma and it was black what a car. To bad Jaguar don't make them like that anymore.
Accidentally forwarded a fragment, please view total comment: As a Jaguar enthusiast and owner I feel this particular body style departed from the brand’s European flair and incorporated the American-like stylings of a Ford sedan with European leanings. Thank God Tata took over and returned the brand to exotic, sensual and luxurious.
...it's pitty that wonderful prototype of two door 4-seat convertible derived from regular wheel base ( of X300 I guess) never got to limited production at least....and as I know the only two examples exist....
I believe this car was called the 2003 Mercury Marauder were equipped with the 390 cu in (6.4 L) Ford FE engine and a manual 3-speed transmission. The Marauder X-100 was only equipped with the 360 hp. Upgraded with a supercharger in 2006 for the Jaguar maybe?
I note the speedo is still Km, has the radio been sorted as Japan has different frequency ranges to us (Jagdroid maybe) Also, when this was made Ford also owned Aston Martin. They fitted the LSD to those. Will one from as Aston fit?
I think these x350s are the best XJ, they're also pretty reliable and well made. I do hate those retrofit aero wipers through, a set of hybrid wipers made for hooks just look right, these look wrong
All good except completely incorrect comment about ditching Super V8. In UK sold as Jaguar Super V8 or Daimler Super 8. In USA they could not use Daimler, so sold N/A as Vanden Plas and Super V8 for supercharged ones. Also worth noting that earlier X308 Super V8 in USA came with Daimler grills front and rear but badged as Jaguars due to restrictions
