The 2006 Jaguar XJ Super V8 Was the Ultimate Luxury Jag

[@SpartanHighKing14]

This car just screams old school money, class and elegance. Such a gorgeous car.

[@hotchrisbfries]

2006 is old school? haha.. ha.... ha (im old)

[@jonlosito2004]

Lincoln Town car: HEYY IM 0LDSCH00L👨‍🦳

[@Ridley1234]

2008 xj portfolio was something else

[@Gobbbbb]

Jag XJ's are one of the most beautiful cars ever made in my opinion, absolutely love the look of them, not sure about ownership though lol.

[@Landau93Droid]

@@hotchrisbfries no, you've misunderstood. New money is excited to have money for the first time in their lives and they want to show the world so they go out and buy an M3 in bright yellow, or a Lambo in green. Old money is not trying to show the world their financial accomplishments because they've never known anything else besides being in the upper echelon, so they drive things more subtle like this car or a W12 A8... And none of this is based on statistics or facts; I'm describing the stereotype

[@willmercier2852]

Glovebox opener was a missed opportunity for another press able jaguar head lol

[@Firebolt1729]

Your comment was hearted by the Doug. You can now rest in piece

[@jackroutledge352]

The technical term for that thing is the "growler". I suggest you don't look up what that means in British slang.

[@sammik3959]

@@Firebolt1729 "the Doug" :d

[@CW-yp9jo]

@@yungboicontigo9278 you need to touch grass you're pathetic

[@andrewoliver0]

@@jackroutledge352 🤣🤣 never knew

[@drazenivanda9514]

Still looks absolutely stunning inside-out to this day...

[@remainloyaltoyour0wnsoil580]

@Maximilian Bierwagen the 3rd lucky are you selling

[@pxpbxb5743]

Top comment

[@HRM.H]

My dad owns one almost exactly like this. We call it pimp spec. All blacked out , massive rims , beige interior and a supercharged V8.

[@kakashi99908]

African American?

[@aubreyseaweed7182]

@@kakashi99908 what’s it to you…. sounds like a great cultural icon !

[@dutchcarsdaily]

My dad has the 3.2, love this car

[@YungEagle3k]

Ooog booga mobile

[@badcornflakes6374]

@@kakashi99908 Definitely of the darker skin tone

[@ashleymerritt9461]

The interior and exterior design from this period is just drop dead gorgeous!

[@EricFortuneJr.]

The quality just wasn’t up to par

[@EricFortuneJr.]

@Rick Simpson I'd prefer the reliability, longevity and resale value of a Honda/Acura

[@DavidE-jw8zg]

@@EricFortuneJr. I bet you have a wife and her name is Karen and she drives a Tahoe. I'm right huh?

[@EricFortuneJr.]

@@DavidE-jw8zg Who pulled the string on your tampon??

[@IK_MK]

@@EricFortuneJr. Damn, Chill 😂

[@brianlb13]

Doug missed that the "collision warning" system was actually part of the automatic cruise control which was pretty rare at the time. Also that touch screen actually uses an infrared grid to determine where the users finger is on the screen which was one of the first versions of an incar touch screen

[@kingtnaughty189]

Ok smarty pants

[@MHASSANF]

The only other car I can think of at the time to have collision warning with radar guided cruise control is the Acura RL. It had that technology since 2005 or 2006.

[@hughjassstudios9688]

@@MHASSANF Passat B6 had one too. I think a lot of cars had it optionally, just that many people did not spec it out as such.

[@danesebruno]

@@MHASSANF the Toyota Celsior/Lexus LS has radar cruise in the 90s

[@flair8099]

The lexus gs had that too

[@1970DAH]

The trunk doesn't open itself, yet Doug wants it to close itself. This is a very interesting quirk that you will only find in a Doug.

[@V_channel_]

Most European cars trunks from those years don't open itself, but they do close itself.

[@bjhaines3282]

This made me laugh!

[@andrewolson5471]

I heard the scream of protest from the soft close mechanism when Doug slammed the trunk. Tho, hilariously, he did immediately demonstrate that.

[@tektronica777]

If you have a driver , they could keep the trunk popped while parked when waiting to pick up passenger. Then manually open to place the briefcase.

[@andrewdavid6054]

In Doug's defence, I have a 2000 Jaguar S-Type with a trunk that does open automatically, but won't close itself 🤷‍♂ Although that said you don't connect your phone to the car, Doug. You use the car phone. That's basically what the front Centre Console is for, I suspect the handset has been removed as it's now illegal to hold a phone while on the move.

[@anasevi9456]

XJ's from the late 1970s to mid 2000s were so incredibly beautiful.

[@dragospahontu]

The key is from a Ford. I have a Ford from this era and it looks identical.

[@Argiedan]

I liked the previous one better, it looked a bit more luxurious and classic, but this one is ok

[@zacksmith5963]

So beautiful . They broke dowm

[@Argiedan]

@@zacksmith5963 kind of the same for the Mercedes Benz S class 🥺

[@dragospahontu]

@@zacksmith5963 not that bad lol

[@man_on_wheelz]

This is still my favorite Jaguar to date, the last generation of the old XJ body style. I drove one as a porter at a Lincoln dealership and I couldn't tell you if it was a Super V8 or a normal one, didn't know there was any significance at the time, but Doug is right, smooth power, everything just feels nice to touch, low to the ground, wide, there's just something different about this car from anything else you'll drive.

[@wilmotown]

That trunk is designed for the typical Jag man, because it’s perfectly sized for some borrowed paintings!

[@tgms177]

- Jeremy Clarkson voice

[@spoonfixer3387]

Someone just went deep.

[@SSvsthewrld]

Uhh yes a Jeremy clarkson quote 👌

[@Matt-go7ss]

And a bag of tools......

[@Matt-go7ss]

I seem to have forgotten my wallet....

[@SirCentex]

Such a unique design they weren’t trying to be anyone but themselves during this era

[@brickbreakdown3937]

Honestly looks like a Crown Vic with Jaguar design ques

[@sukhdevr3489]

How is it unique? It's basic and they had the same shape of XJ for like 15 years. This one was slightly bigger though.

[@DarkKnightwing75]

Jaguar’s biggest mistake is dropping this design language, now they just look like everything else and I think that’s going to bite them

[@gribbles1146]

@@DarkKnightwing75 they’re doing a lot better now lol thanks to the F Pace

[@TheJetJONES]

@@sukhdevr3489 actually 41 years 😅

[@detonator2112]

This must be one of the best looking sedans ever made. 2003-2008 with the aluminum chassis is a future collectible. Mark my words. They don't make beautiful cars like this anymore.

[@mortensenvick5711]

V8, not that crap French diesel they sold in europe

[@_Solaris]

I know what you mean. That "retro-futurist" look of that era looks better now than it did then. My w210 e-series Merc has the same vibe. Hell, even the T-bird of that time looks good (to me anyway).

[@jaromor8808]

*2003-2009

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@mortensenvick5711 They sold the V8 in Europe, it's just that most buyers wanted the diesel (lower taxes etc).

[@throwback19841]

They have weird proportions, big slab sides, the previous generation looks a lot sleeker and quicker and meaner in my opinion. They are however, not nearly as good cars as this gen aluminum bodied XJs which are technically better in every way. As I already own an x100 XKR, I would prefer the older generation (x308?), but thats cos ive already learned how to deal with all their bullshit. For anyone else I would recommend the later car, even though I dont think it looks as nice.

[@TigerChamp99]

One of the classiest cars in my opinion.

[@Firebolt1729]

One of the Classiest in my opinion not coolest.

[@TigerChamp99]

@@Firebolt1729 Fixed it. Thank you. :)

[@Firebolt1729]

@@TigerChamp99 Yeah “coolest” means something like the F40 or Carrera Gt

[@caidee]

Yeah, goes along with E38 7 series

[@poppachoppa8956]

its a JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG

[@YlthorO]

Doug: you don't have to slam the trunk to close it Slams the trunk like a maniac about 30 seconds before

[@Nick-nk4ee]

Hate him

[@fanoftom3483]

Came here for this comment.

[@sirgeorgioalastrata4104]

the sound the car made when he slammed the trunk BAHAHAHA

[@Sheridantank]

@@yungboicontigo9278 You care too much

[@spiralnapkin]

My mom does this 100% of the time she closes the trunk. Even though I tell her everytime she doesn't need to slam it, she still slams it with the power of He-man and Grayskull immediately after.

[@wills2140]

Thanks Doug! Good to see this model getting a review. Always liked the "retro" styling of this generation of XJ. That Jaguar supercharged V8 while outdated now, was something I wanted to drive when this car was new.

[@gahansigdel7157]

Fun fact: A XJ super v8 that has been armoured and made into a limousine is still used as the official state car by the president of Nepal.

[@Rover200Power]

It used to be the Prime Minister of Gibraltar's car too. With the numberplate G1.

[@geethsan1567]

What a boss car

[@TomCamies]

UK Prime Minister has an armoured 5.0 XJ but it got rear ended by a Range Rover from his security detail.

[@gahansigdel7157]

@@TomCamies lmao whoever was driving that range rover was not seen again i guess

[@TomCamies]

@@gahansigdel7157 it actually wasn’t the drivers fault some protesters ran in front of the convoy and the motorcade had to hard break.

[@pontuslarborn5872]

The centre console storage is only small in cars that have the optional rear climate control, which is pretty rare, cars with regular vents in the back seat also have a much larger centre console storage and a adjustable armrest for the front seats. I’ve had five of these and they were all very reliable, basically no problems at all. Much of the drivetrain was a lift over from the previous generation and other models, so it was well documented.

[@Ccristoff]

My dad had a 2008 xkr convertible, also with the 4.2 sc v8 and the 6 speed, owned it until last year and put 120k miles on it no issues. Really was a great car, only thing he complained about was the handling but that was 5 years into owning it

[@CrestedSaguaro520]

I have a friend where I'm living in Tucson, Arizona who just bought this SAME EXACT CAR about a month ago. It was a 1-owner, 68,000 miles, and she got it for just TEN GRAND. She got such a great deal on it because the original owner, an elderly man, passed away a while ago and his wife said the car was just collecting dust. She wanted it gone.

[@kv1930]

Save up another $20k for future repairs lol

[@titusbyzantine4949]

@@kv1930 lol you don't own one

[@o.p.9370]

This is a very common FORD key of this time, even in Europe. Almost every model had it, including the commercial vans.

[@freibier]

Yup, wanted to post the same thing. The shape of the actual metal part of the key (the blade) was already the same on the key of my dad's old mid-90s Ford Sierra.

[@LearnAboutFlow]

A lot of the interior controls, mainly the center console, look very Ford, too.

[@chrisp679]

Were they still one and the same at this point?

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

You beat me to it... My Australian Falcon Ute has the same key

[@f36443]

You could literally get in and start most of them with a small screwdriver. Horrible lock.

[@bestestusername]

That interior is the bomb, much better than the tablets screens covering cars now

[@Johnny2Feathers]

Yea all those buttons still make one feel like their in something so advanced… like the Apollo 11 🤣

[@MrDuncl]

@@Johnny2Feathers I'm sure you would also quickly learn where the buttons were so doing something like changing the temperature could be quickly done almost by feel.

[@Malthus]

Yep, you get the best of both worlds...man I hate menu screens, they're such a waste of time. How about DIRECT FEATURES with actual PHYSICAL BUTTONS...naw you need a fuckin ipad with video games to distract you from the fact you're no longer driving a car. It's almost like Demolition man predicted this shit...see you in the underhive, maybe we can share a rat burger.

[@Johnny2Feathers]

@@MrDuncl with voice commands I never even have to take my hands off the wheel and even if I did theres up and down arrows for the temp on the main screen. Man you like living in the Stone Age. Go back to riding horses why don’t you. 🤣

[@kyle8523]

@@Johnny2Feathers great username bro 😂

[@AirmanHolmes]

Doug: "wierd key cut into a cylinder..." Meanwhile LPL be like: "this is a Ford tibbe cylinder lock which is basically a modified disk retainer system. Now, this lock may look very hard to pick, but theres a tool which is incredibly common in Chinese market which not only picks this locks but also decodes it." Proceeds to pick the lock in next 30sec with that same tool.

[@wills2140]

Lock Picking Lawyer is lots of fun to watch.

[@joelaw728]

That key is on every euro ford from 1990s to late 2010's

[@realMaverickBuckley]

I was thinking how funny that Doug views such unusual cars that he doesn't recognise a key from a 93-2000 Ford

[@americansmark]

The steering wheel quirk is because the steering wheel locks into place when you drive. It moves in the opposite direction to take pressure off theock so it can move. Very similar concept to a car lift.

[@Audios81]

Was actually designed as a failure proof system. As we know, Doug's Rangey had several new motors installed. It used the old gen system. This was the new one. It reversed each time to make sure the gears would mesh correctly and not strain the motors. Before this, it was a notorious failure point in JLR vehicles!

[@titusbyzantine4949]

​@@Audios81 do you know what model years had this feature?

[@VinayKapoor]

Fun fact because of JLR & ford connect the cars exported to asian market had the same cylinder type key for the Ford Escort & Ford Ikon

[@theFrahk]

In Europe every Ford model has this style of key. I think ford used this key up to 2010 or so

[@GeneralPoison]

My 1998 Ford Fiesta had the same style key... It was euro Ford standard back then.... 😂

[@JetsetDruid]

Yup UK too, recognised it immediately

[@TheShinyShow]

Yeah my Ford Europe Fiesta has the exact same key style

[@nenoslavov7064]

Distinctive key? Opens up with a joke for the European viewers...😀

[@matthewjenkins1161]

The switch to adjust the pedals or steering has another function I love, that you missed. If after adjusted as desired the switch is left in the centre position, then when the ignition key is removed, the steering wheel rises a little and drivers seat goes back a little, to aid exit/entry.

[@dantegreco8159]

THIS... will be a Certified Doug Classic one day.

[@Firebolt1729]

@@agnez1169 Ban this bot

[@danielcastaneda7801]

Absolutely loved the styling of this Jag, always a head turner in traffic.

[@rahulmandala4930]

It’s always been the X300 XJs for me. They looked real sexy and seductive, not gonna lie.

[@Firebolt1729]

Jaguars and Astons from the 2000s are timeless and still beautiful and classy

[@heijimikata7181]

@@rahulmandala4930 Baller’s Jag.

[@rahulmandala4930]

@@heijimikata7181 Especially the R’s. In British Racing Green or some other shade of green looked so magnificent and classy

[@Goodstuff12345666789]

@@rahulmandala4930 Yum 😋

[@sparknight70]

Waking up early to go buy the 05’ rendition of this beauty tomorrow. 81k miles but looks brand new. Let’s hope she treats me well!

[@jaromor8808]

any updates?

[@paulk257]

I had this car, a 2006 Super V8. It shared the same suspension as the Lincoln LS. The replacement suspension parts were like 3x more expensive for the Jag. I ordered the Lincoln parts far cheaper and it came stamped "Jaguar"

[@treylennon4858]

My grandparents got one of these new in 2006, except theirs was a XJL Vanden Plus, this really brought me back to childhood. I thought this was the coolest car ever with the rear screens, tray tables, and touchscreen infotainment system. Whenever I sat upfront I always pushed that glove box button until they scolded me to stop. Don’t even get me started with the control panel in the back 🤣 good times. Thanks for another great video Doug!!

[@detonater1348]

'Vandenplas'

[@Stressless2023]

My grandparents bought a new Cadillac DTS in 2006 and I used to do the same thing with all the buttons lol.

[@jeffreybeecham25]

I love the design of the older Jaguar XJ, it whispers class and taste.

[@HeyItsCoates]

Doug talking about the rear sunshades had me thinking of TheStraightPipes calling them "Peasant Blockers"

[@randolfo1265]

Yeah, the little one in the corner window makes it a Peasant Blocker System

[@HeyItsCoates]

@@randolfo1265 also the fact it’s a Jag

[@brentwhite15]

I love seeing these 15 year old cars doug finds, so well maintained

[@stevenwilliams1805]

It's the bread and butter of Doug's channel, some of us still appreciate the old stuff.

[@carlplz00001]

You should see mine, it is In mint conditions 👌🏼, just like coming out Coventry (Jag. Factory 🏭), i mean like new.

[@forestfishburne7900]

I’m thinking the reason the adjustable steering moves in the opposite direction first is to preload,(remove backlash) in the gearing so that it is always in the exact same spot every time if it has position memory.

[@ricardobushwick7146]

I like how he reviews all cars and not just hype/rare cars

[@Firebolt1729]

That’s Doug for you

[@automotive.spotting3004]

Unlike some cars who will never go up.

[@mortensenvick5711]

Only we owners will know sagging headlines and electric parking space to put your car key on :D

[@LXW-Arts]

He didn't do the smart car

[@ricardobushwick7146]

@@LXW-Arts the smart car doesn’t deserve a review 😂😂

[@GriffinPearson]

My buddy had one of these in blue with tan interior. Still think it’s classiest looking car ever

[@V_channel_]

I owned one of these in gray back in 2011, bought it cheap and thought I just sell it asap to make a quick buck. This resulted in me owning it for almost 3 years as noone wanted to buy it. Must say it was one of the best cars I've had.

[@lonersins]

@@V_channel_ did it give you any problems in terms of maintenance？

[@swampthing20]

The cylindrical key is an old Ford key, so its actually distinctive to every Ford from at least the mid-late 90s, including my old '95 Fiesta and '99 Focus.

[@Stressless2023]

U.S. Ford's didn't have it.

[@daweigo6851]

Had the same keys in Australian buikt Fords

[@Secrecy30]

Right. I had a ´92 Orion with the same key.

[@leskouts2]

Yup definitely those horrible Ford keys in Europe and it seems Oz as well

[@iamsoldats]

@@Stressless2023 every US Ford transit connect used that key. I had a 2013 base model work van that used them. It even had the exact same odometer gauge as that Jag.

[@stevenwilliams1805]

I would have to say that is one of the most beautiful large Jaguar sedans ever.

[@jsz2619]

Exterior wise the Series I is still the most pure and beautiful. Although Pininfarina did an excellent job designing the Series III. Overall the Series III is the most beautiful XJ.

[@o0_VanYsH_0o]

My dad was able to trade in his car for one of these since he knew a mechanic who worked at a Jaguar Factory. Riding in that car, I'll say this. There are TANKS not as armored as a 2006 Jag. It wasn't just big and sturdy with a soft ride, it was bulletproof when it came to maintenance. As side from Oil, Calipers, and frigging changing to Winter tires, the Car never broke the entire 14 years we had it. It was FANTASTIC.

[@FormulaOneLeclerc]

If I'm not mistaken, the reason for the steering wheel adjuster moving like that was so that it could disengage from the locking mechanism - similar to raising a car off the locks on a hydraulic lift before actually lowering it

[@talon262]

That's what I was thinking.

[@skylined5534]

That would be correct! Oh Doug...

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

Exactly 👌🏻 💯

[@stefkorsman4191]

The lack of space in the centre console is because it had to make way for the four zone climate control venting, normal XJ jags without four zone AC could even facilitate a telephone in the centre console and would have a lot more stagare space. At least here in Europe they did.

[@onefastboi14]

I have a 2007 Jaguar XJ8 here in the states and the center storage is actually pretty decent. Can fit my wallet and quite a few other items, so it makes sense that the venting for the four zone a/c would take up some space as when I saw the lac of storage I was like “wow that’s different from my car”

[@jsz2619]

@@onefastboi14 My '94 XJ40 has a cassette slots in the center console. Actually I bought my car in March 2007.

[@Thurgren]

That is just perfectly executed automotive design. The proportions, the curves, the lines, and with those wheels it just looks perfect. This is honestly the best looking Jag i have ever seen.

[@HeyBigChriss]

This car is very impressive even by today’s standards! This was insanely nice for 2006!

[@spiralnapkin]

It was pretty much on par with other luxury vehicles of the time.

[@HeyBigChriss]

@@spiralnapkin cars with 2x the price tag

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

@Rick Simpson idiot,a 2006 rolls royce phantom cost more than 4 times the price of this car new so you cant even compare them.these cars are superb for the price and look way better than a phantom.

[@skylined5534]

@@spiralnapkin It was quite a bit further ahead of the game than most, actually.

[@ryancarey766]

Dang the “J-gate” shifter design is an incredibly satisfying discovery

[@britishcarfan9601]

Yes it is. I really which they still made the J-gate up to this day but now they have that stupid little dial selector which I think is a piece of crap

[@MugatuJag]

The J gate in my 2006 XJ8 was so satisfying to put in the gear, it felt extremely solid, with a beautiful wood shifting knob. However after my XJ was totaled I got a new XF and the rotary shifter was equally awesome. Rose up when you started the car so smoothly, it was made of aluminum, and it felt extremely sturdy and solid. I never once had a problem with the rotary, but it was so shiny that it would blind you if it caught the light so I put a real wood jaguar logo on top😀

[@Sheridantank]

@@britishcarfan9601 It's about saving space. Paddle shifters and a dial make more since in a sporty luxury car.

[@notDonaldFagen]

As useless as anything else that wasn't manual. Gets a pass being a luxobarge though.

[@Hattonbank]

Chief Engineer at the time who designed it was the late Jim Randle, within Jaguar it was known as the Randle Handle.

[@angelkuo6197]

Thank you so much for doing this review Doug, this was my first car (just the standard XJ8L though) and it continues to drive me all around and it’s truly such a beautiful vehicle and I’ve always wanted to see a big car reviewer talk about this car

[@hans-lennartpetersen1922]

my father owns this XJ also as long wheel base but 2.7 twin turbo diesel, also in black with perfect spec and mint condition. 188.000km by now. by heart one of my all time favorite cars. a brutally elegant car. thank you Doug for treating this model with respect. entertaining review as always (this time with a little personal touch for me).

[@jc5495]

"Pattern Wood" the proper terminology is Burl Wood. It comes from an injured or diseased part of a tree. Basically its a tumor and grows weirdly hence the grain is crazy and makes unique and quite pretty patterns.

[@kayEnt3rtainm3nt]

"Luxury" materials in "nice" cars have made less and less sense with each passing year. Sitting on a dead cow while gazing upon artistinal tree cancer is someone else's idea of a good time.

[@androiduberalles]

@@kayEnt3rtainm3nt you must be fun at parties

[@kayEnt3rtainm3nt]

@@androiduberalles That's not what that meme is for.

[@SirBroccolingtonIII]

@@kayEnt3rtainm3nt The patterns are cool though. Maybe what you described doesn't make sense to _you,_ but it does to many, many people, otherwise leather would've died out years ago.

[@kayEnt3rtainm3nt]

@@SirBroccolingtonIII Yes, you're no doubt right on both matters. While I can truly see the appeal of swirling organic patterns the source of the pattern does little for me. That's all I meant I assure you. It's a bit like how chicken nuggets or sausages are less enjoyable if you see them getting made you know? :-p

[@IceQueenVanessa]

I had one for yrs and then I just wanted something different so I got an s-class , also b/c of the 4wd but the Jaguar almost never gave me issues in bad weather …it’s a very rewarding car and rating it a 55 out of 100 is just tragic and uncalled for …it’s a lot of car for the $$$ …it’s so smooth …it’s absolutely effortless and it doesn’t feel weighed down or heavy like the s class ….I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone …you definitely want to be “a car person” and know a mechanic who u can take it to …most notably for the air suspension…it’s a very underrated car and definitely one that u need to own to appreciate …u will have to put $$$ away for repairs or be mindful of them but if u want a full size luxury sedan with a big v8 …u can get this one for 10% to 20% of its once MSRP …I sold mine on eBay and miss it!

[@sdcowboy85]

I miss when Jags actually looked like Jags.

[@sridharyarlagadda7730]

I mean the new ones are so frigging pretty especially compared to their German rivals but there is just something about old Jagggs

[@Romiman1]

Yes, this was the last beautiful elegant car from Jaguar.

[@sridharyarlagadda7730]

@Rick Simpson hol up bro this design language was the reason jaguar was not considered to be a modern brand and started to loose sales to the Germans

[@sridharyarlagadda7730]

@Rick Simpson yo wtf the they look better than anyother german rival fr tho

[@stevec6427]

You mean when they stopped designing for 30 years? Before the XJ Jaguars were modern and aggressive looking, just take a look at the C Type, D Type, E Type, XK120, XK140, XK 150 and Mk2. All of them were very modern when released. The Mk2 in particulay, it was the original super saloon, a really futuristic concept, putting their powerful sports car engine in a stylish saloon.

[@GeorgeFigergor]

I feel like Jaguar, as troubles as these Ford days were, had managed to create an aesthetic and feel that was unique compared to the germans and was consistent with it's regal, slightly old-school british heritage. Sure, they were seen as kinda old hag, but going the complete opposite direction and chasing BMW with germanic looks, cabins and lineups (like Caddy) didn't seem to work either. Jaguar's biggest draw is the pure sportyness combined with an ever-so-slightly baroque flair and dramatic engine sounds.

[@toffonardi7037]

Yeah I loved that design. Now they don’t have personality

[@egold2071]

I can confirm Ford era Jags had a 'feel'. I valet at a Casino, and it is joyous when 90s or early 00s glides in. It feels like every orifice, every open air in the chassis, is filled with maple syrup. Pairs great with the wood and leather. Smoothe and tasty!

[@claytonlester1872]

@Brandon Behringer tata motors is the cause

[@casanova6283]

Today is Ultimate TATA Unreliable Garbage!!!

[@MrAronymous]

Baroque flair.... lmao

[@joolibreakingmore]

I've owned a V8 XJ for about 11 years, done over 440,000 km in it and had basically no major failures on it. Engine still ran beautifully. The only thing that needed more care was air suspension but with a bit of care, this gen of XJ can last you basically forever.

[@dennynisevic7848]

440 , 000 km , nooo way

[@2stutz]

From a Design point of view, I prefer the previous generation due to the very low and long body line. Especially the XJR looks absolutely gorgeous, even today.

[@jeffgorchynski]

A relative of mine had an XJR and damn that thing was fun. Made me buy an out-of-warranty XF when I was older, which I regretted after the first 3 months. Bought a boat to stop the cash-bleed.

[@Luis-nm8mw]

I'm with Doug on the wheels. The wheels are stunning and that is the first thing I've noticed in this car.. would look good in other cars too..

[@munther1071]

The 4.2L supercharged V8 (AJ34S) is just awesome. It's solid, reliable and simple to maintain. It has an Eaton supercharger from what I believe is the F-150 Lightning. The engine is an actual masterpiece. Literally bulletproof. DOHC with VVT and an Eaton blower. It's also efficient on the highway. You can easily get 27 mpg if you're cruising. Used to own an XF SV8 with the same engine and I loved every minute of it.

[@rairadrai]

Good to know. Hopefully not too much valve seal leaking crap that plagues BMWs or variable valve timing actuators going bad.

[@RealAGuy]

I can second that. Phenomenal engine

[@jaromor8808]

the guys from Classics World recorded 30mpg on their road to the Isle of Man... I am not sure British and US mpg are 1:1

[@munther1071]

@@jaromor8808 Every 1 US MPG is 1.2 UK MPG so these guys averaged 25 mpg.

[@crow2swann5]

This was my favorite all-time Jaguar. This was a classic body style, way better than the current model. My father had a 1976 XJ with a LS swap. It was awesome hearing the flowmasters roar down the street.

[@simples22]

This feels like you haven't really done any research on the car. The J Gate isn't for manual shifting, it a gear shifting limiter. If you put it in 3, you will go through first, second and third, but no further. Same with 4, first, second, third and fourth, but no further. You cannot manually select a gear. I have a 2001 Jag with a J gate. The key is a ford tribe key, all fords have that key style at the time, jag was owned by ford. The center console was designed in that way to accommodate a car telephone.

[@simples22]

@@channelsurfer3710 no, it doesn't. It's not an up and down shifter. If you cannot select a gear like a manual. If it were like you say, you could select 1st and 6th. You can't. You can only choose the gear you want the car to not go past.

[@simples22]

​@@channelsurfer3710 I think we're saying the same thing with different terminologies. You don't really select a gear when you J-Gate, you simply prevent your transmission from going over the selected gear. So, you can start in 2, and when your feel you're ready to shift higher just go to 3, and so on. After 4 you can move to D so that it shifts to 5th gear. But if you stay in 3, when decelerate, it will drop down to 2nd and 1st. Accelerate, it will only go to 3rd. No further.

[@joshuac4772]

Classic jag looks with most of the conveniences of modernity, with a S/C V8. Yes please. I love these and think they are seriously underrated cars. This is why I love Doug, he not afraid of calling a gem a gem, and a turd a turd.

[@paul1978g]

This is probably the newest XJ i'd actually own myself. It still looks like a Jaguar rather than something similar to a german or japanese car, but has all the modern niceties. Sadly, people don't seem to want big luxury saloon car anymore, hence the XJ ending production.

[@deldeek]

I’d only own a saloon no matter how old they get ! This jag fits the bill it’s very pretty , aggressive stance just beautiful

[@vasilevanda2248]

Doug, thank you for reviewing this Jag. I grew up with Jaguars and seeing so many of those interior features brings back so many memories! I wanna post a long comment about this, so heads up. My mom had a new (at the time) 2002 X-Type, and my dad got a used 1993 Jaguar XJ6 shortly after. The X-Type had to be traded in for a newer Jag because there was a serious problem with the transmission, so my mom ended up with a 2005 XJ8L. The XJ8L had lot of the same features as this guy in the video although not quite as lux. It had the rear AC vents, those ash trays, and just about as much wood trim. Thankfully I had a few chances to drive it as a teen and yes, I will never, EVER forget how smooth and powerful that drivetrain was... it's insane, I've never driven anything that matches it. I do want to add that while there were certainly reliability issues with Jaguars, the way the company operated before Tata Motors bought then out made up for it according to my mom. Back then, they really did treat you like royalty if you had one; basically everything was covered and it was like you ask for it and they'll get you two. I remember meeting the old British guy who ran the local dealership when I was a kid and he was so cool. I remember he gave me a Jaguar toy car and a branded baseball cap. And remember that transmission thing with the X-Type? Well it was a few months out of warranty, but due to the severity of the problem and being that he believed so strongly in the brand, he offered to take the full value of that car towards another Jag. So my mom basically got that XJ8L with a BIG discount. But yeah, after Tata Motors bought them out, seems they really cleaned house with leadership unfortunately. After that happened, the old British guy was gone and it was so new guy. Again, according to my mom, they basically wanted to do nothing for the car and now wanted to nickel and dime you for everything. Now those old Jaguars are gone, but I will always remember them. If I ever get a chance, I'd definitely get one from mid 2000's time period. I don't know what those critics are talking about with the design, because it did and always will look BEAUTIFUL. Those Jags had so much style and it was so distinct. I cannot stand how the new ones look, they are so generic. I would not know it was Jag and not a Kia if it didn't have the Jaguar symbol.

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

Very nice story and memories 👌🏻 🙂.. Thank you for Sharing this with us.... I'm a big fan of Jaguars...Jagy This design and older...it's truly represents Jaguar 💯🧡... One of the best Looking Car ever Made. .. Greetings from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 🌴 💐

[@The_Hi_Life]

Loved the jags from the 2000s. Timeless designs.

[@m3trooper]

Such gorgeous, timeless styling which unfortunately, you don't see on newer cars.

[@GhosT8747]

I don't think it's timeless, it looks really dated to me.

[@antonkazlouski4307]

I was so disappointed when they dropped this styling. Looks great even nowadays.

[@97I30T]

I think Jaguar XJs from this era are some of the best looking sedans ever made.

[@m3trooper]

@@97I30T Absolutely! Some neighbor in my complex garage has this, and every single time I pass it, I stare at it, and can't find an angle that isn't beautiful.

[@saleencrowell2600]

Yesssssssss.. Hands-down... Beautiful body style.

[@ToastedToastOfToast]

I just turned 18 and my dad has been saving for this for my birthday, I was like ehh at first but when I saw this my mind went wow.

[@dhranch4627]

I own the twin of this example; the exception being that my car has 130k miles. The Jaguar has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. Since new, the car has had nothing but routine maintenance and has never once been in the shop for a problem. It runs and drives today just as it did in 2006. The Super V8 is a incredibly overbuilt car. In some ways, one might even draw a comparison to the old bullet proof Merc's of the 1980's. These are solid, well done quality vehicles. This said, there are a few 'issues' being: Z rated tires. They go quickly and are a bit pricy. These are a absolute goatscrew in snow and chains are a no-no. The torgue will get one squirrly in ways that are fun and terrifying. Although I must admit that Supercharged Sideways on Ice is a capade most memorable and invigorating. The sound of the supercharger kicking in is vehicular viagra. My Range Rover has the same engine and it has almost the same effect; albeit a bit subdued considering the height and weight difference. All in all, my ownership experience has been a dream. So glad to have made the 'leaper' of faith from the XJR into the SV8. Best 105k I ever spent aside from my divorce. This car certainly got me laid more than being married so if and when California ever legalized Man-Car Civil unions, I shall be JR'S betrothed little bi÷€h.

[@joebloggs5886]

"The key which you can see is a cylinder not like a flat key, and is very distinctive to jaguar models from this time period" *laughs in 1990's ford fiesta*

[@alwolschleger7242]

Ah, Europe. A place where Fiestas even existed in the 1990s, and a place where Ford used tibbe keys as well. In the Americas, the tibbe keys were a Jag exclusive thing, and it's hard to find a locksmith that can even cut them here (and you pay dearly for the privilege once you've found them).

[@MrJustapersn]

@@alwolschleger7242 We had them in Australia on the old falcons too. Its hilarious to me that this is considered some sort of quirk/unique point of the Jag.

[@philippmatthiasturk1421]

My moms Ford ka and focus had keys like that too, also my dads scorpio and mondeo

[@joebloggs5886]

@@alwolschleger7242 round the estates in the 90's there were plenty of people with the tools for the job... a flathead screwdriver and a hammer lol, terrible "security" designs although im pretty sure most people would just peel back the doors by hand on those 80s and 90s fords to pop the lock from the inside if they didnt skip gym day haha

[@joebloggs5886]

@@philippmatthiasturk1421 ford certainly like to get their moneys worth for r&d costs...

[@TheSandipDev]

Came here after jaguar dropped the new ad. Just wanted to remember the brand in its good days

[@ianfrench1577]

The best part about the designs of these cars is the sillouhette, If you had just the outline of this car on paper, you would know exactly what it is. You can't do that with new cars these days.

[@chewyn6696]

Except you can.

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

Wow, this is a beauty! I wish new cars could distinguish themselves from other cars like these used to. Jaguars were always so distinctive, now all cars look the same. But, oh well, guess it's the world we live in.

[@seanlinnan2719]

I totally agree. I've had 3 jaguars since 2001...and almost completely because of the distinct look. But the new ones... blaaaa. Like Buicks.

[@KowBoySpace]

Cars are built to ever more government regulation it stands to reason they all end up basically the same

[@otakarlibal]

I have a 2015 Jaguar XE S and had exactly 0 issues so far. I dont drive it that much, but I took it to a race track, where it was absolutely incredible.

[@fitnesswithsteve]

_“One owner until earlier this year.”_ …So two owners.

[@tacocat709]

the point was that one owner used it for the vast majority of its life

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@tacocat709 Which means the second owner got it for cheap, cannot afford to maintain it and tries to sell it for a profit. It's always the same kind of shady people who sell these cars. As a great fan of Jaguars from this era, I unfortunately know this.

[@joelness]

Need to use that whenever I sell a car now... "One owner until subsequent sale." "Was at one point a brand new car!"

[@apaxtoa]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X or it was inherited or the buyer just wanted another car or any other of a million reasons.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@apaxtoa From experience, that is almost never the case. If a expensive car is inherited, it is driven and neglected until it needs service, and then put up for sale.

[@davidp2888]

I love the classic lines and styling.

[@ofirs5830]

New jags look like something Kia would do

[@RML0317]

I just love the XJ. My uncle had the X300 Daimler Double Six LWB, such an awesome automobile. I just got my driver's license and my uncle allowed me to drive his car. I will never forget that experience, supreme comfort and power overload.

[@bengosling4606]

As cool as carbon fibre is and it's extreme structural strength being a modern engineering achievement. You can't compare it with tonnes of wood for a distinctive luxurious style to show off your wealth and status.

[@Pszegheo1]

I have the same engine in an XF. Fantastic. The sound, the way the power's served up is absolutely superb.

[@Rover200Power]

The supercharger whine is addictive.

[@Zohaibhussain156]

This car has a special place in my heart simply because someone who was like a father figure to me had this car the XJ Sovereign in a navy blue head sadly passed away 5 years ago seeing this video has bought back so many pleasant memories of him & this car thank you Doug for reviewing this beautiful car

[@seanoreilly1832]

"Mom can we watch a movie" "Ok, if it will shut you up" *Pulls over and pops trunk*

[@saeediraqi2816]

Is that Saddam?

[@seanoreilly1832]

@@saeediraqi2816 yes, In an intimate relationship with satan

[@saeediraqi2816]

@@seanoreilly1832 sure he did

[@ivandaly3679]

It's 15yrs old.

[@charlie1832]

@@saeediraqi2816 it’s from the show South Park , if you haven’t seen it you should look it up

[@garysandiego]

I bought a ‘06 Super V8 new, 19” wheels, and had it for 166,000 miles. Loved it. Always an occasion to drive. So pretty inside and out. So poised at speed in the corners. (Don’t understand how Doug dissed the handling. I have had S Classes since that struggle to hold sweepers on freeway interchanges at the speeds the Jag took them without hesitation.) And fast enough that I earned two speeding tickets in the first two months of ownership. 🤦🏻‍♂️ By the way, the reason the center storage space is so shallow is due to the blower installed in it for the rear air. In a standard XJ without rear air the center cubby is quite deep. Whoever buys this will have a sweet ride. Maybe I should bid….

[@iceiceclinton]

Wow… that a good run. Would you say it was fairly reliable?

[@garysandiego]

@@iceiceclinton It was reliable with two notes. First, the air suspension only lasts for 80,000 miles on average. Replacing all four corners is a $4,000 job. Second, the Alpine system gave out close to 100,00 miles. Otherwise it required no more service than any other loaded car. No electronic gremlins.

[@h7pubg]

why did you sell it?

[@Htfsik]

@@h7pubgAt 166,000 miles I got anxious about whether there were major repairs awaiting me. Also I thought maybe it wasn’t as quiet as it used to be. Finally I guess in part I was getting bored. And every time I see one of these on the road, my head swivels and I stare longingly and appreciate how beautiful it is compared to my potato shaped S-Class, and I remember how every time getting into the car was an occasion. And I wonder if I should find one in nice shape. Sigh….

[@phoenixblack3090]

I’ve always wanted one of these. Pure class. Gorgeous styling.

[@goose4150]

Finally. I've been waiting for this XJ X350 review for so long. Favourite XJ ever: looks stunning. Between the most beautiful sedans ever. What I love the most is the very Porsche approach that Jaguar chose for designing the XJ during the years and the X350/X358 is the pinnacle of Jaguar XJ design in my opinion. In fact I've never liked the 2011 X351

[@apexrecoveryrehab8240]

x308 is king!

[@Shakazulu0]

I valet'd cars for a while. The Jaguars weren't my favorite cars but they had the best throttle response by far. You push, it goes.

[@zacksmith5963]

And then it goes straight to mechanic

[@zainrasheed7180]

@@zacksmith5963 😂😂😂 I’m dead

[@Shakazulu0]

😂😂

[@cameronknowles6267]

@@zacksmith5963 it has to get towed

[@rubenbraekman4515]

What do other cars do when you push the throttle? 😅

[@krugerfreddy8148]

Having owned a 2005 standard XJ-8 since new, it is indeed a beautiful car that is a joy to drive. Unfortunately, the seat does not fit my body! The thigh bolsters are so high that they cut off blood supply and nerve conduction to my legs. Having a custom seat pad fabricated did solve the problem. However, there is another seat problem. If you're 5'7" or shorter, the seat is very comfortable (ask my wife) but I'm 6'1" and the upper back padding actually pushes my shoulder blade area forward which is very uncomfortable with no good solution other than to tilt the seat back. At just over 80k miles, the steering rack-and-pinion needed to be replaced, the blower motor for the heat and AC decided to call it a day, the transmission fluid decided it would prefer to be on my garage floor and last but not least, the air suspension needed to be replaced. Throw in a new set of Pirelli P7s and $14,000 later, I still love my Jag !

[@wanka8203]

That's not good to know im 6'5 and I am gonna buy one next month

[@jonhoward180]

@@wanka8203 Go ahead and buy it! :) My last 3 cars have been Jaguars - current one is a XJ8 (2004). I love these cars. I'm just over 6ft tall and havent had any of the comfort problems mentioned above. I once drove it 8 hours straight to meet an old friend then turned around and drove 8 hours back home. It felt like I'd been sitting in an armchair. Heater did fail (also at the 80k mile point) - but this wasn't too expensive to sort out. Also, if you're happy with 'just' 300hp, the standard XJ8 is a lot cheaper to buy.

[@wanka8203]

@jonhoward180 yeah if you reckon I buy second hand cars and re sell them all the time if the jag is comfortable just 300hp is easy to turn into 400-500 hp I play around with engine alot but thanks I'll go check her out see if the problems are the same or not

[@OGShiv]

I love how Doug stuck out his tongue before presenting the coke trays in the rear

[@marphillois]

10:27

[@laurence2192]

Dougs tongue really weirds me out. It’s like it is competing for camera time!

[@Kryojenix]

Subtle. Thanks for explaining. And that's why there's a crack, right?

[@OutsideDuhBox]

Lol Doug in backseat saying "in case you wanna do stuff back here" then sticks tongue out 🤣 i see you Doug Playa

[@noelr1010]

Doug's idea of "doing things back there" include a car manual and lotion lmao

[@w.e.s.]

I drove 1 of these for a dealership for half a day when I worked there. It reminded me of a buick lesabre. Looks like a buick and a crown vic mixed

[@ThomasTheDankEngine420er]

Blind

[@jonathanlindsey858]

As long as cars like this exist I will never purchase a new vehicle. This is what automobile ownership is all about.

[@mickc7388]

It is still beautiful and a classic.

[@americanrroyalty]

Super unreliable though

[@felmin809]

Better empty every pocket

[@jonathanlindsey858]

@@felmin809 have you personally owned and maintained an X350? I will take maintenance costs over paying interest on a depreciating, uninspired, vehicle that thinks its smarter than the driver.

[@darrengarcia4937]

@@jonathanlindsey858 or you could buy another car from around the same era thats better lmao. What do you know about cars? I been in bodyshops and mechanic shops since i was 5 and Jags are the biggest hunks of shits other than maseratis.

[@jhomrich89]

I wish jaguar would bring back this body style, because the new ones you can't tell them apart from literally every other blob on 4 wheels

[@antoniocalimero1173]

In your dreams.. al cars have a plastic look now. Best cars are build from 1985 to 2000. Mercedes!

[@_baller]

That's a nice interior even got today's standards and don't even need all the tech bs of today

[@carlplz00001]

Indeed.

[@oliverroo59]

This is like the old, sophisticated grandpa of the Charger Hellcat.

[@dsgb]

We had one of those as our wedding cars along with a 1990s Bentley Continental because they represented understated luxury. I'm sure others have commented that the key is a standard Ford Motor Company design from the era when Ford's Premium Automotive Group owned Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo.

[@SWR_Quackula]

8:18 I believe it moves in the opposite direction beforehand so if it is already at its end point, you can tell it still works and is trying to move by giving you that little extra bit of movement

[@lucasjs1207]

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is one of the most beautiful sedans ever made

[@MohammedKhaled-ju7gy]

Love this jag, this is what I pictured a Jaguar to be like growing up. Now they just look like every other car.

[@thedimreaper1684]

It was one of my favourite cars i have ever owned. It just done everything well. Better than the two M5s by far.

[@victorleffa6733]

"It's very distinctive from Jaguar of this period" Ford disagrees.

[@RNoldFCK]

Yeah Mondeo key

[@Igorexing]

My dad had Ford Sierra back in the '90. When I was a kid I'd opened a new Ford Mondeo using a Sierra key (wich had exactly same design as Jaguar's).

[@mikkojaatinen4120]

Ford Fiesta had the same key without though the remote buttons.

[@IstvanF]

Yeah, Jag was part of Ford back then, this is why all of the Frods and Jags had the same key from this era

[@madsciencebuilds]

When I look at my Ford key,I realise how much the US missed out.

[@The_Car_Gods_7814]

The key is what we call a "tibbe" key in the UK and it is also common from a wide range of EU model Fords and Aston Martins of that time period.

[@FFE-js2zp]

The Aston Jag connection is heavily guarded and based on genuine exquisite quality, unlike low end copycat brands Lexus, Acura, and Infinity, which only change the badge.

[@felixnurscher6017]

@@FFE-js2zp mate a 2006 Lexus LS walks all over this 90s looking ass thing lol

[@felixnurscher6017]

@freepieanchipsgarage i totally appreciate the Jag, i was just responding to the other guy calling Lexus a low end copycat brand being all pretentious while clearly the LS from the same era is objectively better

[@felixnurscher6017]

@freepieanchipsgarage isn't it though? name one thing about this car that is better than the Lexus. i'm not saying you can't like and prefer the Jag, that's a personal opinion. i love so many cars that objectively aren't 'the best'. i'm just saying that by pretty much all measurable factors the LS is better

[@felixnurscher6017]

@freepieanchipsgarage performance? the Lexus literally has 40 hp more, and an electric engine on top of that. i'd take the Lexus V8 over the AJ8 any day of the week, it's a more modern, more reliable, more powerful and more efficient engine. the names sound fancy, i'll give you that, but do you really think the fit and finish is better than in an LS, the flagship product of the then largest auto maker in the world? i've sat in neither of the two but reading reviews i know which car i'd bet on. also the interior in the Lexus just looks so much cleaner and more modern, i really dislike the wood panelling all over the Jag. it looks really fake and cheap to me. but that is literally just my opinion

[@roberthare4022]

I own a 2000 XJR with 30K original on it and I agree Doug - the engine is just sublime. Plus I loved that it was a total sleeper.

[@rhiiine]

Suspension is the main maintenance cost and I think there’s a coil over conversion. Everything else about the XJs from 2000 and up has stood the test of time once they upgraded to metal timing chain tensioners.

[@jaromor8808]

quite often the thing that dies on the air-suspension is one plastic part within the air-compressor cylinder... a channel named To The Garage has a great video about the fix

[@megatronusorionpax4900]

Now I really want him to review the Chrysler 300C SRT (2005-2010 of course)

[@AndresUffert2]

Had the regular one, really miss it.

[@joshjack6127]

I own a 2006 3.0 diesel, had it over 2 years now, absolutely love it to bits

[@megatronusorionpax4900]

@@AndresUffert2 I'd be happy if he reviewed a regular 300C too honestly

[@megatronusorionpax4900]

@@joshjack6127 I didn't know they made 300s with a diesel engine that's pretty cool, I wonder if there's in difference in ride and stuff

[@joshjack6127]

@@megatronusorionpax4900 They were only sold in the UK & Europe dude! Built at the Magna Steyr factory in Austria too rather than the US market Brampton built ones. Suspension was stiffened slightly to suit European needs better 👍 we also got a 300C station wagon too

[@alberteisenmann1023]

Absolutly top car. Mutch underrated. A great perfect fusion between Jaguar and Ford, but 80 procent of these cars are parts from Jaguar. And alltogether it is 100 procent Jaguar, no matter what some poor haters say. Same with the great Jaguar S-type, who was build since 1999 - 2007. Here in Germany the prices for these cars begin to grow since last year.

[@benjamingiguere]

As a Canadian living near the US border, cars with the miles to km button was a game changer to avoid the scary Vermont state troopers with their big green cars.

[@mungofish81]

Meaow