Faults:

Nothing really. The rear door was sticky, and would not unlock sometimes - quite an easy fix - just take the door cover, and clean and lube. It's all about preventive maintenance - I did a transmission service, replaced the thermostat housing with an aluminium one, did an oil change and coolant flush, change the belt, and it is good to go.

General Comments:

The car is beautiful to look at, and is plenty fast. Being a regular XJ (not the R), it is very quiet and soft, which I like. Some of the trim pieces are of questionable quality, although nothing had fallen off. It looks like nothing else on the road, and it makes you feel special. Nothing beats it for the money.

Faults:

The automatic steering wheel adjustment started making a funny sound. The dealer disconnected it and I don't really miss it. I may get it fixed before my extended warranty ends, it will only be $200 vs. $700.

If the gas cap is not properly replaced the engine light will come on. This seems to be fairly common since my service guy knew exactly what to do to rectify the light coming on.

A screw covering came off behind the driver door handle, but that is not momentous.

Currently there is some vibration in the steering wheel that I need to have addressed.

General Comments:

The 2003 is what I consider to be the last real year for the XJ8. Those later models are just too Ford-y for me. I bought the car on E-bay which always surprises people. I got a great deal and I love the car. It is exactly what I expected. Gas mileage is not great, but that is not a surprise.

"Big Kitty" is at her best on the highway. She just glides along effortlessly.

I had lusted after a Jaguar sedan since childhood. I considered the X and the S, but they would not have sufficed.

Faults:

Excessive wind rustle from the top of the passenger side front window at speed.

General Comments:

The lap of luxury. The Sovereign is absolutely loaded with features such as park distance control, electric heated memory seats and electric steering wheel adjustment. The V8 engine is very refined (just like the best V6's) and superbly quick.

The Jag does not handle particularly well probably due to the rather high ground clearance and thick tyres, CATS suspension would help. The emphasis is on cruising in serenity, the Jag could cruise at 140mph all day.

Petrol priced at 77.9p: the Jag costs £80 to fill up and that does not last very long at all.

A bit concerned about some of the interior quality: the switch gear seems very 'Ford,' which on a £45000 car is not really acceptable, for example the indicators make the same gimmicky sound as a Ford Focus. Also, little details such as the bare screw heads on the vanity mirrors disappoint, some rivals have little covers to hide the screws. Tiny details I know, but ones that should not have been overlooked on such an expensive car.

The Jag still remains the best luxury car, hopefully reliability has improved from XJ6's in the early 1990's.

Sleek styling is old fashioned, but still elegant, hand stitched leather and walnut interior is lovely.

Seats are too firm and boot too small.