2002 Jaguar XJ8-L Vanden Plas

Description

How do you upgrade an icon? Jaguar's XJ-series practically defined the sports sedan market with an awesome combination of sinuous good looks, impeccable road manners, and sinfully comfortable interiors. So when it came time to freshen a legend, Jaguar did the only sensible thing: add power. This 2002 Jaguar XJ8-L Vanden Plas is the top-of-the-line model with V8 power, a longer wheelbase, and all the things that make the XJ great.

The first thing you'll note is the "-L" in the car's name, which denotes "long wheelbase." It's most apparent in the side profile shot where you'll see that that the rear door is considerably longer than the front. That means more legroom in back, making for an almost decadent experience. However, the rest of the curves on this cat are the same familiar shapes that it's been wearing since the 1970s, freshened a bit for the 21st century but still very much a traditional British Jaguar. With only 66,755 actual miles, it's beautifully preserved and only lightly used, making for a fine piece of machinery that still makes people stop and notice. The finish is gorgeous, with a brilliant shine that you'd expect from the miracle workers in Coventry and fit and finish that came from a Ford takeover that fixed Jaguar's quality concerns. There's still a splash of chrome here and there, adding to the Jaguar experience, and, of course, the leaping cat hood ornament is out there leading the way.

The stories about the beautiful workmanship in British car interiors aren't myths, as you can plainly see inside this lovely Jag. Acres of buttery soft tan leather and real burled walnut make it feel exceptionally upscale and once you get in, you might not want to get out again. Of course everything was standard, including a power telescoping steering column and effective climate control, and even the steering wheel has wood inserts that add to the luxurious feel. Three round dials hold big, bold gauges, a Jaguar tradition, and the center console's design is simple and uncluttered, unlike a lot of other luxury sedans. Yes, it still uses Jaguar's unusual "J-gate" shifter, but after some familiarity, you'll probably find that it works rather well when shifting it yourself. An aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo replaces the original head unit and the installation is quite professionally done. In back, you'll find massive legroom as well as heated rear seats and A/C vents for rear seat passengers. The trunk is likewise beautifully finished and big enough for all your luggage.

Ford's management of Jaguar meant that the 4.0 liter DOHC V8 engine was both powerful and reliable. Replacing the venerable inline-6 and V-12 engines, it's more powerful than either of them and delivers a buttery smooth performance that feels more like an electric motor than an internal combustion engine. But when you want to hustle, it delivers a warm baritone bellow that purrs like it should, rising to a bit of an edge before the 4-speed automatic cracks off another rapid-fire upshift. Obviously it's been well maintained, because the engine bay just sparkles, and this is one luxury car that you might find is actually reasonable to own, because parts are still easy to find and service doesn't require anything exotic. The very clean undercarriage features a fully independent suspension, big disc brakes at all four corners, and exactly zero sign of rust or rot. Even the pretty 16-inch alloy wheels are unmarked.

Once again proving that a second-hand luxury car is the smartest buy, this Jaguar delivers a stunning level of comfort, style, and performance for less than the cost of a used economy car. Call today!