Jaguar Motor Cars
 
Jaguar was founded in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company of Blackpool,
 England. The name was changed to "SS Jaguar" in 1935, then to simply "Jaguar"
 after WW II. Jaguar was one of the first British car companies to export to North
 America and in 1954 set up its own distribution in New York. North American sales
 now account for almost half of Jaguar's worldwide production, with 129 dealers in
 the United States.
 
Jaguar currently has two basic models for sale in the US.  They are the XJ sedans and the XK8 sports car.  I would, however like to point out that while these cars are pretty, powerful, and expensive, I have never known a Jag owner who liked their car.  They are very unreliable, and extremely expensive to repair.  In fact, my minivan had to jumpstart a brand new Vanden Plas in California.  The man told me to never, ever buy a Jaguar.  I believe him.  Nevertheless, Jaguars are being gobbled up by the status-hungry everywhere.
 
This is the Jaguar XJ8.  It replaced the XJ6 this year, and is much sturdier and strong looking, and performing.  The XJ series consists of this, the supercharged XJR, and the luxurious Vanden Plas.  These cars range from $55,000 to about $70,000.  They all come with V8's, and the XJR has an extra 80 horsepower.  Suggested alternates would be (and I would suggest them) the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, and Lexus LS400.
 
 
Car XJ8 XJ8 L Vanden Plas XJR
Engine 4.0L 290-hp V8 4.0L 290-hp V8 4.0L 290-hp V8 4.0L 370-hp V8
Transmission 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Fuel Economy 17 / 24 17 / 24 17 / 24 16 / 21
Horsepower 290 @ 6100 RPM 290 @ 6100 RPM 290 @ 6100 RPM 370 @ 6150 RPM
Torque 290 @ 4250 RPM 290 @ 4250 RPM 290 @ 4250 RPM 387 @ 3600 RPM
Length 197.8 in 202.7 in.  202.7 in 197.8 in. 
Width 70.8 in. 70.8 in. 70.8 in.  70.8 in.
Wheelbase 113 in.  117.9 in.  113 in. 113 in. 
 
 
This is the all new XK8!!!  It's got a V8, 5 speed automatic, ABS, and has 290 horsepower.  The coupe starts at $64,900, but that's before you put in the must have, way-cool stereo.  This is Jag's first ever V8 engine, and the first time in almost 30 years that a Jaguar has had an XK in the title.  The last time was the very classic XKE, which is shown in the back of this next picture.  Suggested alternatives would be the Lexus SC400 and the Mercedes SL-Class.
 
XJ8
Engine 4.0L 290-hp V8
Transmission 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Fuel Economy 17 / 25
Horsepower 290 @ 6100 RPM
Torque 290 @ 4250 RPM
Length 187.4 in
Width 72 in. 
Wheelbase 101.9 in. 
 
You can also get it in a convertible.  While this car may be unreliable, it's sure pretty.  The convertible has the same features as the coupe, but costs $5,000 more.
 
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