Hal; my wife has had a jag xj8 vanden plas since 2001. her first one was light green in color new 2001...kept for 2 years(on lease) and turned it in with 13000 miles on it. she now has a 2003 dark blue and at the present time hates it because it is so terrible in the snow. when spring finally gets here she'll be happy again. they are a great road car and the faster you go the better they run. they cruise super at 80 to 85. when we had the
oil changed they dropped off an x model for us to use while they performed the
oil change and some minor warranty work...adjust wiper washer, replace seat cover due to stain and rotate tires. anyhow, my opinion of the x model is that the quality, ride and feel is that of a jag xj8 in a smaller suddle way. i'm biased, as i really like the jag...we've, no my wife, has had lincolns, mercedes, chryslers, and lexus and of all i prefer the jag...because they're not a common car you see on the road alot...actually, there are more and more lately because of the s and x models which hit the lower price levels. there is NOTHING like the interior that the jag has. you only live once...if you can afford it, go for it...the worst thing thats going to happen is she won't like it, so sell it and get something else...you can't take it with you. enjoy