8 October 2007

This afternoon I collected my Jaguar, 2004 Jaguar X-Type X400 SE  5 Speed Automatic, all wheel drive Sedan in Jaguar Racing Green with champagne leather interior and fulfilled a lifelong dream.

 

You have to imagine the 'leaping cat' on the bonnet because it was added after the dealer photos were taken. And as hard as it might be to believe, but you have to, If it's at all possible, it makes her a more beautiful machine.

The Jaguar Story

Ok .. I admit I have lusted after a Jag for a long time but I have made overtures from time to time.

I also regularly checked my dealers web site Roadbend Jaguar, which I have to say has improved significantly over that time. A family business and [as it turns out] real nice people to deal with.

It must have been close to 10 years ago when I first sat down to talk about buying a Jag at Roadbend. It was 'cheap' at less than $5000 and came with a list of work that would need to be be done over the coming months and years, including a re-spray and upholstery repairs. In short I was going to have to re-build it if I wanted to end up with something that I could be proud of.  I knew that it would be a money pit .. but it was still a hard decision to walk away from the first one.

The second time I seriously looked at a Jag was about 4 years ago when the company I worked for was bought and instead of receiving a company car as part of my package, I was given the money and had the opportunity to invest in whatever vehicle I chose. On that occasion I test drove an XJ that was about 8 years old and had cost $180k when new. It was selling for $30k and was Royal Red - an awesome piece of machinery. But alas I couldn't novate the lease [age] so ended up buying the Toyota Camry.

The third time was about a year ago when I went to look at another XJ that was selling for $23k and looked great on the web site. In 'person and up close' the paintwork was crazed and I knew I couldn't live with that imperfection. In fact Graham [GM of dealership] suggested that this wasn't the car for me and sadly I agreed.

Last week I was cruising on-line [whilst chewing my luncheon sandwich] when I spotted the Jaguar Racing Green* Jag JG 48 WA. That evening I commented to Rob that I'd seen the car and whilst we had been talking about buying a Jag, I wasn't planning to invest until after we returned from Holiday.

So I didn't think too much about it until Robyn called me the next day and said 'I'm on my way !" .. "Where to says I ?" .. "To see the Jag" ..

The rest as they say is history. In our price bracket there were about 8 vehicles that were presented wonderfully and made the decision very difficult. We looked at an S'Type Jag but whilst it is a larger vehicle with more 'stuff',  I preferred the X'Type.

I mentioned that the Dealership were nice folks, it turns out that Graham had kept a file of my visits over the years, they took a personal cheque, gave me a couple of leather products to keep her clean and smelling nice, and the last thing they did before handing me the keys was to fill her up. Funny but I'm actually used to car dealers having next to no fuel in their vehicles

I love my Jaguar.

* Note: British Racing Green is apparently a flat colour whilst this is a high shine metallic paint job. If you were wondering.

Technical Specifications

2.5Ltr V6 SE - Jaguar Racing Green with Champagne Leather interior.

All wheel drive, Climatically controlled air-conditioning, Trip computer, Cruise control, 8 way Electric seats, Split fold rear seats, Upgrade steering wheel. Low kms [35000kms] and full service history.

17" Alloy Wheels, 6 Speaker Stereo, ABS (Antilock Brakes), Adjustable Steering Col. - Tilt only, Airbags - Driver & Passenger (Dual), Airbags - Head for 1st Row Seats (Front), Airbags - Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front).

Alarm, Armrest - Rear Occupants, Armrests - Front (Driver & Passenger), Body Colour - Bumpers, Body Side Mouldings - Colour Coded, CD Player, Central Locking - Remote/Keyless, Chrome Exterior Highlights, Chrome Grille, Chrome Interior highlights,\Disc Brakes Front Ventilated, Disc Brakes Rear Solid

Engine Immobiliser, Fog Lamps - Front, Intermittent Wipers, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather Trim (Incl. Seats; inserts), Multi-function Steering Wheel, Power Door Mirrors, Power Steering - Speed Sensitive, Power Windows - Front & Rear, Tacho, Trip Computer,

Woodgrain - Centre Console, Woodgrain - Dash Board, Woodgrain - Gear Knob, Woodgrain - Inserts