2002 Jaguar XJ8 3.2 Sport

Highlights


• Striking low mileage example with only 39,972 miles since new
• Only 3 owners since new and very well looked after
• Kept well stored by the current owner in a warm, dry garage
• Beautiful interior trim options in great condition
• London ULEZ compliant

The Background

 The XJ8 was originally released to the UK market in 1997 and was set the challenge of addressing the less than enviable reputation of Jaguar’s previous offerings. The XJ8 successfully delivered on the challenge and gave the motoring world a new Jaguar to encourage buyers back to British and away from its German rivals. 

The XJ8 was born of a new generation of engineers at the Jaguar headquarters in Coventry. The late designer of the XJ8, one Geoff Lawson, truly hit the nail on the head with the XJ8’s refined but commanding design. The XJ8 represented a step in a new direction for Jaguar, improving on the marques previous reviews with a car that delivered a strikingly designed and luxurious experience. 

Powered by a range of brilliant V8 engines and with an interior experience that felt like sitting in a well appointed study, the XJ8 gave drivers a real sense of occasion. And as Jeremy Clarkson once said these cars are “the epitome of luxury, beauty and performance” Even now you would have to spend a lot of money to match the luxury of an XJ8. 

At almost £36,000 new, the XJ8 Sport got stiffer suspension than the standard model and featured wider wheels to help the car stick to the road during more spirited driving, all whilst maintaining the same level of opulence on the inside. 

Outside, the very rare 'Sport' model (only 1108 of 126,260 XJ8 cars produced ) featured more modern de-chroming or black exterior trim, including the colour coded grille with dark grey slats.

The History

The current owner bought the car at auction in January 2021. It had been owned previously by an elderly gentleman who took excellent care of the car. Since being in the current ownership the car has only covered just over a 1,000 miles, and has been enjoyed greatly. During this ownership the car has been taken to a well known Jaguar specialist, for an inspection report, finding little of concern bar bushes. 

The car has been stored & unused in a warm, dry specialist garage since the latest MOT in May 2021, to retain its low mileage and as other vehicles were used more often in the summer. The XJ8 has had no major work carried out during the current ownership but recently had two new rear shock absorbers in November 2020. 

The current owner is now looking to move this fantastic low ultra mileage XJ8 on to a new owner as they begin to cut down their own collection. 

The Paperwork

 The XJ8 comes with a limited amount of paperwork. However, the paperwork that is present outlines the service history of the vehicle from 2003 to 2019 as well invoices for the major works that have been completed on the car. 

This includes an invoice for a brand new headlining in early 2020, new rear shock absorbers and front wheel alignment. 

The Interior

 The interior of the XJ8 is in very good condition overall with very little signs of wear. The unusual but beautiful wood trim is all present and bright with no signs of damage. The dash is in excellent condition with very little sign of wear with all buttons and switches present and working correctly. 

The sumptuous leather in the car is in very good condition overall with no tears or marks to the seats or around the central console. The seats do show some signs of dirt and would benefit from a light clean along with the drivers seat belt. 

The dark carpets are in excellent order throughout, showing scant use. Overall, the interior of this XJ8 is an incredibly pleasant place to be, and the level of comfort and style makes it a car that you would be happy to be behind the wheel of for any period of time.

The Exterior 

The XJ8 is in very good overall condition on the outside. The rich, deep metallic 'Aspen' green of this XJ8 really pops in the sunshine and gives the car an understated yet striking presence. 

The exterior paintwork is in excellent condition, does show some very minor scratches in places and there is a small area of lacquer damage on the boot handle but overall the car looks bright and smart. The panel gaps are just as they were when the car left the factory in 2002, and the owner was so confident of its condition that the car was not even washed for the photoshoot. 

The bodywork panels are all in excellent condition with no signs of dents or damage and all the exterior sills of the vehicle are in excellent condition. The 17" Celtic alloys are in very fine fettle with only minor curbing to the passenger side of the vehicle. The engine bay is in excellent order, with the correct factory labels, while the spare wheel well is slightly dusty but rust free.

The Mechanics

 The XJ8 starts up at the first turn of the key with a very understated burble from the 3.2 V8. Lifting the fabulously long and curving bonnet of the XJ8 reveals its V8 heart that looks very clean and tidy throughout. 

All the door hinges, and the release catches for the bonnet have been lovingly coated in copper grease, showing how well the Jaguar has been looked after. 

The V8 drives wonderfully in its classically quiet and restrained manner, but shows the willingness to lift the skirts and eat up the miles at an indecently brisk pace should the need or want arise.

The Appeal 

The XJ8 represented a return to top form by Jaguar and even now in 2021 this car feels like a luxurious and highly polished piece of automotive engineering. It brings with it a charm that is special to Jaguars, that perfect balance between power, comfort and distinguished style. Every drive of the XJ8 feels like a real occasion. 

Sitting down in those absorbing, stately leather seats surrounded by the finest leather and exquisite wood panelling makes you feel like you’ve really made it. Combine that with the reassuring purr of this big cat's V8 beneath the bonnet and the XJ8 makes you feel every bit the gentleman as it does the roguishly handsome bounder!

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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 2002
  • Make Jaguar
  • Model XJ8 3.2
  • Colour Green
  • Odometer 39,972 Miles
  • Engine size 3248
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location Somerset
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
14 bids from 6 bidders
  • ro•••• £7,100 06/01/22
  • Ke•••• £7,000 06/01/22
  • Ke•••• £6,900 01/01/22
  • wa•••• £6,000 01/01/22
  • MT•••• £5,500 01/01/22
  • Ke•••• £5,000 01/01/22
  • MT•••• £4,350 01/01/22
  • Ke•••• £4,250 01/01/22
  • MT•••• £3,850 31/12/21
  • Ke•••• £3,750 31/12/21
Message C&C Auction Team

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