General public impression of Jaguar owner

[thomas45]

Having just now had to leave my 2.7 d S type in the care of an independant garage for work on a suspected exhaust flexi-downpipe and I hear from 'her indoors' (who has been talking !) that somebody says because its a Jag they will think theres plenty of money and lay it on.
Well I hope not but at this point the outcome is unknown except to say at least its not the main dealer. Apart from all that I think the public impression of the 'car' on the road is one of great admiration ( usually ) except for the occasional bit of green-eye from some drivers who show great ignorance as they fly into roundabouts and try to cut you up.
I make no response to the blasting of their horn and keeping calm drive serenely onward ( which makes them madder I think)

[J44EAG]

I recently recounted the tale of a lady cousin asking how I could possibly afford to buy a Jaguar and run it. So that is perceived value from someone who couldn`t tell how old my car was because of the private plate and had no idea of the value of cars generally. At best, although on that occasion the car was clean and polished, I valued the car at that time as being worth £2000 at best.

Someone who for what ever reason does not aspire to or has not ever considered owning a Jaguar and prefers to drive around in an ancient motorised skip might have a problem getting to grip with true market values.This is perhaps due to low personal aspirations or lack of knowledge and that person might also tend to regard anything which is more upmarket than their own personal mode of transport as an expensive and unreachable object. That is their problem!

I`ve long ago given up worrying too much about others driving habits. I`ve done a defensive driving course broadly based on a police pursuit course and attempt to stay out of trouble letting 40 years driving experience and training keep trouble at a distance.

Mike

[robv12]

An old chestnut!!

I turned up at a customer some years ago in a 1994 4.0S XJ40, now a rare car even in its day, but a smart old thing, but I gave a grand for it!!, my customer bemoaned the price of my beer as I gave him the invoice stating "at those prices now wonder you can afford a Jaaaag". The day was not a good one, I asked which his car was, he indicated a one year old Toyota of some description, a people carrier, a van with windows, I asked him how much it cost, £28K was the answer, my retort was that he was making plenty off selling my expensive beer then!!!, we sold him no more beer and the pub closed soon after, I rest my case!!

did you know in the motor trade JAG stands for "Just Add a Grand", to the bill!!

you have been warned

[bc51mjc]

My folks have a very nice x type (2002) which they bought over 10 yrs ago with 21000 on it fantastic looking car. (now on 51000) Being proud of the car they were amazed by the comments from people "that will be expensive" "hope it doesnt go wrong" "you should have bought a practical car"
Now having the car 10yrs and only replacing a fuel pump and tyres, they think people are just jealous of our cars, and the perception is wrong. Looking at the car it is in very nice, well presented condition and continues to do them very well.

He who laughs last and all that
Thanks
Martin

[Brakebuster]

this is why jaguar drivers go around with a huge grin


we already know the secret....

BB

[jBlackwell]

It is something I have touched on before. My football buddies are the funniest when it comes to cars, none of them are petrol heads at all, so they have always remarked on the various automobiles I have turned up in. In fact half of them still have the same car from when I first started playing 10 years ago.

From taking the Michael, all of a sudden they now say "That Jag James, whats it like?" or the recent classic

"I was recently offered a Sportbrake as a company car, I was chuffed (big cyclist), but the company then changed its contract and I ended up with a Yeti, talk about p##*ed off"

(Sorry about the language, but they do play footy)

The recent success of the company has changed the perception of our motors and shows how independent minded we are as Jaguar owners, not following the German curve and those late walkers (drivers) are now playing catch up.

As you say BB, its while us Jaguar drivers have a big smile all the time

James

[J44EAG]

What you drive says a lot about what you think of yourself.....or not as the case may be.

My customers expect me to drive a Jag. If I were to present myself in a rusty old heap, my customers would think even less of me than they do already.......Its all about impressions and perceptions. If I arrived in a wreck, I would look down at heal and unsuccessful. Turning up in a Jag says you must have been successful at some point to have been able to buy the thing in the first place. Good at your job and have been able to produce a decent result. "The right sort of chap to do business with". Why deal with the dross when you can deal with the best! Hence my slogan, "Have you been seen by EAG Marine"? The private plate helps. J44EAG....which sort of reads as JAAEAG when you are full of beer. The best of both worlds and tax deductible advertising. Age and confidence allows me to get away with it. I`ve earned the privilege.I`ve got one and I`m gonna flaunt it. Even if the suspension is falling to bits.

I had a pal who was a double glazing salesman and drove a Porshe. His potential clients would often remark on his car. He would give them the keys for a drive while he measured up the windows. He would price his wares to sell and not be greedy. His success rate using the method was that he closed 86% of all his sales leads. That was enough to buy the Porker.

Mr Clarkson is as we know, never wrong. Lets face it, no one holds a higher opinion of his views than he does himself. He has this to say about Jag owners.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... GU&cad=rja

Mike

[GordonJ]

It's image, just look at Stobbart. No doubt it works. Although not a Stobbart fan it does work. As for Clarkson I wouldn't give him the time of day.
Sorry, just had to have my say on this one.

Gordon

[steve_m]

I used to go down the dole office in my Daimler Sovereign; everybody was well impressed.

[jBlackwell]

Steve M,
Genius!!

James

[thomas45]

Well to get back to my original post and maybe a bit off subject now, I have not yet recovered my grin nor the car. In the end it may be described as a wry grin. Anyway the latest fact is I am advised that they (the garage) have discovered that the problem is that a cat is cracked and they have despatched it to an engineering shop for specialst repair.
So I languish catless in the meantime.

[thomas45]

All good again now, see my post in 'Engine'

[jeff1954]

I know I will probably get some stick for saying this, but I don't class the XType as being a proper Jag as it is basically a Ford Mondeo ie floorpan/engines ect. However it is a good car in it's own right and I have used one for a couple of days recently and found it a pleasent experience to drive.

Jeff

[jonjeffryes]

I know I will probably get some stick for saying this, but I don't class the XType as being a proper Jag as it is basically a Ford Mondeo ie floorpan/engines ect. However it is a good car in it's own right and I have used one for a couple of days recently and found it a pleasent experience to drive.

Jeff

hi Jeff,

I had a new 2.0ltr diesel estate back in 2005 and regularly suffered the dressed up Mondeo comments....but I didn't care because it was (and remains) one of the best cars I've ever owned and believe me it has all of the quality attributes of the brand. It isn't in the same class as the S type but it is certainly not a Mondeo

Jon

[oldtimer]

Personally , I don't give a "toss" what other people think.