2003 Jaguar Super V8

Japanese imports – even of European cars – are increasingly popular as it is easier to find slightly older right-hand-drive cars in a very good, clean condition. Japan’s use of chemicals and heating rather than salt and grit on the roads in winter also means that the cars are unlikely to suffer the same level of corrosion as they would have in Europe.

On top of this, the higher cost of maintaining older cars in Japan means that good examples can be found at very reasonable prices.

This short wheelbase Jaguar Super V8 is now back from a very cossetted life in Japan, where it covered just 59k miles. It comes with a full service history and is fitted with a 400bhp supercharged V8 engine combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

This model was the top of the range for Jaguar cars until the Daimler brand was relaunched in 2005. It’s in near unmarked condition throughout, and drives beautifully. With the 400bhp supercharged V8 engine allied to a six speed automatic gearbox, power delivery is as seamless as it is relentless. This is a car that can waft 100s of miles across continents, leaving its occupants feeling as though they’ve just popped down to the shops. And compared with German rivals, the Jaguar is able to deal with twisty B-roads without losing its cool.

Spec and details include:

• Ruched and piped leather trim.
• Radar active cruise control.
• 19in alloy wheels with new tyres.
• Xenon headlamps.
• Headlamp power wash.
• Chrome front grille.
• Electric seats, pedals and mirrors with memory function.
• Alpine audio system with subwoofer.
• Reclining electric rear seats with memory.
• Heated rear seats.
• Rear TV screens.
• Rear window electric blind.
• Rear door blinds.
• Rear entertainment console.
• Supplied to full UK Specification.
• MPH Speedo face.
• UK Sat Nav.
• Full size boot lid plinth.
• Full size front plate plinth.
• New issue V5.
• New headliner fitted.
• New battery fitted.
• Full size spare wheel.
• Full machine polish with ceramic sealer applied.
• Leather professionally cleaned and treated with hide food.
• Runs and drives exactly as it should.
• New MoT.

This Super V8 is finished in Liquid Silver which – as the name suggests – is a metallic finish that appears to flow over the curvaceous bodywork as though it hasn’t quite dried yet. Regardless, the paint and bodywork look absolutely stunning. The paintwork itself has been machine polished and treated to an application of ceramic sealer.

We’d normally be very cautious about describing a 20 year old car as immaculate, but this one is. We couldn’t find any significant faults with the paint finish – so much so that we’ve seen three year old cars with many more signs of use than this Jaguar.

The chromed trims and finishers give the car additional class, as though such a statesmanlike motor carriage needed any more, and the mesh grille gives notification that this is no ordinary XJ, as this was exclusive to the Super V8 and XJR.

The alloy wheels are also in superb condition and the seller tells us they have new tyres fitted. All the brightwork is equally lovely and the bonnet mounted prancing Jaguar mascot is spring loaded, so fully compliant with UK law.

The magnificent exterior is more than complemented by the inside of this super luxury cruiser. The sumptuous black leather seats are in amazing condition, and the hide also cloaks the dash top, centre console surround and the steering wheel. The leather on the seats is slightly ruched for even greater comfort and the instrument panel, centre console and door trims are finished in a matching burr walnut wooden finish.

As far as the upholstery and interior trim are concerned, there is no apparent damage or undue wear that we could find – even the driver’s seat shows almost no signs of ever being sat in. It’s a stunning interior and it’s in beautiful condition throughout. All the leather has been professionally cleaned and treated with hide food.

Driver comforts and conveniences include heated steering wheel, heated/memory front seats, steering and pedal adjust, sunroof, radar active cruise control and an 11-speaker Alpine stereo setup (including a sub-woofer) with Bluetooth and navigation.

Of course the interior comforts and conveniences aren’t just for the driver, as the passengers are just as well catered for. A central panel controls the rear climate zone and seat warming, and in the armrest is a full set of knobs and buttons for the seat-back screen DVD player and audio entertainment, as well as mobile phone.

The rear seats also recline electrically and the headrests can also be controlled remotely, along with a roller blind in the rear window. Just about everything you’d need to make the rear passengers feel very special – or very spoiled.

As far as we’ve been able to test – there’s a lot of kit in there – all the interior electricals and equipment work as expected. And just to add the cherry to the top of this exetremely appealing cake, the headlining is new.

"It epitomises what a Jaguar interior should be" said X350 designer Ian Callum. “Warm, inviting and not imposing. I always say that you should get out of a Jaguar feeling better than you did when you got in."

This is quite a subdued under bonnet view bearing in mind there’s a 4-litre supercharged Jaguar V8 engine here – it’s discreetly camouflaged by a large plastic cover. But don’t worry, you’ll be in no doubt that it’s there when you squeeze the accelerator pedal.

The engine bay itself is very clean, with two large cast alloy suspension towers flanking the understated powerplant. As with the rest of the car, there’s very little indication that this was actually put together 20 years ago. In fact you could easily fool an innocent bystander into believing this was the engine bay of a year old machine.

Throwing salt all over your roads is a great idea if you happen to run a rust repair welding business, but the Japanese aren’t known for being daft so they don’t do it. The result is that cars that have spent their lives there suffer far less corrosion than those that live here. The underside of this Jaguar reflects this very well. There’s no corrosion to speak about that we could see, with suspension components and bodyshell all unbothered by oxidisation.

That computer controlled air suspension provided class leading ride quality back in 2003, and even today you’d be hard pressed to find a luxury saloon that rides better.

If your Japanese is less rusty than mine you’ll be able to read the service history in detail, but suffice to say it’s all here, and the Super V8’s condition affirms this.

The vendor specialises in finding good examples of modern classic Jaguars and has serviced and MoT’d this car, so it’s ready to go.

If you’re thinking of buying a modern classic Jaguar saloon it’s very hard to come up with a reason for not buying this one. 59,000 miles is nothing for a car like this, and the fact that it’s lived on salt free roads, and been immaculately maintained means it’s in superb condition.

It has every conceivable added extra and they all work. Go on – treat yourself.

We estimate this vehicle to fetch between £10,000 - £15,000 in aucion

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.