Classic in waiting?
ACCORDING TO the well-known saying, you shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds you.
For a freelance journalist, then, disagreeing with the editor of this fine magazine might not seem the brightest of ideas. Having read Paul’s Editor’s Letter at the start of the January 2023 issue, I was intrigued to hear his views on the X350 generation of XJ saloon and how he didn’t think it ‘classic’ enough.
In fairness to our esteemed leader, his rationale was perfectly, well, rational. After all, he was full of praise for the build quality, integrity and dry interior footwells of the penultimate XJ. He was also positive about the car’s dynamics. In other words, he believes that the X350 is a mighty fine car. And that is something I certainly won’t disagree with him over.
But here’s the rub. Just over two years ago, between lockdowns, I bought myself an X350. Mine was the 3.0-litre V6 and it was a wonderful machine - indeed, it was a car that I had promised myself ever since I clapped eyes on the alloy-bodied Jaguar for the first time at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, so to acquire one was quite a special moment. AO04 GKA was a high mileage example of the breed but it was nevertheless a great car and an absolute pleasure to drive. I loved it. I kept the car up until October 2022, when I began a new love affair with a gorgeous X308 that I acquired pretty much by accident.
In the event, something had to give, so when my friend Rob told me he was looking for a ULEZ-friendly replacement for his own X308, I knew that my X350 had a suitable new home to go to. I miss it, because it was a lovely car.
Because of this, I know that my days of owning X350s are far from over. My next one, when it arrives, will most likely be a V8 in far better condition. Feel free to remind me that I said that when, in a few months’ time, you read about the scruffy V6 that I stumbled upon by accident in Our Jaguars. I’m nothing if not consistent.
LIKE EVERY ALL-TIME BRITISH GREAT, MY XJ WORE ITS SOUL ON ITS SLEEVE
But I digress. Paul and I are quite clearly aligned in terms of our admiration for the X350, but unlike him I’m ready to endorse the model with the classic tag right away.
My reasons are threefold. First, despite its traditional appearance, the X350 was a truly innovative car and one that went on
