2004 Jaguar XJ

Vanden Plas Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

SAJWA74C84SG16094

Gasoline

LIKE NEW, ONLY 51K MILES THOROUGH, DOCUMENTED HISTORY FORMER JAGUAR SELECT EDITION COST $70,860.00 WHEN NEW ALWAYS GARAGED NON-SMOKER NO ACCIDENTS FULLY SERVICED AND READY TO GO Vehicle Identification 2004 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas Model Code X350 VIN #SAJ WA74C84S G16094 Engine #0307031506SJ Gearbox #0177392 Exterior: White Onyx (JBC no. 1942, Suffix NEG) Interior: Sand leather (code ADX), Sable trim (code AEK) Mileage: 51,748 (as of 6-10-11) Date of last service: 5-19-11 Dealer Warranty History The Direct Dealer Warranty information can only be accessed through an authorized Jaguar dealership via their computer network, since these records contain private owner information such as names, addresses and phone numbers. As the current owner, and since the car was still under Jaguar's "Select Edition" 6-year or 100,000 mile warranty, I was able to view and copy the "public domain" portion presented here. Please note that the standard Jaguar warranty at the time included free scheduled maintenance services at the specified 10,000 mile intervals, and that is why you will see these normal service tasks listed under warranty items. These services are all documented on the Jaguar dealership service network. Regular services and any non-warranty items are not included in this list but would be available from the dealerships listed below. As you can see, this car was trouble free from the very beginning. It was covered by a full warranty from August 4, 2003 all the way through August 5, 2009, so if there would have been any problems it would have been documented and fixed free of charge. See the "Inspected and Serviced" section below for more detailed information about the most recent events. I have also taken photographs of these records so please take a look. Date Code Action Jaguar Dealership 8-4-03 1999E In Service Date Darien Jaguar, CT 3-26-04 I110Q 10K Mile Service Darien Jaguar, CT 8-18-05 I120Q 20K Mile Service Darien Jaguar, CT 7-25-06 I130Q 30K Mile Service Darien Jaguar, CT 9-26-07 I140Q 40K Mile Service Cherry Hill Classic Cars, NJ 4-7-10 J012B Recall Jaguar Minneapolis, MN 4-7-10 J004B Recall Jaguar Minneapolis, MN 4-7-10 I150Q 50K Mile Service Jaguar Minneapolis, MN 5-19-11 n/a Serviced Jaguar Minneapolis, MN Condition Report Excellent Interior Excellent Carpets Excellent Seats Excellent Dashboard Excellent Panels and Headliner Excellent Exterior Excellent Original Paint Excellent Trim Condition Excellent Glass Condition Completely Rust Free No known accidents No known bodywork Fully detailed The Jaguar Experience This is a very special car, the most elegant of all Jaguars, the 2004 Vanden Plas edition in White Onyx with Desert Sand leather and sable trim. No other color combination even comes close to being this distinctive and regal. Everything about the car is like new. Even that unique and intoxicating Jaguar scent is there just like it was the day it rolled off the showroom floor. I know this may sound corny, but it's almost like a religious experience anytime I get in the car for a drive. My wife jokingly calls it my "temple" and, truth be told, she wouldn't be far off the mark. I kid you not, but this car was only used for special occasions such as vacations, car shows or club events. It was never a daily driver. I have never driven this car in snow (it has been stored over winter months) and I would even avoid rain if possible. No one has ever smoked in this car. It has always been kept in a garage. It has a documented, full service history from new, with all services performed at certified Jaguar dealerships. The service is current and up-to-date with my last full service performed at Jaguar/Land Rover Minneapolis on May 19, 2011. I sometimes ask myself what would cause this kind of devotion. My old dodge certainly doesn't incite this kind of passion! I'll tell you, Jaguar is very, very good at making you feel special. It's a combination of things: it's the smooth, beautiful contours of the aluminum body, the depth and gloss of the paint, the lustre of the chrome...it's an assault on the senses, all of them, from the moment you get in the car to the moment you exit, it's the exquisite aroma of the soft leather hides, the texture and grain of the wood rimmed wheel and shift knob, the soft light filtering through the moonroof, the complete quiet and insulated, protected feel, fully immersed in opulence and luxury. A certain magic takes hold, and suddenly you're transported to another realm, Olde England, Royalty, Fox Hunts, Castles, you can sense the depth of history behind the car stretching back in time for what seems like millennium. And when you finally turn the key and the start the engine, you feel like you're in command of the Starship Enterprise...the motor simply purrs and transmits the faintest of motion to let you know there is something really extraordinary under the hood. The driving experience is simply sublime, the motions are fluid and graceful and fast like a race car but during those long freeway intervals the car glides or wafts along like a feather on a cloud....response to the controls is immediate and you don't want the experience to end. You could drive forever. Although this experience exists in almost any Jaguar, depending on the car it can feel somewhat diluted. The right car can enhance this experience but it must be special. So when I was looking to buy, it became a nationwide search for an XJ with a peculiar or distinguishing characteristic, something out of the ordinary, something uncommon and particular. That is why I choose a first year production example of the new X350 model, why it had to be a Vanden Plas with it's more luxurious interior appointments, and why I had to have the elegant white onyx exterior with sand leather interior. There are very few cars like it, and when you factor in the unique ownership history of this specific car, it truly is one of a kind. Inspected and Serviced Any buyer can rest assured that this car has no issues and all service and warranty claims are up to date. When I bought this car it was still covered under Jaguar's "Select Edition" (SE) extended warranty for 6 years or 100,000 miles, and I have all of the service receipts for this and other routine maintenance. Here is a summary of the work performed at the local Jaguar/Land Rover Minneapolis dealership: Cost Date Mileage Description of Work n/c 4-7-10 48,492 Jaguar Emissions Recall, reprogrammed ECM, Warranty code JLM21848 n/c 4-7-10 48,492 Jaguar Recall, Underfloor Brake Pipe Corrosion, Warranty Code J012 $669.40 4-7-10 48,492 Replace front brake rotors and pads $196.30 4-7-10 48,492 Four wheel alignment $266.95 4-7-10 48,492 50,000 mile service (I150Q) $37.63 4-7-10 48,492 Replace side marker lamp bulb $48.95 5-19-11 51,708 Oil and Filter Change $56.70 5-19-11 51,708 Replace missing/corroded hardware on front undertray $1,275.93 Total (less club discount of 10%) It should be noted that the two warranty recall items above affected all 2004 XJ's and not just my particular car. I have all of the original receipts, and there are also copies/records of this work at the dealership. This car has been completely serviced and is ready to go. There are no open issues. Ownership History There were only two previous owners, and that ownership history is known and documented through Jaguar service & warranty information and through independent title search services such as Carfax or Autocheck. This documented history of ownership is also known as “Provenance” in car collector circles, and it adds a unique "character" and "personality" to the car. I can summarize some of that history here: The engine, s/n 0307031506SJ, was manufactured on July 3, 2033 and mated to gearbox s/n 0177392 before being shipped to Coventry for final assembly. The complete car, VIN SAJWA74C84SG6094 was assembled at the historic Brown’s Lane factory on July 14, 2003 (The ‘dispatched date’). That makes it one of the last ‘traditional’ Jaguars made at the historic plant before it ceased operation in early 2005. Being a ‘left hand drive’ example, it was destined for the US market, and shipped to a prestigious East Coast Jaguar dealer in Fairfax County, Connecticut (Darien Jaguar/Land Rover). There it began service as a corporate lease vehicle on August 6, 2003 (the in-service date). Suffice it to say that Fairfax County is home to some of the nation’s wealthiest corporations and private citizens in Cities such as Greenwich and Stamford (such as the 16 billion dollar SAC (Steve A. Cohen) Capital Advisor LLC Hedge Fund empire, among others). The second owner was not so wealthy or fortunate. Normal 0 When the lease expired three years later (at 32,234 miles), the car was acquired by Cherry Hill Classic Cars, an authorized Jaguar (and Saab) dealership in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Because it was so pristine, Jaguar certified this car as a “select edition” (S/E) with extended warranty coverage of 6years/100,000 miles. It sold to a private individual in the Cherry Hill/Camden/Philadelphia area (Sicklerville, NJ) on December 30, 2006 with 33,125 miles on the odometer. However, the new owner almost immediately found himself in over his head as the economic downturn overtook him. He soon owed more on the car then it was worth on the used market. Unable to sell, his only option was to return the car as collateral on the loan, garnering a ‘repossessed’ record in the process. This happened on March 28, 2008 with 44,419 miles showing on the odometer. It is interesting to note that at the time, this car was valued at $34,900.00 according to the January-June 2008 edition of the Kelly Blue Book. The car then went up for auction in nearby Pennsylvania, where it was purchased by Luxury Motors/Bentley of Chicago in June 4, 2008 and was sent to their Downers Grove lot in the greater Chicago area. There it waited out the worst of the economic downturn until I arrived on Thursday, February 19, 2009, to purchase the car. I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the ensuing 28 months of ownership with many memorable road trips. However, I am now facing my own economic downturn, and as such, I now find myself as a (very) reluctant seller. Normal 0 Unique Features I have owned other Jaguars in the past, and have been a member of the Minnesota Jaguar Club. As a long-time Jaguar “aficionado” I would like to share my reasons for buying this particular car. First and foremost I wanted a Jaguar that would best represent the true heritage of this classic marque. Then I wanted a car with a known, documented ownership and service history. And I wanted one that was unique in every way possible. The XJ model fulfills the first directive. There have been six previous versions starting with the first Series 1 back in 1968 designed by William Lyons himself. I feel that this 2004 X350 model (the 7th generation and 3rd mark) is the best of the breed because it incorporates the early styling cues with modern technology. Second, this specific car has a unique and colorful history. And, lastly, this car has many features that are unique, not only to the 2004 model year, but to this specific car. Some of these are: The 2004 XJ VDP model year was the only year that has the standard wheelbase of 119.4 inches (200.4 overall length). Succeeding year VDP models (2005MY and up) were all long wheelbase.The 2004 XJ VDP was the only model year that did not have the rear seat tray (or “picnic”) tables. Succeeding year VDP models all had rear seat fold-down tray tables.The 2004 XJ model year was the only year the “Sand” (code ADX) leather interior color was offered in the X350 model. The 2004 XJ was the first model year of the new aluminum bodied X350 style. Normal 0 Vanden Plas Edition The official 2004 Jaguar XJ brochure had this to say about the Vanden Plas: “The Vanden Plas name has long been associated with the most elegant Jaguars. The all-new 2004 Vanden Plas uphold the tradition with a range of features designed to satisfy the highest of expectations. The interior is trimmed in soft grain leather, as inlays of Peruvian boxwood fascinate the eye. At your feet lie lambswool rugs. Sound from a 320-watt, 12-speaker Alpine audio system fill the cabin, while a dual zone heating and cooling system controls its climate. Front occupants sit in comfort with heated seats that adjust 16 ways.” Features unique to the 2004 XJ VANDEN PLAS edition 3-stage heated front and rear seatsHigh Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic headlamp levelingLeatherette fascia top and contrasting seat piping Power-folding exterior mirrors18-inch Dynamic alloy wheels (an $800 option on the XJ8 but standard on the VDP) 16-way electrically adjustable front seats with memory320-watt Alpine Premium Sound System with 6-disc CD autochangerUnique trim with hand-inlaid boxwood veneers and lambswool rugsBright grid grille insert and mirror capsElectric rear center sunblindPremium soft grain leather ("Ruched" leather with contrasting piping) The 2004 VDP model can be identified from the outside by the chrome slats in the front grille (the standard XJ slats are black), the chrome rear view mirror caps, the chrome tail light surrounds, the "dynamic" style wheels and, of course, the Vanden Plas badge on the trunk lid. On the inside, only the Vanden Plas interior has the special "Ruched" soft-grain leather with contrasting piping, a more expensive leatherette fascia (dash) top, burled walnut wood trim with hand-inlaid boxwood veneers, the ultra plush lambswool rugs front and rear, the overhead switch pod is walnut/boxwood (the standard XJ8 is plain plastic), power front headrests, 16-way seat adjustments, an electric rear sunblind, the Alpine stereo and the special GOLD trim line on the wood veneers of each door and on the passenger side dash. As a final verification, the sixth and seventh digit of the VIN number on all USA 2004 VDPs should read "74" which are the code numbers for the VDP. Later versions (2005MY and up) with the long wheelbase (LWB) are 82 and 86. The 2004 VDP edition cost a whopping $9,500.00 more than the base model XJ. According to the official Jaguar sources, the USA base model 2004 XJ MSRP was $60,495.00 and the Vanden Plas MSRP was $69,995.00. A destination & delivery charge of $665.00 was standard. The only option on this particular car is the Headlamp Power Washer, which cost an additional $200.00. Total retail price for this car was $70,860.00. Pricing information above is from the Jaguar document "2004 Model Year Jaguar XJ Options" courtesy of Jaguar Minneapolis. Other information is from the official USA "2004 Jaguar XJ" brochure dated 03/03. Normal 0 Understanding the VIN The following VIN information was received from the local Jaguar dealership in a document titled "Parts Catalog, The new XJ Range" pages 8 & 9. VIN #SAJ WA74C84S G16094 (1-3) SAJ = JAGUAR (4) W = USA (5) A = Automatic LHS (6 & 7) 74 = 4 door 5 seat – VDP/SV8 (8) C = ECS 3 (Emissions) (9) 8 = Check digit (10) 4 = 2004 Model Year (11) S = XJ 4.2 AJ33 (12-16) G16094 (Model year serial number) Exceptional Value The "Buy-it-Now" price is based on Kelly Blue Book estimates and on my own personal evaluation when comparing this car to others like it. The reserve price, of course, is slightly lower (however, please note that I cannot divulge the reserve price because it would not be fair to other bidders). There is truth in the old adage "You get what you pay for..." and I certainly believe that is the case here. There may be other similar cars for less, but there is always a tradeoff, such as hidden flood or accident damage (salvage titles), double (100K) or even triple (150K) the mileage which results in excessive wear & tear, or, even with low mileage cars, some have simply not been owned by anyone who has lavished the same care on their car as I have. The economic downturn has caused prices to plummet, and these cars are now exceptional value. Quality control is much better than it has ever been as evinced by reliability statistics and ratings from JD Power surveys and Consumer Guide reports. Highly sophisticated systems such as a computerized, self-leveling air suspension system and an all-aluminum body with aerospace rivet-bonding technology coexist with hand cut and sewn leather interior surfaces, ruched leather seating with contrast piping and hand selected walnut veneers with boxwood inlays. Just sitting in the cabin is an experience to be savored! Of all the Jaguars, I believe this particular White-Onyx, Sand-Sable, first production year X350 VDP has all the potential to become a future classic. Normal 0 Acknowledgements, Links and References I would like to thank Jaguar/Land Rover Minneapolis for all their help in providing me with information about my car, and for the great services they provide, even though I didn't buy my car there. They are highly recommended. The internet is also a great source of information about Jaguars, in particular Wikipedia, Jag Lover's X350 page, the 2004 Jaguar XJ living brochure, and others. It's amazing what a google search of the 2004 Jaguar XJ or X350 can turn up! I would also highly recommend Nigel Thorley's new book Jaguar, All the Cars, Second Edition (2009) for an historical perspective of the XJ and invaluable production volume information.Copyright Jag946 has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this listing, to include all text and photos, may be reproduced or reused in any other listing or advertisement. Terms & Conditions 1. The successful winning bidder will receive an email from me with instructions on completing the purchase. Please remember your eBay obligations. By bidding and winning this auction, you are entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle described above as outlined in the User Agreement that you accepted when you registered as an eBay™ Community Member. 2. I require a PAYPAL deposit of $500 within 3 business days (72 hours) after the end of auction which is non-refundable unless car is not as described. The remaining balance (in USD) must be paid in full within 10 days after the end of auction. I will accept certified cashier's check, money order or bank transfer. Funds must clear before release of vehicle. 3. Seller has disclosed as much information as possible about this vehicle thru pictures and written descriptions. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify the condition of the car. I encourage pre-purchase, onsite inspections by competent parties or authorized service centers after winning the auction ($500 deposit required, refundable if the car does not match the descriptions). This vehicle is available for inspection by appointment only. Buyer is responsible for ALL fees and charges for inspections made at buyer's discretion. 4. As a private seller, no taxes or fees will be collected from the buyer. Normal 0 5. If I cannot confirm your intention to buy or the deposit is not received within 3 days, I reserve the right to re-list this vehicle or sell to any other qualified buyer. 6. SHIPPING IS NOT INCLUDED. Buyer needs to make arrangements and pay for all shipping. 7. AS IS - No Warranty is expressed or implied. Normal 0 Normal 0 AS IS - NO WARRANTY This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.