Though Jaguar may not be enjoying the same fortunes as it once did, it does have a huge back catalog of plush, powerful, opulent, and head-turning beasts that, for decades, set the standard for how to produce a car fit for royalty. Some of the most coveted of their beautiful creations include luxury powerhouses like the E-Type Jaguar, the XK 120, the F-Type, and the Jaguar XK, but all of these models are going to set you back a hefty amount, with models like the E-Type capable of fetching over a $1 million at auction and the F-Type boasting an average auction price of over $50k.This is where the Jaguar XJ comes in. It boasts all the luxury and opulent feel you could ask for, it is available with some impressive engines, it looks the part of a stately show of wealth, and, today, one generation in particular, makes for a very affordable, irresistible luxury bargain. We are taking a deeper look at the Jaguar XJ and what you get for your money, and have brought you information about its luxury appointments, what powerful mills you can get it with, and what to look out for if you fancy a bit of affordable luxury sedan comfort.In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Jaguar and other authoritative sources, including J.D. Power, Classic.com, Fuel Economy.gov, and Kelley Blue Book. The Jaguar XJ X308 Classic Styling, A Potent V-8, And A Low Used Price 1999 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas hood and grilleWith a very long service history, the Jaguar XJ was in production between 1968 and 2019, and was one of the stalwart luxury models that the British marque rolled out to show the luxury sedan segment how it was done in style. We unfortunately didn't get the promised all-electric Jaguar XJ, which was shelved, but we do have four main platform generations to choose from.If you want something that really screams vintage opulence, you could opt for a Series 1 (1968-1973) for just over $11,000, a Series 2 (1973-1979) for just under $21,000, or a Series 3 (1979-1992) for just under $11,400, but if you are looking for something that blends some modern features, the almightily grand-looking build that the flagship XJ is revered for, and decent performance guts, it is the 1998-2003 Jaguar XJ X308 that is worth looking at. 1998–2003 Jaguar XJ Average Auction Price: $11,986 With over 260 XJ X308 models sold in the last five years via online auction, there is no shortage of these bulking sedans, and with an average auction price of $11,986, you can get an awful amount of power, style, and class for less than a quarter of the price of a new car in the U.S.A.In recent years, the lowest price fetched for an X308 at auction was a very lowly $728, but it did have 127,000 miles on the clock and was in need of a bit of attention, while the most expensive example went under the hammer for $67,500. This model only had 14,000 miles on the clock and is a coveted XJR 100 in near-perfect condition. Like any used classic car, condition and model matter, but the one thing you can be certain of if you are looking to buy one is that, from whatever trim you choose, you are sure of some decent performance credentials considering its weight class and luxe driving. Jaguar XJ X308 Performance Specifications There are a total of seven trims available for the ''98-'03 XJ and include:Jaguar XJ8.Jaguar XJ Sport.Jaguar XJ Sovereign.Jaguar XJR.Jaguar XJR 100.Jaguar XJ SE (Special Equipment).Jaguar Vanden Plas.Alongside the differing levels of luxury and equipment you get with each trim, the XJ offers some impressive engine options, with the whole lineup boasting a V-8, either naturally aspirated or supercharged.Unfortunately, not all the trims come equipped with the much more powerful supercharged mill. The XJ8, the Vanden Plas, the XJ Sport, and the Vanden Plas Special Edition are equipped with the naturally aspirated V-8, while the XJR, XJR 100, and XJ Vanden Plas Supercharged get the more desirable version. Jaguar's Vision Of Comfort, Style, And Power Bring A Trailer Right from the start, the Jaguar XJ was designed to be Jaguar's flagship model, and it is positioned in their rankings as one of their most encompassing creations that blends a huge amount of comfort, lots of room for you and your passengers, some surprisingly connected driving thrills, and bags of head-turning, royal looks.Yes, you could go for a newer XJ, which still boasts a potent V-8 and reasonably low prices in the $20,000 price region, but for old-school design, no-nonsense luxury, and something a little different, the X308 generation has it all. The V-8s Of The XJ X308 What Jag did with the XJ was give Mercedes-AMG and BMW a run for their money in terms of usable, luxury power. At the heart of what the XJ could achieve are two V-8 mills that, even at base level, ensure pretty rapid sprint times considering the XJ's heavy weight of between 3,913 and 4,134 pounds.The naturally aspirated flavor, known as the AJ27, features all-aluminum construction, DOHC, and VVT, which offers a smooth, responsive feel, and a decent powerband across the revs. The NA V-8 is paired with a ZF five-speed auto box, so it is well set up for a refined ride and long-distance cruising. In contrast, the supercharged variant, the AJ26S, boasts an Eaton M112 roots-type supercharger and twin air-to-liquid intercoolers.This does mean you don't get VVT, but, thanks to the supercharger, you do get an immediate throttle response, hefty mid-range torque, and sprint times that rival that of the 1999 Aston Martin DB7 (5.6 seconds), the 2003 BMW 330i (5.7 seconds), and the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 (5.7 seconds).To top off the supercharged variants, Jaguar paired the V-8 with a Mercedes-Benz W5A580 5-speed auto transmission, which gives you a lot more of an aggressive and sporty feel, especially in models like the XJR and the Vanden Plas Supercharged. Jaguar XJ Sporty Features On the face of things, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the XJ wasn't made much for straight line speed and comfortable driving, but underneath the finery, it boasts a little bit more.At its core, the X308 features a well-sorted double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear setup, which is a carry-over from the X300. This foundation gives it a composed and sound ride, especially at cruising speeds, but it is the originally optional CATS (Computer Active technology Suspension), a semi-active system that adjusts damping on the fly, that sets it apart. CATS can give you a soft ride on the highway, then firm up nearly instantly if you are pinning it in a hard corner, minimizing body roll without ruining what the XJ is renowned for: comfort.Models like the XJR are the trim you want to look out for if you want the sportiest ride. It comes equipped with larger anti-roll bars, a quicker steering ratio, and a low ride height of just five inches, and is a lot more setup for athletic fun outside the standard chauffeur feel that you'd expect. Braking has also been beefed up for the XJR, and it boasts vented, cross-drilled discs, and multi-piston calipers made by Brembo - so you get a sharp pedal feel and decent fade resistance despite the barge-like dimensions. Classic British Charm And Oodles Of Comfort Bring A Trailer Regardless of what trim you look for, the cabin is adorned with real old-world luxury, with chrome switchgear, classic analog gauges, and deep pile carpet that make it feel more like a stately-designed den than a luxury sedan, while on the outside, you get the timeless Jaguar design. The leaping hood ornament takes center stage on the long and chiseled hood; a sloping rear deck adds a sporty touch, and chrome is used in just the right amount around for the grille surround, around the windows, the door handles, and on the bumpers to make it look tastefully classy in a way that Jag does best.Each trim does offer something a little different in terms of plushness, but even the base XJ8 goes a long way in giving us real British luxury. It is the Vanden Plas trim, though, (named after the luxury Belgian coachbuilders who were once owned by Jaguar as part of the Daimler subsidiary) that takes the top spot for ultra-luxury.Not only can you supercharge the VP, but you also get more room. At base level, the XJ boasts a fairly gargantuan build at 197.8 inches x 70.8 inches x 51.7 inches, but the plushest trim ups the length and height to 202.7 inches and 52.5 inches, respectively. The extra length also increases the base trim's legroom from 43.1 inches (front) and 33.7 inches (rear) to around 38 inches at the rear.Bring A TrailerInside, the Vanden Pas is adorned with hand-stitched Connolly leather; the dash and door cappings feature high-gloss burl walnut veneer; and even a fold-out picnic tray in the back, which is built into the back of the front seatbacks. Your passengers in the back also get their own climate controls and vanity mirrors tucked into the headliner, while extra insulation is utilized to make everything quiet on the road, a premium Alpine or Harman-Kardon sound system is added; a fluted grille sits up front, and signature badging and elegant multi-spoke alloys top it all off on the outside. How The Jaguar XJ Does As A Used Luxury Car Bring A TrailerThe luxury sedan market is a busy one, but the XJ X308 holds a decent place on the used market thanks to its unmistakable style, engaging driving feel, and old-school charm. Against some of its German rivals, like the BMW 7 Series (E38), the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220), and the Audi A8 (D2), the XJ does stand out as quite the unique and classy model.The E38 7 Series is the XJ's closest competitor in terms of driving feel. They are both large, burgeoning cars, but the 7 Series is sportier overall, with better weight distribution and a more advanced chassis, though the higher trims of the XJ (like the XJR or XJ Sport) are no slouch and do offer a decently graceful ride. As we have mentioned, though, the XJ can bring something in terms of athleticism and on-road thrills, but there are certainly sportier ones about.The W220 S-Class wins on tech and space, with features like massaging seats, advanced safety systems, and a more modern design inside and out. But, it can be described as clinical compared to the leather-and-walnut cocoon of the XJ trims, while the Audi A8 D2, with its aluminum spaceframe and Quattro all-wheel drive, offers a good blend of lightness for fun driving and all-weather driving guts, but again, the interior feels restrained compared to that of the XJ.All-in-all, the XJ does lag in some areas, but what you do get is a wholly classy sedan that does a good job at delivering both comfortable driving and a touch of sportiness in one plush, classic-looking package. Price-wise, today, the XJ also does well and is cheaper to buy than the S-Class, which has an average auction price of $14,614, the 7 Series, which has an average auction price of $15,198, and is only slightly more expensive than the D2 A8, which has an average auction price of $11,814. Owning A Used Jaguar XJ Today Bring A TrailerOwning a used Jaguar XJ is definitely for you if you are looking for something that looks regal, is comfortable, can offer something in the way of a spirited sprint, and some reasonably fun cornering. And it would seem that past owners, on the whole, agree.According to reviews of the 1999-2003 Jaguar XJ left on Car Survey.org, a majority of owners would buy another Jaguar based on it. It is a mixed bag, but for the '99 model, 57 percent of owners said they'd buy another Jag; 67 percent of owners of the 2000 model would buy another Jag; 100 percent of owners of the 2001 model would buy a Jaguar again; and the same for both the 2002 and 2003 MYs. But owners of the 1998 MY paint a different story, with only 26 percent of owners saying they'd buy another Jag based on it. Jaguar XJ Ownership Costs And What To Look Out For This is the point where there is a possibility that you may be turned off from buying a used XJ, and that is because of some of the running costs and the things you need to look out for.The thumping V-8s that are available for the XJ aren't the most fuel-frugal, and according to Fuel Economy.gov, the XJ Sport can achieve a combined MPG rating of 18 MPG (15 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway). This will cost you, on average, $3,400 a year on gas, $5.65 to drive 25 miles, and around $8,500 more over 5 years compared to the average modern car.According to Repair Pal, the XJ also lies in line with most other luxury car models when it comes to maintenance costs, with a $1,232 annual maintenance bill. There are no reliability ratings for the X308 on Repair Pal, but, according to owners, they have said that there are a few things to look out for, especially with the earliest iterations.Timing Belt Tensioners. MYs from 1998 to September 2001 utilized plastic tensioners that are prone to failure, and could potentially lead to expensive repairs. Listen out for rattling if you are looking at an early MY XJ X308. Rear Dampers. Prone to failure. The CATS can also fail and can be expensive to fix today. Water Pump. The impeller blades are prone to failure and could lead to overheating. Rust. Some owners have complained that the engine subframe can easily rust. ABS Sensor. On your test drive, look out for the ABS warning light. It could mean a failing ABS sensor. Transmission. Some owners have said that some high-mileage models are prone to whining and bad shifting. Listen out when you are driving around testing one. If you keep your eye on these things, and find that these known problem points all seem in order, there is no reason not to think about a used XJ. They are a class act; they have a strong engine; and they ooze opulence at a good price. Other Affordable Used Luxury Cars in 2025 If the high running costs of the XJ X308 are a little off-putting, or maybe you want something a bit pokier and cheaper to run, it is lucky that luxury cars are some of the hardest-hit vehicles when it comes to depreciation. Not great if you are buying new, but if you are in the market for used luxury, there are plenty of other cheap, luxurious cars out there that deliver in terms of power, interior features, and head-turning builds.