Pattern

Ray's Jag

I met this girl while surfing the internet, my concerns for a new love was simple.

She had to be Quick, her other roommate, Molly, wouldn't let her live it down if she wasn't at least close to being as fast.

She had to be automatic so I could truly enjoy driving her...either city or highway. But the technology had to be there so that she wouldn't sacrifice speed for this.

She had to a Convertible, so she would be driven at least part of the time in the summer (or it would all Molly).

She had Cute, being the youngest of the two cars, she had to be able to grab some eyes...but not only now. she had to have the looks that would only refine with age, getting only better as time grew on. After all her competition for the summer sun is Molly, and she's 42. And believe me, Molly can still turn heads!

She had to be white...The only other choice is Red...Molly is Red so she had to be White.

She had to have room for 4, but not a big 4, just 4. My kids do like to go for a ride, top down from time to time, and if she only had 2 seats, Molly would always overrule.

She had to well known and well established, a grand reputation, if you will, and unique. Somewhat of a Thoroughbred - but not everyone's thoroughbred. Porche's . . . nope, only 2 seats or no convertibles . . . BMW's . . . not fast enough to even come close to Molly . . . Mercedes . . . had the speed, had the seats . . . but not the styling that would last . . . Lexus . . . nope. Then I met her . . . her name was Christie!

First I only saw her in pictures... the Jaguar web site was enough for a while, but mere visions couldn't keep us apart. Then one day, I won't for get how I met her, I was bringing my Dad to my Chevy Dealership to buy him a truck. We look here and there for his truck, trying all kinds...and then... I looked up! There was Christie, just a few feet away from me. Even more captivating that I could image in person, like meeting your favorite movie star. The salesman wanted to show some more trucks to my Dad but I couldn't take my eyes off her. I walked closer and everything seemed so quiet. I touched her and could not believe I was this close. I kept trying to talk myself into leaving but my legs wouldn't go anywhere. Then when the salesman gave me the key and I sat in her... WOW!

The salesman's pitch was, "The only time you see these cars is in the movies". PERFECT. I have seen 3 others since I bought Christie. A maroon one, in the Movie Swordfish. And a Blue one in the Movie Big Fat Liar. and a red one, somewhere in my town. But now, let me tell you about the girl . . . .

Her Stylish good looks comes from reviving a classis, the only automobile to make into an Art Museum based on design, the XKE. Although the XKE was built only from 1961 to 1974, her looks are back....same basis shape...same oval front grill...dual exhaust...same convertible top...to many more to mention.

Now for the options...Color (the only options is color and wheel size). Christie is a brilliant white, just as I saw her on the internet. Now for wheel size, although Christie is mainly running around in good weather she does reside in New England, so she is pictured here with her 17" winter rims and Perrelli Snowsports...JUST in case. But she does have a nice set of Continentals Tire on their optional 18" Wheels that make for an unbelievable ride. Expecting a hard pounding ride...forget it. She grips the road tight but doesn't let you forget about how comfortable she is.

Side note...you can get some 21 wheels with very low side walls for her but Jaguar requires that you change the oil dip stick to allow for an additional 1 and 1/2 quarts of oil. That way, when your cornering as hard as she's capable with those wheels, the centrifugal force doesn't take the oil out of the bottom of the oil pan. Can you imaging the G-force in that hard of a turn!

About her power... instead of the 12 cylinder Jaguar used then, Then put in the first V8 ever designed by Jaguar - the AJ-V8. The AJ-V8 is Manufactured in the United Kingdom, it's a 4.0 Liter, 32 Valve, Aluminum Cylinder power plant pushing 290 hp. The variable cam phasing helps unleash her power at any speed. Although the electronics limits her top end to 155 mph...I can't help thinking about what it would feel like to "pin" the 170 mph speedometer. Now comes the future part, is is so well designed that the only maintenance on her for the first 100,000 miles is to change the oil every 10,000.

Topless Motoring is so quick and easy. Just 19 seconds (even while moving, but less than 10 mph) and the top in down and the sunrays come in. Think about it, you pull up to a red light and WA-LA, you drive away with the top down. Now for some "future" stuff. Since there isn't any metal to structurally hold together in the event of a crash and Jaguar want to keep you safe while driving...they made a few changes (even as compared to the coupe version). Besides the high- strength steel members and front and rear crumple zones - Convertibles have additional cross bracing under the engine, added stiffening members to the door sills and a reinforced windshield frame. No to mention the front airbags and the side airbags that come out from the seat, so they work where ever your sitting.

Another side note. Jaguar "choose" to keep their convertible top above the trunk (when down) and in a leather boot rather than tucked into a metal panel like others. This choice was to allow for the more discriminating and conventional look of a convertible along with allowing for a larger fuel tank and very large and usable trunk space.

Christie doesn't stop at the shiny stuff...underneath all her glitter lies too much technology to mention. From her "Shared Pathway" electronics to her "Gold (yes - the precious metal gold) plated connections to her sophisticated suspension. Double wishbones up front and independent control arms in the rear. All suspension bolt to the body with insulation mounting to isolate road noise and vibration. Front and rear anti-roll bar for hard cornering keeps all her tires firmly on the ground. Aluminum alloy casting for strength and to shave a few pounds then heat treated and coated to prevent electrolysis where the steel and aluminum meet. To avoid engine vibration she has hydraulic mounts. The entire rear suspension is mounted to a steel cross beam and then bolted to the body with bushings. She has so much more...so much more...!

Rack and Pinion Steering is speed sensitive and variable... light and easy to park and extremely tight when driving... the faster the speed the tighter the steering. The 5 speed J-gate is wonderful. It keeps the shifting option open, so I can down shift or keep in a lower gear while corning and then pull out so fast. It's complete awesome to feel how tight you can make a corner. The Connoly leather and Walnut Burlwood surrounds you physically while the 320 watt Alpine stereo and 9 speakers surround you emotionally. When the top is up, there's a head liner...this allows a double insulation for road noise. When the door close, the windows automatically go up an additional inch to allow them to seal tightly to eliminate drafts. Then automatically go down as the door opens which is a bit of a surprise to unsuspecting guess.

From everything I knew then and from what I know now...

Christie is Quick, She's has an automatic tranny, She has a convertible top, She is UNBELIEVABLY cute...actually - truth be told...she's downright SEXY. She was White and although her 2 + 2 seating is better equipped for 2 people + 2 boxes, she can hold the kids. Her reputation precedes her...she's unique enough with style that doesn't scream speed racer.

And lastly SHE'S MINE!


	Toll Free: 888-669-6632

	Fax: 603-641-2266