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The Jaguar
My 1989 Vanden Plas
is the first Jaguar I have ever owned. I bought it slightly used from
I sold my previous car, a Mercury Sable, ironically to fellow that was three blocks from Frick's. I went over to his office, he handed me an envelope with cash for the Sable, and I gave him the keys and the title. I then proceeded to walk up the street to Fricks to pick up my new Jaguar. At the first intersection, I stopped for the light to cross the street. As a city bus rolled to a stop, a small band of people got on the bus. I thought smugly to myself, "Those poor blokes don't have a car, so they have to ride the bus." Hey! Wait a minute! I'm car-less too! (at this very moment, that is!) Well, that problem was solved 20 minutes later when I gave a check to Donny, jumped into this beautiful new car, and headed to the bank (in order to make that check good!)
So here I am,
driving up Broad Street in my own Jaguar...a life time dream fullfilled! Finally, I have
that beautiful Alpine Green Jaguar VDP I always wanted. With the sun roof open and the cold
"Hey!
There's this big, mean-looking Jaguar on the steering wheel and he's STARING AT ME!"
Nervously,
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a dealer in Richmond, Virginia that specialized in exotic and high-end cars.
It was a one owner executive car that
was originally bought in New Jersey, but licensed and driven
for an executive in New York City. The car was almost perfect
when I bought it and had only 27,000 miles on it. The guy
I bought it from is a guy with a big handle-bar
moustache and a love for Jaguars and other high-end
European cars. I'll never forget that cold November
day when I picked the car up.
air flooding in, I don't care, because I'm feeling really good at the moment.
The radio is cranked up with one of my favorite
I keep looking down and there he is, still staring. Oh well, I think I can get used to
this....I guess he is kinda cute...kitty, kitty, kitty. We can get along, right? You
take care of me, I take care of you. Besides, these cars aren't really THAT expensive
to take care of. I mean, its not that bad, right? Well, about two months later I found
out the strange and wonderful thing about Jaguar ownership--they are strange and wonderful,
and expensive. My first service on the car it needed all new brakes, and some
"miscellaneous minor items". Bottom line...about $1,300 (USD). Fortunately, this was not
a problem (they took American Express...and I can always use the points), but this is the nature of
Jaguars. They really are like a fine lady. You've got to pamper them and spend money
on them if you want them to be with you. Life is grand. It was (and still is) worth it.
I love this car!