Sometimes Americans who buy Jaguars go a little overboard, what with the British Racing Green, Boots and Bonnets, Union Jacks, and that sort of thing. Many probably become Anglophiles, replaying their VHS cassettes of the Charles and Diana wedding, and celebrating the Queen Mother's birthday. It's all a bit too much.

But the allure of Jaguar, at least a vintage jaguar, is hard to resist. Swooping, elegant sheet metal, rich acreage of lush burl wood, yards of aromatic Connolly leather, and the mystique of having a car that needs repaired on a biweekly basis.

Actually, since Ford got a hold of Jaguar in 1989, the reliability and engineering factor has been on an upward trend. Jags may not be as romantic as they were during the E and DType days, but they look great, smell better, and offer a fair alternative to the sterile detachment of German luxury.

Still, there's that old reputation that's been nearly impossible to beat. The good news is the rest of us can benefit from that, as fear of Jaguar pushes used prices way down, presenting the fearless among us with a luxury car bargain. Cars like this 2002 XK8 can be had for a fraction of what a comparable MercedesBenz SL would cost, and offer many of the same fine features, beautiful appointments, and electronics by Ford and Bosch.

Not a bad deal at all.

Full review and test drive by Bill. Car facilitated by Autohaus of Naples. www.AutohausNaples.com.