Jaguar S-Type....

[ProPlus]

Are they any good??

Have seen S-Type's going for as little as 4.5k and I presume they are even cheaper at auction. X-Type's too seem quite cheap, now my question is what is the catch?

Hate to say it, I wouldn't mind a 3.0 v6 se or sport manual S-Type in a black or dark blue, especially if they are going this cheap, but that is a lot of car for the money.

I know they have the stigma of being an old man's car, but I don't care and since most will be owned by fleet or old folk, they will have just done motorway miles and not be abused.


My queries are:

How reliable are they, is it just a pimped up ford?

Surely they can't drop anymore in price so, its an ok investment in the car money pit game?

Will the 3.0 v6 last much longer than 100k?

Are they cheapish to run and maintain?

How much do they go for at auction?

Should I go and get my pipe and slippers now?

Si

[sleepezy]

Currently driving a 90k X reg 3.0 as a garage loan car.

I think they're really impressive - mind you I have always liked the styling.

It is an extremely relaxing car for the motorway cruise. It does not like to be rushed and the normally smooth engine sounds really harsh if reved. Not really done much A road driving so cant comment on roadholding but the ride on M-ways is smooth and quiet.

There are known problems with front suspension but I am not sure about the details.

My father has a 4.2 (used to have a 4.0) - the V8's are significantly quicker although not sure about £££ of an early 8.

If you are after a cruiser then they're worth considering - if after something for a blat then I would suggest looking elsewhere.

PS - the gearbox on mine is showing a warning light although it seems to be working fine still.

[xkrman]

This is quite useful (if you really must buy an S, that is)

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=167233&f=85&h=0

[ProPlus]

xkrman said:

This is quite useful (if you really must buy an S, that is) www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=167233&f=85&h=0

Cheers

[MARQUE]

GET AN XK THEY ARE FAN BLOOMING TASTIC,TRIED DRIVING THE X TYPE 2 LITRE WASNT THAT IMPRESSED ALSO HAD A GO IN MY MATES 3 LITRE S TYPE,WHILST YOU FEEL PART OF THE JAG CLUB IN A S I DIDNT IN THE X....GO GET AN 8 THEY ARE AS CHEAP AS A NEW CAR THESE DAYS GOT MY 8 FOR UNDER 20k AND LOVING EVERY FUEL FILLING MOMENT

[fenderbender]

Lots of high mileage 3.0 S-Types around as many large companies had them on their fleets. For example BT ran several hundred. Most will all have proper Jaguar Main Dealer service histories and you'll need this reassurance if you go for a high miler. All S-types with 5 speed AUTO boxes are, in my opinion, to be treated with care. The the box is a Ford USA item and just not very good, having proved over time to be unreliable. Mine was replaced under warranty with a brand new item at 50,000 miles and I had to wait 3 days for them to fly one in from the USA. Manual is probably your best bet as you'll get near-V8 performance and greater gearbox longevity... Later 6-speed ZF auto boxes are much much better but there are emerging complaints about diff whine... I agree with other members that the car is best for cruising as it is a heavy beast and cannot be thrown around the lanes like a sports car. Still wins most traffic light Grands Prix, however, and even early cars cause heads to turn abroad. This year I had grown men queuing up to look under the hood of my V8 at the La Rochelle dechetterie and in Poitiers one bloke stared so long at the car that he drove his own vehicle into the car in front of him! Nobody hurt... My main complaint against my 4.0 V8 is that it is too quiet and you cant hear the V8 burble. Jaguar fixed this on the 4.2 which is a snarlier beast and an altogether better car if you can afford one.

[jagpaul99]

I have owned my S type for 12 months, and have done 14000 miles approx. It has been up to now totally hassle free and perfectly good. I bought the car from a Jag main dealer who was excellent.
Be under no illusions that these cars are cheap to run, because they arent. I get 24MPG around town and 36MPG on the motorway, my most recent service cost £273 which wasnt bad but if there is anything else to do it can get a bit pricey.

The only niggle which has developed this month as luck would have it is a slight knocking or rattle from the frount end, apparently its the Anti Roll bar bush or the drop links. But the Jaguar warrenty should cover this hopefully, I will find out tommorrow.

And as for Jags being old mens cars, Iam 26 and you wouldnt believe the attention you get in it from women hehehe !

And after owning TVR's and recently a 7 Series BMW this thing is heavenly reliable and great to drive!