Jaguar S-Type, anything to watch out for?
Discussion
Now I would dearly love an E-Type with a 6 cylinder engine if not for the noise alone.
However it seems I always pick the most popular cars and my timing usually coincides with me having to push all my money into something else like the mortgage and my business.
However it got me thinking that the S-Type is relatively unloved and has the same noise making machine in it that the E-Type has, so whilst I would have to still wait for my dream to own an E-Type, in the meantime I might get an S-Type, plus the shape seems to be growing on me.
Sorely tempted by something like this:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C423115
for this alone:
Anyone got any guides to read up on, are they as ruinous financially as an E-Type, what are they like to own and drive?
Can they live outside (London parking) and only be used every so often (weekend car as week days tube is the transport used).
However it seems I always pick the most popular cars and my timing usually coincides with me having to push all my money into something else like the mortgage and my business.
However it got me thinking that the S-Type is relatively unloved and has the same noise making machine in it that the E-Type has, so whilst I would have to still wait for my dream to own an E-Type, in the meantime I might get an S-Type, plus the shape seems to be growing on me.
Sorely tempted by something like this:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C423115
for this alone:
Anyone got any guides to read up on, are they as ruinous financially as an E-Type, what are they like to own and drive?
Can they live outside (London parking) and only be used every so often (weekend car as week days tube is the transport used).
Du1point8 said:
That does look lovely. 
Wacky Racer said:
Go for the 3.8.
Iconic motor car.
In that you are coming at this from the direction of wanting an E-Type, then yes probably the 3.8 is best. Iconic motor car.
The 3.4 isn't quick, especially as an auto, but even the manual seems significantly slower than my XK150 did when it was running the same engine.
But if you are after something to waft about it, I doubt many cars can waft quite like an S-Type. The isolation from crap road surfaces that the S-Type achieves just needs to be experienced to be believed.
The difference between the 3.4 and the 3.8 is far more penis envy than real. I toured Europe with my 3.4 and it was quite adequate. The beauty of the S type compared to the Mk 2 is that it has a very large boot and the marvellous Jaguar IRS also found in the E-type and Mk X. It isolates you from the road, eliminates axle tramp found in the Mk 2, holds the road like a limpet and cossets you and your passengers. It is unloved, so a good one won't cost you dear at all compared to most cars on the market today. Be careful to check for rust, rust and more rust, in the cills, the rear suspension the wings - in fact everywhere. Being a budget car they haven't in the main had much money spent on their upkeep. I was lucky in that mine came from a gentleman who had fully restored it and then had a stroke, but his restoration cost more than double the price I paid, but the photos showed the extent of the rust and repairs that were carried out.
The car you mention has been on the market for some time, and is still to be found here at a far higher price. it will be difficult to sell at the price asked I reckon:-
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/jag...
This one looks reasonable with the manual overdrive specification:-
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/jag...
Like all old cars they can be a money pit, so if you want something that looks already restored (but check carefully anyway) I reckon this one would be available for about £15,000 if you push.
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/jag...
Finally, be aware that while you are buying a lot of car for the money, they are cheap purely because virtually no one wants to own them, and in turn when you come to sell it'll be hard to shift.
ETA Leave it outside in London of all places? I didn't see your postscript at first. Forget the idea and stay with the modern box on wheels. Old cars need cosseting.
The car you mention has been on the market for some time, and is still to be found here at a far higher price. it will be difficult to sell at the price asked I reckon:-
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/jag...
This one looks reasonable with the manual overdrive specification:-
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/jag...
Like all old cars they can be a money pit, so if you want something that looks already restored (but check carefully anyway) I reckon this one would be available for about £15,000 if you push.
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/jag...
Finally, be aware that while you are buying a lot of car for the money, they are cheap purely because virtually no one wants to own them, and in turn when you come to sell it'll be hard to shift.
ETA Leave it outside in London of all places? I didn't see your postscript at first. Forget the idea and stay with the modern box on wheels. Old cars need cosseting.
Edited by lowdrag on Monday 20th January 09:22
It'd be criminal to leave one of those mint S-Type's parked outside IMHO......and hardly protective of your 'investment'.
And unless it was parked in a fairly secure place as well, chances are it wouldn't be around too long either, classic car theft in the London area of cars not locked away is all too common.
Living in London and not having a suitably big enough garage for one is why I don't have one........
S-Type's are my favourite of the 60's Jag's, by a long way, no doubt due to many childhood trips in a few back in the late 60's.
And unless it was parked in a fairly secure place as well, chances are it wouldn't be around too long either, classic car theft in the London area of cars not locked away is all too common.
Living in London and not having a suitably big enough garage for one is why I don't have one........
S-Type's are my favourite of the 60's Jag's, by a long way, no doubt due to many childhood trips in a few back in the late 60's.
aeropilot said:
It'd be criminal to leave one of those mint S-Type's parked outside IMHO......and hardly protective of your 'investment'.
And unless it was parked in a fairly secure place as well, chances are it wouldn't be around too long either, classic car theft in the London area of cars not locked away is all too common.
Living in London and not having a suitably big enough garage for one is why I don't have one........
S-Type's are my favourite of the 60's Jag's, by a long way, no doubt due to many childhood trips in a few back in the late 60's.
I have to agree, unless the car has been bare metal rebuilt with modern paint etc. But even then on street in London is not an environment for a classic car. The OP would lose money hand over fist within a couple of years.And unless it was parked in a fairly secure place as well, chances are it wouldn't be around too long either, classic car theft in the London area of cars not locked away is all too common.
Living in London and not having a suitably big enough garage for one is why I don't have one........
S-Type's are my favourite of the 60's Jag's, by a long way, no doubt due to many childhood trips in a few back in the late 60's.
G
Listen to the people, OP. Old car+outside+London=rust, damp interior, non-starting, vandalism, theft, hassle, hassle, hassle. Honestly - it will put you off old cars for life.
Get a rented lock-up for about £60 a month then find a nice S-type. They're the pick of sixties Jags. And don't listen to the 3.4 vs 3.8 cobblers - buy on condition, not colour or spec. Apart from rust and/or filler, the interior is a good guide to the overall condition of the car: they were built to a price and the interior doesn't take abuse well. They also are expensive to refurbish. This means there are plenty of doggy old Jags that have been given a respray and a set of wires and punted out as "restored" but the saggy, soggy interiors tell the truth - they're tarted up money pits. Automatics are more common, but can seem very 'under-geared' to modern tastes, making them sound fussy on the motorway. A manual overdrive is better, and probably worth the premium. There are countless bushes in that lovely suspension system, which add up to a lot if they are worn. Listen for clunks and clonks over bumps, and look for evidence of their replacement if the car has been well maintained.
And one last thing: buy a sheepskin coat. You have to have one if you drive an old Jag, especially if you can do a good mockney accent.
Get a rented lock-up for about £60 a month then find a nice S-type. They're the pick of sixties Jags. And don't listen to the 3.4 vs 3.8 cobblers - buy on condition, not colour or spec. Apart from rust and/or filler, the interior is a good guide to the overall condition of the car: they were built to a price and the interior doesn't take abuse well. They also are expensive to refurbish. This means there are plenty of doggy old Jags that have been given a respray and a set of wires and punted out as "restored" but the saggy, soggy interiors tell the truth - they're tarted up money pits. Automatics are more common, but can seem very 'under-geared' to modern tastes, making them sound fussy on the motorway. A manual overdrive is better, and probably worth the premium. There are countless bushes in that lovely suspension system, which add up to a lot if they are worn. Listen for clunks and clonks over bumps, and look for evidence of their replacement if the car has been well maintained.
And one last thing: buy a sheepskin coat. You have to have one if you drive an old Jag, especially if you can do a good mockney accent.
Sid's Dad said:
Listen to the people, OP. Old car+outside+London=rust, damp interior, non-starting, vandalism, theft, hassle, hassle, hassle. Honestly - it will put you off old cars for life.
Get a rented lock-up for about £60 a month then find a nice S-type.
Not easy to find one of those in London that will take a S-Type.Get a rented lock-up for about £60 a month then find a nice S-type.
Back in 2010, I spent 9 months looking for a suitable one that was both dry and very importantly, in a moderately secure area/location.
Gave up after 9 months looking.
aeropilot said:
Sid's Dad said:
Listen to the people, OP. Old car+outside+London=rust, damp interior, non-starting, vandalism, theft, hassle, hassle, hassle. Honestly - it will put you off old cars for life.
Get a rented lock-up for about £60 a month then find a nice S-type.
Not easy to find one of those in London that will take a S-Type.Get a rented lock-up for about £60 a month then find a nice S-type.
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