RE: Shed Of The Week: Jaguar S-Type
Discussion
marcosgt said:
I had a 3 litre V6 petrol S-Type as a company car for a bit (a month or so).
It was one of the most horrible cars I've driven.
... but the Skoda was 100 times better to drive than the S-Type.
I'm sorry you didn't like your limited time with the S-Type, but having done ~80,000 miles in both an Octavia and the Jaguar, I'm struggling to believe that an oversprung, underdamped Octavia (typically VAG!) with uninspiring understeer can be 100 times better than a well-damped, fluid-handling rear-drive saloon with nice neutral/oversteery traits.It was one of the most horrible cars I've driven.
... but the Skoda was 100 times better to drive than the S-Type.
But hey-ho, everyone to their own, we're all different!
marcosgt said:
I had a 3 litre V6 petrol S-Type as a company car for a bit (a month or so).
It was one of the most horrible cars I've driven.
It was quite astonishing, though, the effect it had on neighbours (and mums at the school, when my wife drove the kids in it once - We lived close so usually walked) - It was like we'd bought a new Rolls Royce!
Some of my former colleagues were really impressed (women mostly) and mocked the Skoda Octavia vRS I bought myself when I opted out of the company car scheme (because I couldn't face 18 months in the Jag!), but the Skoda was 100 times better to drive than the S-Type.
I assume Pizzonia felt the same and took the first opportunity to pile it into the barrier, rather than driving it!
Lest you think I'm a Jaguar-hater, I considered an X-Type when I bought the Skoda and am seriously considering an XF, but that's a far different car to the frankly rather rubbish, S-Type!
M
PS ETA Most reviews I've read suggest an XF is a match (or better) in terms of reliability for an Audi, Merc or BMW - Apparently, only the Lexus GS is better in class.
I am with your colleagues, I am afraid. The VRS will be a much stiffer/sportier drive than the S-Type which is built for comfort. Couldn't face 18 months in the S-Type? There must have been something seriously wrong with that car. It was one of the most horrible cars I've driven.
It was quite astonishing, though, the effect it had on neighbours (and mums at the school, when my wife drove the kids in it once - We lived close so usually walked) - It was like we'd bought a new Rolls Royce!
Some of my former colleagues were really impressed (women mostly) and mocked the Skoda Octavia vRS I bought myself when I opted out of the company car scheme (because I couldn't face 18 months in the Jag!), but the Skoda was 100 times better to drive than the S-Type.
I assume Pizzonia felt the same and took the first opportunity to pile it into the barrier, rather than driving it!
Lest you think I'm a Jaguar-hater, I considered an X-Type when I bought the Skoda and am seriously considering an XF, but that's a far different car to the frankly rather rubbish, S-Type!
M
PS ETA Most reviews I've read suggest an XF is a match (or better) in terms of reliability for an Audi, Merc or BMW - Apparently, only the Lexus GS is better in class.
Edited by marcosgt on Friday 17th February 17:08
Is the XF you are thinking of the new alloy one or the outgoing model? If is the steel one, I have some bad new news for you, it is the same platform as the S-Type and shares many suspension components.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
A car that says 'I'm a well to do gentleman' for not a lot of money.
I think it says 'I run a flat-roofed pub, weigh 20 stone and smoke 40 Bensons a day'.These early cars are dreadful - interior materials are awful, there are loads of very standard looking bits of Ford in there, and the gearbox / rear axles were made of Dairylea.
The first facelift improved things massively - and won't cost you any more money. But I'd find a bit more cash and look for the final facelift version with the revised boot line.
Edited by Trabi601 on Friday 17th February 22:52
new_bloke said:
Andy S15 said:
Always wondered WTF was going on in that Antonio Pizzonia video. Did he forget he wasn't driving a formula 1 car at the time? He was nowhere near making that corner!
Exactly that. He forgot himself and used his F1 braking point for the corner... I was always impressed that Steve Sutcliffe's first response was "are you alright?"I was always impressed that SS seemed the most calm and in control despite being in the passenger seat. He knew they were never making the corner, braced himself and was immediately checking they were both ok after the impact - on the other hand the F1 driver had the look of panic as he understeered off the track and then was just stunned into silence like "how did that happen?"
muppet42 said:
rtz62 said:
My good friend, with whom i've bought more than a few cars, has had 3-4 of these, one of which was a V8, and none of which cost any more than £750. And yes, they were tidy, with plenty of MOT. Not my cup of tea, but a better barge than the repulsive X-type (which is an 'inverse-TARDIS'; smaller on the inside than it looks on the outside).
I seem to remember that the arches and sills of his S-Types were curiously free from tin worm, which is more than can be said for a couple of XJ8's he swanned about in, which did passable impressions of paper doileys....
Yeah, seen a few cheaper XJs of the same era kicking around with the back bumpers hanging from the rust. Only X-Type if consider would be a 3-litre estate AWD, which I doubt would be under a grand. Just think they look less awkward than the saloon and I could ski behind one I seem to remember that the arches and sills of his S-Types were curiously free from tin worm, which is more than can be said for a couple of XJ8's he swanned about in, which did passable impressions of paper doileys....
Only v8 S I saw was about £2.5k but did look pretty well looked after. All v6s locally with a few diesels sprinkled in for variety. Could be a random barge purchase in the future but I'd still be more tempted unto an e39.
Matey has only ever had the 3.0 v6 X-Type, although never an estate version. As he says, 3.0 and 4wd makes up for its poor points.
The S-Type is one of those Jaguars, like the X-Type, that just doesn't seem to get any prettier with age, and the only way ithe S would grace my driveway would be for sub-£750 with FSH.. Even then, it's just not really desirable compared to a 5-Series BMW.....
jiggawhat2k said:
My dad has an 06 plate still (3.0 auto) and its generally been reliable apart from a slight gearbox issue which was fixed. The interior really is a nice place to be (most comfortable seats I've been on) and it goes well. I keep eyeing up the R version, one day maybe.
R is a nice bus, but the whine from the supercharger.... test drove 2 one before I bought my 2nd M5 and again before the E55, and couldn't live with it.Also they are a deceptively quick machine. You don't get a massive sensation of speed.
I've always liked the shape of these - frequently wander over to AutoTrader to look at 3.0 manuals and am amazed how cheap they are!
Electric handbrake issues worry me (what is the point of these anyway?) but to me it is one of the last Jags that actually looks like a Jag!
The XF and current XJ certainly don't!
Grew up in the 60s lusting after a MKII, S-Type or E-Type, but have never owned a Jaguar - may have to put that right.....!
Electric handbrake issues worry me (what is the point of these anyway?) but to me it is one of the last Jags that actually looks like a Jag!
The XF and current XJ certainly don't!
Grew up in the 60s lusting after a MKII, S-Type or E-Type, but have never owned a Jaguar - may have to put that right.....!
Haha I have the fear.
My great uncle sadly passed away and has (I believe) an 02 3.0 V6 (thought it was 3.2 but maybe not....) his has only done circa 22,000 miles and before it gets sold (for not very much) I was looking to do the NC500 with some friends, there would be a dress code being a Jaggggg off course. If we make it
My great uncle sadly passed away and has (I believe) an 02 3.0 V6 (thought it was 3.2 but maybe not....) his has only done circa 22,000 miles and before it gets sold (for not very much) I was looking to do the NC500 with some friends, there would be a dress code being a Jaggggg off course. If we make it
Edited by BREMBOV6 on Monday 20th February 16:08
Trabi601 said:
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
A car that says 'I'm a well to do gentleman' for not a lot of money.
I think it says 'I run a flat-roofed pub, weigh 20 stone and smoke 40 Bensons a day'.These early cars are dreadful - interior materials are awful, there are loads of very standard looking bits of Ford in there, and the gearbox / rear axles were made of Dairylea.
The first facelift improved things massively - and won't cost you any more money. But I'd find a bit more cash and look for the final facelift version with the revised boot line.
Edited by Trabi601 on Friday 17th February 22:52
Zad said:
chris333 said:
Liquor up the front, poker in the rear?Its just like Fat Harry White in his soft top Bedford Rascal never left isn't it...
Regarding the car, I think the front end of these are seriously fugly, leaper or no leaper. Something about the lights make it look more like a Mercedes E class than a Shaguar. Give me an E39 any day (accusations of bias duly accepted), though decent ones of those for a grand are few and far between. Probably worth a punt and a laugh for a grand.
Drive Blind said:
new_bloke said:
Andy S15 said:
Always wondered WTF was going on in that Antonio Pizzonia video. Did he forget he wasn't driving a formula 1 car at the time? He was nowhere near making that corner!
Exactly that. He forgot himself and used his F1 braking point for the corner... I was always impressed that Steve Sutcliffe's first response was "are you alright?"I was always impressed that SS seemed the most calm and in control despite being in the passenger seat. He knew they were never making the corner, braced himself and was immediately checking they were both ok after the impact - on the other hand the F1 driver had the look of panic as he understeered off the track and then was just stunned into silence like "how did that happen?"
Watch any of McRae's in car for the right way to roll lol
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