Shed Of The Week: Jaguar S-Type
Dare you take a punt on the wrinkly charms of an old Jag?
It's not an edifying spectacle, especially as the average age of the Fawcett Inn regular is somewhere in the mid-70s. Some of the old boys are quite racy though, especially one mustachioed ex-RAF type turned tomato grower who has often expressed a willingness to let Mrs Shed see his Grow More in the greenhouse.
Roundly vilified, and correctly so if their big ends have gone (as seems to happen quite often with the 3.0-litre sixes), an S-Type can nevertheless be a surprisingly adept and comfy cruiser. In 3.0 form it weighed in at 1,710kg, did the 0-60 in 7.9, ran on to nearly 145mph and returned a claimed 26mpg on the combined cycle. It's the last of the old-fashioned, old-style Jaguars, and therefore (you would have thought) of some historical value in years to come if anybody can be bothered to keep one in good condition.
This example is a Sport, which gave it that slightly rude bodykit and alloys, lower, stiffer springs, leather wheel and gearknob, and Dynamic Stability Control. It shows every sign of falling into the well loved category, showing just two owners in its 16-year life, the one-badge-too-far addition of a bonnet leaper and the olde-worlde AA badge on the grille. As noted, it wasn't a bad idea to be in the AA if you had a 3.0 S-Type. Besides the bottom end, you need to keep a weather eye out for the gearbox fluid, air-con compressor, stupid electronic handbrake, leaky boot (with associated electrical problems), non-functioning bonnet catch (always a good one that), electrical bits generally and suspension components generally.
Bar the bogging aftermarket steering wheel cover which oh-so-nearly-but-not-quite matches the restful hues elsewhere, the leather and wood cabin looks as clean as the body. Being a 2001 car it may have received the factory improvements to the steering that were carried out in that year.
It doesn't have a massive amount of time left on the ticket - expiry date is April 10 - but unless something catastrophic has happened in the last 10 months or so, there really is nothing obvious for you to lose any sleep over. And if it does turn out to have a terminal case of the nasties you can always do what Antonio Pizzonia did and give it a glorious Viking funeral at a track day near you.
PART EXCHANGE CLEARANCE - THIS VEHICLE CAME INTO US ON A PART EXCHANGE SO WE OFFER THIS AS A TRADE PRICE SALE VEHICLE COME WITH OUT WARRANTY HENCE THE PRICE DRIVES FINE CHEAP EXECUTIVE CAR FOR SOMEONE TAXED READY TO DRIVEAWAY TODAY LOOKS GREAT & DRIVES FINE 1ST TO VIEW WILL BUY.., Metallic Paint, Upholstery Leather, Seats Electric (Driver/Passenger), Lumbar support, Electric Tilt/Slide Sunroof, Height adjustable drivers seat, Electric windows, Electric door mirrors, Electric Folding Mirrors, Climate Control, In Car Entertainment, Alarm, Power steering, Adjustable Steering Column/Wheel, Central Door Locking, Radio, Traction control, Air Bag Driver, Air conditioning, Cruise Control, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Parking aid, Traction Control System, Head Restraints, Alloy wheels, Front Fog Lights, Front Drink Holder. 5 seats, Silver, VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED..Ready To Go, Please Call or Email Our Dedicated Friendly Sales Team For Further Information or Assistance You Can Reserve This Car For Seven Days For a Flexible Fee, Be Quick, Delivery/Collection Service Available, All Major Payment Methods Accepted, Full Dealer Facilities
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To my eyes the post 2004 exterior facelift cars look almost acceptable. Be warned though, from my experience even a well maintained example was totally shagged after 150k miles and 6/7 years. These are not a quality product.
Pity, as when it was running, and not munching diffs, it was a nice place to waft, but never again.
You know what they say though these days.....sometimes, it can be hard to drive a bargain
I had a facelift 3.0 S-type - it was the most comfortable car I have ever owned. It was also the most unreliable.
edit to add: At least this one doesn't have the miserable electronic parking brake that mine had, so one less thing to go wrong... I note that the advert states a manual gearbox, whereas the photos clearly show a J-gate for the auto. I always thought that the manual was the wrong gearbox for this car, but having experienced the chocolate "sealed for life" ZF auto, now I am not so sure...
One thing that must be done with these V8 cars is to make sure the tensioners have been upgraded top the third generation, costs about £1,000 and needs to be done before 100,000 miles. Also, all models, change the sealed-for-life gearbox oil about very 50,000 miles.
Great cars, originally sneered at but now much appreciated. Could be the last of the wafting Jaguars. The XF is a far less Jaguar-like ride etc in my view. Had a 5.0 V8 n/a Portfolio + for 2 1/2 years, but recently sold for something more comfortable. less skittish.
R.
The leaper on the bonnet is just awful. Who could look at that and think 'yep, nailed it'?!?
They are traders, what about the sale and goods act?
Granted, you can't complain about all the faults you are made aware of (like some buyers try) but if the engine went bang or the suspension collapsed after you drove it round the corner, they can't just say, sorry your problem can they?
And, annoyingly, the number plate is blanked out so the MoT history can't be easily accessed although shed says they've looked at it, so someone has called to ask for the registration presumably.
My wife's aunt has a friend who had one, a metallic blue V8, bashed on every corner, as I think she was fairly drunk a lot of the time, ash tray full of bright red lipstick covered fag ends, interior had a whiff of Gordons Gin, I swear she was the inspiration for a Matt Lucas character, over the top old school poshness with tails of finishing schools, 60s ski trips to exotic places and debutante balls, "Champagne for everybody Daahling" !
Yet to see one at sub-£1k and I can only imagine how rough it'd be(!) I have seen them between £2-3k though for high milers.Thing is though, if you were comparing this to a contemporary E39 528, would you really go for the Jag? There's not exactly a huge gap in terms of price between them second hand, E39s were properly built for the most part and out-handled the gopping fish car (though I know the S wasn't a terrible steer - everything's relative). I guess though that the Jaguar represents a more sedate image and a greater potential likelihood of being let out of junctions. Perhaps a more comfortable barge too but then, if you want comfort you could just go down the Saab 95 or Volvo S60 route.
The leaper on the bonnet along with the AA badge, while looking at them with a cynical eye, could actually be the work of an unscrupulous dealer enforcing a "careful, mature previous owner..." image to bring in a buyer looking for a well looked after car. I'd take them off as soon as the sale had went through, at least for the sake of any pedestrians potentially having any journeys over the front of the car...
'07 2.7D, remapped by Quantum to 248 bhp and monster torque, but still economical(ish). Wafted us silently down through France and Italy for the Mille Miglia a couple of years ago at a consistent 85mph and 43mpg, and still had huge fun on the Raticosa pass and Route Napoleon on the way. It really is a superb 'A'-road blaster!
120,000 miles on the clock now and nothing more than 'consumables' done, although this does include stuff like EGR valves and MAF meters which seem to have a finite life these days. Suspension re-bushed to keep the handling sweet and gearbox oil changed as a precaution, with engine oil changed every 10,000 rather than 15,000.
I am struggling to find anything to replace it, TBH.
You know what they say though these days.....sometimes, it can be hard to drive a bargain
They are traders, what about the sale and goods act?
Granted, most traders will offer 1-3 months say of warranty but, either way, you're still covered by the above regardless.
Reference the car, i do like these. They seem like a decent barge and you get alot of car for your money. You also seem to get alot of problems that cost a fortune and make a bargain seem more like a mistake.
Probably better off getting a Lexus GS300 and having a much better stress-free motoring experience.
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