S Type-R..is it for me?

[996nick]

Hi all,

sorry if this has been done before - search doesn't seem to be working at the moment.

As my tag suggests I have a 996 at the moment, but the imminent arrival of child number 3 means that SWMBO is twisting my arm to get rid of the 996.

I have a budget of about £10k to spend. I have been looking around at trying to find a decent (i.e. performance plus 4 doors, seating 5 people but isn't a subaru) motor. The S Type-R looks like great value at the moment, and in my price range. I am used to fairly hefty (at least comparatively) bills both in terms of maintenance and fuel. I have a very short 20 min commute each way to work. For the most part it will just be me driving the car to work, and for fun, but I may need to do some trips involving the whole family at times, including a slightly longer (say 200 mile round trip) every month or so.

We have a people carrier that the wife drives.

I'd welcome your thoughts. From what I have read so far, I can get a reasonable example for my money, it will be reliable, and the performance is great (probably better than my 996!). Am I being overly optimistic on the space?

TIA.

[Simpo Two]

Legroom in the back can be a bit short for adults, but heck, go sit in one and decide for yourself.

[996nick]

Simpo Two said:

Legroom in the back can be a bit short for adults, but heck, go sit in one and decide for yourself.

Thanks for reply - and will be doing that shortly. Just thought I might need help managing my expectations - I also wondered if 3 people (albeit 2 of them kids) in the back was a challenge (assuming the car seat was in the front). Anyone have this arrangement on a reasonably regular basis?

[AmitG]

I've had that arrangement, and I agree with Simpo Two. I found that accommodation in the rear is cramped when carrying 3 in the back. The middle "seat" is OK for short journeys but anything longer and even a child will start to feel uncomfortable.

Another thing to consider is that boot space is not the greatest with these cars. On the "R" version of the S-Type the rear seats don't fold down which limits practicality. Competitors are better in this regard. This might not be an issue if you have the MPV on hand.

The driving experience is every bit as dramatic as you might expect. Similar to a BMW M5, but slightly more "civilised" (IMHO).

You can get an early X350 XJR within your budget. More space inside, more performance, more toys, more presence and more general awesomeness. AutoTrader brings up 10 reasonable looking examples between 9k and 11k. Worth considering?

[Simpo Two]

AmitG said:

Another thing to consider is that boot space is not the greatest with these cars. On the "R" version of the S-Type the rear seats don't fold down which limits practicality.

Very good points. Height is limited epsecially if you have 'premium sound', and I find the split/fold rear seats essential.

Which brings us on to the no-brainer 2.7D of course!

[mph]

996nick said:

Hi all,

sorry if this has been done before - search doesn't seem to be working at the moment.

As my tag suggests I have a 996 at the moment, but the imminent arrival of child number 3 means that SWMBO is twisting my arm to get rid of the 996.

I have a budget of about £10k to spend. I have been looking around at trying to find a decent (i.e. performance plus 4 doors, seating 5 people but isn't a subaru) motor. The S Type-R looks like great value at the moment, and in my price range. I am used to fairly hefty (at least comparatively) bills both in terms of maintenance and fuel. I have a very short 20 min commute each way to work. For the most part it will just be me driving the car to work, and for fun, but I may need to do some trips involving the whole family at times, including a slightly longer (say 200 mile round trip) every month or so.

We have a people carrier that the wife drives.

I'd welcome your thoughts. From what I have read so far, I can get a reasonable example for my money, it will be reliable, and the performance is great (probably better than my 996!). Am I being overly optimistic on the space?

TIA.

There is another thread for this somewhere or other and it was quite recent.

The S type R is a fantastic bit of kit. I loved mine and co-incidentally I did own a 996 before it. I was underwhelmed by the 996.

Apologies to the previous poster but don't even think about a diesel over an R unless running costs are your only perameter.

[Straight6DOHC]

AmitG said:

You can get an early X350 XJR within your budget. More space inside, more performance, more toys, more presence and more general awesomeness. Worth considering?

x2

[Simpo Two]

mph said:

Apologies to the previous poster but don't even think about a diesel over an R unless running costs are your only perameter.

When the turbos kick the 2.7 goes flying past stuff remarkably well so it's not just an economy option. But if I need kicks and sod the fuel then I get the TVR out

[996nick]

Thanks for the responses all. Unfortunately the XJ is just to big for what I need.

Simpo Two said:

When the turbos kick the 2.7 goes flying past stuff remarkably well so it's not just an economy option. But if I need kicks and sod the fuel then I get the TVR out

And this sums up my problem! I need those happy moments combined with some practicality, at a sensible price that I can drive every day.....

Should see a couple of S types in the next couple of days. Hopefully the search functionality will be up and running shortly.

Edited by 996nick on Thursday 25th August 08:07

[mph]

Some to consider ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by mph on Thursday 25th August 10:39

[Inverness]

AmitG said:

Another thing to consider is that boot space is not the greatest with these cars. On the "R" version of the S-Type the rear seats don't fold down which limits practicality.

They fold down in mine, but you do only get a small whole, I think it's called a ski whole.

I love my S Type R, I like to call it the worlds fastest armchair.

[996nick]

mph said:

Some to consider ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by mph on Thursday 25th August 10:39

Thanks - some really nice examples there!

[cardigankid]

You aren't going to be disappointed with those.

[xkrGiles]

I only have 1 child at the moment, so the TVR went & an XKR arrived, same engine tho. I love it and it can eat miles really comfortably, did 450 last weekend and I have a loud exhaust.

Anyway the only other options I could consider were as follows:
996 - I found it a bit sterile
VX Monaro 6.0VXR - nice, still fancy one. But i was declined a test drive as i didnt own a track-suit.
EVO 8/9 - Lovely lovely performance and handling, not much else
BMW M3 - Like the idea, dislike the interior and lack of character

I could go on, but there isnt much else that meets your requirements. Go test drive & realistically consider how often you drive on your own compared to having 5 in it.

[996nick]

xkrGiles said:

VX Monaro 6.0VXR - nice, still fancy one. But i was declined a test drive as i didnt own a track-suit.

thanks Giles - I think you are right about the number of occasions I will actually have 5 in the car. Only car not on your list that I have also thought about is an Audi A3 3.2 V6 quattro - surprisingly large boot! but again all rather sterile and boring.

[johnxjsc1985]

Simpo Two said:

mph said:

Apologies to the previous poster but don't even think about a diesel over an R unless running costs are your only perameter.

When the turbos kick the 2.7 goes flying past stuff remarkably well so it's not just an economy option. But if I need kicks and sod the fuel then I get the TVR out

I know some people poo poo the idea of a Jag diesel but you should try the 2.7D out its a fantastic car and economical too.

[mph]

johnxjsc1985 said:

I know some people poo poo the idea of a Jag diesel but you should try the 2.7D out its a fantastic car and economical too.

Not me, I think the Jag diesel is an excellent car. I had an XF 3.0 - really top car and I'm sure the S type diesel is fantastic too.

It's just that in my opinion the S type R is really something special and the OP is looking for equivalent performance to his Porsche.

[996nick]

mph said:

Not me, I think the Jag diesel is an excellent car. I had an XF 3.0 - really top car and I'm sure the S type diesel is fantastic too.

It's just that in my opinion the S type R is really something special and the OP is looking for equivalent performance to his Porsche.

Thats it - I want something for the family as well as something with a bit of oomph to replace the 996 on those infrequent sunny days when a bit of a drive is fun!

I have driven the XF 3.0 S diesel and I was taken aback by how well it performed/handled (it was on one of the Jaguar experience days at Silverstone - the fast lap in the new XJ was also something else!) but the XF is out of my price range, and a diesel isnt quite what I am looking for.

Thanks to all who have contributed so far.

[Simpo Two]

The elephant in the thread is of course 'two cars'. Horses for courses and all that.

[johnxjsc1985]

What difference in performance is there with the "R" and the V8 sallon S type they are a lot cheaper.