2003 Jaguar S-Type R 4.2L gas from North America
Summary:
A properly maintained 'good one' is great fun and a real joy to own
Faults:
The car I bought was a one owner, dealer serviced since new, all service records since new, including original window sticker.
The original owner had a new dealer installed Jaguar stock ZF 6 speed transmission installed 5 months before it was sold to me.
There were several maintenance issues soon after my purchase that were performed by myself. One issue needed the other issues as preventative maintenance.
Needed: 'J' box shifting mechanism... $700.00 ish USD part only from dealer... owner installed... quite simple.
Preventative routine (for 100K miles) maintenance: Once again performed by myself with simple tools and YouTube instructions.
Engine oil and filter change at 5K mile intervals.
Fuel filter change.
OEM spark plugs and ignition 'coil packs' (all 8) replaced.
Head light low beam bulbs.
Front brake pads.
Cold air ram system installed with high flow air filter cone.
General Comments:
Lovely, lovely car... a very lovely combination of Elegance and 'Insolence'... luxury with 400+ 'ponies' all at your command.
The car feels like a sports car with four doors... not overly large inside, but a good snug feel... with 495K+ over 35 years in Porsche 911s, I know of what I speak.
Really drives like the luxury sport sedan it's labeled as, with the ability to eat up virtually any other car on the road. A good friend of mine bought the Maserati four door, a real 'stunner' in Rosa Corsa Red, and it's quite fast, but I 'clean his clock' every time we line up!
I was very fortunate to find a one owner, all records car and then put in the 'preventative' maintenance that should make it roll for many more trouble free miles.
I've seen people talk about 'Dealer' repair cost. I really believe that if you don't have the desire or ability to do most of the light to medium maintenance required on these cars yourself, then they are going to be very expensive to own.
The first owner had an annual repair cost from new of from $3,500.00 to $5,500.00 per year.
I've been able to perform needed as well as 'preventative' maintenance to my car with simple tools, a good hydraulic floor jack and YouTube instruction for an out of pocket cost of $1,400.00 ish... most of which will not need to be repeated for 80K to 100K more miles... that represents a 'Dealer' cost factor just over $7,000.00.
My car runs super strong and is a joy to drive.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th November, 2015
24th Mar 2022, 11:39
As with most similar testimonials from DIY owners, you neglect to consider the costs of your tools and your spare time in the total investment in the car. It’s great that you’re set up to handle most repairs yourself, but there are still opportunity costs in doing so. There’s no free lunch.
For a car which the base model demanded $65,000 (in 2022 dollars) when new, S-Types always looked and felt cheap. The half-hearted throwback design, and the undisguised Lincoln components, made it obvious Ford was cynically cashing in on the reputation of its recent acquisition. Any mystique the Jaguar namesake might have still held was quickly dispelled by Ford’s neglect.