Jag S-type or other used sedan, thoughts?

[Mr. Checks]

Thinking of getting a circa 2004 Jag S-type, probably 3.0 instead of V8.

Drove the S-type and the X-type today, and vastly preferred the smoothness of the S's drivetrain (strong drivetrain lash from X-type, AWD) and the general overall feel. Cabin is first-rate. Made me feel all good inside.

Any other used sedans in the 20-25 range, 2-3 years old? (I have a Passat, so not interested in an A4). BWM 330 a bit too expensive.

This would NOT be a daily driver, instead a third car, so it could be AWD, FWD, RWD, big/small, whatever.

 

[mussel]

Have you checked into Jag's reliability and resale value. For a pre-owned luxury vehicle you can't beat Lexus in terms of reliability and resale value, you should look into the ES or GS series. My friend's LS with 170,000 miles, which he passed on to his son 70,000 miles ago, still going strong, no major repair whatsoever, just routine oil change, tune up, brake pad replacement...

 

[Lamo]

Get the ES if you need a new yacht

 

[ruben]

I've heard good things about Jag's reliability post-ford, resale value still isn't great.

To be honest I could care less about reliability, I know what I'm getting with a Jag, if it breaks down, well it's half expected, but part of the deal.
Still, I wouldn't use one as my only car.

The expense of owning older jags is a bit overblown too, they have more problems, but it's as expensive as made out to fix, and like all cars, you can save hundreds and do 90% of the work yourself.

 

[zjpj83]

1980s-90s Bentley or Roller!

 

[dkzzzz]

I think the only true Jag stylistically is the top model car, whatever it is called XJS or something like that. All cheaper ones look like rebadged Lincolns. Those hideous chrome accents on plastic bumpers scream: "Rental car".
I vote for older Lexus too.

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

I think the only true Jag stylistically is the top model car, whatever it is called XJS or something like that. All cheaper ones look like rebadged Lincolns. Those hideous chrome accents on plastic bumpers scream: "Rental car".
I vote for older Lexus too.
I kind of agree. I actually prefer the X-type over the S. It has AWD and isn't trying too hard to be a MKII, something it will never be....

 

[edmorel]

I'll go on record here as saying I would take any used mercedes E class over pretty much any lexus, jag etc.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

I think the only true Jag stylistically is the top model car, whatever it is called XJS or something like that. All cheaper ones look like rebadged Lincolns. Those hideous chrome accents on plastic bumpers scream: "Rental car".
I vote for older Lexus too.

There is a sense, among Jaguar aficionados and various other car people, that the X- and S-Types are not 'true' Jags, that they don't embody the heritage of the marque. This is especially true of the X-types. Whether anyone else knows or cares I don't know. Probably not. The current topend Jags are the XJ8 and XJR sedans, and the GT sports cars are the XK and XKR (having just followed the XK8 series). The XJS, on the other hand, is a GT sportscar discontinued in '96 (I believe) and was the predecessor of the XK8.

Regardless, I prefer the S- over the X-type, and generally prefer the S- to other cars in that class (but I'm biased in the sense that Audis, BMWs, and MBs, with limited exceptions, hold no interest for me).

Regards,
Huntsman

 

[LabelKing]

 

[Huntsman]

Mk II, eh? Classic.

 

[zjpj83]

Inspector Morse

 

[Mr. Checks]

Not a Lexus fan: not really looking for a super reliable car, or something that everyone else is driving.

Re: the Jag's reliability: the ones I'm looking at come with a 6-year, 100,000 warranty so that's not a problem.

Drove a new 2006 328 coupe - fun but not a not of grunt. I'd rather find a used 330 but not many out there.
Also a 2007 MB 230 - really like the interior, not a fan of the 7-speed auto, and on the slow side. (has to be an auto as the family will be driving it).

 

[Mr. Checks]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I think the S-type does a nice job of evoking that image (that's why I like them)

 

[countdemoney]

Mr. Republic,

Might I suggest Infiniti? Some of their models are quite nice. Perhaps it's still too common for your purposes?

It's unfortunate that it needs to be an automatic or I would suggest the Lancer Evolution.