I love my 2005. Now have 160,000 miles and drives beautifully. Looking for another and wanted some feed back on best year etc.
dante1

 

Appearance is a bit subjective when it comes to the updates.
Personally I think the 05-model year update looks better, but others like the older look.
There are other minor advantages with the 05 update, like the aluminium hood, before that they were steel.

The 05-model year updated cars made from January 2004 also use the Jaguar SDD software that is better than the previous Jaguar IDS software and is easier to set up as well.
In addition the head units are fully 'open' so that any additional items added on the d2b network, like a CD changer for example will just work on a 'plug and play' basis.

In regard to the STR I also think that the Vulcan wheels used on the 05MY and 06MY cars look a lot better than the Zeus wheels on the previous STR's. The Brembo brakes look better than the later ATE brakes that were introduced for the 06 model year cars, but the later are supposed to work better, however in normal road use there is no difference.

In the UK STR cars registered on or after 23rd March 2006 have a £590 annual road tax, before that date the STR’s are a lot less at £330 a year. But you are in the US, so this will not be an issue for you.

In the US it would appear that there are a lot more pre-05MY update cars than later ones. This may make them harder to find and also make it harder to find parts that are specific to the later cars.

Mellow

 

Mellow,
Thanks for the response. I read it twice to digest your thoughts and opinion.
Mine are similar..
Thanks,,
Dante1

 

Mellow made some good points, but there are also some factors in favor of the earlier models.

The later models have an electronic parking brake, which seems to be a recurring problem on the forum. They are very sensitive to low prestart voltage from the battery (even if the starter works fine), and will often set a warning message. The other issue is the actuator motor and gearbox are prone to corrosion damage, and the cables get bound up. The earlier models have a much simpler lever operated handbrake, perfect for those of us who learned to drive by watching the Rockford Files:


Big changes with the transmission, too. The earlier models use a 5R55N 5 speed, a variant of a common Ford transmission of which several bazillion were built. Any competent transmission shop can handle any repairs, hopefully at a reasonable cost. Later models have the ZF 6HP, a much more advanced unit but generally more expensive to repair.

Another consideration, and this has been scientifically proven, is that owners of the early model are much smarter than late model owners. The difference is astounding, by approximately 30 IQ points. Early model owners smell nicer, too.

 

I have only one thing to say.

Which is:

Good points about the earlier cars, but alas, no S-TYPE R !

 

There are some that would say the 1964-1967 models! Just saying.

 

My question, is there a Ford 2 wire pigtail Throttle body connector that will fit my 2005 S ?

 

aLet's not forget that the early 4.0L engines had a chronic problem with their plastic timing chain rails which led to catastrophic engine failures. Supposedly, the problem was limited to engines manufactured prior to August 13, 2001, but I have no definitive information confirming that. When in doubt one of the cam covers should be removed to visually determine whether the upper chain and tensioners were replaced.

 

Hands down 2005 MY, everything after is hodge podge of getting rid of inventory before the end of our beloved S Types.

 

06 has better brakes and a better PCM

 

ROFL!

 

03+ w/4.2L V8 & ZF 6 speed gets my vote

 

I prefer the shape before the front was changed (05 / 06) and like the car better with no chrome (so I don't like the daft rear strip added 05/06), and of course like the ZF 6HP26 and V8.

So, 03 / 04 and STR please. (04 STR is what I bought.)

 

Thanks for your response. I'm looking a 2nd S and your reasoning helped me.

Dante1