So is there a list of "fixes" on the older cars that I need to confirm?

 

In my opinion, no. I consider the changes made in 2005 to be very minor and mostly cosmetic. I have a 2003 STR because it's what I could easily afford, but to be honest, I prefer the 2003-2004 front styling compared to 2005+. The rear end on the 05+ looks a little better but it's nothing dramatic (again, my opinion).

Giving advice for car buying is extremely difficult when you don't know the target audience. Myself, I was daily driving a modified 1991 MR2 Turbo, so my 2003 STR is fantastic to me while many people would consider it an old car. If you need the latest and greatest and 99% factory mint cars, I'd lean towards a newer model because that's more likely to make you happy. If you have a tolerance for cars that are a little bit older, I'd save a fistful of cash and buy a low mileage 03. The 5 grand+ that you can pocket would pay for a LOT of possible repairs. If it turns out that you never need those repairs, then it's all gravy. My 2hp

 

Sorry man, but I disagree. If you can afford it, you always want buy a newer model year. ESPECIALLY when the S's had so many problems in the early 2000's. I find it hard to believe the retail difference between an 03 and 05 is 5 grand if you actually do some research and negotiate. The SType is DISCONTINUED, many deals to be had on these vehicles. Sorry but, the newer the better. I would love an 08, but Ill keep my 05 until it wont run anymore. I CANNOT think of another vehicle that satisfies all my needs as this one. When it dies though, XFR-white, with the suede roof and rust interior.....man thats sweet

 

It's cool, we'll probably have to agree to disagree. One thing I want to mention though, is you are correct that the early 1999-2002 cars had problems, but the 2003 redesign totally changed that. When I'm reading about problems on the board I don't see a higher percentage of 03's than 05+ cars, shouldn't that mean something?

 

If you are going to buy a new one, you might as well go for an '06 or up...

Anyone knows that as MYs continue, improvements continue to be made to the line...price differences between the '03 and '04 are negligible...

I will say for the '03's, watch out for the abs control module...

 

If money's not tight, get a newer one.

LOL

 

okay guys, just surfing ebay for a minute, I'm seeing the following deals:

2005 - asking $21750 - 35k miles
2005- asking 21900- 39k miles
2003- $14k -34k miles (bad color though)
other than that, most of them have too high of miles right now. I'd say based on what I've seen on here over the last month that there is close to about a $5k difference in price between a 2003 and 2005.

 

Buying a second-hand Jaguar is no different in principle to buying any other second-hand car. Jaguar don't have any special metals/glass/rubber/adhesives etc. they use, and apart from the "iron particles" they use for the engine block on the 2.7 diesel engine, there's not much that can't be used by any other manuf. The important thing for you is to beware of who and why is trying to separate you from your cash. In UK at least, the whole second-hand car business is rife with charlatans and con-men, and I seem to have come across most of them!
1) DON'T fall in love with ANY car you are proposing to purchase. Let you head rule, not your heart. If you can't do this, take someone along with you who is well-known for being level-headed about cars, best of all, a Jag. specialist. Even the AA!
2) Just about all second-hand cars have SOMETHING wrong with them. (Hell, there are plenty NEW cars with something wrong). It's the job of you and your friend to root out this (or these) faults. Hence you have to take TIME over the test drive, esp. to test ZF autoboxes which often only show problems when fully warm. When you find the fault(s), estimate how much it will cost to fix. Add this to the price -- then, is it worth it?
3) Keep one thing in mind at all times. You could be parting with $10,000 or more. Keep telling yourself this, don't be swayed by salesmen or enthusiastic owners. They will always have an answer for every objection or question you may raise.
4) Jaguar is one of those makes where everything in terms of spare parts/servicing is EXPENSIVE. Some areas like software are only available from dealers and again, they are EXPENSIVE. And if some of the contributors on this website are right, the Jag. dealers don't always do a Jag. job properly in any case.

In Leeds (UK) where I live, all the mechanics seem to be frightened of doing any work on Jags. Fortunately, I've found a great engineer-guy in Dewsbury only 15mile from Leeds who has been fixing Jags for years. The whole place is littered with them. When I took my diesel S-type in for a job today, he shifted a Rolls-Royce from the lift for it. Did the job while I waited, and entertained me with scintillating conversation about Jags. he had known. About 2 hours in all.
Good luck with your purchase...
Leedsman.

 

Honestly, thats the bottom line. No point in arguing which year has better this or that. If you have the money, buy the newest you can afford.

 

go too www.texascarsdirect.com
they have a nice 06 in radiance(rare)with the select edition warranty already on the car.That will save a bundle of money,to purchase SE is quite expensive.They have very good cars.
It is $25000.00 with 35k mileage. warranty is worth a few grand.

 

And everyone says those guys are good to deal with: you get a straight car. Radiance is lovely when you see it in real life (depending whether you like it LOL). Best with a pale interior (champagne, sand, whatever).

 

I wanted radiance but there were none around when I bought mine. We sold our 01 faster than we thought so I only had a week to get my 06 settled for 2nd choice (black)

TCD are very good,no dickering but good prices from get go.
This one has the light interior and looks perfect.

 

update...

I'm looking at an 04 with about 38k miles locally. I'm not sure where the pricing will end up, but I'm hoping about $16k.

I'm also looking on the internet at an 05. It's bit more money at about $19k or so. It has about 36k miles. Shipping the car is another $1,000 so it'll be about $20k.

 

Shipping? Drive it back as others have done

 

quote=jagv8;202401]Shipping? Drive it back as others have done [/quote]

I agree.
It'll be the best drive of your life.
10 hours will feel like 10 minutes. I know, because I've done it.

 

I agree.
It'll be the best drive of your life.
10 hours will feel like 10 minutes. I know, because I've done it.[/quote]

Especially when you come across hapless 5-series' and C-class wannabes..

 

no way.... I've done that before from Colorado and it took forever. I'm looking at East Coast cars, so that would be a 3 or 4 day drive out to CA. I'd gladly pay $1000 to not do that one and miss work!

 

Why you looking at cars from the "rust belt"? Southern is the way to go...

 

Like TCD (texascarsdirect) lol

Oh, well, you pays your money and ....

 

Since you are talking East Coast cars here is an interesting one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item3cacd8d920

Thing is that the history report drops off in 07 and then picks back up in 09???

But it looks real clean for the $$. And an unusual color for an R to boot.