Today we rolled out 564 miles of what will be a shakedown of about 2,400 miles over the next week to ten days. The drive was smooth and uneventful for our V-8. We avg'd about 25MPG on State Routes, US Highways and some Interstate.

Still watching all fluids, gauges and indicators...But So far I LOVE driving this car!

 

Jags are just the best cars to drive arn't they. Enjoy the trip.

 

I hate to be a debbie downer but the pre-2003 cars are no walk in the park. They're far less reliable then their newer model year counterparts.

I know no one wants to rain on your parade but it's something you really should be aware of if you plan to keep this car for a while.

 

Yesterday was Paducah, KY to Winston-Salem, NC. (about 560 miles) My only complaint so far is that the seats are so comfortable that I get the old "Sofa Slouch" after about six hours of driving which can be rough on the lower back. But that is my weakness, not the car's.

This is my observation about the car: This is a 4.0 with about 130,000 on the odometer and a very thorough maintenance history (read as bought from the mechanic that serviced it). As an Old Dog I have always been a 6,000 mile oil changer so I have seen and smelled a LOT of oil in my life. This engine, after sixteen hours at 80MPH in two days of driving still shows me oil that is sweet like the day it came out of the can...(Alright, two things - Sure, it's a little dark and smokey but if it was Scotch that would be a virtue. And, I know oil has not come from a can since 1985.)

But, Overall, I am truly liking this car. The few very minor service and upgrade projects I have put into it have proven to be easy and painless. The Coventry traditions are there in the styling but there is still a lot of old Detroit in the car.

TotalImmortal... I'm a University Professor, so I have to ask this: what are handful of the more common reliability issues that you have seen among your earlier and later S-Types?

We will likely move to an older XJ with an eye to the Sixes (But I do love the economy of the eight). That is if I can keep the wife from jumping straight to the original S-Type. She is, of course, not the wrencher in the family.

Thanks.
Ed

 

Enjoy the trip, don't forget the pictures!

 

So, when all was said and done we went up through VA, WV, Athens OH, IN, Normal IL, back down through MO and home to Wichita, KS.
We Rolled out about 2,500 Miles and used about 103 gallons of gas.
The car has about 132,000 miles on it. The V-8 ran Smooth, Cool, and Consistent. We got very steady fuel efficiency at 24.5 - 25.1 MPG at a fairly steady 75-80MPH.
That's the Mech Side.

The time spent in the Cabin was GREAT: Quiet, Comfortable, Smooth ride. The Seats are a pleasure to sit and drive. I am now considering a hitch and a custom Camper/Trailer for the motorcycle. I am SURE that the wife will go for that!

Here is the question that I come out of this drive asking: How do you board members feel about the transmission fluid life in these cars? I am doing an oil change next week and I think I want to do the tranny fluid and filter while I have it up.
What Say you?

 

Yes, do it. It'll be the Ford 5R55N so cheap parts & oil. Think there's a guide with pics here.