10 cheapest cars to own - Yahoo! Autos

This article in Yahoo had some interesting tidbits on total cost to own.

When I compared the various parameters it appears as though my S-Type comes out pretty good

Purchase cost: $14K

Five year fuel cost: $9600 (assuming $40 per week)

Five year insurance cost $6000

Depreciation so far after 3 years $2K (based on autotrader prices)

Maintenance and repairs $1500 after three years. Note: does not include items fixed under warranty.

The biggest savings I got was on depreciation which was minimal. This was probably due to the fact I bought in Jan 2009 when dealers were desperate. Also, now the used car market is fairly robust which keeps the used car prices high. Even discounting that, the S-Type comes out fairly well in fuel economy and repair costs oddly enough. If I included the prices of the warranty items (rear end, DCCV, evaporater and AC control module) it would be around $6K or so.

 

You did pretty well. I have less than a stellar experience in the three years I have owned my 2003 model. I have slightly over 5k in maintenance in it right now. Maintenance is running about $1700 per year. It will likely be closer to $2200 per year when I am done with the next round of suspension work.

 

Value and demand are two different things...People have trouble selling their older STRs above 4 digit figures...

 

We've owned our S-Type for over 5 years now, and I don't think I've put $2000 into the car, including a nice set of tires. Of course, my labor is cheap when it comes to my own vehicles, but thankfully I have this board. It's saved me a fortune.

 

Warming to hear "Good Value" S-Type experiences.

 

My S-Type I got use. There are just some small stuff I have to fix. The price not to bad for a car that runs smooth.

 

It's all about D-I-Y maintenance. These cars have their quirks but once they are addressed, they are truly great luxury sedans for little more than "Honda money". If you can do it yourself, the affordability factor is great. If you must pay a dealer, it gets expensive very quickly. If you can find a good, trustworthy independent shop, you'll wind up somewhere in the middle from a financial standpoint....

 

In the 3 1/2 years we've had this car, it's been in the shop only twice.
First time was for a faulty jet pump and 2nd was a bad battery. Both times it was fixed under warranty and a loaner car was provided. No muss no fuss.
(Tapping head and saying 'knock on wood'...

 

Make sure all the recall issues are addressed from Jaguar. I called Jaguar USA at (800) 452-4827 and gave them my VIN to verify. All issues have been addressed.

 

For the 2005 S Type there was only one recall ever. The fuel tank.
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For 2005 the one makes all but other years may vary.

 

There was also one for the J004 reflash as I recall. I had it done to my 2005.

 

What did the J004 reflash as I recall solve?

 

It was emissions related but it also did a TCM reflash that fixed the dreaded "lurch" in most cases.