im looking to buy a 2004 s type 4.2 can anyone tell me what the common faults are and what to look out for it has done 124,000 miles
hope you can help

 

hello anybody there?

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...-guides-41364/

 

Why ask TWICE without waiting for replies????

 

He is excited and want to find out information about S-types so he can decide weather of not to purchase.

 

Rushing headlong to buy a 10 year old semi-exotic rarely ends well.

 

On that, just look at me!

 

Great, I've been looking at a 2003 S-Type V8 Sport with 73,736 miles on it. However, I've not been able to test drive it yet until they finish replacing the transmission because it was "shifting high".

I've been in contact with a Jaguar Master Technician who will check it out for me before purchase and he informed me he may actually be the one contracted to do the replacement.

I'm not sure if I should be as concerned as I am excited.

 

I believe Mikey was just referring to the impatience of the original poster in relation to appearing to be in a huge hurry by posting twice in an hour (as if the members here can be summoned on demand); not that these cars cannot be decent purchases if researched and inspected properly.

 

Yes exactly-thanks for clarifying. Due diligence is required when buying any old car.

 

Alrighty then. Almost 6 weeks later and I need to make my decision in the next few days. I test drove the car almost 2 weeks ago and returned to the used car dealer with a list of issues. The major ones to me being leaking coolant, one HID lamp out, and exterior mirrors that stay darkened.

I am told all will be fixed by tomorrow except the missing grille badge and mirrors because the dealer owner will not put any more money into it after replacing the transmission, radiator, and I believe the left front fender.

I can get my $500 deposit back or buy the car for the original $7500 after having my independent Jaguar tech bless it for me. He happens to be the guy they contracted to replace the transmission.

Thoughts?

 

I'd pass. An '03 with 75k miles that's been crashed isn't worth that even with all the new parts and work done to it. There are plenty of clean, non-wrecked ones with that or less mileage that could be had for the same or less $. I'd wait out and find the right one; this one seems to have a shady history and those types of cars tend to be long term money pits.

 

Sorry if I mislead you on the fender replacement. There was a small area on the fender that had a 1-2 inch scratch/dent to the metal. I only guessed at fender replacement because the screws attaching the top of the fender in the engine compartment looked like that were replaced.

Here is a link to the car and the carfax:
2003 Jaguar S-TYPE V8 w/CLEAN CARFAX Cleveland, Ohio | Autos Direct Online

The car seems to have spent most of its life in CA and FL

 

The transmission had work done on it at 12k miles according to carfax. Something does look a little off on the LF in the pictures. The gaps where the hood closes aren't even from one side to the other, but I suppose it could be the glare in the pictures if it looks ok in person. You can always check for paint over spray, thickness along seams or a different amount of "orange peel" in the paint. The car has been for sale for 4 months already, if you really want it and it checks out ok, I would offer less $, maybe $6200 or something real low ball as they obviously are having problems moving it.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I was hoping that the new transmission would negate the past problems. Part of the reason its been for sale for so long was my deposit holding it for the last 6 weeks while they did the transmission replacement and other repairs.

We'll have to see what the Jaguar tech tells me tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

I concur that $7,500 is too much for this car. I would not offer more than $6,000. That may not get it, but my feelings would not be hurt because you can certainly find better examples out there if you look hard and have patience....

 

Did the OP ever come back to tell us what he did?

 

Patience is the virtue I'll stick with here. They got the wrong part to replace the coolant hose today. It won't be ready until tomorrow and I don't believe they are going to come down on the price since I was told I could get my deposit back if not fixing the mirrors was a deal breaker. I believe I'll fall back on plan B of getting a Cadillac Deville or Buick Park Avenue for my daily driver.

Thanks for the guidance.

 

I don't think either of those choices will be any better long term, especially as far as reliability. Also, neither of those are going to drive like the Jag. I would look around some more, $7500 will get you a nice 03+ S-Type that's in good shape.

 

If they don't take your offer I think they will be sitting on it for some time.
.
.
.