I'm a potential new s type owner. I'm a car guy, but have never got into jags. I like the AJV8, so am looking at a 2000 S type. The price is fantastic, which makes it okay as it will be my third car. This one has had the transmission replaced along with all the window regulators. I'll be doing a full compression and leak-down test before I buy the car aswell. Are there any little things I should look for that anybody here as an owner can recommend?

 

Adrian, I'm truelly happy that you are considering a Jag S-Type. I also understand the selling price for the 2000 V-8 is great, but for what? Do you understand the particulars of the history of this years model? What I'm suggesting is to check into this model year then the subsequent years for this model. You may be surprised that you can afford a later year S-Type V-8 that is more sound in the engineering dept.

 

I don't quite understand what i'm getting into yet, no. I just really like how the car looks, and cannot rationalize more money into cars. It's not a car I really need, but I'd like it. Again, the price is just so right that I've just about convinced myself I need it. After-all, they look fantastic.

 

As I can't find edit. I want to add what modle year would you recommend I look at?

 

Check out 2003 S-Type V-8 (4.2 litre, 310 hp, 6 speed auto.) not only does this "S" look nice, it can move! The earlier 1998-2002 4.0's had engine and trans. issues. Jag firmed her up with the new more powerful 4.2 with reliable 6 speed automatic. I bet you can find an affordable specimen.

 

Spend some time reading through the S-Type threads on this forum as well as other Jaguar forums out there. You'll eventually come to the conclusion that has already been offered in other posts above - you'll be better off with a 2003-or-newer S-Type. They all have some quirky issues which are well-documented on this forum, but the newer cars have fewer and less costly ones to fix....

 

The only V8 within 500 miles of me is unfortunately this 2000. If this model year really is a bad idea, I'll look else-where; again however, it's just at the perfect price point. And again, has had the transmission replaced and all the windows and regulators. A full cooling system replacement including the top end of the engine. New suspension all around with the exception of the control arms.

 

It could be OK. Whenever you buy a car you're buying one specific car of all the ones built. You can be lucky or unlucky. There are things that can be wrong or can go wrong on most cars. The 2000 4.0 isn't different. Its suspension isn't quite as good as the later cars (that was one of the main changes) but if you're happy with it, that's up to you. And so on. You can read about the car in detail here and on the net just by searching.

 

I agree with everyone else on this. MY03+ is definately the way to go.

HOWEVER, you seem like you know your way around cars though and if something were to go wrong you could probably do it yourself with a shop manual. If you were someone that didnt know much about cars, using it as their only one, and are not a DIYer, I'd say STEER CLEAR. I am obviously making assumptions here but go for it if its dirt cheap and your thorough inspection goes well. Jag parts are expensive enough, inflated Jag parts + labor is unbearable. So be prepared and comfortable enough with your abilities to make repairs if they come up.

 

I plan on making it my winter car, but this gives me all summer to hammer out any problems. I imagine with everything tweaked up, it shouldn't start falling apart. And all the common issues I've read that involve this car, their respective parts have since been replaced.