It's being bought from a Ford dealer. 3.0 V6, 104,000 miles, $7,900.

Looks clean as a whistle, but doesn't appear to have the usual signs of detailing that used cars have. It just seems to have been vacuumed and washed.

The paint's clearcoat is perfect, and the seats don't appear to have ever been used.

The 104,000 miles is my only concern, and I'm wondering how long this model runs before needing lots of costly attention. We drove it twie yesterday, and it runs great.

There is a slight ticking when the engine idling, and I've done a quick search here. Someone said they had a ticking that sounded like valves, or lifters, but a few Jag mechanics couldn't say what it was.

I'm supposed to buy the car at 4pm today, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I should mention the car is intended to be used a my daily driver, with a 10 miles roundtrip each day.

My current vehicle is a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 212,000 miles (reliable as the sunrise!). Do S-Types live as long as the Jeep without new engines, trannys, etc?

Here's a pic of the stereo/nav head unit:

It doesn't look like any other that I've seen on a 2004 S-Type, and I don't recall seeing the CD changer in the trunk. If this looks like a stock head unit, please let me know.

EDIT: I can't get the pic to load in the post, so you have to click on the link....???

 

Read the stickied FAQ threads here in the S-Type section for the tips and tricks you'll need to know. The 3.0 models have some basic needs that you'll need to do if they haven't already been done (such as the factory IMT O-rings being replaced by the new-and-improved O-rings that do not leak and throw misfire codes)....

 

$7900 for a 104k miles 3.0 "S" seems a bit heady. As for the ticking sound; the motor doesn't have valve lifters due to it having double overhead cams. The cam followers may be worn thus the contributing factor. Put a halt to the purchase till an independent mechanic can verify that the motor and transmission are healthy. Go back to the negotiating table and offer $6000. Check your states statutes for mandated dealer warranties following purchase. These typically last 30 days or 3k miles.

 

The ticking is more than likely the fuel injectors. A screw driver to the FI and ear would help.

Are you a DIY'er? If no, then I would say walk away. I somewhat agree that $8,000 is a bit, but not too much out of range with 104k on the clock at a dealer.

 

Hi Guys,
I do most of the work on my vehicles, but they've all been older Toyotas, Jeeps, Fords, etc. In general, those cars haven't needed much work, but I can do quite a bit. I did see a thread in which the fuel injectors were pointed to as a possible source of ticking. It's faint and steady. The brake pedal travel seems a bit long, but without the manual it's hard to know how to adjust it (they are adjustable, right?) It travels a couple of inches without much effect, and then kicks in during what seems to be the thord inch. I'll bring a tape with me. I should bring a mechanic as well, but...

P.S. I'm in Pennsylvania, and the car is being sold AS-IS....

 

Seems way over priced in that case.

 

Sounds as if you may need new pads at the least, if not rotors as well. Seems to be to much travel.

Make sure they put it on a lift and take a look at the passenger side rearwards transmission. You would be looking for the electric connection into the side of the gearbox. LOOK FOR A LEAK! There would be noticable oil stainage at the bottom of the connector.

 

+2 - overpriced for a vehicle with over 100K miles on the clock...

 

Well Frank????

Are you just in the garage all starry eyed.

 

No....

We went there at 5pm, and I wanted to examine the head unit/lack of DVD and CD changer in the trunk.

It was discovered that the head unit is a Panasonic that the previous owner had installed. The packet of owner's manuals included a Nav system booklet, so I'll assume that's what was replaced.

My concern is what parts of the car's electrical system might have been compromised, or deleted when the Panasonic unit was installed.

Without a Jag owner/tech there, and without removing the unit to see how well it was installed (hardwired without an adapter plug I assume), that's a big question.

I brought my laptop to the dealer, and showed the salesman the comments posted here. I expressed concern about the ticking, and he said he didn't hear any.

We stood there listening to it together yesterday afternoon, and he suddenly remembered it when I opened the hood. We shot the $hit for an hour more, and I told him to work up a better number, or to at least deduct the cost of an Ipod that I'll need for the Panasonic head unit.

He came back with full price, and a $299 accessory charge! I asked what the accessory charge was for, and he said they etch all the windows on every car they have in the lot.

I tossed the paper back at him, and told him the deal was off because of that(!!!). I've heard of dealers trying to sell etching, but not forcing it on every customer.
He told me that they would take the charge off, but I wanted more money off the $7,999! Now they'll act like they're doing me a favor by cancelling the etching cost.

The car is nice, and we spent quite a bit of time sitting inside with the salesman. He's a nice guy, and the car is just downright comfortable to be in.
I told him at 8pm that I'll give him my final answer tomorrow. I might demand they knock $299 off the $7999 just for trying to force the etching on me.

The car looks new, runs mega smooth, and is more comfortable than my living room furniture. I don't like to be jerked around at the close of a deal, and I'll probably calm down in an hour. I am genuinely concerned about what might have been compromised with the Panasonic head unit.

The climate controls all seem to be in place, but if you look at the picture link in my first post, maybe someone can help me out with what might be missing.

Thanks Guys!

 

Up to you Frank, but from what I've seen other guys post here ( knowledgable guys ) and reading some of your comments from your discussions, the price, the way the salesmans jerked you around etc etc.......

I'd walk and keep on looking I think if I were you.

Either way good luck and hope to hear

 

Unless you live somewhere very remote, there are plenty more for sale and with better miles & price. Plus not been messed with. I'd walk.

Good learning exercise, though.

 

I paid $3500 for my '05 S-Type with 68k miles, in a private party sale from a most gracious and wonderful woman that I worked for, as she suffered a stroke last November, and is now unable to drive.

The KBB value for the vehicle when I purchased it last month was around $9,000 if I recall correctly, given its mileage and condition - however, as I mention in one of my other posts, the dealership that was servicing it (it had sat for several months while she was in the hospital) said that it required about $4,000 worth of work.

I sat down with the dealership manager and had him work out an appraisal for the vehicle, and he showed me the then-current auction return averages, and it was definitely nowhere near the $9,000 range that Kelley set for the car; intact vehicles with the same mileage range (65-85k) were selling at auction for between $3,500 and $5,500 in the last 60 days prior to this. She and I settled on a price of $3,500 because of the extensive amount of work that the Jaguar dealership said it required, and had it been repaired to their specification and cost, the dealership manager said it would appraise for closer to $7500, for sale as a used vehicle.

That being said, I think I got an exceptional deal at $3500, but as I am mechanically inclined, and have the tools and ability to perform the required maintenance and repair, I would probably adjust the value of the vehicle you are looking at to be no more than $5,000 - especially considering the high mileage, and taking into account any potential butchering done to the electrical system, and the possibility as mentioned of any maintenance or preventative repair not having been done.

For what it's worth though, I would have booked it just the same when the guy came back with additional charges (which you can do yourself, or have done for free in most cases, call your local police department's automotive theft desk for information) to have to windows etched, even though they probably already were when the car was sold to its first owner.

No need in paying to be a victim to wolves who prey on the uninformed ! As a new Jaguar owner, I have extolled the virtues of scouring this forum and learning from those here - I hope your search for motoring excellence is fruitful, and don't forget - there is nothing wrong with asking an independent mechanic to evaluate a vehicle, and if the seller balks at letting you, there's a good reason. Also, invest in a Carfax account, or ensure your dealership provides you with the report - they should be PROUD to give it to you.

Cheers, and happy motoring!

 

For what its worth, I think you made the right choice last night. As JagV8 pointed out plenty more S Types for sale.

Which brings me to my next point.

If I were in the market for a "previously enjoyed" vehicle especially a Jaguar, I would contact fellow member here George Androulakis, screen name Androulakis. He is dabbling in the used car market and has located quite a few Jaguars for follow members here. All have rave reviews with dealing with George.

From his signature:

George Androulakis
Russell Marques LLC - Exotic Auto Brokers.
"From your dreams to your driveway.... "
george@rmexoticautos.com

BTW he is located near you I believe.

Good Luck

 

Frank, we're proud of you! You showed that dealer who was boss and put him on the defensive. Now...though she rides and looks beautiful, the price has to match the year, miles, and equipment. This specimen has a Panasonic CD head? If some miracle causes the dealer to come back to you. Tell him the price is $6000. He likely got it at auction for $2500. Otherwise, we hope to soon hear you're in another "S".

 

Hi Guys,
I was a bit ticked off about the etching when I wrote my post last night, and then I found this: http://www.donovansearles.com/files/...0for%20AAA.pdf I kept dreaming about every scam people have tried on me last night, so that wasn't fun.

That was filed back in 2007, and they're still doing it! The salesman told me the etching "Offered insurance if the car was stolen."! My wife is an attorney for an insurance company, and an arbitration judge, but she was looking at a hybrid Ford when he said that. The long and short of the link above is that they aren't licensed to sell "insurance" in PA, and the 1000% markup on the etching goes beyond what the state allows. I can't wait for them to call me at noon..

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, so Jags are everywhere. I ad considered this Jaguar because the dealership has been there forever, and I never heard any complaints until now. There seem to be more XJ's than S-Types on the market right now, but there are still a few of the latter that look nice. There is one about 6 miles from my house, so I'll have to give a call. Stay Tuned........

P.S. I found some papers in the glove compartment, and the car was from Maryland. It had failed MD's emission test, but the papers indicated that it had passed a month later (March 2012). The owner's name and address were on the papers, and I a Google search only showed his house. Funny thing is, the Jag was parked in the driveway for the satellite pic....LOL! The emission testing might explain why the exhaust system looked new (shiny new)....

 

I called the salesman about an hour ago, and offered $7,100. He said they'll never go for it (typical ). He just called me and said they can do $7,367 (typical odd number, we worked hard on this price for you B.S. ). Hmmmmmmm.......................................... .......

 

Holy Poop Batman! I guess I traded my 05 just in time... 67k miles and got 11,500 for it IN TRADE.

Now a year and a half later they are only selling for $3500 to $5000 at auction???

 

As Rick advised above, contact forum member George Androulakis. He'll find your car for thousands less than you can do on your own, and he has auction contacts nationwide. I acquired my wife's 2006 XK8 through George back in January. She loves her XK8 and I love the five grand that George saved me....

 

Your car does not have factory navigation so the book you found must have been extra. The factory navigation can't be replaced because nothing aftermarket can do what the Jag unit does. It has the climate control integrated and yours is separate. The S Type only came that way if ordered without factory navigation.
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