Well finally went and got an STR after looking for 2 months and debating on what car I was gonna get. Was between an XJR, STR, E55 AMG, or an M5. I finally decided that the STR would be the best car for me. Had to rule out the M5 cause I have a problem with my leg so stick shift would probably not of worked. Ruled out the E55 cause maintenance costs put alot of cars to shame. I thought my Audi A8 was expensive. Plus 500 dollar OEM brake pads just made me cringe a little. So between the XJR and STR I just like the looks of the STR a little better. So here is just a quick pic will post more tomorrow once I get her cleaned up. Just got to sell a few things from my old car so the mods can begin.

 

Nicey nice....Welcome to the STR club

 

Congrats and hope you weill be liking your new ride a lot
I didn't realize E55's brake pads that much .WOW that's a super sport cars territory

 

congrats

 

I'm in the same spot and having had a friend who had an E55 I knew a bit about it. I'm hoping you're correct about the STR being a bit more reasonable? I've decided to skip Audis perhaps unfairly for some of the maintenance issues I've read about on them when they get long in the tooth. I do like them a lot but I have to be more practical as I will be running this car to it's grave.

I'm curious if you tried out the XJR as well as the STR? It's a different car but somewhat similar as well just bigger and a lot more luxurious.

I've had a couple drives in the STR. The latest was in a low mileage 07 which worked prefectly whereas the 06 with 43K on the clock has some issues with grabbing brakes and the tranny lurch. I suspect it's all maintenance issues and the 06 could easily be adjusted to run properly.

Bob S.

 

Awesome Vance! Looks like it's silver? An 03 ? I have a silver 03 STR. You may have already noticed, the STR gets the looks and once in a while a challenge. A weak case in point: Yesterday while driving my mother in law to stay with us for the weekend, a gentleman driving a new Infinity 350 (310 hp @ approx. $45k) with his wife and son "thought" it appropriate to show how their new overpriced rice mobile will spank this Jag (that they definitely were not familiar with). My mother in law, who loves my STR, insisted I meet his challenge! Dudes, I spanked that Infinity so bad that I actually felt remorse for him and embarrassed for myself. What was wrong with me for picking on a N/A V6? Nonetheless, my mother in law literally cracked up from the spanking and the STR's seat pinning thrust of power. Welcome and enjoy Vance!

 

Its a 05+....No fog lights, and newer wheels....and he also stated it was an 06

 

Congrats on the STR. I really like the color!

 

Its an 05 picked it up with 60000 miles on the clock. Yea it had the chrome wheels done by that place in Cali I forget the name of it. They look really nice look better then some wheels I had that came chrome. I never did try the XJR. Could never find one close enough to test drive. I wanted something that was a little more nimble in the corners. I posted a topic about a month ago whether to go XJR vs STR and seems like what I was looking for everyone pointed me towards the STR. Yea I really like the E55 but paying all that money just puts it in its own league. Hell for a pulley its like 2500-3000 a little more then the 3lb from eurotoys. LOL. I did like my Audi and was thinking of upgrading I had a 98. But it does require alot of just prevenative maintenance such as timing belts, control arms, plus on then transmissions are touchy. I thought I got alot of comments and looks in the Marauder that I used to have just one day has been more then any week I've had in the Marauder.
More pics

 

Very nice!! I like the chrome wheels because I have the same ones on my 2005 STR! As for the expensive brake pads. The factory pads are very expensive but I would recommend using the aftermarket Akebono Euro Ceramic pads for cost and to get rid of the brake dust. Only about $200 for all 4 wheels.
Here is my car.
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The one and only thing that's keeping me from getting a STR or a Jag in general is the lack of aux/ipod interface with music storage.

Most new cars come equipped with them now..

 

Nice I was looking for a silver, black, or quartz. I figured I'd go with quartz since I sold a black and a silver car to get it so I would go in between. Does anyone make smoked side markers for the STR????

 

Whose LS is that in the back?

 

Welcome to the STR family, Im joing the family on the 16th nd just counting the days down!

 

SimpsonTide985;
The wife's 2003 Lincoln LS V-8 Sport. 286 Hp 3.9L V-8. Has A/C seats!! This is a nice car but underpowered. I am running a SCT3 programmer on it but it does not help much. It got me interested in the S Type and finally the STR.

Also look into the ACM (Audio Control Module). I added it to my 2005 and love the USB! It gives you a USB, IPOD and RCA inputs to the factory stereo via the fiber optic bus. So the quality is top shelf. Down side is the display does not show track or artist information.

vance580;
Yes smoked and clear side lenses. You should be able to fine them at the common vendors. Euro-Toys, Eurotech, ect. Look here for both kinds and they are on sale!

http://tinyurl.com/27tgk4e

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Wow, you think that's underpowered? The 0-60 still must be around 6.6-7.0 seconds or so...

Heh, I guess the STR is what you needed then..

and isn't the ACM kinda hard to install for someone who isn't into DIY?

 

I did not find the ACM very hard to install but my hobby is shade tree mechanic! I did change the spot where the cables go into the center console. I placed them more out of the way and lowered the USB port so the taller thumb drives will fit without removing the USB port from it's bracket. If you are interested I posted a thread called ACM install. The toughest part is getting the factory trim clips around the SAT-NAV to let go!! Very tight clips. It's easy to install with the fiber optic stuff. Just plug and play.

Yes the V-8 Lincoln LS from 2003-2006 is about 6.3-6.5 sec 0-60. Well in today's market it is pretty slow when a POS Honda is running about 7-7.2 sec 0-60 or less!!! Many V-6 cars are much quicker than the LS. I wanted the second Gen LS because they added VVT, this raised the HP and Torque. It's a shame Ford did not develop the car more. I think it was some what restricted so as to not over lap too much with the S Type.

Yes I am kind of a power nut but still went with the STR. I cross shopped the SRT8 Charger and Challenger, Camaro and Mustang. All of these are faster and have a HUGE after market of parts. But the suspension is not so easy to duplicate. The E55 and the M5 were also considered but in the end were just too expensive for me. I am still a big E55 fan!! 469 HP!!!

I am also still convinced the STR is way under tuned!!! The power and weight of this car should put it in the low 5 to high 4 sec range 0-60. It should be easily in the 12's in the 1/4 mile too!! I am hoping to upgrade the blower but we will see. I mean here is a 1998 Jaguar XJR with a 4.0 supercharged engine and he is running 12.41!! I wish Matt was still around but it looks like he moved on some time ago?? Last entry was 2007. Take a look here:

http://www.matmoranmotorsports.com/
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I'll definitely have to stay out of your way if I see you coming down the road..