The later models did indeed address several design flaw issues suffered in the earlier models. The general advice is that you are more likely to be happier with a 2003-and-newer car due to a number of issues being improved by Jaguar. That said, all S-Types are now getting a bit long in the tooth and there will be ongoing issues with some of the plastics used in these cars. It gets brittle with age and heat cycles. The classic case is the cooling system expansion reservoir. It typically must be replaced as a unit every five years or so. Many of the plastic clips used to hold various trim pieces also get brittle and fail, as do the plastic pieces inside the doors that hold the glass in place as you lower the windows. Study the FAQ stickies at the top of the S-Type section of the forum. You'll quickly gain insight as to what to look for if you decide to pursue one of these cars....

Keep in mind that almost no one wants an S-Type these days so you should be able to pick up a decently-cared-for example for not much money. Do not allow your emotions to override your common sense if you decide to chase one....

 

Again, the threshold is 2003 and up. There was a minor facelift in 2005, but that was cosmetics only.

Ford owned Jag before the S-type came along in 1999.

 

Check with Kelly Blue Book to be sure you're being charged a fair price - Official Kelley Blue Book New Car and Used Car Prices and Values

And if you're buying from a used car dealer, get a warranty, even if you have to pay for one. These cars do break.

 

^^^What He Said. I purchased mine from a used car dealer and bought a warranty with it, it was well worth the extra $250.

 

Enter the beauty of Jaguar - As previously noted throughout this forum, and also by prior posters to your thread.. there were several reliability flaws in the pre-2003 models that were "addressed" in the MY2003 refresh. For the life of me, apart from the ball-joints, I can't see that any were necessarily "improved" despite the effort! But ya can't help but love 'em none-the-less. Coolant reservoir? Upper Rad hose? Fuel door latch?...see what I mean?

Your real choice comes down to 2003/4 vs. 2005 and subsequent. In the non-"R" models, the pre-facelift cars are drastically more beautiful. I don't think the styling cues are all that different in the supercharged models pre/post 2005 - but I've never really given 'em much thought or ogled 'em at all. But on the NA cars, the biggest "subtle" difference I've ever seen.

 

Have to disagree with you, Zane. I think the 2005-and-newer versions are better looking, particularly from the rear-end view. Raising that rear profile by an inch, revising the taillamp assemblies, and extending the plinth all the way across the panel really makes the later models look a bit sleeker. And much less likely to be confused with a Taurus....

 

Hehe....We all like different things, which I guess, is the basis for how they can sell ANY of the new XF's and XJ's!
But I wouldn't argue the rear end too vigorously with you, Jon. Though I do prefer the back side of the daughter's 03 to the wife's 05...(somehow this can't possibly end well!) I was speaking primarily about the front end. And at risk of alienating the "R" lovers out there...from what little I've looked at them, seems all of the "R's" look like 05's in the front....

Jon, are we in agreement that if the reservoir, upper rad hose, and fuel door are "improved" on the later ones...the early models musta' been some kinda bad?!? (I can name more "non-improvements" to the 2003+ as they come to me...those are just prominent)

Edit: Transmission - plausibly an improvement: Do you prefer "the lurch!" and no dipstick with a built-in leak point over an inability to shift out of park if you forget to set the park-brake on a hill? Buyer's choice, I suppose

 

Wow! Thanks for all the later input. Really helpful
My story took a few weird turns that some might find useful, if anyone's interested.

First, here's the car I bought.
Jaguar s Type 3 0 | eBay

When I initially posted I wasn't looking at an Ebay car, but I'm glad I found this one.

So the seller agrees to sell for $13,500.00. I send him a $500 deposit BEFORE checking the Carfax. That ended up being a mistake, because the Carfax showed the car had been in a "minor" front end collision. WHen I asked the seller about that, he said they didn't mention it because it was reported as "minor", and the car passed all their inspection checks. Least to say, I was suspicious.

I found a link in the Carfax report that said I could view the accident report, but it was from a third party and cost an extra $30.00. I bought it, and the previous owners name and address was there. I searched White Pages.com for the name and got a phone number!! Turns out it was a nice elderly lady. She told me she'd acquired the car brand new as a lease vehicle, and bought it after the end of her 3 year lease. She told me the accident was a very small incident that occurred while the car was parked. Someone bumped into the front right fender, and it had to be repainted. No other damage.
She went on to say she'd had every single recommended service performed on the car, and had never had any problems with it whatsoever.
She didn't tell me her age, but from the sound of her voice I'm guessing she was at least in her mid 60's or older.
So, the moral of my story is, always check the Carfax BEFORE you pay a down payment, and an extra $30 bucks to review an accident report is money well spent.
Adding shipping costs, this car will end up costing me $5k more than the 52,000 mile car I originally considered, but I'm extra excited about getting the car now, especially in light of the fact it is truly a car previously owned by " a little old lady" as they say in the car business, and seemingly well taken car of.
You guys agree?
Thanks !!!!!

 

Side note - the 21k mile car I was looking at for $13000 is still available at a Honda Dealer in NJ if anyone's interested. It also looked like a fantastic deal. I went with the 26k mile car in Florida because my wife preferred silver paint over blue. The blue car can be found on Autotrader.com

 

Zane,

I'm not convinced that the coolant reservoir or the fuel filler door mechanism are any better on the later models. It's probably the same plastic either way in the reservoir. Mine was replaced in September 2009. And my car is on its third fuel filler door mechanism - once by the original owner under the factory warranty and again by me in July 2009 with about ten days remaining on the factory warranty. The key since then has been keeping that white plastic latch pin coated in lithium grease at all times. I do that at least quarterly, and no issues with it since....

Regarding the ZF 6HP26, I now own two of them and they continue to be my primary pet peeve for both of our Jaguars. No dipstick / fill tube and a real circus act is required whenever you decide to do a drain-and-fill not to mention that Lifeguard 6 is still too costly for what it is even though it has come down in price considerably during the past couple of years. Plus the propensity of the electrical connector sleeve to start leaking. And don't forget that sooner or later, the two transmission lines leading into and out of the oil cooler will leak at their metal-to-rubber transition. It's just a matter of time and heat cycles....

 

Skewzme, looks like you got a real good deal, very nice lookin S-Type. One of the first things to do is check the battery, if it's more than 3 years old, just replace it, trust me on this, it'll save a lot of headaches later..enjoy..

 

Congrats. If the car was always in FL, you'll be far better off vs. one that spent even one winter in NJ.

 

Nice looking car. Good luck! May I ask what it costs to ship the car from Florida to Virginia?

 

most of the quotes I got were in the $7-$800 range. The dealer got me one for $600