Just for grins, I went on the cars.com website and searched for 2005 S-Types equivalent to mine. The asking prices were anywhere from 3K to 7K more than what I paid including the certified warranty. Has anyone else in your area noticed a similar trend? Not sure what's causing this other than the dealers are trying to add a lot of room into their negotiating position.

Mike

 

In the DC area as well, and recently bought a 2005 S type 4.2. There's only one 2005 4.2 on cars.com right now. It's a little more than what mine was listed at, but has fewer miles (although it doesn't have sat/nav which mine does).

Did you buy yours from a dealer or a private seller? The latter will obviously be cheaper.

I tracked S type prices online for about six months before buying. They do seem to flucuate in price somewhat (although not $3-7K). I think this is because there are not that many S types on the road compared to other similar cars, so they are more sensitive to supply. I know that dealers don't want too many used of any one model on their lots. The dealer I bought from had several used S types in stock, so I think I probably got better deal than if they had only one.

How are you liking the 3.0?

 

Hi dwhitall,

I bought my 2005 S-Type from Manhattan Jaguar in Bethesda MD. So far, I am quite pleased with the car. Performance wise, the 3.0 is quite peppy for what I need. I was used to the the XJ series which were somewhat larger and a bit softer ride wise, but once I got used to the S-Type ride and handling, I really like it better. I find it extremely agile and predictable handling wise. The car I got would be considered a base model, but it is still very well equipped. That is my preference actually, as I prefer the simpler is better approach as there is less to go wrong. Since it appears as though you are also in the DC area, here is where I how I would rate the dealers:

Manhattan Jaguar - seem to set their prices more realistic, but tend to not have much negotiating room.

Rosenthal and Chantilly - prices are about 2-3K higher than Manhattan, not sure how flexible they are.

Chesapeake Jaguar - prices are really high, not sure on flexibility.

Brown Jaguar in Richmond - prices are also high. I would be suspect on their service since I saw an XF with a Brown Jaguar Lemon sign (put in by owner) in the Chantilly Jaguar service lane.

 

I paid $10k for my 2003 S 3.0. I have noticed prices on Ebay higher than what I paid. I think it's seasonal. I have been tracking these cars for about 2 years. I think you have to buy a Jag during the winter for the best price.

 

I bought ours a week before Christmas 2008 when there was no one, and I mean no one, in the dealer showroom besides us for more than three hours. I offered them $5,000 less than what they had advertised the car in the newspaper ad for and told them up front that we did not need the car and would not negotiate. It was take-it-or-leave-it. After 15 minutes, they took my offer and were not very happy with me.

We love the car and I really feel as if I bought a Jaguar for Honda money....

 

Nice! It's calling making the recession work for you!

 

The used car market is actually experiencing rising prices or steady prices because no one is buying new cars compared to usual levels. This means people are not trading their old car in. As well more people are buying used since leasing/financing is harder to come by currently. This makes the demand for the used cars much higher. Prices at dealer auctions are also seeing the same trend. The pre-owned highline market overall is not experiencing any slow downs at all, in fact for some people they cant keep enough cars in stock. As well, private party cars are not usually cheaper then dealers cars. Sometimes they are more but worth it. Get what you pay for applies here, as there are many advantages to buying from the owner then a dealer in terms of quality if its a prime example.

 

"private party cars are not usually cheaper then dealers cars'
This has not been my experience. Obviously it depends on how flexible the seller is on their price, but the starting price of private parties is usually cheaper.

"I offered them $5,000 less"
My 2005 S Type 4.2 was stickered at $17K. The internet price (which I think is a bit of a scam, btw) was $16K. I talked them down to $13K, plus $3K for my trade in. Writing a check for $10K and driving off with a Jag was a nice feeling.

 

I just used NADA to check the value of my car, it states clean retail value on a 2003 S-type R with navigation is worth $13,500. I'd sure like to know where they're shopping at. That's significantly less than what I paid just a year ago. Kelley blue book claims $15,600.

I thought I got a pretty good deal on my '03 STR a year ago at $18k, but from seeing what some of you have paid, I feel like I paid too much now.

 

Same here phaelax... When I read what some are paying for STRs it kinda makes me sick when I think about how much I paid and I thought I stole it at the time!.. I guess thats why everyone says don't buy a Jag hahaha if the the maintenance doesn't clean out your wallet, then the resale value will make you cry..

 

Don't kick yourself, guys. Remember that although the recession began in November/December 2007, the economy really didn't go down the toilet until August/September 2008. If you bought your S-Types a year ago, the economy was still in decent shape and you probably worked yourself a pretty good deal, relatively speaking.

When I bought our car a week before Christmas last year, I knew that I had two major market forces working for me big-time. The economy completely in the dumper, and excessive Christmas spending keeping wannabe car buyers away from showrooms. I play the options market for a living, I knew that the stars had aligned perfectly to allow me to steal this car, and that's exactly what I did. My biggest challenge was to get my wife to shut the hell up about how much she loved the car so I could play my Ebenezer Scrooge role with the sales guy and business manager. But it all worked out for us in the end....

 

Well, as for a deal, when I got my 03 STR in October 2008 I paid $15K Canadian (about 11K or so US). They were asking 23K, but just like some of you did, I just said "I'll give you 15, that's my budget. Take it or leave it." After some running around of the sales people and manager, they took the offer. Again, didn't really like me either after that! I feel like I got a good deal on the car. And for me, the resale is higher in Manitoba, since there are only 2 STR's of any year in the province (as far as I know, might be one or 2 more). When I went to insure it I was told the book on the car was almost 30K! That's high if you ask me, but you get the idea on resale being higher than what I paid.