Been looking for a newer Jaguar to replace my 95 xj6, was just wondering if I will be disappointed with an S-type 4.2. I know its a jag, but I just don't want something that feels like a Lincoln. Any tips or suggestions?

 

The early models of both the S-Type and Lincoln LS shared more components than the later models did. Us long-time S-Type owners will advise you to get as late a model year S-Type as your budget will allow due to Jaguar working out quite a few of the initial design flaws by the last three or four model years of the S-Type's production run. My own research in December 2008 told me to stick with the 2005-and-newer S-Types for a variety of reasons. One of them was because it took Jaguar that long to finally rectify the faulty ignition coil issues suffered by the earlier model years by finding a supplier and a design that could actually go the distance. My 2005 S-Type is now pushing 93,000 miles and I remain very pleased with it. But be aware that if you cannot or will not do your own maintenance, these cars can and probably will be pricey to own. DIY is always best, and keeping a rolling $2,000 maintenance fund on hand is also a prerequisite (especially if you wind up purchasing a car that has not had the majority of the known issues already addressed)....

Go read the sticky threads at the top of the S-Type forum for a better understanding of what to expect....

Good luck....

 

Not sure what you mean but as Jon said the Lincoln LS and S Types were twins under the skin. Especially the Gen I versions from 1999-2002.

I have both cars and they do ride and handle very similar. I mean they have the same size tires and the same suspension so why would they be different?

Do listen to him about the year car to get. I also went with a 2005 for the same reasons even though I have the R version. Jaguar just fixed a bunch of stuff and the cars still looked the same so the market did not react to the improvements.

This opened a door to some great buys especially during the financial disaster of 2008-2009 which is when I bought mine.

I will say from years on this forum that the least troublesome cars seem to be the 2005 and up V-6 gas cars. Glad we did not get the diesel in the US. Many problems with that one!

I am still on all the original coils and the car has 123K miles on it.
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The LS isn't much like any Lincoln I've ever driven so the S-type wouldn't be either.

Aside from a minor facelift there's not much difference between a 2003/4 vs.2005 and up. I'd go for 2003 and up for 6 speed ZF transmission and more powerful and reliable 4.2L V8.

 

Well he had Lincoln LS in the title so I thought that was the Lincoln model he was talking about?
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It is but there's 'Lincolns' and there's 'Lincolns'. The LS isn't much like some of the huge luxo-barges from the 70s and '80s.

 

You may also want to consider a 2004 XJ8 or Vanden Plas, they are slightly more fuel efficient than the S-Type(they weigh less) and have a common engine/transmission type.

 

I would prefer the xj8, however there are very few in my area, and the one we did find was an 04 with 126k miles (auction car).

Trunk wouldn't open, and there was an engine coolant light on. However if I could find a nice xj8 (2004 up) that would be my first choice.

 

My wife had a 2004 Lincoln LS V8 Sport for 100,000 miles and loved it. So did I. It handled a little different than my S-Type, probably due to different suspension tuning (spring rates, etc.). The curb weights of the cars are about the same.

 

We've owned both and had both at the same time for about two months, the LS in my signature and a 2000 S-Type V8. Even seeing the cars side by side, you wouldn't notice a single shared part beyond the radio controls. The LS feels bigger and the wood isn't as nice. The S-Type feels like a proper Jag and I actually prefer it to the LS. That said, we have the LS for sentimental reasons and the cabin and roof design make it a much more useable car with a larger trunk, but the difference in materials make it easy to tell where the lower price point came from when new. I really very much doubt you'd ever think of the Lincoln while driving the S-Type.

 

They handle very much alike, but I'd give the edge in handling to the Jaguar.

 

I didn't notice the similarities, but our S-Type had CATS suspension and when not pushed hard, the S-Type had a softer ride. The Lincoln just feels stiffer when driving it.

 

"CATS"?

 

That's the Jaguar electronic adjustable suspension. This was never offered on the LS and as posted above it does make a difference.

My wife's 2003 LS V-8 Sport rides very good but my 2005 STR seems better all around and I think's the CATS.
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I think that explains it.... I was comparing the LS to my S-Type 3.0, which does not have CATS.

 

In my humble, yet informed opinion....you are moving in the wrong direction.

Contact Brutal about his impeccable 95 VDP with 41k on the clock. He needs to sell it to make room in the shop for other projects.

 

Hey, just don't forget that there was another kitten in the LS/S-Type family:

"The eleventh generation Thunderbird was built at Ford's Wixom Assembly Plant and was based on the company's DEW98 platform, which was shared with the Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type."

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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)
Past Ours: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

 

Yep, and I think the dash is identical other than gauge color between the Thunderbird and LS.

 

Contacting Brutal in any case looks a good idea.

 

2003 STR was the big split from the Lincoln LS. Changes from then on were mostly cosmetic. So stay with the R, lower mileage the better. Bought my 2003 new, it's a garage queen with only 15,000 miles, totally stock, never molested. It's such a special beautiful car to drive.