I've been a long time lurker of this forum and I am a current, 3 year owner of a 2005 Lincoln LS V8. I've been getting the itch lately for something different but want a sport sedan. I've always loved the STR for what it is and how uncommon it is. I've spent the last 2.5 hours today searching this forum trying to read about all the good, the bad and the ugly of owning a STR--I'm still interested...There's a red 06' near me wth 63k miles on it that the dealer is asking $9900 for.

There's also a black/black 06' with 87k miles on it that the dealer is asking $12k for. The black/black car has 4 previous owners.

I've checked the KBB and NADA on these cars but I'm curious what these cars go for generally. I know the S-type is not a much desired car by the majority of the population.

I've yet to see either of the two in person but I'm just trying to get a feel for what a "good" deal on one of these is. I realize, this is tough to say without actually seeing the car yet and checking it over for the major no, no's.

Any help is appreciated

 

I would have a THOROUGH CHECK UP done by a jag tech and then choose the best one on the check out. Low miles is always good, but sometimes the seals get a little hardened from sitting.

 

This type of question get asked a lot on the forum, but it is probably a challenge to search for all the specific items to look for.

Top of my list is to check to see if they have services any of the following.
- Replaced/serviced supercharger snout bearings/seals/coupler/oil.
- Has the coolant line that sits below the superchargers in the block valley been changed.
- Check to see that the self leveling headlights work.
- Look at all the suspension bushing seals to see if they are cracked, broken and/or dry.
- Check that the shocks and active suspension works.
- Ask if they know if the transmission fluid has ever been changed.
- Can they confirm if the engine oil has been changed on a regular basis, 5000 miles or less, and did they use synthetic oil

These item give a general indication of how the owners took care of the car.
if the 87K car hasn't had any of these items services, then you will know that the car will need more attention down the road. If many of these items have been serviced, then the owner either had problems with the car, or took good car of it.

 

I'd wager that there are very few if any S-types that can meet this criteria. The factory change interval is 10,000 miles/one year and without requirement for synthetic oil. Factory fill was conventional type. 'Free' (included) maintenance during the warranty period comprised of 10K/annual changes using conventional oils.

There is no evidence that the interval was anything but quite conservative and is 50% less than newer models using essentially the same engine.

There is also no evidence than changing oils more often achieves anything tangible.

 

Well I would put it differently?

If you can't DIY the car I would not get it. As you know the STR is a rare car and even the dealers sometimes don't know how to fix them.

But this forum does! I also have a 2003 Lincoln LS with 107K miles and it is amazing how much stuff is the same underneath the two cars.

One good thing is most if not all the problems have been solved. So get the factory manuals - JEPC and the JTIS (Both free on this forum) and enjoy the car!

I am at 123K miles on my 2005 STR. The worst repair has been the under super charger hose and the resulting vacuum leak that repair caused. But I did the work so the labor was free!
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Thanks for the responses guys. I also just found a 03' Blue STR that is even closer to me than those other two. Previously I wasn't even going to consider going to an 03 because this is the first year the car was made and the problem with the early shifting (that and thats a 2 year step back with my 05 Lincoln). However, the 03' looks extremely clean and has 55k miles on it. The 2006 Red has low miles but the Red exterior is a total negative for me...

Once again, I know this question has been asked WAY too much on this forum but I wondering if grabbing the 03 with less miles and for way less money would be better than trying to get the Black 06 with 87k. Waiting on the Carfax for the Blue 03' currently. Again, I appreciate your guy's responses so far.

 

I vote for the 03 if it checks out!

 

Part of the reason for an oil chance every 5000 miles is that some car owners literally don't open the hood of their car and look at the engine to see if something else might be happening under there. For many drivers, they have their oil changed by a shop. The shops will typically look around the engine compartment hoping to see a service opportunity. At 10K miles, some cars may be luckly to get their hood opened once a year.

For the DIYers, we open the hoods on a regular basis and look for potential problems. We pull out the dip stick and look at the oil level on a regular basis. If it looks dirty we will likely change the oil sooner than later.

I do know car owners who state that they never open the hood of their car unless they hear something funny, then they take it to the shop.

Many original "new STR" owners were moderately affluent financially, and drove them without ever working on them themselves. Likely they were well maintained during the warranty period. After the warranty ends, many traded in the car and the second owner may or may not take care of the car.
More frequent oil changes is one indication that perhaps the car is cared for.

 

That's a good point! I got my 2005 STR directly off a 3 year business lease so I was pretty sure the maintenance had at least been done to factory standards.

The 2006 STR is a rare bird and has VVT on the engine too. Also no Brembo brakes which is a negative to me but the braking performance did not seem to suffer so I think the Brembo's are more eye candy than anything else. Plus they are so rare we pay a premium for rotor's and calipers.

But in reality there is almost no difference between the cars. I do like the minor updates done from 2005 and up but they were pretty small.

Do you care about the updates? Chrome rings around the gauges are kind of cool.
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I'd not pay money for them, though!

The 03 (or any year) will probably be great but see if you can do thorough checks or even find a knowledgeable S-Type owner to help.

 

I do like the 06' gauges better but I actually like the exterior on the 03/04 better. The only concern I have with the 03 is fixing the early shift problem these things are known for. From what i've been able to find on this website, it seems like there was never a fix.

 

That's correct. But to be fair it does not seem to affect 100% of the 2003 and 2004 STR's.

So maybe a "vigorous" test drive will allow you to see how and when it shifts.
Maybe that 2003 will go all the way to 6100 RPM before shifting.
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I'm kinda amazed by how little these cars are worth according to KBB...

The 03 with 55,000 miles in Good condition books for $6,900 (private party sale).

 

Most people have never heard of them. Jaguar has an old bad reputation about quality. The cars are quite costly if you don't at least DIY the simple stuff.

For me they make a bargain, but that's just me.

 

That is a VERY negotiable price. I picked up my 2000 S last year with only 44,000 miles on it at a lot less than 6900. An R model would have been nice, but the traffic prevents any romps at 150-170 mph. I am trying to remember, but I think it was 02-04, the feds forced Jag to slow them down to 128 or something like that. If it was 04, you can fly. lol

 

Here is mine. Got it 3 weeks ago and love it. A 2003 with 119k miles and one previous owner for $6000 from the owner.

 

A 2000 usually goes for half the price of a 2003. Very different cars.

 

I faced the same situation not too long ago. I find radiance a beautiful and complex color and once owned a Volvo Bertone in a near shade but could not feel comfortable owning a Jaguar in near red after years in a gray Volvo and compromised to a white 06 4.2 with 11,000 miles. But it given the information provided the Radiance one certainly seems to offer the best value.

 

I hear they are, but in my area there is usually about a $1000 difference until you reach 07-08. It may be because most of them have so many miles on them, no one will look. I saw a 2005 the other day with 253,000 and still running.

 

in new zealand a black ex japan 2005 STR with black/YELLOW interior with 120000km is $16500nzd
and a black ex uk 2003 STR black/red interior 140000km is $16000nzd
and a silver nz new 2007 46000km dove grey interior is $36000nzd
an 06 black /black with (titanium witch i can't stand) 80000km just sold for $27000nzd near me recently spoke to the guy he loves it !!