Hey Guys,

I joined the Jaguar brotherhood this past April when I bought my first ever Jag, a 2012 XXR Convertible with 600 miles on it. I absolutely love this car, more than any other I have ever owned. I traded a 2007 MB E550 4Matic for it and was fortunate to receive a pretty fair deal from my local Jag dealership. So far, my wife believes me!

At the time I thought, yeah it has heated seats, heated steering, traction control, I could throw winters on it and be fine in a Canadian winter... I have come to realize that there is no way I can disrespect her in this manner. It would be akin to asking your new bride on her honeymoon to jump into a tar pit with her wedding dress on... not gonna happen.

Which brings me to the subject of this thread. I am considering an older (2000) S-Type as a daily driver for winter with winter tires. I am wondering about reliability and drive-ability in winter. I've seen a few in the $12-$14K range and was hoping you experts would have some advice for a fellow Jag enthusiast. This one looks particularly sweet...

Thanks!

 

I've been driving my S-type year round since I bought it in 2006. No problems, but good snow tires are mandatory.

A 2000 S-type shouldn't be in the $12-14K range. That's way high, should be half that or less.

 

Agree that. Corrosion issues, higher risk of collisions, etc.
AWD will be 'somewhat' better mobility-wise, but not a lot. Principle gain is on the 'sacrificial' metric. And half or less the price you quoted is more realistic for a 13+ year-old Jaguar.

If you want a true 'winter' driver, a used Subaru AWD is better at the job, cheaper, and even more expendable. Not-so cheap would be a Land-Rover or Mercedes G-Wagen. Pinzgauer 712 6x6 would, of course, be cheating in balmy 'Southern' Canada, but shouts 'eccentric' rather than 'idiot' as a Hummer would do...

 

I concur. If I lived in Canada, my winter transportation would be a Subaru AWD. Inexpensive, easy to maintain, and one of the best AWD systems on the planet....

 

As a driver of a 00 S Type - I agree on winter tires - I have a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD that handles most of the winter driving here in the states.

Also, $12 - 14K is out in space for this MY - even extreme low mileage versions...

 

Having owned an X-Type for 6 years here in Michigan, I can clearly say the car will be among the best on the road, Subarus included, during inclement weather. AWD with all-season tires is more than enough.

If you can tear yourself away from Jaguar family, I can also vouch for the Volvo XC70, also own one. This car is a tank in snow and will out pace any other cars/trucks. Relatively narrow tires(215/70-16) does wonders along with AWD.

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I agree a Subaru for winter would be a more practical option. Of course not nearly as special, which is why we love our Jags!

On the price front, $12K does seem very high for a 13+ year old S-Type. I will keep looking and see what I find...

Cheers!

 

Check Kelly Blue Book for an idea of what these cars are selling for. As others have already said, the price you listed is way too high. I bought an '03 for $6000 in March and '01 in January for $4500. I used Kelly as a negotiating tool.
Official Kelley Blue Book New Car and Used Car Prices and Values

 

I drive my 2000 S-Type all year and in the snow and it serves me well.

 

I was actually quite impressed with how mine handled in the snow, though getting off the line can be a little slow if it's super slick out. (I wasn't on all-season tires)

If you're just looking to see if this car is drivable to work for when it does snow, then yes. It does handle well for being the type of car that it is. But if you need something specifically for snow then get something else. Also, the car does sit kind of low, consider that when driving through deep areas so you don't lose the bottom splash guard like I did.

 

One winter day driving from OC Md to Winchester Va it began to snow about half way to Winchester. Snow covered roads I was a little concerned but could not turn back, we went up 2 mountain areas Leesburg Mt. and the second one was Mt Weather on Rt 7. We crested the mountain and wend down the other side of Mt Weather, at that point I felt comfortable with the traction control and the anti lock brakes. We were about 1mi from our destination when I attempted to go up a steep hill when I found I had no traction and the car began to slide backwards with the wheels locked. With no way out I let off the brake as it was going backwards I turned the wheels and spun the car around and went down the hill forwards. All this to avoid a curb on one side and a no curb hill side on the other. This car did all I wanted it to do and more! It is not an all wheel drive but it did well. I should mention that I it was equipped with all weather Bridgestone tires. Got to the house and had a beer!

 

"Would a 2000 S-Type make a good winter car?"

Short answer - No. It will be an acceptable winter car. A front or four wheel drive makes a good winter car. 30+ years in Wisconsin qualifies my answer.

 

Same thing happened to me a few years back. Started sliding back down the hill and managed to turn around.

 

Rear wheel drive cars in snow> fair to poor
Front wheel drives > good to very good
AWD > Best!

Reason being , If the engine was in the rear of an S type it would be very good, you need weight over those running tyres!


Update:
>>>>> Excuse me puhleeze for this post before actually driving me Jag in the white stuff... It is SO Good on the greasy roads that I must make a note just how good !
The traction is exceptional for a rear wheel drive car and even with the bald summer tyres on I was able to pull a hill where other cars had to pull over unable to make it over. Very impressive that is and with snows all the way around, this car is Very confident on slippery roads.... thank you very much.