It's not a classic, but XJ8 or SType4.2

1

198686d

Jedi Trainee

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• Apr 11, 2009

• #1

Test drove 2004 XJ8 today & 2005 SType 4.2. Wife accompanied me. She now admits its not "if" I get a Jaguar, but "when". She likes the SType because of size & grill. I like the XJ8. But, if I can tolerate the SType, I think she'll let me buy it now.

What do you think? Should I hold out, or is the SType o.k.?

dave in University City, MO

60 Austin Healey BugEye Sprite
04 Mini Cooper S
04 Vespa ET4

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 12, 2009

• #2

do your homework/research before you jump in. These modern Jags have serious mechanical issues, some say they are basically Ford Taurus in disguise. The XJ8 has engine problems, (timing chain), the S type has front end/suspension problems and electrical issues. Make sure the car you buy has been dealt with, otherwise you are buying someone else's problem. Test driving is not the same as everyday driving.

Ex

 

T

Tophatchef

Jedi Hopeful

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• Apr 12, 2009

• #3

I really couldn't agree more. However, I'd have to say the xj8, but I wouldn't get just an xj8, I personally would (if available), get an xj8L, or the Vanden Plas. The S-Type does have some nice looks, but it all comes down to what you want to be seen driving.

 

OP

1

198686d

Jedi Trainee

Offline

• Apr 14, 2009

• #4

A bit of misinformation: An S/Type 4.2 is not a Ford Taurus in disguise and the engine problems in the 4.2 were sorted out long before 2004...not more nickelsil cylinder walls and no plastic chain tensioners. Could be why Jaguar maintenance is ranked # 1 in latest consumer review survey.

It's difficult to stay informed. It's much more comforting to rest with established myths.

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 14, 2009

• #5

oh sure, tell that to those owners who've had their engines fail only to learn they are Ford blocks.

Ex

 

HEALEYJAG

Jedi Warrior

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• Apr 14, 2009

• #6

I owned a 2003 s-type 4.2..wonderfull car....I am searching for a 2007 s-type currently. Have two friends with s-types also ...no problems...

Pete

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 14, 2009

• #7

knock on wood!

 

Keoke

Great Pumpkin

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• Apr 14, 2009

• #8

Exotexs said:

oh sure, tell that to those owners who've had their engines fail only to learn they are Ford blocks.

Ex

Click to expand...

Ex, Don't woke him leave him slep on.---Keoke

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

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• Apr 15, 2009

• #9

I will do that if you post a picture of your Daimler V8 Saloon.

Ex

 

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior

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• Apr 15, 2009

• #10

198686d said:

is the SType o.k.?

Click to expand...

Dave,

Last Sept. 1, we traded my wife's 100K+ mile Mustang convert for a 2005 S-Type.

We bought it from Texas Cars Direct in north Dallas (Click on "Inventory" at the top).

With it's classic Jaguar styling & grille, EVERYBODY notices it.

With it's Ford "Quality is Job 1", it is the finest car we have ever owned.

With the 4.2 V8, it gets about 20 MPG city and about 29 highway.

I would heartily recommend going ahead and getting the '05 S-Type.
For us, the mid-size has advantages over the full size XJ.

PLEASE let us know what you get.

Tim

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 15, 2009

• #11

you traded a Mustang for a Taurus ? (just kiddin')

you want to see a REAL S type? (not kiddin') look below...

 

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Keoke

Great Pumpkin

Offline

• Apr 15, 2009

• #12

Exotexs said:

I will do that if you post a picture of your Daimler V8 Saloon.

Ex

Click to expand...

It is in the Members picture file.---Keoke

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 15, 2009

• #13

you mean you cannot drive it and park it here next to mine?

 

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior

Offline

• Apr 15, 2009

• #14

A good Healey friend recently sold this one. It had a fresh paint job, the same Topaz color as my wife's (above). It also had original A/C.

We REALLY wanted to buy it, but we have 5 cars now and no place to park it. As it is, we have to store the Healey in its trailer.

Tim

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 16, 2009

• #15

you should have bought it eyes closed. Not many original S type are left. Very few in that condition and even less with the original trunk-mounted a/c.

A total of around 24 thousand were made between 1963 and 1968 and that number was for the entire world market, (Europe, Australia, USA, Canada, South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa), so the US got very few in LHD, divided into each State where there was a Jaguar dealership.

If the repaint was done in the original color, it would have been called "Golden Sand". Again, very few in that color.

Ex

 

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior

Offline

• Apr 16, 2009

• #16

Exotexs said:

you should have bought it eyes closed.

Click to expand...

We would truly loved to have had it. I drove it several times while we were pondering the decision.

We're paying away-from-home storage for the RV and trailer with the Healey inside and we have 4 other cars at home. We literally had no place to park it.

Ya can't buy/have everything....

He got $7,500 for it on Ebay.

Interesting thing. The red one has clear park lights and orange corner lights while the Topaz one has orange park lights and clear corner lights.

Tim

 

Exotexs

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Apr 16, 2009

• #17

lens color depended on the State where it was imported to and sold originally.
That bit of detail can tell you where the car came from originally.

 

OP

1

198686d

Jedi Trainee

Offline

• Apr 16, 2009

• #18

Take a grandmar course