Jaguar S-Type (1999 - 2007) 3.0 V6 4d (2000/V) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I have old fashioned good taste and considerable financial resource.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They all think it's beautiful but are glad they don't pay to run it.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No. It's a gorgeous car with great performance but only when it's working. Ford's cost cutting procurement policy has left a lot of secondary system components with insufficient quality for a prestige car, yet it all costs a fortune to replace. My local dealer is disappointingly 'traditional' in their level of service; no better than the Ford or BL dealerships of old, despite the high costs. The S is great providing you sell it before it's five years old. There's too much that goes wrong as these cars age.

What are you likely to buy next?

A Ford Scorpio Ultima Cosworth: same space, same pace, no grace but an awful lot cheaper and probably better value.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£5,000

When did you buy the car?

November 2005

Did you get a good deal and why?

Neither good nor bad. It was cheap with FJSH but had a cracked coolant reservoir.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

It was relatively cheap and said 'Jaguar' on the bonnet.

What was the dealer like?

A very dodgey privateer masquerading as a member of the trade. Buys stuff from auctions and sells it on without so much as a tyre pressure check.

What's it like to drive?

Great ride, performance, grip, handling. Brakes good, steering very good, effortless cruising and easy overtaking. Gear change spoilt by heavy, long travel clutch and delay in electronic throttle; revs drop very slowly unless engine is above 4000 rpm. Seat backrests are fixed in height, making driving position a compromise. Otherwise very comfortable and quiet too; quiet enough to hear the centre rear seat belt rattle against its anchor!

What's it like to park?

Easy providing there's a big enough space.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Coolant reservoir failed, windscreen washer failed due to corroded wiring, boot leak, ashtray lid clip disintergrated, door latch failed, radio display has intermittant fault, front passenger door seal leak, coolant hose rupture (subject to service bulletin; should've been replaced at servicing!), wiper mechanism seized due to failure of passenger side spindle bushing, caused by electrolytic corrosion of casting caused by moisture getting through a crack in a cheap plastic cover!

What's most practical about your car?

The electric memory steering column that retracts when you take the key out.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Dimmer siwtches on the vanity mirror lamps!