Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
"Since you mentioned it, could you compare and contrast your opinions of the -type s. the GS300? Quality, power, MPG, handling, interior design, maintenance, warranty problems, all the usual questions. To jump from nexus to Jag is quite a jump. What made you do it?"
To answer:
I am fortunate to have a company executive car program that allows me to change cars in this category every 2 years. I was extremely pleased with the 98 nexus AS 300 but had never owned a Jag, so I thought Why not?
The 4.0 -type is a great handling/driving car compared to the AS 300 - more power, hugs the road, allows you to "feel" the road, etc. I do not know the AS 400/430, so can't make this comparison. The Jag is also a "cooker" compared to the nexus. The interiors are similar quality and feel, but the Jag has a bit more wood. Still, the Lexus is a much higher quality car vs. the Jag. The main problems I have had with the Jag are related to rattles and squeaks which have been numerous although none real serious. This car is assembled very "loose" compared to the Lexus. The dash has been most problematic with the door panels and the seats being less of a problem. The Jag dealer has been very helpful to solve these problems as they arise, but they seem to keep on coming - but not as fast as at first. There may be hope on this front. I also had a "shimmy" at 75-80 which many owners have reported. A good high speed balance at the local Pirelli dealer (at my own expense) finally fixed this problem. I experienced none of these problems with the Lexus, which my wife still owns and loves (and so do I).
As for mileage, the GS 300 got about 17 in town and 24 on the highway. The Jag gets 2 mpg less on both counts.
I would say my relationship with the Jag S-type 4.0 has been "love-hate". I love the way it drives and the way it looks and feels. And it is a Jag after all. I hate the poor assembly quality although it is improving with age and dealer fixes of the rattles. I will wait and see how the 2002 model is rated in these categories before getting another Jag S-type. I also know what to look for concerning "fit" and quality of the interior components, so it will be quite a bit easier to learn if Jag quality is still improving - which it has done under Ford management up to now.
If I am not absolutely certain of improvements, I will most likely get another GS, perhaps the 430. I do not like the BMW 540, Audi A-6, or the Mercedes 320/430 as well as I do the Jag S or the GS cars, although these are very fine cars indeed.
Hope this helps you guys to make a decision.
Brant
Also, the amber engine icon on the dash is continually lit. I have had the problem checked by two dealers, but they can find no problem.
Anyone have any ideas?
MF
It's now got 23,000 miles on it, and here's a longer-term quality update. The ball joints had to be changed because of a recall. The original ones had not been properly heat-treated. Ever since their replacement, the car makes an odd thunking noise going over even minor bumps. When turning on the headlights, the dashboard lights now sometimes fail to come on. Usually switching the headlights on and off a few times will bring the dashboard lights up, but not always. The slide-out drawer that holds the phone no longer raises on its springs. I have to lift it upright by hand and hold it steady with one hand while I punch in numbers with another. The leather on the center console armrest is wearing out around the stitching. And the transmission is again experiencing very long delays (over 5 seconds) in engaging reverse.
By contrast, my 1999 Lexus RX300 remains flawless, and my 1996 Miata has had only one very minor repair (a loose door locking arm). Jaguar/Ford quality is an insult to their customers. I'm on the waiting list for a new Lexus SC430 and will NEVER drive another Jaguar.
Plus, has anyone purchased from Matheny Jag in Jacksonville, FL? If so, your experience?
Thanks.
Don't worry about lisat4's comment about not seeing the inside of the S-type (#62). You're much smarter than that and would prefer to own an LS8. You'll save $10-20 thousand against the S-type. Sure, you won't have Jeeves the Butler at the dealership, but for what you saved you can fly to England (or buy a piece of it).
And keep in mind that America won the War of Independence, tied the War of 1812 (really a victory), saved England in WWI and WW2, and Ford bought a broke & dispirted Jaguar and since has turned it around. Those once unique Brits are now hard to discern when standing next to their European Union masters.
Just kidding...
lisat4 (#58): You are dead right when you state as fact that the LS is a "super value". S-type is a great car but not sure it is worth the money when you compare a loaded S-type 4.0 vs a loaded LS8 Sport or loaded LS6 Sport 5-speed manual. If you are ever in Omaha, Nebraska, or Des Moines, Iowa, area, let me know and we can compare cars. I've got a loaded '00 LS8 Sport. Even with sunroof, 6-disc CD, audiophile sound, heated seats, & Sport Pkg (giving full-size spare w/alloy wheel), she only stickered at $39,400. I paid a lot less.
In defense of the S-type, my wife absolutely swoons over it. We were at grocery store today and pulled into the loading area. There was a light blue S-type 3.0 next to our green LS8. She immediately noticed it and said how beautiful it was. She also loved the Jags at the recent Omaha Auto Show we attended. She loved 'em so much she says her next car has to be the upcoming X-type (4WD based on Ford Europe FWD midsize chassis, which we used to get in USA as Contour & Mystique). I had to pry her away from the Jag stand. She was caressing the wood interior of the S-type 4.0 so much that I thought someone would arrest her for committing an indecent act with an inanimate object.
I, too, am married, so I can "date" any night I want to, sort of...:):):)
All sorts of new S-Type discussion is ongoing. Come join to
just read or actively participate. It is totally free!
http://www.markofwestminster.com/signup.html
Steve
By the way...it's nice reading other's comments about their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their cars. I love mine! I have the black 4.0 with Almond interior. Once I got over the initial small things that were wrong (my seatbelt buckle was backward, the black trim on my side-view mirrors had a white film that appeared to be left from detailing and was difficult to get off, and my chrome was spotty on 3 of my 4 rims which were all replaced - this was not Jaguar's fault, but the chrome dealer they deal with) everything has since gone smoothly.
Out here in California, I bought my car from a dealer in Santa Monica, but have it serviced locally because the dealer I purchased my car from is kinda sloppy. Penske Jaguar in West Covina, CA is top notch! They truly know the meaning of service. They hosted a catered dinner for new owners, have a large, clean service lobby with a television, newspapers, magazines, electrical outlets for laptops, gourmet coffees, pastries and cookies (which I try to stay away from), fresh fruit - all for their customers while waiting. In addition, they have ammenities that are offered such as free foot reflexology, chair message, taco tuesdays, breakfast with a chef who creates omelets to order, females can have their nail polish removed and applied, tickets to a local movie theatre (while waiting for service), pick-up service of your vehicle for service - that's most of the amenitites. It's quite impressive. At the new owner dinner, they gave away Jaguar door prizes, told the history of Jaguar, had a question-answer session and exploded an air bag so that we could see how that all happens. At any rate, it's a first-class dealer. Check it out at http://www.penskejaguar.com.
Any help on my scratch question would be appreciated. Either my dealer is off base on this one or the cat has a serious problem with sharp claws.
Last week, my mother was approaching a yellow light at about 40mph (good weather, dry pavement). She had plenty of room to stop so she depressed the brake, but then the entire car began to jerk violently - repeatedly surging then slowing. She kept the brake firmly to the floor and finally came to a stop well into the intersection. This same problem occurred again about 40 minutes later as she was exiting the highway; as she came toward the light at the end of the offramp (this time at about 45-50mph, again dry pavement), the car failed to slow when she depressed the brake, and it resumed the same violent jerking motion. She again kept her foot to the floor, ended up running the red light, and thankfully managed to swerve through the oncoming traffic before coming to a stop at the opposite side of the busy intersection.
The car was towed immediately to the nearest dealership, but the dealer claims they can find nothing wrong with the car and that no similar problems have been reported by other drivers. Anyone had/heard of similar experiences? Thanks!
RM
Also, Re: Jaguar Lease Financing - They supposedly have these great tax credits to bring the overall cost down, but when I run the numbers they give me, they DON'T ADD UP! (What a surprise, given they are owned by Ford!) The monthly payment is off by a good $65/mo on a 48 month lease. They say it is for the Property Tax and that Jaguar says mandatory that they include. All other leases I've done in this area have never mandated it's inclusion. It's one of those "you can include it in the lease, or take your chances with the city and maybe not ever get a bill". In fact, they are actually doing away with having to pay it at all. Anyone had any similar experience with the lease numbers not jiving? Maybe it's the dealership I'm working with?
I have about 5000 miles on this car. LOVE IT!!!!!
If you own or are thinking of owning an S-Type, you are welcome to join. It is absolutely free. You may choose to just read or, perhaps, participate more actively, but you will find it quite active and interesting. Nobody will try to sell you anything.
Some of us love our cars, others hate them. Some have no problems; other have problems. Some come to see what they should pay for an S-Type. Some come to discuss the beauty of the car (no one disagrees with this). Some come to talk about what options are worth while. There is no aspect that has not been touched upon.
The forum is set up so that people can more easily follow threads and converse with each other. Come join us at http://www.markofwestminster.com/signup.html
Steve
Take your car to another dealer, and see what they say.
And next time I see an S-Type parked somewhere, I'll look and see if it doesn't have the scratches.
If you are still interested, my local Jag dealer (Bob Williams Jaguar) knocked $2K off the sticker for me right after Christmas.
My lease price ($660/mo.)seems high when compared to the lease of my 1999 Lexus RX300 for similar duration and mileage. However, I think that this is due to the low residual assigned to the car - $21K. According to Jaguar Credit, the car will lose almost 60% of its value in 4 years. If you believe it will only lose 1/2 of its value, you could make $4K on the back end by selling it.
You may sign up at http://www.jagtalk.com/
Steve
Our car now has 14K miles. No problems other than vibration in front wheels when the brakes are applied at highway speeds.
B&B
I know there was a vote on the personal property tax on vehicles i did not hear the outcome, thats how come the've always used ballon notes in the area in lieu of leasing,
good luck
DL
I am planning to purchase wire wheels for this car-- does anyone have suggestions?
You may sign up at http://www.jagtalk.com/
Steve
Oh and as a side note the average cost in this buisness to sell a car is $1200 over invoice. Once you account for overhead, floorplan, advertising, and everything else.