I recently started shopping for a car, determined that I wanted something comfortable and reliable for my ~2.5 hour per day commute. I spent days wandering around car lots looking for something to take my fancy in the sub-$8000 category, thinking of an Audi or VW, perhaps a BMW. One car dealer suggested I look at the Jag he had, an '04 S-Type 3.0. Knowing nothing about them, except that years ago they had reputations for being hard to maintain, I looked in the window and promised to do some reading about them.

It's now just over a week later, and I'm a certified S-Type fanboy. My knowledge is somewhat like Swiss cheese (tasty, but full of holes), and I'm hoping that you kind folks can help with some buying tips. I've read a few of the sticky tips-and-tricks posts, which were super helpful (loved the all-windows-down bit).

One big question I have: how much risk is there in buying a car from across the country and having it shipped? I would think that most Jags were well maintained by their owners, but the purchase-sight-unseen is a little frightening to me.

Thanks much. I hope soon I can put a model and year in my sig line.

Cheers.

J.D. Ray
Portland, Oregon, USA

 

Welcome! Both our Jags, My S-TypeR and her XK8 were bought that way. I got mine off eBay from a dealer in Ohio and hers from a fellow forum member in Cali.


No regrets.

 

welcome to the forum, you'll find plenty of info and support here.
Several forum members like Tommy, have purchased and shipped without physically seeing the vehicle. If you have a particular one in mind, you may even find a forum member in that local who would be willing to go inspect for you.

The forum is by far the best tool in an owner's tool box - so don't be afraid, take your time searching for the right one and once you find it, enjoy!

 

Among other resources, I've been watching eBay Motors (naturally). I saw this listing and was very intrigued, but wasn't in a situation to jump on it before it ended (it may come up again). $9000 for an STR seems mighty cheap, though, and no one bought it, which gives me pause. Is there something I'm not seeing here?

Jaguar s Type R Supercharged | eBay

 

It may have ended via ebay but it still shows as available through the dealer listing it in the ebay ad. In the pics on the dealer site, it looks to be in great shape - it may be that it is a Florida car but sitting in Georgia. But it could also be that this is a cash deal only - no trades or financing per the dealer ad.

http://www.navigliusainc.com/2005_Ja..._218199360.veh


If your interested, you can always find a local indie to inspect the vehicle - good to have done in any case.

 

The website has a photo of an AutoCheck history report that says the car has been in one accident. Also, I'd think for an '05 STR, nav would have been included. Or was that later? Still learning...

 

Welcome JDRay,

And good luck in your search for the perfect S-type for you.

Cheers,

Don

 

Welcome to the forum JDRay,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

Follow this link S-Type / S type R Supercharged V8 - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the S-Type forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

You can also visit the US Northwest Region forum by following this link Northwest - Washington/Oregon/Idaho & SW Canadians - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums and good luck in the search for the right Jaguar.

Graham

 

Thanks, Graham. I've prowled around those forums some already, and will continue to monitor them. I'm sorry to say I won't be making it to the drive on the 22nd.

Cheers.

JD

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums JDRay,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

i would be a little Leary about buying something sight unseen without ether a trusted friend checking it out or hire a 3rd party mechanic to look it over

 

Hi and welcome aboard, its good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums

If you need any further help with the site moving forward, please just ask any moderator, veteran member and we'll be glad to assist.

In the meantime, any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the
search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Helpful_information

There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

Need a Manual, a TSB, or General Info' about your Jag? Check out our >> DOWNLOAD AREA <<

I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.
Please Jump on in and enjoy the site........

 

OK, fellas, I bought one. Not perfect, but a good starter.

2004 S-Type 3.0
110K miles
Silver with a tan interior. Oddly, trunk is grey.
The most significant feature missing that I was surprised at: no seat heaters.

$6250 off the lot, tags and title included.

 

Congratulations JD.