I'm relatively new to the forums, and I'm about to buy my first Jag. This might be a no-brainer for experienced S-Type owners, but for me (not a DIYer) it's a bit of a struggle to figure out the right call.

I've looked at, and driven several S-Types; have narrowed my choices down to two, and I plan to buy one of them... the big question for me is which one? The choices are a 2002 3.0 and a 2005 4.2. They are both being sold by dealers. They are similarly equipped in that they both have automatic transmissions, power everything (just about)' aluminum alloy wheels and moonroofs. Below is a description of each:

2002 3.0
It's a one-owner car that has just under 60,000 miles on it. It's always been an Arizona car, and I suspect it might have belonged to a snow bird (someone who only lives in warm, dry Arizona for 2 - 4 months of the year). It's absolutely immaculate, and truly looks brand new as if it was never used. It was garage-kept throughout the year. It's Jaguar's "platinum" color with an "ivory" interior. It has very, very new Michelin tires and new brakes.
Price: $5,000

Here's a pic of the 2002 3.0...
<img src="http://horseplayusa.com/images/2002-jag.jpg">


2005 4.2
It's a three-owner car that has 106,500 miles on it. It's lived in both Arizona and California. It's also very clean, but very slight signs of wear and use both on its exterior and interior keep it from having the "showroom new" qualities of the 2002. It's a light metallic blue with a light gray interior. It has newer looking Pirelli tires, but not as new as the Michelins on the 2002.
Price: $5,000

Here's a pic of the 2005 4.2...
<img src="http://horseplayusa.com/images/jag-2005.jpeg">

What I wonder about in comparing the two are... does the lower mileage on the 2002 make it more desirable in spite of the advancements the 2005 would have? Condition-wise and mainly based on appearance, the 2002 also has the edge... it really does look like a brand new car. But, are there issues the 2002 might have... just because it is a 2002... that are not a consideration (worry) with the 2005 model? If I'm missing anything I should be thinking about in comparing these two cars please address them.

 

Spend more time reading the stickies here in the S-Type forum. You'll quickly learn the ropes. I know the 2002 car is tempting to you, but the 2005 model is far superior in many ways. Many design flaws were corrected by the time the final version rolled around. Both cars are overpriced. Put on your battle gear and hammer the selling price down by at least a grand. Good luck to you....

 

Really appreciate your response, but I'm a little surprised you say, "Both cars are overpriced." I checked both KBB and Edmunds and it looked like both cars were OK price-wise... the 2005 a little better than the 2002. Maybe pricing is a little different between North Carolina and Arizona? Arizona cars hardly ever get wet.

I looked at S-Types in almost all years from 2000 up to 2007. The least expensive being a 2001 3.0 with 112,000 miles at $2,999 and the most expensive being a 2001 4.2 with 62,000 at $7,800.

 

KBB and Edmunds typically run a bit high, and S-Type demand is abysmal. I'm considering selling my 2005 S-Type 3.0, well-maintained at just over 93,000 miles, so I've spent some time recently researching values at various sources. Perhaps Arizona cars do indeed sell for more (but they bake in the desert) than North Carolina cars do. Around here, both cars you're looking at would sit with little interest for a long time priced at $5,000. They would probably wind up selling private-party for $4,000 or less....

 

There are quite a few S-Types on the dealer market here... more cars than at any time since I've been looking. No private sellers that I'm aware of... but the two highest priced are both pristine 2001 V8's in the high 7K range. The median price range for S-Types in the years 2000 to 2005 is $5K to $6K. Of course, what they sell for is another matter. Days on market seem to average about 50 to 60.

 

The V8 before 2003 is a 4.0 which was fitted with plastic-bodied tensioners for the timing chains. They need replacing with metal-bodied ones at quite high overall cost.

Now, the 4.2 from 2003-on is great (and has the right tensioners).

(The 3.0 has no issues with these things.)

 

I've encountered comments and actual warnings about the timing chain issue throughout my efforts to research Jaguars regarding their pluses and minuses. It's an issue that's almost always framed as being a problem for all Jaguars. Thanks very much for clarifying that its a pre-2003, V8 issue mainly. Learned something good today.

 

2003 and up are considered 'major face lift' cars and are much more desirable.

V8 cars are more desirable than V6. V8 supercharged cars are more desirable still.

High mileage cars are less desirable than low mileage.

I'd buy a 2003 and up V8 car with low mileage at whatever the market value is. Never would I settle for simply 'what happens to be available today'.

 

I've been very actively looking for a car for about 3 months now. It's getting sort of critical to replace what I've been driving for over 8 years. It's become a nerve-racking experience hitting the road in a car that's living on borrowed time.

I understand and agree with your point, but I feel as though I'm running short on time. I will probably pull the trigger on the 2005 S-Type 4.2 this week. Thanks for your insight and advice.

 

If those your are your two choices, I'd go with the 2005 as well.

Let us know how you get on.