You know something I'm really please with? How many compliments from perfect strangers I get about my S-Type. I think this car is averaging more compliments than any of the other 3 car's I've owned in my life. But this is a big deal because this is actually the most... common car I've ever owned. My first car was a limited edition red turbo-charged 84' SVO Mustang (only 84' in southern Tampa Bay, possibly even of all Tampa Bay), second was an 86' Jaguar XJS V12 roaster and the last car was a gold V8 93' Lexus SC400 sports car.

Each of these cars were so much more rare than... pff, an S-Type, right? Yet Leona's been gettin' so many comments from strangers. True, most of the comments are on how unique Leona looks compared to other S-type's, but still. I'm floored by that. It's hard to remember, but I think Leona's gettin' the same amount of compliments as the XJS, which is amazing because with the XJS... almost every single person I met, including mechanics, thought the XJS was a $60K+ car (either assuming it was a "new" Jaguar because they had never seen an XJS or assumed it was a mint condition 1960's Jaguar).

That, right there alone, puts Leona higher than the XJS for getting compliments (because of the XJS's unfair "super expensive / rare" impressions). I've been at gas stations (and you see what I look like, I don't look approachable) parked right next to current generation Mercedes or BMW's (car's I view as being much "nicer") and yet, people will randomly comment to me about MY car! I'm floored... There was even a situation where I was parked at a restaurant two spots next to a brand new Jaguar with the owner leaning against his car waiting for something and some guy passes as I had just gotten out and he complimented MY S-Type without saying a word to the current generation Jaguar!

I really can't believe how much respect this car earns for itself. (So much so that I'm kinda' pissed the SC400 and SVO didn't get as much praise, haha.)

So what about you guys? Have you guys have the same kind of responses with your S-Type's or is my experience unique? JbB

 

Nice to see you are getting some props for a nice ride. I'd say at least once a month I get a compliment at the gas station, usually from an older individual who can't believe the car is a 2003. A testament to the timeless style of the S-Type. Love it or hate it is typically the reaction to the styling. Obviously I love it and it seems more people fall into that category than the other.

I just spotted a BRG STR for sale on my normal daily commute. Very good chance I'll be adding STR #2 to the fleet. Yeah, it's a disease, one I"m happy to have.

 

JbB,

Very nice ride. I can see how you would get the compliments. Have to ask - what color interior and how did you get the jaguar logo's on the headrest? - - very nice.

I get complimented frequently at gas station's also. My S-Type is a very plain-jane gold S-Type 3.0. But people still dish out the compliments.

 

Yes, we have received numerous random compliments on our S-Type since purchasing it in December 2008. But now, my wife's recently-acquired XK8 gets all the attention from strangers. Our S-Type has essentially become invisible whenever her XK8 is parked in our driveway....

 

The S-type is easily the best looking Jaguar sedan since the Mark 2 -based sedans of the 1960's (the Mark 2, the original S-type, and the 420). The 1960's sedans had an air of royalty and cheerfulness, whereas the XJ sedans had sharper lines and reflected the coming harsher times in which they were introduced.

Whereas the Mark 2 based sedans reflected a time of Western prosperity and invincibility, the XJ sedans reflected a time of energy scarcity, economic turmoil and increasing world tensions that marked the 1970s. The XJ12 was introduced in 1972 and became nearly extinct in 1974 as the energy crisis hit the sales of the car. It did soldier on until 1996 when the emissions targets were tightened in the U.S.

Today, Jaguar has turned the XJ into something that a lizard would turn away from and the XF looks like a plain, dull Lexus or a Volvo. These cars reflect the dystopic thinking of the early 21st century. What the XF has in common with the S-type is the overall platform, just like the original XJ shared platforms with the 420.

The more things change, they appear to stay the same.

As for me, I will continue to drive the S-type as I would rather drive it than any of the other trash on the roads these days. I could care less whether people like it or not.

 

@Chris. Yeah, I've heard a lot of purple mention the love-it-or-hate-it styling thing mentioned on the forums. Fortunately, everyone I've spoken with has like the styling... but I painted the grill ribs white the second day I got the car. I know, when talking to people before getting the car about S-Types, a lot of people hated the non-mesh, black grill ribs. I kinda' agreed with'em and I think the white grill ribs helps offset any normal "meh" reactions. (I think the grill is the most defining features of the car though.)

@brown Thanks. I have the beige and cream interior (my absolute favorite luxury car interior combination). And the headrests, I had a sign company I used to work for years ago use these wafer-thin stainless steel sheets and cut the leader logo outta' them. I then applied a tiny bit of special adhesive they had to the back and placed them on the headrests. That way, they're resistant to leather cleaning oils, won't stain from oils from people's skin or hair, won't rip like vinyl would and the adhesive (I tested) is removal and doesn't effect the leather (won't mean after years you wouldn't see "clean / dirty" outlines).*

@Jon Yeah, I can imagine how that would happen. XK8's are awesome, especially the roasters (don't like the styling of the convertibles, they look like Seabring's), but every time I have to have someone ride in the back of the S-Type, I'm reminded of why I choose the S-Type so that it wouldn't be a repeat of the XJS. Four adults in an XJS = riding in cramped style. I wouldn't be opposed to getting a gold roaster XK8 though, they look like my previous gold Lexus SC400.*

@FloridaJag For one, awesome user name, respect... And for two, thanks for the insight on Jaguar history. Yeah, the greatness / problem with the XJ's (excluding Tata Motors generation) is that it's literally the same design since the 70's. Respect to Ford for not perverting the design and rather simply enhancing it, but nearly everyone that I've talked to about XJ designs (2000-2008) thinks they're such an "old person looking" design. And it's kinda' true, don't think I've ever seen a young person, like me, drive one. They remind me of Lincoln Continentals or whatever.

The S-Type, however, has always had a retro-meets-modern look that's always looked so good to me. And young people driving an S-Type makes the car pop even more. And your right, the Tata Motors generation Jaguars... I think they've done a lot right (I have a Tata-styled leaper on my trunk after all), but their exterior styling and interior styling just don't speak "Jaguar". It speaks "Super Lexus" if anything. One problem a lot of people got with the S-Type (and X-Type) is that, from behind, it don't look Jaguar enough or have enough branding (the one thing the XJ's excel at from any angel). So the Tata Motors Jag's lack the Jag styling and even branding (no leaper emblem's on any of'em!?!) is a problem for a lot of people.

Back to the S-Type, that's why I choose it rather than a used Tata Motors Jag or any other luxury car. Any perspective Benz or BMW's I showed people, they all complained they didn't look "rich" or "unique" enough to compare to an S-Type. JbB

 

JbB, Ditto. The younger folks walk slowly past her examining the wheels, brakes, lines, exhaust tips, etc. If they hear her, they'll say things such as: "She's Throaty", "I didn't know these were V8's", "Dang, you walked me!", etc. The older dudes: "What year is that?", "Nice shape", "How much did she cost ya?", etc. For a car purchased 2nd hand for $11,500, she sure does turn heads. Tomorrow she has her wheels painted and various other touch ups. Tuesday, the new slotted-cross drilled rotors go on to replace the original warped rotors. Keep your "S" going guys, you'll thank yourselves now and later. Enjoy!

 

The S-Type, and especially the R variant certainly fits the category of a young man's sport sedan nicely. I love reading and seeing everyone's modifications/personalizations/improvements to the breed. The younger owners seem to have less reserve as far as keeping the car stock and pure. It goes with almost all brands this way. Not a hard and fast rule as some of us geezers like to tinker as well.

 

Hey Cat. Yeah, my take on modification verus stock is this... There's a very slim chance any of these pretty "new" cars will become anyone's "collectable" car, unlike, say, a 68' Mustang. What'll typically happen is the car will be driven until either it is sold in good shape for a newer car, or the car will be driven until it reaches a condition that it can't perform the function of being a nice, reliable car.

For those that would sit on the "non-modify" fence, it's not worth it. If you end up selling the car in good shape, if your doing your modifications right (style improvements, upgrades), the car will fair better for resale. Or if you drive the car until it can't be driven anymore and ends up being sold or traded in with 300k miles and barely running (from age and use, not neglect), then what did it matter that you left it "stock"?

Even for modifications (or as I call'em, "crapifications"), such as some BS huge indy 500 spoiler wing or getting the car painted lime green with M&M characters airbrushed on the sides *shiver* ugg... it's still that person's car. All cars gotta' come to an end, either through resale, accidents or old age (the car or you), so do what you want with it and what makes you happy. Parting with a car you bought and owned for years and never got to do what you wanted with it to appease someone else don't matter in the end, that person's not gonna' reward you with a new car.

Over all, though, I'm please to see most modifications done to S-Types are style or usability upgrades and are done with class.

 

I've been selling my/our vehicles when we're done with them for probably longer than you've been alive, and I can confirm (as many others here will also) that with a well-cared-for vehicle that still has significant life left in it, you'll always get significantly more money for it if it is unmodded/unmolested. So if that's your goal, don't screw it up....

 

JDB - I tend to agree with Jon89 on modifying cars, however, a few subtle mods like a K/N air filter or a silent engine tune shouldn't affect value too much. Are those pics of your 2004? I like the leaper on the trunk. Where did you get that one? That is pretty classy. The leaper on the headrests is pretty subtle as well.

As for me, I don't plan on doing anything to mine until I get my suspension issues sorted out. My front end is composting underneath me at the moment. Cant wait for new bushings and struts.

 

Yeah, leaper on the trunk is a Tata Motors leaper found on new XJ's, the positioning I did matches that of a new XJ's. That was one thing I planned on doing for months as the back of S-Types are far too plain Jane. Now the back, with the custom tinted taillights (which are a homage to late generation XJS's with their OEM smoked tail lights and lenses) and leaper is giving the front a run for its money as far as "Jagness" goes (is that a word? If not, it is now).

I love the headrest stainless steel leapers. I think the interior is completely amazing but lacks enough branding stock for my personal tastes (the steering wheel being the only stock branding in the entire interior). So the headrests help. Got more modifications and tweaks here and there that aren't seen in the pics.

 

You did an awesome job with the front grille. You are right, that is one area of the non-R's that I never really did like all that much, preferred the mesh. But your version is tasteful and maintains that link with the original S-Type nicely. I'm converted!

 

'06 S-Type VDP - I bought it, essentially, for the grille. When I was an impoverished student way back when, I owned a somewhat decrepit XK-140 DHC for a while. When the S-Types came out they reminded me of the XK-120 through XK-150s and the MK2s, and I was hooked. I resisted for as long as I could, but when the right deal came up, I fell for it.

I sold a perfectly competent '03 VW Passat wagon, V-6 and AWD, because I was bored with it. No regrets. My S-Type brings me lots of compliments, and the 300 hp V-8 is an absolute joy to drive. It is also the first car I have owned in forever that doesn't give me a sore back after the first hour on the road. It has style, luxury, comfort, performance and even reasonable gas mileage. This is the first care I've loved since my '86 Saab 900 Turbo.

 

Your branding of the interior and exterior is tasteful. The stainless leapers remind me of the seatbelts on the original 1960's Jaguar sedans and XK-Es. Those things show up in the damndest places. Seat Belt Gallery | Jaguar Seat Belts – Quick Fit SBS Ltd

 

Agreed. He did a great job with this.

 

Yeah, I love the seats in S-Types. They're incredible. I feel they hold you in place during cornering, sports car-type holding, yet are one of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. A lot of luxury cars surprisingly get button placement wrong, but I think the placement is just right in the S-Type (whereas the X-Type felt a little awkward). I love the position of the electronic brake (which I use all the time), the center console cup holder release, and the global window / sunroof button located in the center...

There's just so many things I'm impressed with the car.