Your best bet is to dedicate a couple of hours to thoroughly read the posts here on the S-Type forum, paying particular attention to the frequent posters over the past year or so. You'll quickly learn who's knowledgeable and who you can trust. What you'll also come to learn is that if maintenance costs are a determining factor for you, you'll want to learn to do the vast majority of routine maintenance yourself. Doing so will save you a fortune and ensure that the work is done correctly with the appropriate fluids and components. Routine maintenance on the basic S-Types (3.0 and 4.2 if you're here in the U.S.) is not rocket science. The S-Type R is a different story, and it will cost you significantly more in time and money to maintain and insure.

Jaguar's reliability has improved significantly over the past five years. A 2006 S-Type certainly fits within that category. But again, if minimizing your maintenance costs will be the primary determining factor, you'll need to perform the routine maintenance yourself or have a mechanically-inclined buddy available to help you.

The economics of acquisition and maintenance is always a major consideration for me whenever I decide to bring another vehicle into our stable. If I wasn't willing to take the necessary time to learn about the care and feeding of our 2005 S-Type (using this forum, obtaining a Jaguar JTIS CD, and talking to our local Jaguar dealership Master Techs whenever they can spare me some time), there's no way I would have purchased the car....

 

I conquer with Jon89. Before purchasing our '05, Joyce and I scoured this website for ALL information both positive and negative for weeks. Our vehicle, unfortunately was out of warranty and there were some problems. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and did the service myself that saved thousands. To aid in answering your question, use the search engine on this site and keyword "oil change, reliability, issues etc..."
I believe that MOST owners here are quite satisfied with the newer '04's and up S Types. I know we are!!!!!
Good luck and I hope this is useful information.

 

My suggestion would be to find one that's a certified pre-owned (CPO) with the Jaguar 6 year 100,000 factory warranty. If the one you find doesn't have it, then try to negotiate one with the dealer. It may cost a bit more (how much, I don't know just now), but having this warranty can possibly save you serious cash later. An '06 will still be under factory warranty until sometime next year.

 

Adding to earlier comments: the Certified Jaguar extended warranty will run you about $1500 or so depending on the dealer. I negotiated it into my asking price. It is well worth the price.

Typically, oil changes will run you around $80 or so. Scheduled services will vary considerably. I would figure between $200-400 but a Jaguar tech would be a better source of pricing info.

Based on some of the threads here are the areas that are maintenance issues that I have noticed:

1. Limp-home problems relating to various sensors
2. Self-leveling headlight problems (look for Brutal's write up on a cheap and effective fix)
3. Air-conditioner control issues
4. Nav system failures
5. High cost of transmission fluid replacement > than $600
6. Expansion tank failures (fairly common)
7. The dreaded transmission lurch.
8. Ignition coil replacement (a bitch to do the 3.0 right side)

Good luck in your search

Mike

 

According to Edmunds your looking at anywhere from $2,600 to $4,100 a year in maintenance and repairs on a 2006 V6.. I assume it's a V6 because you didn't specify. This number is actually quite accurate from my experience. You can use the "Cost to Own" tool on their website and it is actually very close to reality. With the price of used Jaguars often times less than the price of a Camary there is a reason you don't see very many 16 year old kids driving them. They are still high end luxury cars and they come with expensive repair bills.

True Cost to Own
(2006 JAGUAR S-TYPE V6)

_____________Year 1____Year 2_____Year 3_____Year 4_____Year 5_____5-yr Total
Depreciation___$2,864____$2,512____$2,212____$1,96 0____ $1,759____ $11,307
Taxes & Fees___$1,454____$46______$46_______$46_______$46_ _____ $1,638
Fuel__________$2,071____$2,133___ $2,197____$2,263____ $2,331____ $10,995
Maintenance____$1,075___$1,952____$806______$481__ ___ $1,158____ $5,472
Repairs________$1,544___$2,363____$2,532____ $2,710____$2,900____ $12,049
Financing______$1,302___ $1,053____$784______$493______$179_____ $3,811
Insurance______$1,435___ $1,485____$1,537____$1,591____ $1,647___ $7,695

Yearly Totals____$11,745___$11,544___$10,114___$9,544____ $10,020___$52,967

Good luck, Hope I didn't scare you. Eric

 

If you don't want to pay way out of your pockets stick to an 02 or better. With you wanting to purchase a 06 you should be ok with regular oil changes, maintenance, and etc. Make sure if you purchase one to get a warranty on it that covers your engine and transmission and you should be good to go. Good luck on your purchase though! Jaguars are really beautiful cars and you'll be amazed how many people talk to you when they see it!

 

I'll agree from experience. My $1400 extended warranty has, for the first time, paid itself back in repairs already, after the first year. Unforunately for me, I drive so much I'm about to kill a 2 year warranty within 18mo.

And how many more on the road will hate you.

Dealership will charge you about $80-$90 for an oil change, and you'll only be getting regular oil. For about $65 (if you don't mind doing it yourself) you can fill up on royal purple synthetic, which is the only oil I use in my STR.

7. Been there...... still there. Jag can't seem to(or won't) do anything about it.
8. On the 4.2, I only found 1 to be particularly difficult

Brakes will be particularly expensive if you get the Brembos. I'm not sure of the cost on the others to replace.

 

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