USED Jaguar S-type Saloon (98 - 08)

My car

This is a fantastic car - not better than the BMW, Audi or Mercedes, but certainly different and my type of car.

Long trips of 600 miles to the highlands of Scotland are dispatched with ease six or seven times a year and I have not had a better car for this type of journey. I can also just about make it on one tank.

I love the looks, the ambience and the cosseting feel. It's not a spacious car and the boot and rear legroom are below par but of no concern to me. It's been faultless over two years and 60,000 miles, but I would expect that. My first diesel, a VW Passat, covered 130,000 miles without missing a beat.

I love the toys - voice activated sat-nav, bluetooth and so on, which are superb as the car is also my mobile office.

I've read the bad reviews and it's a shame, but I had a BMW 5 Series that also spent most of its life in the garage, but I wouldn't trash the mark or model. I bought the Jag because it's great for me and I'm purchasing my second and last S-type tomorrow in the same specification.

I won't be buying the XF - it's not my car, so this next S-type better be a good one.

My car

I moved from an early 3.0-litre S Type to the current 4.2-litre car. The difference is amazing.

First, the the 3.0-litre had a nightmare build. In fact, the car was virtually rebuilt, even to replacing the interior linings which discoloured due to the wrong glue being used. However, I was persuaded to try again, and this has led to me now owning a magnificent car - quick, responsive, and comfortable.

The Jaguar 4.2 engine & supercharger are sensational. I guarantee no fatigue on any type of journey. Mechanically, it's almost faultless in the four years of ownership (just one computer failure).

However, one annoying area was the navigation screen, which kept losing colour - I never found the fault! However, the solution, I updated the disc and all was well. I mention this just in case others have this experience. In my opinion, this car should join the greats in Jaguar history. Drive one before they are superceded by the coming new XF.

My car

I purchasesd S-type 2.7 diesel in January 2006 and have done only 13,500 miles. It has been to a dealer more times than with my other cars. Every few hunderd miles i get a sign "restricted perfomance" and I have to call Jaguar Assistance to take the car to get it fixed. This has happened five times and presently the car is with the dealer - it has been since the beginning of September. Has anyone found similar problems? I have come to a point that I should demand my capital back. I don't think I will buy another Jaguar.

My car

I replaced my 3.0 V6 with this car. I had the 3.0 for 3 years and loved it.

What is the difference between the 3.0 and the 4.2? Where do you start?

The 4.2 is very quick when needed and even more of a pleasure to drive. I have toured Scotland and Ireland doing 3000 miles and 4000 miles in a fortnight. It has been totally reliable.

After a 564 mile trip with only one stop for more fuel, I got out of the car and felt fresh, ready to drive some more.

I average about 21mpg on daily trips, up to about 26 mpg on a run, so it's quite thirsty. But what the hell, why buy a 4.2 if you are worried about the petrol costs?

It looks better and handles fantastically too.

I would not trade for the equivalent BMW or Merc.