“Classic British barge made up of mostly american Ford mechanical components . The 3.0 v6 manual is probably the most reliable of the models. But watch out for various electrical gremlins. Electric handbrake (if fitted) , climate control (heating and aircon) are the usual suspects. Parts are generally plentiful second hand. For £1500 ,i think its worth a punt.”

As above. Possibly the hardiest Jag built, largely a Ford underneath and the V6 3.0 (put two together and you’d have Aston Martins legendary 6.0 V12 btw) is very robust if looked after. No air suspension unlike the XJ of the same vintage which is a good thing and less rot prone than the X-Type. At £1500 and assuming it’s solid underneath and there’s no warning lights on I’d have it.

Edited by SLO76 on 21/02/2022 at 22:58

Oi you lot, get in the queue behind me!

Might be worth checking out the annual tax before committing.

It's safely before the March 2006 deadline......like my 2005 A8. I have just renewed it - 340 pounds. Main thing to check would be underbody and sill corrosion. Steel Jags don't last very long.

Friend bought one 5 years ago.

Went to LeMans with it twice - no issues.

Auto box was nice and smooth.(watch for clunks).

“ Auto box was nice and smooth.(watch for clunks).”

Tis a rare manual........

.....probably the robust ZF S6 53 mainly found in countless BMWs. No worries.

3.0 V6 manual?, rare beast indeed!. As a manual I wouldn't normally be too keen, but at that price?, it would be rude not to!.

Watched a Fifth Gear video clip not too long ago where the S Type was one of the 'cheaper alternatives' looked at to a car on test. It was deemed a pretty reliable car overall (certainly at the time, the clip was a few years old!), but mention was made of it being a heavy car so suspension and brakes lead a hard life.

thirsty and not the easiest beast to park if popping into town. It will get older and just because its cheap etc

Concrete says 4k miles per annum, so I can't see the Jag's thirsting a deal breaker. I can't see it being that bad on a cruise anyway, especially with the manual box.

And while the S Type is not a small car, it isn't that big compared to many modern cars (including its own successor and rivals). Plus, being an old and very cheap car, there won't be the same worries about getting a 'parking kiss'!.

Went to the official launch of the S type held near Maidenhead where we drove the cars round the country lanes.

Made the cardinal sin of referring them as S Class after which my life wasn’t worth living with the Jaguar boys.

Mostly remember the event for the cutbacks in hospitality restricted to tea and biscuits . Not good enough !