2005 Jaguar S-Type Consumer Reviews

Great Car... Love My Jag!!

Written by: Cal Zombie on 05/28/2008

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I always wanted a Jag but had heard ALL of the horror stories (electrical/cost to fix/etc etc). Read hundreds of reviews about the '05 (a great year for this car), and went looking for an "S Type". Found one with 30K and was certified. Bought it and never looked back. Ride is smooth and the the pick up with the 6 cyl is like a rocket. City driving I get 22 MPG, and freeway I have gotten between 28 and (I know this may be hard to believe) 32 MPG. I got the 32 MPG going 70 mph on the "coast" from LA to San Diego w/no A/C. On a "Vegas" trip I was cruising at 85/90 with no problem. This feline can do more if asked to! Wonderful, smooth, powerful ride. Engine purrs like a cat!!

Favorite Features

Leather heated seats. Wood dash. Dual climate controls. Sunroof. 5 way adjustable drivers seat w/2 memory selections. Powerful engine w/solid pickup when needed. Front and rear fog lights. Auto headlights. 6 airbags + solid "safe" feel in this ride. Sound of the dual exhaust. Overall shape/style.

Suggested Improvements

There is a blind spot (minor point) when you turn (with the outside mirrors). You do have to use premium gas, however, when I get 30+ mpg (freeway) and 22 mpg city the pain at the pump is eased a bit.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Triumph of engineering.

Written by: Gruderian on 03/30/2008

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type R 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl S/C 6A)

Review

Designed for those who have enough experience with cars to appreciate all that it offers. Holds the road like glue. Power is more than enough for todays driving. Very comfortable for 2 people. City gas mileage is around 12 to 13 mpg. Highway 21 to 22 mpg. at around 90 mph with a lot of downshifting to pass. No problems of any kind so far. Feels like what it is, a luxury sports sedan, no matter where you drive it. Sound system is as good as I have heard in any car, regardless of price if you set it up right. This car is for the young at heart who like to experience excitement when they drive. One test drive will validate what I just said. Top value for the money. Highly recommended.

Favorite Features

Engine. Suspension. Brakes. Transmission. Seats. Sound system. Heater (the one on my previous Lexus gs 430 was a bad joke as were the seats). Highway cruising above 90 mph. Absolute reliability under all conditions. Feeling of total control behind the wheel at any speed or traffic condition.

Suggested Improvements

Better (acceptable) gas mileage for city driving. Easier to read info in instrument panel (does not apply to guages). A little more room for the driver and front passenger. More trunk space. A more convenient, dash mounted CD cartridge player. A dash clock that can actually be read in daylight.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Performance, Luxury and Smiles!

Written by: PHILBERRINGER on 11/15/2007

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type R 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl S/C 6A)

Review

In January 2005, I purchased a new fully loaded S-type R to go with my 2003 XKR convertible. I added to both cars a custom Mina chromed high performance exhaust, AEM cool air intake and a smaller supercharger pully. This increased the H.P to over 450 and the total cost was less than $1200.00. Custom made sheep skins were added for extra ride comfort and what a truly great high performance, luxury experience these cars are to drive. My wife and I can hardly wait to drive these cars and when we go out together, we flip a coin to see who gets to drive. Other than regular oil changes and recommended Jaguar maintenance, neither car has ever had one thing wrong with it. We will always buy Jaguars.

Favorite Features

The smell and feel of the leather, beautiful wood and most of all, the Performance. True quality and luxury all the way around.

Suggested Improvements

Gear shift numbers should be on the drivers side of the console shifter.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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S-Type

Written by: JPW on 07/03/2007

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I just love the car! I bought the car used and was very pleasantly surprised at all the options. I traded in a 2006 VW Passat that I did not like anything about. The Jaguar's handling is great and make it a lot of fun to drive. The added touches of auto sensing windshield wipers, bluetooth, awesome stereo really complete the package. I was also thrilled to find out that the maintenance and warranty is covered for 4 years/50,000 miles. The maintenance was a true added bonus! I've had the car for 4 months and have no complaints.

Favorite Features

Styling, bluetooth, auto-sensing windshield wipers, stereo.

Suggested Improvements

It would be nice to have a little more interior room.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Performance for those with patience

Written by: RWhite on 05/15/2007

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type R 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl S/C 6A)

Review

Fast, luxurious, comfortable, and very easy to handle. However, 25 months after I bought it new, during which it was in the shop for warranty work for 38 days, I had to trade it for a car I could depend on. When it runs, it is wonderful. However, everything negative about Jaguar's reliability came true. I would only recommend this car to someone who has money, patience, and lives very close to a Jaguar dealer.

Favorite Features

Speed, handling, comfort, fabulous lumbar support for bad backs, quiet, audio, looks.

Suggested Improvements

Jaguar must improve reliability. Went thru 3 sets of belts (Jag knows super charger squeals after about 5-7K mi, but can't fix it). Gas tank recall. Two coolant leaks. "Gearbox failure" light came on and car defaulted to 2d gear 30 mi from home (Jag mechanic said computer didn't record event).

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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S type - Stand out from the crowd

Written by: Tony on 05/11/2007

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type R 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl S/C 6A)

Review

I have owned my S type R for quite some time now and I have to say it's a pleasure to drive. The looks alone make it stand out from the masses but the performance is sensational. Jaguars of old have had some bad press, I'm here to say that's all changed. What other performance sedan can you buy used with a 400 hp engine for under $40k? These cars are classics in waiting and represent fantastic bang for your buck.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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The big cat, built to cruise, sips gas

Written by: spinlocker on 04/27/2007

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

30 mpg at 60 mph no a/c. Tires were gone at 50K. Dealer says wear on inside is design so it will handle well, no way to correct. Small leak in coolant system, dealer has tried to correct 3 times, no avail. Passenger window has mind of its own, sometimes won't go up fully, pain in the rain. Dealer has tried to correct twice. Think it will stick this time. Driver seat puts my skinny backside (6', 140#) to sleep after 2 hours, not as comfortable as my Dodge Ram seats, but very smooth quiet ride. Extended warranty has saved my billfold bigtime.

Favorite Features

Sport tranny shift switch makes for a brisk ride when activated. Drive it easy, the big cat will return exceptional gas mileage for its size. Under normal hwy w/ a/c 70 mph, expect hi 20s. No rattles after 2 years. The headlights are awesome at night, exceptional strength.

Suggested Improvements

Stereo could use improvement, or perhaps, more sound deadening. The front end tire wear, unadjustable except for toe in, puts an early death to the tires.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Not a main stream car

Written by: Joe R on 12/20/2006

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I love the S type Jaguar. It reminds me of the old Jaguar coupes. I really like that no other car looks like it. This is the 2nd S-type I have owned. The body style is distinctive, the interior elegant, and the handling is terrific. This car is fun to drive!

Favorite Features

The manual shift option. It makes driving fun again.

Suggested Improvements

I don't like the sliding console. It is uncomfortable when in the back position. It should be stationary.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Smooth Rocket

Written by: WileCoyote on 12/04/2006

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type R 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl S/C 6A)

Review

Make no mistake, this car is a worthy adversary for the M5 and E55. The latter may be faster but the Jaguar gives you a great deal of power for less money. This car can easily get 25 mpg on the highway - not bad for a supercharged car. A great car that keeps getting better,

Favorite Features

Acceleration, braking, stellar good looks in black, smooth ride on an average day, rocket ride when you want it.

Suggested Improvements

Brake dust and squeal. Cheesy satellite radio setup that isn't integrated. Not prewired for blue tooth.

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Good But Could Be Better

Written by: Tucson driver on 10/15/2006

Vehicle

2005 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I used to drive traditional 2-seat convertible sports cars. Now as a grown-up I buy 4-door sedans that have potential to be fun to drive, such as a turbo-charged Audi and a 5-series BMW. The 2005 S-type 4.2 beats those in terms of visual appeal and perceived poshness, but not in actual comfort or roominess and certainly not in handling. Smooth cruising, yes. Handling, no. The reliability is barely good enough to keep me semi-satisfied. Same for the amount of interioor rattling. Unless the 2008 S-type handles much better better, I am not going to be seduced by the sexy spy photos, and when my lease ends, I am going to switch.

Favorite Features

Looks. Wow factor. Highway ride. Front & rear proximity beepers.

Suggested Improvements

Better handling. Ditch J shifter for up-down flicks. In dash CD changer. More rear seat room, especially head room. Memories for passenger seat. Reliability for peripherals, cruise control, garage door opener, etc.

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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