What's it like?

[Jim Elston]

I was at the open mic session at our local pub when a good friend of mine took me to one side and asked, "What's it like, driving a Jag?"  I had to stop and think for a minute. There is something undefinable about it. My S type does not have many of the "toys" that a friends Fiesta has, but the fiesta is just a car, a very good one, but just a car. The Jaguar isn't just a car! How would you have answered him?

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

three words " Grace Space & Pace "

I bought my S-type because I like its retro looks

but the first time I drove it, I just loved the way it got down the road, extremely smooth and laid back

I have the S-type R and when I put my foot down, the silky smooth V8 and power always puts a big grin on my face,

nearly 3 years later, every time I put my foot all the way down, it still puts a huge grin on my face

Grace, Space and Pace as Jaguar put it, applies to the S-type

great car, very underated

cheers

Joe

[Old Peter]

This is not a difficult question, but the answer can vary from person to person.

In 1963, when I was still driving motorcycles, I sat the Motor Cycle dealer/mechanic restoring a Jaguar M1 in the yard at the back of his premises.  I also saw it when restored.  He was offered a shedload of money, but he refused.  He said driving a Jaguar was not about money.  He would loan it to Jaguar Deaers for a display occasionally.  Where it went to I do not know as I moved house, jobs, etc, but I thought I saw it last year after it had been given to the Motor Museum in the Lake district.

From that date I wanted a Jaguar. A change of jobs brought a company car, no not aJaguar, but a Ford Escort, followed by 9 others and then Austin/Mprris Models before 5 years of Rovers and a Toyota Avensis.

I retired when the S Type first came out in 1999, but following my principle of not buying a car until it had a few years under its belt, and I bought a Rover Sterling which I kept for 11 years, and when that started to get tatty with 122k on the clock, SWMBO told me I had to have a Jaguar, and our first Jaguar was bought, a 2005 X Type 2.5AWD.  I kept it for 18 months when it was "borrowed" by three gentlemen who got free accommodation for 8 years in one of Her Majesty's premises.

SWMBO responded with her usual sensible conclusion, saying that we should turn a disaster into an opportunity and that I had to get the S Type, which she knew I wanted. Three weeks and much work on the lap top. and after emailing several main dealers I had a phone call form a relatively local dealer saying that they had a car that fitted my requirements.  A few hours later an S type with  all the bells and whistles on my list was ours.

Even after owning a Jaguar for 18 months, I found the S Type 2.7D a pleasure to drive, and even with 55 years of car ownership the experience was unique.  Some people think that Jaguars are expensive to run, but my experience is that it is not so.  Even the fuel usage when driven properly is pretty good.  The S type is not a boy racer's car, and those young members of the club also know that it is not an old person's car. As Bill Lyons said when the Mark 2 and the first s type were both launched "Grace Pace and Space" a and the younger members enjoy the Grace as well as the Pace.

I have had Morgana for over 4 and a half years now, it is a great drive, and I do like to with off the radio and listen to the quiet growl of the big diesel.

Regards,

Peter. 

 

 

 

[piria33]

Similar experience to owning an old alfa I'd say. A good connection with the car and the road. It has character that you don't get with most cars.

Owned my old boxer alfa for 5 years and now a proud owner of my s type.

[Lazlo Woodbine]

When I was asked how I was adjusting to the Jag after I'd had it a few weeks I said something along the lines of; "Well I'm already looking down my nose at everyone else and my parking 's gone to hell, so pretty well really".

Actually I did feel very uncomfortable in my S-type at first. Stepping in to it from a boyed up old Golf which had followed a motley line up other of old, odd stuff was a shock. I don't really think about it now, it's just my car, a nice car but after nearly two years I'm used to it. 

[StrayCat]

It's like the thrill of that 'first kiss' - again and again and again.

[Guest]

Simple. I would have told him to look in the vanity mirror. If he did not see a big, smug grin on his face he was not in a Jag.

[ChrisJ]

I love the S Type, I've driven many but I just dont feel as connected in other Jags as I do in the S type... Grace, Space and Pace definitely describe it to a tea. I often find myself wafting around the city smiling, its a brilliant car and so effortless to drive. Very refined.  This is my second S type, first one was a 2002 plate, this one is an 05 and feels a much better ride and see,s to drive better. I've gone from an old Volvo to this S type, from my old S type. I have definitely missed the power of the V6. Next one will be the V8 but I am more than happy with the V6. 

My wife, who has no interests in cars at all, can drive the Jag. and it even puts a smile on her face! Same with any passengers I've had on board, they have all smiled being in the big cat. Absolutely the best car I've had. And, despite people telling me time and time again (which I've ignored), they aren't that expensive to run and keep maintained.

 

There also aren't many S types of this colour!! 

 

:)