Hmm, wasn't expecting to get this!

[555_Si]

Well having spent 3 or 4 weeks finding the girlfriend a nice diesel car to replace her ageing Ford Focus that is, well, for a 2004 car, quite honestly in a bit of a state, I can finally have my free time back and not have to troll through Autotrader, eBay etc etc for several hours a day.

Having looked at and almost buying a VW Passat 2.0TDi Sport and a Audi A4 B7 avant TDi and finding some shocking reliability issues we regathered for a rethink.

After speaking to a mate in the trade and a few other people, a browse on honestjohn.com and parkers.co.uk we finally, and rather reluctantly initially purchased the following:



A 2005 (55) Jaguar X-Type 2.2D Sport Premium.

Now old man jokes etc etc aside, I have honestly got to say these ain't bad at all. It has nearly every conceivable extra I can think of, Leather/Alcantara heated electric seats, sat nav, voice controlled aircon/radio/sat nav. auto xenon lights and windscreen wipers, 6 speed box. parking sensors, you name it.

I have decided to never pidgeon hole a car ever again, the parts are cheap, does 50+mpg on a run and seats 4 with luggage comfortably.

OK I must be getting old, but I am seriously thinking of getting one for myself, as my petrol costs are just too much at the moment. A very much under rated car in my opinion.


Right, let the ear bashing commence

[RobEvo5]

Like it tbh. Only thing that would put me off one is the size of it. would never get it in my garage.

Will be interesting to get your thoughts on it after a few months ownership. I would have thought reliabilty and parts costs would be an issue.

[555_Si]

parts believe it or not are cheaper than the identical ford items. odd part might be a bit more, but nothing major.

reliability, I don't think is an issue, they seem well built and this one with 80k miles on seems to have worn very well indeed. had to get new thermostat housing as it is weeping slightly, genuine Jag item with thermostat was £38 inclusive.

labour wise, my mate is an ex ford tech, so he knows these pretty well, and it's usually mates rates. or I can work on them myself.

time will tell, but I feel ok at the moment. they are not as big as you'd think either, Passat was way bigger.

[Steve_PPP]

Actually looks quite good for a jag especially on those wheels and in that colour.

How does it feel in the cabin compared to say, the Passat? Jags have been known for being a little tight on space for the more 'lanky' folk amongst us, is the X type any better?

[Hongkongfooi]

Is that the 4wd version?

[555_Si]

its a front wheel drive version, I believe the transfer boxes are a bit unreliable on the AWD'd, plus I don't think I really need 4wd 99% of the time.

They are slightly smaller than the Passat, i'm not exactly tall and the girlfriend is a midget so suits us fine, though I believe the limiting factor is height in that the seat is actually quite high, even on it's lowest setting, also, due to a funny knee, I can't extend my clutch leg straight comfortably, which means I need to sit slightly closer, but on the Jag my knees end up hitting the lower dashboard easily.

The drivers position is like chalk and cheese compared to the impreza. But overall very comfy and with the sport suspension quite nice at handling, sort of a sporty comfort ride I would say. I'd probably be careful of non sport models as I feel these are for just cruising along, but I haven't driven one myself.

Nothing wrong with that mate. A very nice buy

[munk]

I like izzz nice!!