WHICH CAR ?

[bear101]

Hi, i need some advise as to which of 2 cars to choose. They are the Jag 2.5 x type estate or the 2.5 subaru outback ! I need a 4 wheel drive estate car and have narrowed it down to these 2 . I reckon for the same amount of money i could either get a high mileage 5 yr old outback or a lower mileage 4 yr old Jag . Any advice regarding reliability and running costs would be greatly appreciated . T.I.A

[chrisispringles]

Depends what it is for. If you plan on doing any sort of mileage then get the X-type, legacys are quite utilitarian and the engine isn't very refined.

[bear101]

Hi , it will only do about 8000 a year mainly non motorway driving . i also use it to go fishing in along muddy tracks , hence the 4 wheel drive estate .i have owned the 3l outback before and the mpg was not that good that is why i thought of the 2.5 instead .

[Daveyraveygravey]

I would have thought the 4wd in the Jag is for handling, not for off road use, so would expect the Jag more likely to get stuck than the Outback. I'd also think the Jag's interior more likely to be messed up by all the stuff a fishing trip needs...

[Wadeski]

Forrester?

[bear101]

driven a forester on loan , too much like a box on wheels . is the 4wd system on the outback better than the one used by Jaguar ? what about reliability i know the subarus are bulletproof but what about the jags ?

[chrisispringles]

If your are going to use it off road then you would be better off with the legacy, but I suspect that the 2.5 will be no more economical than the 3.0, if anything it may be slightly less in the real world because you have to push it more in normal traffic. If you need something sort of offroady and economical you should look at a Volvo XC70 D5 or an Audi Allroad 2.5 TDi.

[carlingofblack]

I have had two X Types a 2.0D (sorry, sorry.....) and a 3.0 Estate. I loved the 3.0 for its smooth engine, great V6 sound and reliability. However, I fear the Jag drivetrain is just not up to the job if you go off road or away from anything other than tarmac. Transfer boxes can go bang with worrying regularity, the auto gearbox made by Jatco is also known for issues. Go manual if you can. The 2.5 offers no real economy advantage over the 3.0, so if you do for the Jag, and it is a very nice drive, then do look for the 3.0 too. Traction and progress in snow is outstanding.
On the test drive, keep a keen ear out for any untoward clunks and whines. A good one should be silent, though they all suffer from a bit of tyre noise if they are wearing Pirelli.
Audi Quattro also worth a look.

Edited by carlingofblack on Sunday 5th September 20:16

[bear101]

Thanks for all the replies .Seems as if the Jag is not as reliable as the subaru then . i have looked at pics of the xc70 and they do look a bit boxy. the audi allroad is a good looking car but they seem a bit pricey ! might even look at the 3l outback again if you guys reckon the economy might not be that much worse than the 2.5 , i did like the kick of the 3l engine and the exhaust note when you gave it a bit of wellie !