Thoughts on xtype estates

[veccy208]

Hi all.
I'm going to be short and to the point. I'm looking for a cheap (circa 3k) economical commuter but want something a wee bit comfortable. Was looking at a high mileage x type estate. What are your thoughts? Mad or sensible? Any other suggestions?
Oh must also be reliable.

Thanks in advance

[Burnzyb]

Sill aren't treated properly inside so they rust quite badly, remember going to look at one and putting my hand through what looked like an ok sill

[mybrainhurts]

veccy208 said:

Hi all.
I'm going to be short and to the point. I'm looking for a cheap (circa 3k) economical commuter but want something a wee bit comfortable. Was looking at a high mileage x type estate. What are your thoughts? Mad or sensible? Any other suggestions?
Oh must also be reliable.

Thanks in advance

It would have been even shorter if you hadn't said "I'm going to be short and to the point"....

PS....Got 300,000 miles out of the Mondeo version without much trouble, but it was a diesel.

[PhillipM]

Check the sills all the way down underneath - if it's had a patch slapped on it for an MOT, avoid. Press on them hard from front to back, if you head any crackling noises, avoid (or, if as usual with x-types, your hand goes through the sill....well, you get the idea)
The rot for fun. You can hear them rusting on rainy days.

[ChemicalChaos]

From experience, avoid any of the "sports" trim levels with the stiff suspension and low profile tyres. They jiggle and rattle over bumps and over time the interior trim starts creaking in sympathy.
A wafty spec model on tall tyres avoids any of this happening.

[veccy208]

Thanks for your advice! It is one between 04 and 07 I'd be looking at which would be the one based on Mondeo.
I don't like the sound of rust! In my sort of price range they would be around the 100k miles but quite a few with fsh. Don't want it to be a money pit though.

Edited by veccy208 on Monday 10th April 08:44

[Six Fiend]

The one based on a Mondeo? Erm...

Anyway, yes the sills are notorious. Mine was fine having been well cleaned regularly and probably lived in a garage.

Repairs aren't that expensive since the plastic covers mean you don't need a perfect paint finish.

Do you prefer petrol or diesel?

Diesels can give turbo issues but no more than many other cars. Buy on condition and history. Had my 3.0 saloon for over 4 years and found it reliable and comfy.

Service parts are generally cheap and it's a reasonably easy car to work on

Edited by Six Fiend on Monday 10th April 08:53

[veccy208]

I read that off a Parker review (based on mondeo)
I really need a diesel as it needs to be economical. Would love a v6 but that's boring everyday life for you!

Hmm now to the internet to find a wee gem at the right price.

Any potential for lurking gremlins other than rust?

Thanks for input always nice to get input from those who have owned one or know their way around them.

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes it's based on the Mondeo but in my book that's no bad thing but on the same note I'd probably buy the Mondeo (in Titanium form) rather than the X Type.

2008 2.3 Mondeo Titanium 99k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Another Mondeo based car worth a look is the Mazda 6

2009 Mazda 6 TS 77k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Other Options:

2009 407 SW SE 89k (loaded with kit cheap to buy)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 Laguna Dynamique 73k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Six Fiend]

Mondeo or X-type are equally good. It depends which interior you like most! I think the Jaguar is better looking and in se spec is a very comfy ride.

Headlight bulbs are sooo easy to change too!

[cj2013]

Maybe too cheap, but I don't think you can go wrong with a W202 C-Class. Can be had cheap in good spec.

Pre-98 is even more reliable, as you avoid the electronic steering lock (with the plug-in key) that can fail.



If you can tolerate the looks, even more comfort could be found in an older E-Class.



Then again, the S-Type can be had very cheap if you still want to waft round in a Jaaaaaag

[RTaylor2208]

Personally I would avoid at all costs, my brother foolishly bought one after viewing it in the rain and with a hangover. Externally looked tidy, interior was fairly nice, 80K miles on the clock, very well documented history on a 55 plate and this was 3 years ago. He paid £3000 for it, it's sat on his drive unmoved for the last 2 years after spectacularly failing its MOT for structural rust. Everything under neath was like it had sat at the bottom of the ocean.

Only recently has he stripped off everything attached to the body which is all slowly being replaced or sand blasted and powder coated where its not too far gone, all bushing being replaced, all new discs, pads calipers refurbished, new brake and fuel lines and the sills have been fabricated ready to weld on.

All this so he can sell it on, as without the work it was basically scrap. He might be lucky to get 2K back for it.

[Six Fiend]

RTaylor2208 said:

Personally I would avoid at all costs, my brother foolishly bought one after viewing it in the rain and with a hangover. Externally looked tidy, interior was fairly nice, 80K miles on the clock, very well documented history on a 55 plate and this was 3 years ago. He paid £3000 for it, it's sat on his drive unmoved for the last 2 years after spectacularly failing its MOT for structural rust. Everything under neath was like it had sat at the bottom of the ocean.

Only recently has he stripped off everything attached to the body which is all slowly being replaced or sand blasted and powder coated where its not too far gone, all bushing being replaced, all new discs, pads calipers refurbished, new brake and fuel lines and the sills have been fabricated ready to weld on.

All this so he can sell it on, as without the work it was basically scrap. He might be lucky to get 2K back for it.

Conversely my 02 plate was completely rust free when sold 3 years ago. Your brother would appear to be his own worst enemy

OP has been advised to check for rust.

[veccy208]

Still considering. Went to look at a couple of cars but just didn't convince me they were good enough to spend the money on to change.
My vectra is getting a bit doddery but it's only worth about £500 to a hung over ebayer, so im still in the age old debate.. keep till it blows or change for an older car.
Practicality is the enemy of the car lover.

By the way I would love an older merc! Just not sure I'm mechanically savvy enough to spot a good one from a wreck.

[kurt535]

veccy208 said:

Still considering. Went to look at a couple of cars but just didn't convince me they were good enough to spend the money on to change.
My vectra is getting a bit doddery but it's only worth about £500 to a hung over ebayer, so im still in the age old debate.. keep till it blows or change for an older car.
Practicality is the enemy of the car lover.

By the way I would love an older merc! Just not sure I'm mechanically savvy enough to spot a good one from a wreck.

lexus is300 sportcross. bulletproof.

[MorganP104]

kurt535 said:

lexus is300 sportcross. bulletproof.

Also rare as rocking horse poo. Shame, because they make a decent leftfield choice.

[cj2013]

veccy208 said:

Still considering. Went to look at a couple of cars but just didn't convince me they were good enough to spend the money on to change.
My vectra is getting a bit doddery but it's only worth about £500 to a hung over ebayer, so im still in the age old debate.. keep till it blows or change for an older car.
Practicality is the enemy of the car lover.

By the way I would love an older merc! Just not sure I'm mechanically savvy enough to spot a good one from a wreck.

True. Not always impossible though.

I recently went for a Mk3 (2001 >) Maverick. V6 engine with column shift auto, electric windows and sunroof, remote central locking, Isofix, cruise control, full leather, air bags everywhere, lots of storage space inside, huge boot storage with folding rear seats, split rear access, comfortable and gobbles up speed bumps. No need to jack it up to do filter and oil changes either! Paid less than a grand for it.

Drawbacks are that parts can be a bit tricky to source (except from the USA), I'm not expecting much more than 20mpg from it either. No standout 'issues' that I found in research, so generally quite shedworthy option if you like not seeing another like yours about.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

They do make a 2.0, but the spec is much lower (2.0 is manual and basic, 3.0 is auto and fully loaded), and it's a zetec requiring cambelt changes,so not convinced it's the same bargain.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Ford-Maverick-XLT-2...

[kurt535]

MorganP104 said:

kurt535 said:

lexus is300 sportcross. bulletproof.

Also rare as rocking horse poo. Shame, because they make a decent leftfield choice.

So, so, so worth hunting one down. I'm biased. I bought mine a year ago today and 14k miles later, the man-love-for-his-wheel-affair just grows and grows

[cj2013]

MorganP104 said:

Also rare as rocking horse poo. Shame, because they make a decent leftfield choice.

I can see a few on trader?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/lexus/is-300

[daemon]

Has anyone mentioned the sills?

I'd a 2005 2.2D Sport Estate....







My thoughts on it -

The engine is agricultural. Its - from memory - the 2.2TD Transit van engine and TBH it sounds like it would be at home in a van.
The leather seats felt plasticky and were slippery
The dash and trim were cheap and plasticky

I think it was built for "showroom appeal". I'm sure it looked very nice sitting in a showroom, and has lots of nice toys but that didnt really translate to a "good" car on the road. It just felt plasticky and cheap inside when you actually drove it.

Window rubbers rot on them from the inside out. I think i gave £180 for the four along the bottom of the rear door windows and the bottom of the rear estate windows.

Avoid the 2006 onwards examples as they are Euro IV compliant thus have a DPF and a troublesome electronic EGR valve replacing an old fashioned mechanical one. Power also drops from 155BHP to 143BHP.

I'd have one again. Probably. But i'm not sure i'd walk past a nicely spec'd Mondeo to do so...