purchase of an stype

purchase of an stype

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Discussion

DJ635

Original Poster:

114 posts

220 months

Saturday 6th January 2007
quotequote all
thinking of buying an stype for the wife.... seem good value for their age and milage ... what should i be looking out for and are they a good drive as i would like a go now and again... budget is £6k...

DJ635

Original Poster:

114 posts

220 months

Sunday 7th January 2007
quotequote all
sorry sould read x-type....humm the s-type.. if you kid had its mouth open that wide you would give it a smack!!!

triple7

4,013 posts

238 months

Sunday 7th January 2007
quotequote all
If you can stretch to £8k then you'll find a good 'un.

First thing's first. With your budget you will be looking at a 'Y/'51 plate car. Jag sold about 35,000 in the first couple years, so there are plenty out there, but be warned. I looked at quite a few and there are some real ropey old cars out there. I would stick to a private sale, all the cheapies I saw at used car centres, where lacking service histories (big no-no, or offer silly money for it, Jag dealers won't touch them), or ex-lease cars, not very well looked after.

Go for a one owner car, low mileage check it is fully serviced with history and stands up to scrutiny.

As for what to buy? Well you'll be limited to just the petrol sedans as the estates and diesils are relatively new and are still £10k plus.

I would not even bother looking at the 2.1ltr, very early cars and this engine has been dropped from the line up now, also one of the main reasons for this car is the AWD. The 2.1ltr is 2WD, so just forget those. That leaves you with the 2.5 or 3.0ltr. These cars are both 4WD (which is as far as I am aware, is trouble free). The fuel economy between the two, is 1mpg in the handbooks, in real life very similar so I went for the 3.0ltr, but the 2.5 is just fine and gives you more choice of vehicles to look at.

Then you have to decide whether you prefer the 'Sport' or the 'SE' X-Type. The Sport has grey stained birds eye maple veneer interior, the SE classic - burr walnut. The Sport has a slighty frimer ride and set up and more snug seats (something to bear in mind if you are wide at the hips!), the SE has a more pipe and slippers feel. As with reguard to the outside the Sport is devoid of all chrome bits and has a spoiler and different alloys to the SE.

My choice was the Sport. Very happy with it.

As far as things going wrong, well there are no big gotchas at all. Bills will depend on how well it has been cared for in the past. Servicing is 12months or 10k. About £150-250-ish.

As for the car you actually buy, be very careful as there is a huge difference in spec on the early cars. (Jag wanted to copy BMW (DOH!) and the basic price of these X's had no options and it was up to the purchaser to choose.) Therefore my choice would HAVE to include: FULL LEATHER, not half or cloth. Electric everthing- seats, windows, mirrors, locks etc. Auto-climate control. Cruise control. Trip computer. 6XCD changer. Satnav is a rare option and tend to command higher prices.

As for whether you wish to have an auto or manual, they are both very good. I have a manual and is quite entertaining to drive.

Anythingelse, try me.

Good luck.

G

Phil Hopkins

17,110 posts

218 months

Monday 8th January 2007
quotequote all
triple7 said:
All good stuff


Nothing to add here.