Bottom of the market X-Types
Discussion
My MX-5 is slowly being killed by tinworm, and come the end of June I'm gonna need a new car. Budget is around £2k, which would get me any number of well specced rep mobiles, another tidy MX-5, a bike... the list is endless. But I've decided I'm going for a bit more luxury this time round - the insane mileage I've put on my '5 (30k/year on a Mk1 
) is unjustifiable.
Inspired by a thread about cheap non-turbo AWD cars, a few apparent bargains like this have caught my eye. They seem to tick all the boxes - cheap, V6, toys, leather, and it's a Jaguar (albeit a dressed up Mondeo)!
I just can't come to terms with the apparent cheapness! As far as I can dig, they're reliable enough (Mondeo underneath, engine has a timing chain), the AWD system is a bit old school but does the job, and they're rather nice inside. It's just about insurable, easily DIYable and parts are cheap enough too. I can't find anything major about rust, other than bits of exterior trim can take a hammering and the sills need a bit more protection. So what's the bloody catch? Is it purely because petrol is 135p/l and it's a thirsty V6?
) is unjustifiable.Inspired by a thread about cheap non-turbo AWD cars, a few apparent bargains like this have caught my eye. They seem to tick all the boxes - cheap, V6, toys, leather, and it's a Jaguar (albeit a dressed up Mondeo)!
I just can't come to terms with the apparent cheapness! As far as I can dig, they're reliable enough (Mondeo underneath, engine has a timing chain), the AWD system is a bit old school but does the job, and they're rather nice inside. It's just about insurable, easily DIYable and parts are cheap enough too. I can't find anything major about rust, other than bits of exterior trim can take a hammering and the sills need a bit more protection. So what's the bloody catch? Is it purely because petrol is 135p/l and it's a thirsty V6?
Not actually that thirsty (get the 3.0 - same mpg as the 2.5, but much quicker)
The reason for the cheapness is simple - it's a Jaaaaag: massive depreciation is built in.
You can now pick up the aluminium bodied X350 XJ8s for £5-6k, you have to love the big cat bargains.
Only time will tell how the current crop (XF etc) hold up...
The reason for the cheapness is simple - it's a Jaaaaag: massive depreciation is built in.
You can now pick up the aluminium bodied X350 XJ8s for £5-6k, you have to love the big cat bargains.
Only time will tell how the current crop (XF etc) hold up...
That's one thing I meant to ask actually - I know I've trotted out the Clarksonism about the Mondeo underneath but is that really the case to any meaningful extent? I've only had a quick nose round the inside of one and couldn't find any 'parts bin' esque stuff, it really was rather nice!
TTwiggy said:
Not actually that thirsty (get the 3.0 - same mpg as the 2.5, but much quicker)
Good to know - I can just about live with the thirst, as most of my mileage is long distance cruising, albeit way oop north away from the motorways. I was watching one on ebay the other day - a tidy 2.5 - that ended up going for £1100.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
they did use a few of the same components as in the mondeo, but drive a mondeo, get out of it and drive the Jag there is no comparison!
Go for the 2.5 or 3.0 as they are 4WD, awesome in all weathers. Drive the sport and the SE, they drive totally different, the sport is a lot more fun IMO
Go for the 2.5 or 3.0 as they are 4WD, awesome in all weathers. Drive the sport and the SE, they drive totally different, the sport is a lot more fun IMO
It's built on a Mondeo platform, kind of the way that the Audi shares car platforms with SEAT and VW.
Overall, I think they're really good cars. They look good, they handle well and they're strong and well made. They won't set your world on fire with performance but they will provide a great driving experience with bags of comfort.
Funnily enough, I've just done the exact same thing and traded my MX5 for a Volvo S60 2.0 turbo. I fancied a bigger, more powerful car that was as comfy as I could find!
Overall, I think they're really good cars. They look good, they handle well and they're strong and well made. They won't set your world on fire with performance but they will provide a great driving experience with bags of comfort.
Funnily enough, I've just done the exact same thing and traded my MX5 for a Volvo S60 2.0 turbo. I fancied a bigger, more powerful car that was as comfy as I could find!
jonnydm said:
I was watching one on ebay the other day - a tidy 2.5 - that ended up going for £1100.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Feck me in the face thats cheap! Might go and get two if they are that cheap!http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
jonnydm said:
I was watching one on ebay the other day - a tidy 2.5 - that ended up going for £1100.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Not sure what trim level that is - but it's not a good one.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It has leather, which is a must for a Jag - but it's a manual - which is not good - even on an X-Type.
Also appears to have cheapie manual air-con. You really want one with full climate, if only because it makes the interior look less s
t.Always liked the idea of an X-Type, but the reality of them never matched the expectation for me - buy a post 2002 facelift S-type instead.
VeeFour said:
Not sure what trim level that is - but it's not a good one.
It has leather, which is a must for a Jag - but it's a manual - which is not good - even on an X-Type.
Also appears to have cheapie manual air-con. You really want one with full climate, if only because it makes the interior look less st.
Always liked the idea of an X-Type, but the reality of them never matched the expectation for me - buy a post 2002 facelift S-type instead.
Agreed its not the best spec out there. The main point being that at this price point - assuming that this car is as clean as it appears - it is somewhat of a steal. Similar cars with little history, much higher miles and works due are up for much more in the classifieds. It has leather, which is a must for a Jag - but it's a manual - which is not good - even on an X-Type.
Also appears to have cheapie manual air-con. You really want one with full climate, if only because it makes the interior look less s
t.Always liked the idea of an X-Type, but the reality of them never matched the expectation for me - buy a post 2002 facelift S-type instead.
We had a 2.0D Estate until very recently, and yes they are a bargain in my opinion. Even though we paid £9k when we bought ours, that was for one just over 3 years old!
Good to drive, comfortable and with a nice interior.
Only downside in my opinion is the 'it's just mondeo' naysayers. Who know nowt.
Good to drive, comfortable and with a nice interior.
Only downside in my opinion is the 'it's just mondeo' naysayers. Who know nowt.
D1bram said:
We had a 2.0D Estate until very recently, and yes they are a bargain in my opinion. Even though we paid £9k when we bought ours, that was for one just over 3 years old!
Good to drive, comfortable and with a nice interior.
Only downside in my opinion is the 'it's just mondeo' naysayers. Who know nowt.
The Diesels are not V6 or four wheel drive though.Good to drive, comfortable and with a nice interior.
Only downside in my opinion is the 'it's just mondeo' naysayers. Who know nowt.
My dad has a 3.0 Sport he has had for 5 year.
The diffs are weak as carrots and are expensive to fix. his was over £1000 to get sorted as its not Mondeo parts, its Jaguar parts.
He loves it. Cheap well made, good grip. There not that economical mind but you cant have everything.
Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 11th May 18:53
c0ldpl4ya said:
Bargin. I could think of much worse cars to waft around inThe Mondeo is a pretty good car designed for long distance cruising anyway. Plush one up and stick a Jag badge on and you've got a nice car. The trouble is Jeremy Clarkson seems to have the ability to make or break a car's sales success with his smart as opinions. The daft thing is he's always actually raved about how much he likes V6 Mondeos.
s opinions. The daft thing is he's always actually raved about how much he likes V6 Mondeos. nottyash said:
The Diesels are not V6 or four wheel drive though.
My dad has a 3.0 Sport he has had for 5 year.
The diffs are weak as carrots and are expensive to fix. his was over £1000 to get sorted as its not Mondeo parts, its Jaguar parts.
He loves it. Cheap well made, good grip. There not that economical mind but you cant have everything.
Wich diff? I worked for Jaguar for 7 years and never saw one go. Transfer boxes leaked but I wouldnt call them weak unless the driver is a bit of an animal My dad has a 3.0 Sport he has had for 5 year.
The diffs are weak as carrots and are expensive to fix. his was over £1000 to get sorted as its not Mondeo parts, its Jaguar parts.
He loves it. Cheap well made, good grip. There not that economical mind but you cant have everything.
Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 11th May 18:53
Hi,
I thought I would add my tuppence worth to this thread as I was in the same position as you recently.
Ok, my findings were that although there are a few around at £1500-2000, it will probably only get you a 2001/02 car with 120k or so miles, all the ones I went to see at that price were a rough around the edges and low spec (you really want an SE spec car) or with short MOT.
Don't assume that if it has leather, it will be a good spec. A lot of the lower priced cars do have leather, but nothing else. Things like a fuel computer, CD-player, auto-aircon and cruise control were all optional on early cars.
In the end I bit the bullet and bought an well-spec'd 03 plate 2.5 SE for £3000. If you can push the budget up another £1000, then you will have a lot more choice.
Nice cars. My only grumbles with it are that the fuel gauge is very pessamistic, saying its on fumes when there is 10 litres left, quite a lot of road noise and I have a rattle somewhere in the dash!
I thought I would add my tuppence worth to this thread as I was in the same position as you recently.
Ok, my findings were that although there are a few around at £1500-2000, it will probably only get you a 2001/02 car with 120k or so miles, all the ones I went to see at that price were a rough around the edges and low spec (you really want an SE spec car) or with short MOT.
Don't assume that if it has leather, it will be a good spec. A lot of the lower priced cars do have leather, but nothing else. Things like a fuel computer, CD-player, auto-aircon and cruise control were all optional on early cars.
In the end I bit the bullet and bought an well-spec'd 03 plate 2.5 SE for £3000. If you can push the budget up another £1000, then you will have a lot more choice.
Nice cars. My only grumbles with it are that the fuel gauge is very pessamistic, saying its on fumes when there is 10 litres left, quite a lot of road noise and I have a rattle somewhere in the dash!
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