Shed of the Week: Jaguar X-Type
Jaguar's early-2000s output made for some pretty disturbing viewing, but does our Shed deserve the same X-rated status?
Many blamed the X's failure on its darkly-muttered-about Ford Mondeo links, although if you looked at it in a less jaundiced fashion, those turned out to be more of an urban myth than actual reality. Besides, the contemporary Mondeo was a very good car, so it wouldn't have mattered even if the X-Type did have all those links it was supposed to have. Which it didn't.
Not letting facts get in the way of a good story is a basic premise of the Shed column, so let's move on from there and get onto the matter at hand, which is this rather fetching 3.0 V6 Schport Manual Blue from the Caps School of Car Sales. Only an errant comma prevents it from having a full leather history, which is a shame as that would have been an interesting if tough read, but the important metal bits add up to a strongly appealing proposition at under £1,500.
Dynamic Stability Control was a near-£500 cost option on the X-Type, but we can't see it mentioned anywhere in the blizzard of caps. Normally you'd want that on a powerful rear-driver, but the V6 X-Types are of course four-wheel drive so it shouldn't be an issue. Launching it hard sounds like it would be quite an experience. Let's have a look on YouTube to see if it is.
Hmm, well we can't actually find any footage of that, but we have found one of this chap giving his 3.0 laldy on what he assures us is a stock exhaust.
Without wishing to generalise, many believe these early X-Types to be superior to the later ones, as some of those were built by a disgruntled workforce and left to stew in flood plains dressed up as storage compounds. The manual 'box is a good choice too as the ZF autos had a dodgy reputation arising from their marvellous 'sealed for life' status that was anything but.
So, what's to hate? There must be something.
Well, X-Types are known for having rocking driver's seats. To old man Shed, that sounds more like a brilliant feature than a problem, but apparently his view on this isn't normal. Most owners choose to have a mod fitted. Door seals and boot locks gave up too easily and the ABS rings could be cracked by expanding corrosion.
As regards this specific car, the MOT history gives no cause for immediate concern. There's a bit of brown stuff underneath (unacceptable Mrs Shed joke deleted) but apart from some slightly corroded brake pipework, it's all good. Well, as good as any 17-year-old 231hp £1,495 Jag with a full service history can be, anyway.
The only disadvantage for some potential buyers might be this car's location in Edinburgh. This is a fabulous place in many ways. Shed lived there for a few years and came to love its wonderful Georgian architecture, bohemian atmos, and sense of warmth towards the English. Well, maybe not so much that last part. It was damn cold though. Probably still is. And a long way away. Which it definitely still is.
That's the ad for National Rail sorted. Now, here's the ad for the car.
? JAGUAR X TYPE ? 2001 REGISTERED ? ONLY 86,000 MILES! ? FULL SERVICE HISTORY (With 8 service stamps most main dealer) ? MOT -OCTOBER 2018 ? DELIVERY AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN UK ? COMES WITH A FULL SERVICE AND HEALTH CHECK ? RESERVE THIS VEHICLE TODAY WITH A DEPOSIT OF GBP 250 ? EXCELLENT FINANCE RATES OFFERED EXCELLENT CONDITION JAG WITH FULL LEATHER, HISTORY . Climate Control, Cruise Control, In Car Entertainment (Radio/CD), Metallic Paint, Paint Metallic, Excellent bodywork, Beige Full leather interior - Excellent Condition, Tyre condition Excellent, Blue, Alarm, Upholstery Leather, Electric Windows (Front), Computer (Driver Information System), Alloy Wheels, HPI CLEAR **MOT, SERVICE HISTORY, ALL OWNERS HANDBOOKS AND KEYS PRESENT **ALL MAJOR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED** **ALL VEHICLES HPI CLEAR** VIEWING POSSIBLE ANYTIME BY ARRANGEMENT **FINANCE AVAILABLE ON ALL CARS** **CANT GET CREDIT *WE CAN HELP** * GENUINE INTEREST ONLY PLEASE * PART EXCHANGE WELCOME! *PLEASE NOTE THIS CAR IS IN (EDINBURGH) SCOTLAND DELIVERY CAN BE ARRANGED ANYWERE IN UK
They'll invariably be polished to absolute perfection but will be sporting a badly fitted aftermarket chrome wheelarch kit to cover up the rust, a wonky second hand leaping cat on the bonnet and at least one Union Jack badge on the back along with a totally legitimate disabled driver badge from ebay
Make of that what you will...
These, however, suffer catastrophic rust under the side skirts and are also really claustrophobic from the driver's seat IIRC.
The car in the vid sounds amazing.
It was a great wafting car but could also out drag anything from the lights. In fact I never lost a battle even with a prancing horse; it squirming about too much while my old Jag surged ever forward like a 747 without so much as the tiniest off line waver. 4WD and auto saw to the technical side of a good race.
My mechanic mates wasted no time reminding me of the blue oval link. But I'm a life long blue oval fan and actually having a Mondeo Heated screen was useful and £128 for discs and pads for all 4 corners was very welcome.
Why they never made a diesel 4WD is a mystery. Then it would have been an A4 quattro avant alternative and not just BMW
The car in the vid sounds amazing.
Get one that's not too rusty, and as long as you're not too powerfully-built, and I'm sure it would be a top wee shed.
These, however, suffer catastrophic rust under the side skirts and are also really claustrophobic from the driver's seat IIRC.
I found in mine your knees were very close to the dash and the leather on the seats wasnt very tactile so you slid about a bit but i wouldnt say it was claustrophic
As others have said, it's a pretty rapid car.
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