I've been eyeing the '02-'04 x-type Jags in my search for an economical car. I'm looking at the 2.5 liter with manual, awd and around 80k miles on the clock. Generally speaking are these cars reliable? Also what kind of mpg are they known to get? Is it true that these cars are basically Ford Contour's? BTW, I do have an '03 XJ8 so another Jag would look nice parked next to it the garage. I'd sure like one of these instead of a Corolla or Camry but not if it is a troublesome car. Thanks for any help and advice.

 

I had a 03 X-type 3.0 and had absolutely no complaint about it, even though some people on this Forum will disagree. I loved it and would buy another one. Loved the AWD and the 3.0 was excellant.

 

Destroyer... If by economical you mean purchase price used, then yes they are. If (and I am sure you do) mean economical in gas the answer is relative as to what you are willing to spend.

The car has a US EPA mileage rating of only 17 MPG in city driving and only 24 MPG on the motorway. Add into that factor that it MUST use premium gasoline, and you can quickly see it is not a Ford fiesta at the pump.

As far as the Contour the answer is no with the exception of the powerplant which is the same V6 as the Contour (USA) and the Mondeo (Europe) The V-6 engine was tweaked by Jaguar but it was manufactured at Ford's Ohio engine plant.

 

The Ford Duratec engine in the X-Type is quite reliable - I have heard that with reasonable maintenance, you can expect them to last 150k miles. There are two other major parts of the X-Type that are not so reliable, the automatic transmission and the transfer case. By getting a manual transmission, you will avoid the automatic transmission problem. Generally speaking, Jaguars tend to be high-maintenance cars, so if you are not mechanically inclined, you will be spending quite a bit of money for maintenance. I love the way they handle - they take corners like they were glued to the road, neither understeering nor oversteering. Although they are not fast compared to modern "hot" cars, they will get up to 60 mph faster than the legendary XK120 and XK140, and will even challenge an XKE with an automatic transmission. They are cool looking cars that never go out of style. Oh, and you don't HAVE to use premium fuel. Premium is recommended, and will give you the best performance and fuel economy, but if you use Regular, the variable-valve timing will adjust automatically to prevent any damage to the engine. I get 24 mpg on my commute to work, and 28 mpg on road trips. I think it is a great car, but if you don't maintain your cars properly, you should get a Toyota. I have had several Toyotas, and they will usually run for 200K miles as long as you change the oil every year or so (whether it needs it or not, hehehe). But they are not Jaguars.

 

Nice job guys keeping the prospective owners up to speed on the long-term, inherent weak components.

Destroyer, you've been here for quite some time (since july) and as you know, the x-type subforum area is the best place to research back many pages worth of threads, looking for those discussions where repairs are frequent and parts failure is common...you'll at least have confidence in whether or not your new x-type will need work, sooner or later, and what hit your wallet will take afterwards.

Have you considered an 2003 s-type (even an R), or even a 2002 xk for your 'fun' reliable car? Not sure your budget, but those seem affordable in the marketplace.

 

"Oh, and you don't HAVE to use premium fuel. Premium is recommended"

I stated that because that is what the owners manual calls for. To be even more exact it calls for 95 octane. I am sure it will run on ANY combustible liquid but I won't be taking that chance.

 

I've had and X Type for three years now, and I can say that I love it. You do have to maintain them well though. Transfer case oil changes, and transmission oil changes - stuff like that. If you don't have a problem maintaining your cars then a Jaguar is the car for you. If you want a car that doesn't need much care, maybe a honda or toyota. The only problems I have run in to, is a new battery (maintainance) and a new wheel bearing. Other than that the car has been great to me. Let us know you decision when you've made it! Good luck

 

I'm looking for a "beater" of sorts to drive back and forth to my business daily as I am now driving an extended E350 van or my Dodge RAM Daytona. I figure I could leave the van at my shop and drive something better on gas to and fro being that gas is going way up. My "fun" car is a modified '67 442 convertible and the wife has the XJ8. I'm looking to spend maybe $7k or so. While looking at Honda's and Toyota's I noticed the Jaguar x-types of the same year are even cheaper. Of course, I'd rather drive a Jaguar than a Camry so I came to this forum to get a general idea about the reliability, mpg and maintenance costs. I've also had good luck with out XJ8 up to this point. Thanks for all the information everyone.

 

The very first question you need to ask yourself is, "Do I really need AWD in Florida?"

There is NO way I'd consider an X if I lived in Florida. Without the possibility of snow and ice, AWD is a needless expense for a daily driver, IMO. And that's coming from someone who really likes his X.

 

youre asking a bunch of x-type lovers if they like their cars. the majority says yes. but keep in perspective what you said about the jag being less than hondas and toyotas of the same year, there is a reason for that. most likely people dont want the maintenance cost of the jag when they can get a more efficient, reliable vehicle that is the same size with a lot of the same features but will cost much less to maintain over time. i dont know how long your drive is but most likely you will average 19mpg in the jag if you drive it 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year 40 miles a day that equates to $1844 in gas at 3.65 a gallon for premium versus an accord that will get you around 25 mpg costing you 1401.60, not to mention you can put a really good set of tires on a honda for about 300-350 and tires on the jag will run 500-600, oil changes are half the price, brakes, are cheaper by 30%, go to edmunds and look at the true cost to own for other vehicles in the same price range than the jag and im sure you will say no to the jag based purely on the economical factor. ou might pay less for the jag upfront but it will cost more in the long run. it is a luxury car and as with anything luxurious it will cost more. if you really want something luxurious and reliable look into lexus, yes they are more expensive toyotas, but they also retain the toyota reliability while offering luxury car amenities, ride and feel. good luck with whatever you choose

 

I thank you all for the advice. I called for a few X-types. One was a complete POS, the other was sold already. A friend of mine was selling his son's Ford Escort ZX2 and I went ahead and bought it. Pretty nice little car with only 74k miles and gets almost 30 mpg. It should make a good little beater.

 

Lifetime Subaru owner who stumbled upon an X type for $3-4k cheaper than a comparable Subaru and after 12k or so haven't had a single issue beyond maint. In fact I got rid of the wife's 03 Legacy and paid about a grand more for an 03 XJR because the X was so much better of a car then the Lego GT was. I couldn't drive it anymore. Both Jags have been more reliable then that Legacy was in fact!
Currently have 110k on the odo and she drives like nearly new aside from needing some rear rubber replaced. Paid 6k for my 05. Personally, I'd go for an 05 or newer as most of the problems were ironed out by them If your fine with a "stripper" as in no nav, heated seats, sunroof you should be in the 7k range for around 80k. Will get ya 22-28mpg depending on your drive.

 

X2 - I don't know why you would want the weight/fuel economy penalty associated with AWD if you lived in Florida. I also really liked my X when I had it, but in your case I'd think about something else.

 

I have an 02 x-type with the original transmission and Transfer case with 124K on the clock now. It has had a few issues, but I am happy. I hope to get 150-160K out of the car, and enjoy owing it. The repair costs at the dealership are expensive, but I haven't had too many (knock on wood). Goodluck wiht your purchase, they are the BEST snow cars around!

 

I think the last snow Florida has seen was in '77 but you never know when it will strike again.

 

Too bad you got that ZX2.. its true that the X is nothing more than a fancy contour. I worked for Jag in 02 when i bought my used 99 Contour V6. SAME CAR but the contour parts were cheaper- both Mondeo platform. The 2.5L is junk- if you were still shopping id say get the 3.0L. I have an 02 with tons of problems and an 05 with almost none. I did sell over a dozen brand new with the differential rub noise. Im talkin 6 miles and they were doing it. Just a bad design. Awesome in the winter though. Look into a Contour SVT... fast and fun as h3ll!!! Not to mention cheap!

 

Comment about AWD in FL: During the rainy season, the AWD with traction control is a god-send. Driving down I-75 in the middle of a monsoon will make a believer out of you. The nut-job drivers down here think their SUV is invincible, but oftentimes you will see them greasy-side-up in the median covered in mud and broken branches when they find out the hard way what drivers ed would have taught them about hydroplaning. As long as you turn off your cruise control, the car will know when it is starting to hydroplane in the downpours before you will feel it in the handling. I love it.

 

Pacobell I agree with you 100%, and I could not have explained it better than that. I gave up the idea a few post ago, to try and explain to people who do not have or understand the reason why having an AWD vehicle in Florida is a GREAT idea. I loved it here and noticed the extreme difference in having that here in Florida during the rain, I'm just glad someone else notices and understands. Hopefully others will realize, there is nothing better and safer.

 

First of all nothing bugs me more than people who have no idea what they are talking about, say things with total confidence.

Second, you're wrong! The x type is based on the 2000 Mondeo platform. Only only does the x type only share 18% of components with the Mondeo but the Mondeo was totally redesigned for 2000 and the Contour sold in the US has nothing in common with the 2000 Mondeo.

Third, the 2000 Mondeo never made it to the US because it was developed in Europe and the Euro exchange rate made it unviable as a Contour replacement.

Finally. I know you probably thought you were being smart but your ignorance really bugs me. Especially when you're in the Jag forum.

http://aronline.co.uk/index.htm?x400storyf.htm

 

I find it oddly hypocritical of you speaking about SUV drivers when you are admittedly guilty of the same offense... ie thinking YOUR car is better in rain than a 2WD. You can solve ALL traction related problems in the rain by simply having good tires AND slowing down. That doesn't work on snow and ice.

I lived in Florida for a few years and agree AWD can be a nice feature. The argument put before you is you're paying a huge premium for AWD for the few miles a year that you actually "need" it. All year long, you're driving a car with poor economy and has the potential of putting you in the poor house if it develops a drive train problem.

As for the hydroplaning, I assume you're talking about Stability Control because AWD has little/no effect once the tires leave the surface of the road. Stability Control is available on 2WD and it does react faster than a human but it can only react to correct the drivers mistakes/oversight. Nothing replaces common sense.

Bottom line: AWD is nice to have everywhere but it's an expensive option. Better put it to good use to get your monies worth. A helicopter for nice days would be nice too, is it worth it?