Buying a used Jaguar X-Type
When it was introduced in 2001, the Jaguar X-Type had its instant detractors, many, it has to be said, competitors. A Jaguar body on a Ford Mondeo platform and a car that allowed Jaguar's new owners, Ford, to cut down on costs while reaping premium car profits . . . these were just two of the criticisms.
While it has to be acknowledged that the X-Type was developed on a Mondeo platform, it must also be said that the two cars are like chalk and cheese and the X-Type did not actually suffer as a result.
For many the name Jaguar has that air of greying temples and blazers with gold buttons - and that's pretty much why the X-Type was developed. At the time it was obvious that the car wasn't attracting younger drivers, principally because the brand profile and the cost of the cars. Besides, with cars such as the BMW 3-Series and the Alfa Romeo 156 brightening up our lives, the Jaguar image was seriously lacking.
So, along came the smaller and cheaper X-Type, a compact saloon that was a slightly confusing package. It somehow looked bigger than the 3-Series and the 156, but actually wasn't. Having had a deal of experience with the bigger Jaguars, one found oneself wondering about the rear passenger space when the front seats were extended to the limit. Then, having gotten over the perception problem, one warmed to the car.
The first cars to come along had 2.5- and 3-litre V6 engines and a four-wheel-drive system that gave great handling and roadholding, but carried a serious fuel penalty. The later 2-litre version was the first-ever front-wheel-drive Jaguar. The X-Type drove better than a good many Jaguars before it and it will still put it up to the competition on performance.
Where the X-Type also has an edge over the competition is the interior ambience. It might be a smaller Jaguar built by Ford, but this car has always made one feel one was travelling with an appropriate degree of elegance. Wooden trim, leather steering wheel and strong instrumentation all add to atmosphere you just don't get in an Audi A4.
The fact that the X-Type was so well built showed how much Ford needed it to succeed. There is only one major recall listed for the X-Type - affecting some 30,000 cars - and that was for a warning light failure.
The car did well in its EuroNCAP crash tests, scoring four out of a possible five stars. It was found to have a strong body and all doors could be opened after the frontal impact test. However, the driver's head was allowed to strike the steering wheel late in the impact and after deployment of the airbag. Jaguar deserves credit for introducing a system that automatially senses when a baby seat has been fitted to the front seat and switches off the airbag - a first, as far as I am aware.
A 2001 X-Type with a 2.5 petrol engine and 35,000 on the clock - and with equipment such as ABS, airbags and all electrics - had a recent asking price of €31,500. A 2003 2.5 V6 with similar equipment and 17,000 on the clock had an asking price of €36,950. There is plenty of room here for judicious bargaining, and the early part of the new year is a good time for it.