USED Jaguar X-type Estate (01 - 09)

My car

Only had the car about 2 weeks but have covered 1700 miles already. I got the car as an ex-demo, only 6 months old at about 10000 quid less than the new price. It's my first jag and I asolutley love it. It's also my first diesel and I have been hugely impressed by its torque and acceleraton. pick up at motorway speeds is incredible. The only critism I have is that you get quite a bit of wheel spin when giving it some beans in second gear, also feels a bit flighty at the front end when accelerating in corners, but I suppose thats not what this kind of car is for; generally though, the handling is spot on for what is an enormous car. The boot is very big and easy to use. The spec of the sport premium is fantastic, personally I would prefer full leather but the touch screen and bluetooth are great. It really is a drivers car and everything in the cabin seems really intuitive and easy to use. the voice control is a hoot, how much of a plonker did I look on the driveway trying to work that!!! The alloys (18') and very low profile tyres are a bit unforgiving, I've managed to curb one already. I'm 6'4' and I've had no problems with the driving position. I've been surprised by the amount of admiring glances it gets and the amount of people who say " I didn't know Jaguar made and estate"! test drove the 2.0 diesel as well and to be honest there's not much difference in performance, in fact I didn't notice any difference at all but I got offered a better deal on the 2.2.

My car

The handling/ride quality is excelent even with the optional 18" The 2.0 diesel engine is very refined even from cold, I can't really say i have noticed any lack of mid range power that some people mention. The only slight weak spot I could mention and I,m p being overly critical as my two previous cars have both had 6 speed gearboxes is that the car would benefit from a 6th gear or even a slightly higher 5th gear ratio, not for any performance benefit, I just feel that its reving a bit more than it really needs at motorway speeds, not that the engine is intrusive, it can't be heard at all but i feel it has more than enough torque to stand a drop in revs of about 3-400rpm without any loss of acceleration but would give an impression of a far more relaxed cruise. The interior in my opinion anyway a work of art, mine has the lovely comfortable half leather & alcantara seats and piano black dash which looks wonderful, has caracter and is in different class from a sombre BMW/Audi etc, the equipment levels are excelent, admitedly mine does have quite a few extras fitted, the build quality also appears to be to a very high standard with no rattles or creaks and all switch gear works very well and feels good to use. These really are something a bit special, make you feel special everytime you drive them, hold their value well, look great, drive and feel great, practical and economical, what more could you want from a car?

My car

I can declare happily that in 10 months of ownership,I am very satisfied with this car. The car has presence at the kerbside. The interior is well-appointed and I find it comfortable. There is plenty of space for legs and it is possible to achieve a good driving position, provided you specify a good seat.

The level of equipment is good and I like the toys. Sat nav is useful in my job as a surveyor. I think it would be a mistake to buy a Classic model with a lower specification and do not sympathise much with reviewers who grumble, having failed to do so.

The car has been entirely reliable and the dealer service has been satisfactory, with the first major service costing less than I expected. I find the engine performance good for a diesel but a bit lacking in mid-range pull and the fuel economy is nothing like what Jag promises, but I am fairly satisfied with 45 mpg (not driving economically!)and the consumption is improving as I put miles on the car. Road holding is good and levels of cabin noise are low. The car is not tiring to drive and can still inspire an inane grin.

The lack of a 4wd option is a disappointment. Rural dwellers such as me could do with the added traction and the traction control on my car notwithstanding,it is prone to torque steer at times.

I am thoroughly satisfied with it overall. Would I have another? Depends what is on offer in 2009.

My car

I bought the X-Type a year ago to make regular trips of 640 miles in a day taking four adults and our luggage from the UK to the French Alps in comfort. I wanted relaxed high speed cruising and 4 wheel drive for snowy conditions in the mountains and the car has lived up to all expectations.

I've very much enjoyed driving the X-Type. Power is never an issue, and except under hard acceleration the only noise comes from the tyres. On the new 'quiet' roads the car is eerily silent even at high speeds - lovely!

The X-Type doesn't have the soft ride of the XJ6 I had several years ago, but it's still smoother than its competitors. Handling is excellent, the car feels like a small car to drive even when fully loaded.

The car is an auto and all the controls are light to use, which again add to the relaxed feel. I like all the Sovereign gizmos, especially the satnav which is effective but unobtrusive. The Xenon lights are great.

There were some initial problems with the new car. The dealer had missed the inoperative sunroof switch and paint damage, but both were easily rectified. However the car had a throbbing sound when cruising which was harder to solve - eventually the car went back to Browns Lane where they changed the 4 wheel drive transfer box and that cured it. Since then I've had no problems apart from once replacing the remote battery and re-initialising the sound system - both 5 minute jobs at the dealer.

Overall, a fine year’s driving.