USED Jaguar X-type Saloon (01 - 09)

My car

I brought the 2.5 v6 x-type, it only had 17000 miles from new. I have only had the car 10 months. At 23000 miles the auto gearbox failed at a cost of £3000. I contacted Jaguar with the fact that the gearbox is a sealed for life unit and in true driving time it had only done 2 years of motoring. Jaguar would not help with the cost or comment on the fact that this had happend with so little milage. I have only had the car back for 53 days and the gearbox has the same fault and is back in for repair. Befor the Jaguar i had a Merc 180 auto with 3 x the milage and did not have a problem with it. The Jaguar is over rated and very much over priced, I was looking forward to driving what i thought was a good reliable car. I was very much mistaken and would have my old Merc back at a flash.

My car

Likes: Glass-like paintwork and even arguably the most plasticky items on it such as the rear ashtray are a ridiculously precise fit. 4wd grip is near unshakeable & the quality is borne out even through such as the ventilation system which is exceptionally hushed. Front to rear balance is very good hence when pushing it theres almost tendancy to spin.

Dislikes: If I wanted deathly silence I'd have bought a Lexus- the V6 isn't loud enough, Whilst undeniably classy and neat the look should be more contemporary & if a rival to the Merc C63/M3 isn't devised to freshen up it's image the X-type is probably doomed. Shame they didn't do a 3-door Coupe.

Verdict: An excellent all round car & Built like the Jags of old. "Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove". True, it makes George Best seem a lightweight but the plus side is that unlike it's main (German) rival you don't find dozens of clones of it on run down estates (usually 10+ years old in Black or a Bluey-Battleship Grey). Would I replace it with anything else?....only the 3 Litre or something Built at Castle Bromwich.

(Ben Roberts age 22)

My car

I purchased a new 2004 2.5 and boy what a disappointment!

I had a problem with the steering leaving the dealership and was told that its nothing to worry about just the camber in the road, 6 months later and 12 visits to the dealer I have had the Steering Rack Replaced the AC, Starter Motor, Wiper Motors, Engine Managment Module, Headlights (twice) Wiring Harness (twice), and Gearbox.

This is engineering at its worst and all I can say its a total lump of scrap iron that I have just managed to trade.... Who rights the reviews on these I have no idea but all I can say to any future buyer is stay well well clear.