I am needing a daily and ran across a deal on a 2002 jaguar xtype with the 2.5ltr 5 spd auto. I have never owned one however the review from what i have found suggest this would be a pretty good/reliable daily it has 79k miles. I will probably look at it today or tomorrow. What should i look for and can anyone vouch for its reliability? I will take it to a shop and have them check it but would like to hear from actual owners. My daily commute is around 26-30 miles round trip to and from work for right now and is mainly highway.


Thanks in advance for any advice/input?

 

neverlift, the big things that I would check for are these 4 items.

The first being if the transfer case sounds like it has marbles in it. While this is being argued and most likely is no longer an issue, the transfer cases in the early cars were considered "weak" and if you like to get on the gas a lot, you may be looking at a $3000 repair bill to get a new transfer case. Normally they will start making a rumbling type of sound before they let go.

The second thing I would do is take the car up to 60 mph (+/- 5 mph). This is where the carrier bearing tends to make the most noise if it is going to make any noise at all. What you will feel is like the driver's seat suddenly had the massage button depressed. It isn't any really violent, but you will feel the car be almost silky smooth and then you will feel the seat start to vibrate. This can sometimes be fixed by simply giving the carrier bearing a good greasing. BUt, you can most likely plan on a new drive shaft (atleast a carrier bearing) in the near future. New shaft is about $600.

Next would be the e-brake. You should be able to lift it a few inches and then feel the tension grow and not have the brake handle reach the top. If you can pull it to the top, then you have a problem with the e-brake. If this is the case, still by the car as the fix can be pretty easy. But, this will give you room to negotiate on the price. I have a big write up on how to fix this issue.

The last would be the CEL. These cars are known for having vacuum issues. We have the problems figured out and know what the likely suspects are.

LIke I mentioned initially, if you are looking for a sporty car to drive and have fun with, the X-Type is going to be an expensive car to own. You want something that you can cruise the highways at 70-80 mph all day long, then you will love the X-Type. If you need sporty, let me know. There are other options out there that while a little more expensive initially, in the long run, it is going to save you a lot.

 

While Thermo has alerted you to some possible issues, I can tell you that for the last 12 years we have used our 2002 manual shift 2.5 as a daily driver. In those 12 years we have had exactly one, let me repeat: ONE repair - and I hesitate to call it a repair: replacement of 02 sensor.
I did have the transfer fluid changed as a maintenance procedure ( and while I think of it, check that this car has the air duct fitted below the transfer case - it is essential! It can easily be seen from the front underside of the car. If it is not there, it should be replaced; dead simple, one bolt holds it on).
These are, as Thermo says, wonderful highway cars. One suggestion: Jaguar redesigned the clutch as of 2004; the new clutch is a direct replacement and it smooths the shift from first to second and the clutch action is generally much lighter and smoother; it transforms the car.

 

Thanks for the reply, this in no means will be a hot rod i am actually getting this too daily while i build my 2000 firebird formula. i am going to baby this thing to get it to last as long as possible lol.

My next question is on the transfer case, is it always in 4wd or can you engage/disengage it like 2wd/4wd or is it locked in 4wd. Will i notice the noise that you are describing while accelerating or cruising?


as far as cel, would they display on the cluster like normal? it looks like the car is on and i do not see any, but i will hook it up and check pending codes and what not when i take it down the street to get checked out on a lift

 

Thanks sov, any input on the auto transmission? also on the air duct will that be below the driver side/passenger side?

 

The transfer case operation is constant and you have no input to it - and it works brilliantly and seamlessly. I misread your question; you are not looking at a manual transmission car. So with the automatic version, changing both the transfer case fluid (synthetic 75w140) and the transmission fluid is a better-than-good idea.
If the CEL light is not showing, no issues are recorded.
Properly serviced, these are very, very reliable cars.

 

awesome would you happen to know how much that would cost to have it fluched and changed. also i have the carfax and there was a little issue where the mileage is not what it shows at one point but i am guessing they typed it in wrong since the picture shows the actual mileage?
CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2002 JAGUAR X-TYPE SPORT 2.5: SAJEA53D92XC49247

 

sov, how many miles would you say you have put on the x-type??

 

Man, they replaced the transmission at less than 9,000 miles. I wonder if it was one of the early cars when there were some issues with that. After that it looks like routine stuff and t looks like it was routinely serviced its whole life. If it sounds ad drives well, it is probably a good car. Nice that it is the sport model as well. You might want to check for rust at the bottom of the rear of the front fenders, by the door edges. The early cars had an issue with rust in those spots.

Good luck!

 

Awesome thanks i just noticed that they replaced the transmission as well, about how long should i wait to flush the tranny or should i just do a filter? my fear/luck is changing the fluid will cause an issue lol

 

I should be going to look at it in about 30 minutes, ill get on the highway and drive it then i will be taking it to midas and have them hook it up to there computers to run diagnostics wish me luck and i will take pics and report back later hopefully with my first jag hahaha

 

Different model I know but I have the 2002 2.5 V6 5 speed auto in the S-type and the engine is sweet.

It averages 27.5 mpg but I do a fair bit of town driving.
Compared to my 2 litre 16v Ford Mondeo auto which struggled to give 23 mpg,
the 2.5 v6 is much more economical.

Another point to mention is when changing the spark plugs, its a big job.

 

yes if you get a 2002 with manual shift you have lot less problems ,mine has no problems all i chaged was the rear calipers ,when i first got it i put redline in the transfer case and the transmision its been bullet proof ever since ,it drives and sound perfect like the day i first bought it

 

While the X-type and pretty much all modern Jags are as reliable as any other car in it's class, don't forget that this one is about 15 years old. Just like any other 15 year old car, more maintenance will be required than something newer, but being a Jag stuff costs 2-3 times as much as a 'standard' car.

If that doesn't bother you, go for it.

 

As the car gets older common issues are the 02 sensors ,they just burn out like any other car ,so buying from a dealer make sure they put it through emmisions (mot) and them register it with new plates , once you get it change the transfer oil and transmission oil

transmission oil



transfer case


old oil

 

The transfer case air duct, if viewed from the front, under the car, sits just to the right of centre and you will be looking at the rectangular mouth of a black plastic piece. It is the lowest item on the engine assembly for obvious reasons. If it is in place, you will see it. If not, it can be easily replaced.
Transmissions: the early 2001 to early 2003 cars had a problem with the JATCO 501E transmission *as did every manufacturer that used this unit: VW, SEAT, Land Rover , Mazda....*....but in this case you have a record of the transmission having been replaced ( the faulty part was redesigned).
A fluid change for transmission and transfer case will be beneficial.

 

one thing i love about my transmission and transfer case is that its smooth and reliable my engine is silent