Greetings all. I'm Gary, from Connecticut and I have happily purchased my first Jaguar yesterday afternoon! It's a beautiful 2004 X type 3.0, zicron metallic coloring, and it is in virtually flawless condition with only one prior owner and a perfect Car Fax. I did fairly extensive research before purchasing, and felt pretty confident in my decision. I have always been in love with the Jag, and finally had the courage to go out and get one!

Prior to this purchase, I had been a small car owner... Honda Civic, Acura RSX and Integra. I desparetly wanted an upgrade, and after some pretty thorough research, the Jag seemed like the most bang for my buck.

A strong argument from much of what I have read is the reliability of these cars. That scared me a bit at first, but it appears that this problem is primarily with the S Class, and with those made prior to 2000. Is this correct? I need some reassurance as I have a super skeptical uncle who was very critical of my choice in car. He's a Toyota/Honda man who will reasearch things for months before making a decision.

My biggest fears are that if something goes wrong I will be paying "an arm and a leg for parts" as my uncle states. I was under the strong assumption however that after the Ford/Jaguar merger-acquisition, servicing is much easier, and parts are now very affordable.

I do have a local Jaguar dealer in Hartford, Connecticut...but am I also correct in thinking that my vehicle can be serviced at any Ford dealer?

Set my mind at ease fellow Jag lovers as my primary concerns are future servicing needs...replacement cost parts...and dependability of these cars.

Thank you, and I'm glad to be a part of this forum..hope to make some new friends.

 

It's debatable if you were a "smart" car buyer as when you buy a Honda, you get well a Honda. I don't know why you're talking about dealer servicing rather than a good local indie garage. The X type isn't real tough mechanically, you didn't post mileage or tranny but I would at the least do a search for the transfer case oil change kit from Wild Bill and get that done. If its a slushbox then get the fluid in there changed, brake fluid I'm sure should be changed, as well as everything else checked out. Maint. is key on virtually any non honda product. Maintain it well and you'll be fine. Skip things and you'll pay in the end. Really the x type parts aren't real bad compared to other cars. Paying Jag or other dealer rates makes things expensive. Goos luck and welcome to the site.

 

OK, first off you're getting an Englsh car, make no miistake it is NOT a Ford or a Honda. That said, get the oil changed regularly, the main issues you'll find are intermitent check engine lights. The dreaded Gearbox Fault is the real one to worry about, it puts yourcar in 4th gear limp mode (for Autos) and is due t moisture getting at the Transmission Control Module, the dealer will charge you a couple of hours to pull it and dry it unless water has fried it, then it's a 1200.00 part usually. Make sure there is not moisture on the drivers side, look for signs of it in the underlay and carpet. The best proactive approach is to mount it high by zap strapping it onto the wiring loom up high behind the dash. There are also on higher milage cars vacuum leaks, cheap o ring replacement fixes that.

As above it' important o get new fluids in the transmission (sealed for life automatics, but there is a way) and transfer cases. You can'tdrive X types like drag racers or the transfer cas will end up all over the road as well. But for a reliable daily driver they're great.

 

Thanks for the tips! benebob - when you say "Indie" garage.. what do you mean exactly? Stupid question I am sure, but it sounds like you advise I should stay away from dealers. When should I get the brake fluid changed?

Sidewalkman - Can you explain in laymans terms about mounting the Gearbox..... you totally lost me.

 

Indie Garage means independant garage, someone who works on Jags but is not a dealership.

If you have an automatic, you have inside the car (up beside your left leg under the plastic cover) a transmission control module. It is a silver box about 5" X 4" X 3/4" thick with a right angle plug going into the top of it. If it gets wet, and a lot including mine do, you will get on your dash a warning saying gearbox fault. Also the amber check engine light will come on.
Your transmission is controlled electronically by the box, ad when you get the message it puts the car in limp mode, which is fourth gear only for forward, doesn't matter if it's in 2nd or drive it's stuck in fourth. The remedy is removing the TCM and drying it, praying it's not completely shored requiring replacement. If it ever has to be serviced, get them to cut the wrapping on the wiring harness and zap strap the TCM up high behnd th ash here it won't get we.

 

gbinct, as for reliability of this car, I would put it on par with most other cars of the time. Is it something that you can forget about and not take care of. Of course not. You be good to it and it will be good to you. I have 114K miles on my car and it is still running like new.

With that being said, while you will think that you have a sports car, it really isn't. I don't consider a 200 hp motor something for a "sports car". This is more of a daily driver sedan with some class to it. The main reason why I point this out is that there is a weakness in these cars which is the transfer case (what divides up the power to go to all 4 wheels). The case on these flexes when put under heavy acceleration. Over time, the results int he case cracking and in no time flat, destroying itself. A new one normally runs about $3000. Not a cheap fix. But, before you go "what did I get myself into?", as long as you are a sensible driver, the transfer case will easily last well past 200K miles. Just don't drag race from light to light. You want to play with the car periodically, go for it. But, make it the exception, not the norm.

Other than that, sit back, enjoy the ride. I think you will appreciate what you have and figure out you got a pretty nice car for fairly little money.

P.S. Welcome to the forums.

 

Independent garage, I actually wouldn't even care if it was a jag specialist for the X type as it is very Ford like in most areas. Save dealer or a jag specialist trip for the hard stuff, Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years in ANY vehicle,. Not changing it will cost you in the long run. Get it done as soon as you get the car and every 2 years after. Brake fluid absorbs water over time which leads to corrosion in the system and clostly issues. I wouldn't buy a used auto tranny X type just as I wouldn't by a used awd auto tranny car as a general rule simply because awd creates a ton of heat in the system and if not properly cared for it'll cost ya. Manuals are another story.

 

you probably should not have it serviced at the ford dealership - there are too many unique jaguar parts


frankly, you get a jaguar for the driving experience, not cost of ownership or reliability - this aint a transportation applicance

however, get the x-type out on a highway at speeds above 70, even up to and above 100 - and you find out what the car is all about - I have had people in my x-type who were amazed when i told them that we were travelling at 110 - the car is designed to handle it with grace and ease

of course, the x-type never sold well in the US because you cant advertise that kind of capability - but it's there, rest assured

get a radar detector