are they really that terrible?
 

I've wanted a x-type for over 4 years and i decided im finally going to bite the bullet later this summer and get one. I know they have generally crappy transfer cases and the transmissions are probably worse then par when it comes to reliability, but all the articles i read completely bash the x type. It's on quite a few "worst cars of all time" lists. I would be buying a 02 or 03, so i'm planning on being as careful as possible to make sure i dont get a dud. what i want to know is, is it fairly probable that if i do some decent screening and it has a clean carfax/all the neccessary maintence done, it could be a fairly reliable ride for a few years. I'm a college student, and i live within walking distance to campus, so it'll mainly be used for leisurely purposes and running errands.

Alright, im kinda in the same situation, im a high school student, and chose to save 5 years to buy my x type, its was worth it, every fricking penny, if u buy from a dealer, they sometimes have like a 30 day warranty ( mine did), make sure its inspected by a acutaul mechanic, no just some idiot honda mechanic no offence. My probelm happened was after 2 weeks of having it, the car would jerk, when acceralting, so took to the dealer ship, and they ( it was a honda dealership) got it all fixed, need a brand new few system, a complete tune up. And this is after they said everything was inspected and good. I didn't pay a cent. Ever since then its been reliable 9 it got me through cold alberta temperatures, never stuck, never crashed, and and never failed. The prolem i think is that, they think all jag suck becuase of one issue, no they don't look at any other car the caddilacs are ****, my dad owned one and it was a scrap car after 2 years, if u take care of it it will take care of you. Plus, you look good in it, and its easy to get the ladies , added bonous.

And i read all those dumb reviews, on how crappy it was, its not get in one ( like i did), it was just sanding there and i took it for a test drive, instantly fell in love with it. and u will notice the diferrence, try to go fr a 2004, they seem to have all the kinks worked out.

Welcome to the forum!

How much do you want to spend?

Don't listen to all the people that bash the car, IMO the reason they bash it as much as they do is because selling of the car didn't work out that well. IMO it is a great car and especially if you are in an area that gets hit with winter weather. If you want to be protected you should find one with a warranty or save the money you would have spent on a warranty and put it towards future repairs.

Every car in the world has problems and Jag has been near the top/on top of initial quality testing for the last few years for nothing, and I believe the x-type didn't hurt it.

They look great, drive great and are perceived highly by everyone else (people staring at the car.)

You wont regret the car if you know that not all things are perfect and some problems may occur.

If I were you I'd look for a sport model if you can find one, you wont regret it and may regret not having one later. If you do bite the bullet and get one that isn't a sport model you will regret it.

I agree totally with the two guys. I too was a little put off by all the negative feedback the car was getting. Once I took her for a test drive all the negativity went away. It's just a fun car to drive. It's not the fastest but it's just too damn pretty to pass up for the price. But it's fast enough and AWD is a big plus. Like Disco said the ladies really dig this car. Just ask my wife and her girlfriends. I also agree with Aquill, if you're going to get one get the sport. Maybe a set of mesh grills and clear side blinkers and you're good to go. I said it once in another post and I'll say it again "I love this car". One of the funnest cars I have ever driven in my life. To me it's one of those best bang for the buck kind of things. Ask yourself this. Would you rather spend a whole lot more for a lower C class Benz or 3 series BMW? Those are the 2 direct competitors for the X-Type. My answer is hell no....

That just got me thinking. Is it me or does the 3 series BMW kind of look like an old Toyota Tercel? That is one fugly car that 3 series.

Get the X you won't regret it. Plus you got these nice chaps on this forum to help you out if any problems come up. ;)

I beg to differ. ;-)

The current E90 3-series looks a lot more agressive than the x-type. But the x-type has softer, flowing curves so its a gorgeous understated looker for sure. Depends if you want Sexy or Aggressive? Take your pic. But the 3-series does drive a lot better. I have one too. :)

Now when we were shopping for the x-type back in fall of 02, the jag looked a lot better than the E46 they were selling then. And if you look at those 2 cars now, the jag's design is still modern while the E46 looks dated. So I made the right choice. :)


Yes and the x-type is a brilliant car. It does have some issues, but for the most part, if you end up with a good one, it should never leave you stranded. The issues that arise tend to be minor things like dash vents rattling or cd player skipping or door sticking, etc. I always love driving it. It sounds so nice when you are driving hard to redline. The engine sound is louder than most cars, but I love that. Almost sounds like its supercharged with a light whistle in the background.

I also recommend the Sport Package. I don't have it on my car and I do miss it.

Just be sure to do your research (look up transfer case and propshaft issues) and then go for it. You will not be disappointed!

I think a lot of the negative reviews have to do with the fact that the X-Type is not worth it when bought new. In other words, it's overpriced because it's a Jag. If you're going to spend that much money, then it's a better investment to buy a BMW 3 Series or C-Class Mercedes. But once depreciation kicks in, the X-Type becomes a very attractive choice.

mine has never stopped breaking.... better have serious money available for repairs. If my car had to go to the dealer it would be more money a month than a new car...

Thank you for restoring my confidence (most of you at least). I think people often don't look at the bigger picture too....look at how terribly unreliable a Chrysler (of which my family has had 2) and any other American car for that matter. I love the way they look....and I don't really have to have a car so I think ill just try to get a solid one from the start and hope for the best.

Keep in mind that no car is perfect. Everyone here is just trying to make sure your not one of the people that come on here a week after buying one screaming about how you got screwed and the car is a pile of junk. You are getting into a jaguar and it's not a ford or dodge or kia, the thing will cost money to fix if something goes wrong. Find a local shop/mechanic that works on european cars. IMO the cost of a lot of parts really aren't that bad. Obviously a tranny for a ford is going to cost less than a x-type, Ford implements the same powertrain in multiple platforms.

If you know full well now that there could be problems you have nothing to worry about. Just shop carefully and don't just jump in, find the best possible deal. Some like to talk worst case scenario, for my 2002 the only stuff i had to replace in the 20k+miles I drove mine was a battery and rubber hose.

Haha no I'm not one of those guys...I've been reading this forum for awhile now...just haven't really posted anything. I agree on most parts not being that crazy...the ones that I've looked up aren't crazy...we'll see. Ill probably be getting mine towards the end of the summer...and I can't wait. I would prefer a black or silver one with black leather...and the sport package would be great

The good news for you is that the X-Type hasn't changed much since it has been introduced, and so the typical problems have already been identified. Browse the forum here and make a list.

Then before you buy your X-Type, have it inspected by a competent Jaguar mechanic, and have him doublecheck the weak spots.

my 2 cents. Stay away from the 02 if possible and seek out the 03 or better yet the 04. The cost should not vary much depending on where you are located and the availability. I purchased an 04 S-type cheaper than my 02 X-type by a 1k an some change. The 02 line had some production issues and some parts issues as well as some fit issues. By the time the line was doing the 04 just about all issues had been resolved.

It does take TLC for the car. As-in regular maintaince. It will take hard driving but you will need to use the hard miles maintaince schedule.

They are a superior drive.

Since I've been on this site there have been people that say this. I assume you meant x-type and not s-type?

From what I've noticed is that the 02 price vs. 04 price do vary. Obviously if you have an 04 with 80k miles a 2002 with 40k miles are probably going to be similar in price but I'd personally rather have low mileage. Check the car out, have a mechanic check it out and check carfax. I see more $8k 2002's than I do 2004's for $10k. That $2 grand could be spent elsewhere.

Of all the information make sure you GET A SPORT MODEL! :D

Just keep in mind that the X is a Ford. At least a Ford in Jag clothes. It is a Mondeo that has been massaged to be a Jag. That's why it didn't fair very well in the press. I jumped in here just to see what other people were saying. I personally drove a X wagon when I was shopping for my car. I didn't like it personally. But that had nothing to do with the quality of the car. My Jag dealer had about 10 X-Types as loaners, all were runners, and the dealer liked them because they held up to people bashing the snot out of 'em. I personally think the Ford involvement helped Jag bring it's quality up. Hey I love the heck out of my fancy Lincoln LS ( that is what the S Type is). Back to why I think I didn't like the X. It does have a transverse mounted engine and a transaxle. So, it just felt too much like a front driver to me, and I was so done with front drive cars. I wanted rear wheel drive. So, if the car checks out, and you really like the way it drives, go for it. Oh and BTW: I agree: find a sport model!

Totally agree, there will bve issues, but i said this on another post, when ur done the test drive and everything, just sit, withthe engine off and gleam in the cars beuty then u will realiz why we drive these "pieces of crap' becuase nobody else can understand. Until u get in one.

One year with my 04. One VERY good year. I would not trade one day of it.

Skynyrd

I'm lucky enough to have an '02 Sport that had the autobox replaced in '04 under the customer campaign (read "non-recall") that has had very few problems past the vacuum leaks. Those were easy fixes. Prop shaft was the most expensive thing I've had to do. It's been properly maintained, the secret to any car's longevity. Having said that, it's now seven years old. I expected and planned for repair expenses based upon what I researched before I got it. It's my Jag. Not everyone on my street has one. Everyone still comments on what a beauty she is. I know upkeep will continue to cost me money. What 7 year old car won't?

Try and find as new as you can for the money you can spend and then plan on spending money on proper upkeep. DO NOT buy it without a proper inspection. Trouble is it's harder to find an '05 Sport than an '02. At the very least, get the 3.0

PS Mine's platinum on warm charcoal with the grey maple wood and NO you can't buy it! Go find your own and enjoy!!! Life's too short to drive a Honda like everyone else.

Some parts are marked ford but the tranny isn't anything that ford uses.

My 02 felt like rear wheel drive. Forget what it was they changed, viscous? Even the 07 I used as rental felt rear wheel drive ( in snow or in rain driving like a retard, with dsc turned off.)

Yea the x-type is definitely one of those cars where the owners are the only ones that understand it. (generally)

I mean the car has been on just about every "Worst cars of all-time" list I have seen. Yet most of us on this forum still love our cars. Either we are all stupid or there is something special about this car. :)

As someone said earlier, a lot of it had to do with the car being sold new. With the car not selling so well and whatever else the car's resale value plummeted and ended up being called a "failure." To the people buying them used it's a great car but to those on the other side they were screwed.

IMO my sport brand new with everything but heated seats and navi for $40k seemed like a good deal overall. When I look back now $40k is actually pretty high irregardless of whether it was a jag or not.

The X-Type, like all Jaguar cars, is a true piece of junk. But I own one, and I like it anyway.

Automotive design nowadays involves INTEGRATION. Taking a Jatco transmission or a Getrag clutch or a Ford engine or an Alpine stereo, bolting it all together, and making sure the pieces work as a system. This is where Jaguar regrettably falls on its face. For some reason, other companies can bolt the parts together better than Jaguar.

Jaguar has always designed marginal cars. Whereas BMW, Honda, and others have designed vehicles that could last 150,000 miles brainlessly, Jags are designed to last the length of the warranty (e.g. 50,000 miles) and any time beyond that falls in the "borrowed" category. That means it's a post-50,000 mile lottery, and whether your car is a lucky one or not is a crapshoot.

Problems with Jag's engineering are systemic, not just one-off for the X-Type. When Phil Edmonston says "Jaguar is proof positive that the British can't build cars," he isn't joking. Late 90's XJ's would destroy their Mercedes transmissions around the 100k mile mark (while the Mercedes transmissions worked fine in Mercedes-Benz's), Late 90's XK's had their Nikasil plated engines, and the X-Type has its notorious "sealed for death" transfer case and marginal transmission. These are just a few examples over the past decade of how Jag builds cars with an unpleasant "gotcha" that usually happens out of warranty, but not far enough out of warranty to be usual wear and tear. Don't forget that repair co$t$ are out of this world on the X-Type, and simple things like an inaccurate fuel gauge or oil pan gasket (both are common X-Type problems) will cost around $1000 each to repair.

As for the bad car reviews, none that I read really address what it's like to be a long term Jag owner. They blab on about how the car handles, its suspension, etc. I generally disagree with most of the bad car reviews; having driven an ex's 325i and comparing it to the X-Type, each had its own unique positive characteristics. I love the handling of the X-Type, great in the winter time (well, except I have unacceptably MAJOR rust at 6 years and 95k miles), and sport tires in the summer make it a thrill on curves. The initial review in Car & Driver going back 7 years ago was the only one to point out that the X-Type has a 20% more stiff chassis than the 3-series, and it's definitely noticeable.

The best way to enjoy your Jag experience is to lease one, buy one with an extended warranty, or take the sale price (around $5k or less on eBay now), and double it, knowing you'll probably drop $5k in repairs and you've already got it in the bank. Find a reputable Jag mechanic, and find a good junkyard (Coventry West is my fav) and rely on them for parts.

I hate to rain on the parade, the X-Type is a fun car to drive, they're priced at bargains out there, but they're priced at bargains for a reason. Having proper expectations about Jag ownership will keep your happiness in line and avoid frustration.

--Geoff // Ottawa Canada
03 X-Type Sport 2.5 146k km
06 S-Type R (non-Sport edition) 46k miles

Very nice post :-)

Pretty sure I said more than once that he should save the money that he's not going to spend buying a used x-type for future repairs. There is no guarantee that the car is going to have major problems, it's just nice to be prepared for the worst.

Find something that is better for the same amount of money that you'd rather drive...it wont happen I've tried!

My 05 Sport is a certified used and has warranty till 2011 or 100K. From here on out though the warranty fully covers anything mechanical. So belts, hoses, rubber seals etc will not be covered but anything else is w/o a co-pay. So buying a certified used is a good deal in my opinion. That would be the best way to go if I were suggesting buying one.

I think the x-type sports are very nice looking cars. I see bmw, mercedes, lexus on every corner all day long. I live in Des Moines Iowa and I've only seen one other Sport. So mine being all blacked out definitely stands out in a crowd.

Yes they were expensive when new. But only for 02 and 03. Had I waited a year, they started giving significant discounts starting 04. Last 3 years my dealer was basically just giving them away. Selling them for $15000 off MSRP!!! Paying $25k-28k for a brand new loaded 3.0 was a definite steal compared to competitors. But this of course shows in the used car market. Same thing happened to the BMW Z4 and M roadster/coupe. Those were going for $8-15k under sticker.

Jjones I live in iowa city....nice to know there's another iowan on here. And like you said...there's a total of about 5 or 6 x types around here...so it'll definetly stand out when I get one

This is why the car was considered a failure! LOL

I just have to get this off my chest: I cant stand the look of the sport X-Type, LOL. I'm tired of you guys telling people to "make sure" they get a sport. Dont get me wrong, if they are looking for a peppier ride, by all means encourage them to get a sport. However, I have a 2005 3.0 and it is fast enough for my driving needs. I didnt exactly buy the X to be a drag racer. And this is coming from a former turbo Supra driver. My point is, I love the look and ride of my X, and its performance is just what I expected of an entry level luxury sedan.

People admire the car because of its unmistakable Jaguar styling, and I think the chrome trim is a part of that. The sport paints everything out in going for a diferent look. Different strokes for different folks. One looks more elegant, the other looks more youthful. Choose the one you want. I did, and I'm as happy as a lark despite it not being a sport.

rant over. :o)

Hey skynyrd4212, I assume you are a hawkeye fan. I didn't go to to college here in iowa, so I support all the schools, but I prefer Iowa Football to the rest.

We have quite a few x-types in DSM but zero sports.

that i am, i go to the university of iowa. the only people ive seen driving around iowa city with x types are middle aged men, certainly not any 20 year olds like myself haha.

I'm 33 and I seem to be the youngest with a jag around here. Get head turns from hot milfs in lexus SUVs though. That's a plus.

9/10 people would prefer the look of the sport.

IMO the non-sport model look cheap with the chrome. There isn't a difference in performance between a sport and non sport. The only difference (that matters car wise) is the seats are snugger (extremely more comfortable than the regular seats) and the suspension is a tad lower. My 3.0 sport was no peppier than a non-sport 3.0, it just happened to look classier! ;)

BTW did you ever drive a sport model to notice the differences? I had a 07 as a rental and the seats sucked...

I'm hoping to do the same with some of the 20,000 college girls here haha

There's a 3rd Iowan here too..expat. You don't see too many X-Types in Ottumwa, nor do you see many of us under-35's driving one. :-)

Yeah agreed, im 16, and we only have 4 other x types int town the rest are the old v12s, or a few s types, and the only 1 xkr, which is nice. I reebr a little while back i was coming home from work, and this guy in a xj12 tunred in front and as soon as we saw each others hood ornament we nodded to each other, wheres ur in a bmw/ mercedes they just act all weird. Not to mention the ladies love the x, thats a big bonous.

The sport is not about drag racing. It's about better cornering, lower and stiffer suspension, much nicer seats. I love the more pronounced side bolsters. But the non-sport seats still tend to have bigger bolsters than most other cars. If I could do it again I would definitely go for a silver Sport 3.0 manual.

On my x-type rental I hated how I'd slide all over in the seat. If your at all over say 250lbs the sport model seats are a tight and probably uncomfortable fit.

By the end of the first day I had the rental I couldn't wait to have my car back, although I loved having heated seats!

Yea I do slide on my seats especially after cleaning/conditioning the leather. But I'm only 142 lbs. :( I'm working out to get bigger though.

And the heated seats in the x-type are an absolute joke. In winter when you need them, they take about 5-10 mins to get hot. So basically it takes as long as it takes your heater to warm up. Which is ridiculous. The bimmer takes 45 secs to heat up to max.