Jaguar X-Type estate or something else?

Associate
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9 Jul 2003
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2,495
I'm in the market for a new car for my wife and I'd be grateful of suggestions of some car models to look at.

Requirements in high-low priority:
- Budget up to £7k
- Automatic
- Estate (baby paraphernalia!)
- About 10k miles per year
- A bit of luxury (leather, satnav maybe)
- A bit of power - 150-200hp perhaps - enough to comfortably cruise on the motorway

I note that you can pick up fairly well-specced Jaguar x-type estates for around £4.5-6k. I'm aware they could throw up a few large bills, so the rest of budget would be put in anticipation of this.

£4,900 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 V6 Sport 5dr Auto Estate 2006
£4,000 Jaguar X-Type 2.5 V6 Classic 5dr Auto Estate 2005

Is there anything I should be looking out for on these Jags?


Other models I've been considering:
- Skoda Octavia
- VW Passat
- Ford Mondeo

If you kind folk have any other suggestions, I'd be grateful. :)
 

DRZ

DRZ

Soldato
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The auto box is **** and the boot aperture is a stupid shape.

Fairly nice inside for the money but I can't help thinking a Mondeo estate is going to be cheaper and generally a better car for the money.

The 2.5 and 3.0 V6 Mondeo estates are basically free - nobody wants them, making them superb value for money.
 
Man of Honour
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My mum has an automatic X-Type estate. It's a 2.5 V6 AWD. I drove it today, it has a fair amount of poke and feels quite stuck when you throw it around roundabouts, but it's only showing an average 23 MPG.

Mechanic friend at a Jag specialist said they're more similar to Mk3 Mondeos than dissimilar, but with that model you're adding two potentially expensive bills to a standard car in the way of the automatic gear box and the transfer box for the AWD.

If it was me I'd probably try and find a 2L model without AWD. The latter seems to make the ride a little harsh at motorway speeds compared to a previous X-Type they had without it.

It does feel more luxurious inside than my Mk3 Mondeo does, and it's not just the leather seats.
 
Man of Honour
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How about a lovely 55 plate 5 series 523i estate. Less than 60k miles. 170hp, leather, i drive (no nav though), nice option alloys, climate etc. Manual with a brand new gearbox! That's what you need, if only you knew someone with one for sale who would give a good price rather than just PX it?!
 
Man of Honour
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I wouldn't rule out an X-Type, I think it would give you luxury and reliability for your budget. Buying German would presumably leave you choosing from older cars (sacrificing reliability) and buying something like a Ford or Vauxhall would, in most cases, sacrifice luxury. Just a matter of finding the right one.
 
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