ALWAYS fancied a Jaguar and thought you couldn’t afford one? Well you can.
Jaguar’s pretty X-Type was launched in 2001 but the company dropped it from the range in 2009 without a replacement.
Prices for early petrol models are down to a cheap as chips £2,400 for an ’04 2.0-litre V6.
But never buy without full service history. You must make sure you don’t get left holding the big repair bills.
Other engines include 2.5 and 3.0-litre V6 petrols, with 194 and 231bhp and they have four wheel drive to help get the power down onto the Tarmac.
Two-litre and 2.2 turbo diesels were added later with 128 and 152bhp and the 2.0-litre V6 petrol was dropped in 2005.
All are smooth and quiet – just as you would expect from Jaguar – with strong power delivery in either manual or automatic.
Comfort is marvellous and the handling is right up there with BMW.
Interior
There are three trims - Classic, SE and Sport. The Sport models have up-rated suspension and this does spoil the ride comfort a little.
All have that lovely up market Jaguar feel with leather and wood trim in SE and Sport. All have air con, four airbags, full electric pack and an excellent stereo.
FAST FACTS
Jaguar X-Type
Price: Pay around £4,700 at an independent dealer for an ’05 05-reg S, or £10,700 for an ’08 08-reg Sport Premium
Mechanical: 128bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 125mph
0-62mph: 9.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 49
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
Main rival: BMW 3-Series