I am sure that Barbara Cartland and James Joyce have on occasions used the same word when writing. In the same vein the Jaguar X-Type shares components that can be found in a Ford Mondeo. But read the books or drive the cars and the differences are immediately obvious.

 

Introduced in February 2001 the car initially came with the choice of a 2.5 or 3.0 litre V6 unit producing 231bhp and 194bhp respectively. Uniquely for a car of its price Jaguar also included a 4 wheel drive system that endows these cars with superb road holding. In December of the same year Jaguar added the 2.1 litre V6 (badged 2.0 for modesty), the first front wheel drive model ever to carry the Jaguar badge.

 

On the road the X-Type exhibits two distinct personalities, choose a car with Sport trim and a manual gearbox and it is a true competitor for the BMW 3 series. Sitting on 17 inch alloys and with dark wood trim and half leather sport seats the car has a business like appearance and encourages the driver to fully exploit its dynamic ability. Choose the similarly priced SE model and add the 5 speed auto box and the character reverts to classic Jaguar. Sat on smaller alloys and softer suspension, the performance is more relaxed and the electrically adjustable front seats cosset you in a cabin that is adorned by highly polished birds’ eye maple.

 

Despite a less than enviable reputation for construction in the eighties, these latest generation Jaguars are as good as their German competition, the dashboards are tight and rattle free, the trim is tasteful and the accommodation comfortable and durable.

 

Two and a half years after its introduction the car can boast a good history of reliability and residual values that compete with the best in class. That said with a lower than average price when introduced the Jaguar looks good value against its main competitors and a fully loaded 2001 3.0 litre SE auto for around £18,000 looks like good value. Or buy a car registered after 24^th January 2002 and you get the benefit of a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty.

 

The entry level model carries no name and is referred to by engine size alone, standard equipment includes air conditioning, alloy wheels and a leather steering wheel. In addition all X-Types have an intelligent air bag system that uses sensors to identify the occupant’s size and position before operating the front, side and curtain airbags, standard on all the cars.

 

The list of additional equipment available on the X-Type is extensive and whilst some things in life are optional, others aren’t. On a Jaguar that means leather upholstery and metallic paint, cars lacking these options are worth at least £1,500 less. Finding a used car with the satellite navigation system is also worth the extra £500 it’s likely to cost. The large touch screen system also operates the stereo and climate control and is one of the most instinctive systems on the market.

 

For an extensive range of used Jaguar X-Types visit www.jaguar.co.uk where all cars come with a comprehensive service record and minimum of 12 months warranty.

     

 

Check the following

 

• Wheels – Alloys on all models, Sport has larger 17 inch as standard

• Seats – SE models have electric adjustment as standard

• Safety – Front, side and curtain air bags on all models

• Satellite Navigation – optional system has large touch screen operation and is easy to use

• Boot – Space saver tyre standard

• Seats – leather on SE models, cloth on base models, a mixture of the two on Sport derivatives

• Four wheel drive system – 2.5 and 3.0 only, check for winning and groans at low speed

• Colours – Avoid base colours non metallic finishes

• Bumpers – Front and rear parking aid a desirable option

• Windows – electric rear windows only standard on SE models

• Door mirrors – heated mirrors are standard

• Wood trim – Bird eye maple on all models except the Sport which gets darker grey stained inserts

 

The one to buy 

 

• Jaguar X-Type 3.0 SE auto with Satellite navigation pack

• 2001 ‘Y’ with 20,000 miles

• Pay £17,995 at dealer   £16,000 privately