This Luxury British Car Is An Affordable Bargain Today

There are some luxury cars we just expect to hit the road after watching brands grow and get better at their craft, but then there are some that no one asked for. Sometimes they are a disaster, but then some special models turn out to be real keepers. This Jaguar model from the 2000s can be seen as a real keeper. No one asked Jaguar, under the leadership of Ford, to build it, but we are glad they did.

Base Trim Engine

3.0L V6 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

5-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

227 hp

Base Trim Torque

206 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Fuel Economy

16/22 MPG

Make

Jaguar

Model

X-Type Sedan

Segment

Compact Luxury Sedan

While some may see the Ford-owned Jaguar days as dark ones, this Jaguar model, available both as a sedan and a wagon, is relatively easy to come by today and boasts a very low average auction price, meaning a cheap way into the luxury life. We are taking a closer look at this 2000s Jaguar model and have brought you all the information we think you should know about it.

Average Auction Prices Under $6,000 And A Ton Of British Class: The Jaguar X-Type

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Before the legendary British brand was sold in 2008 to Tata Motors, it was owned by Ford. From 1990 to 2008, Ford owned both Jaguar and Land Rover; two marques steeped in classy British design and some of the most iconic vehicles to ever hit the road.

While it may not be the most loved era of the Jaguar, thanks to the view that Ford diluted what Jag was really about, reliability concerns, and stagnant designs at the time, they did turn out one or two golden rides that look pretty good today. In this case, at a minimum in terms of affordability, we are talking about the 2001–2009 Jaguar X-Type. Today, this old-school-looking, luxurious-feeling, comfortable, and relatively powerful model line only boasts an average auction price of $5,697.

Different Model Years Mean Different Prices

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There haven’t been too many X-Types sold in the last five years via auction, with Classic.com saying that the sales stand only at 15, generating a total dollar volume of $89,506. From 2001 to 2009, the X-Type was available as a sedan, and from 2005 to 2008, it was also available as a wagon.

Jaguar X-Type Years And Average Auction Price

There are no recorded sales of the 2008 MY on Classic.com, but for the 2009 MY, a Jaguar X-Type Wagon that was reportedly used by Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Household sold at a historic auction in 2022 for just over $47,000 and again in 2023 for just under $29,000. So, despite the modified Ford Mondeo chassis underneath, the X-Type was literally fit for royalty.

Jaguar X-Type Engines And Performance Specifications

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Over the eight model years, there are three engine options for both the sedan and wagon models for models originally sold in the U.S.A.: a naturally aspirated 2.1-liter AJ V6, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter AJ V6, or a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter AJ V6. The 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter engine options were introduced when the model was released in 2001, while the smaller 2.1-liter V6 was added to the lineup in 2002.

Jaguar X-Type Performance Specs

Rest-to-60 times aren’t what you would call quick, but considering that the X-Type weighs in at between 3,300 and 3,900 pounds, things could be a lot worse. But, to be fair, if you buy an old-school-looking Jaguar, you want to be seen rumbling around in it.

In the case of the X-Type, rumbling around may be what buying one is best for because, being built upon a modified Mondeo chassis, its performance potential is quite limited. The platform offers a solid base, and was relatively affordable for Jag to produce, but what it allows in suspension geometry, weight distribution, and rigidity is certainly more designed for chauffeur-esque straight-line driving over anything too spirited.

Full-Size Luxury Class Inside And Out

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Among the many reasons why a lot of people aren’t too fussed about the Ford-era Jaguar models is that there wasn’t a huge amount in the way of design progression. While, at the time, that may have been a bit off-putting, today, it looks like a classic Jaguar, but with slightly more modern additions. We think the X-Type looks better today than it did when it was released. It has aged well in a sea of rounded bumpers.

You get a long sculpted hood, with the ‘Leaper’ fixed on top of it; a bold mesh grille sits up front; body-colored paint surrounds it all-round; beefy wheel arches sit on each corner, and you get the old-school Jaguar design that still looks illustrious today.

The Classic Atmosphere Jaguar Crafted Inside

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Inside is charmingly and stereotypically classic British, as you might expect. Early X-Type models are fitted with classic-looking additions such as a full-sized round instrument cluster with satin chrome surrounds, ‘bird’s-eye’ maple veneers, leather seating, and a center console that adorns the Jag “horse collar” mold.

Jaguar introduced a facelift in 2008, and with that came a refreshed interior. Depending on what trim you look at, rosewood veneer or ‘piano black’ finishes are available, the seats get more sophisticated stitching patterns, and an upgrade in materials in the form of contrast stitching and softer grain leather takes center stage.

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Also, new for the 2008 MY, maybe as a last-ditch flourish for the model line, Jaguar introduced the Sports Pack and Luxury Pack, which get you even more intricate stitching, plusher door trims, and optional ten-way electronically-adjustable front seats. So, depending on what MY you look at, you can get a lot of luxury features for not a lot of money.

Everyday Usability And Old-School Charm

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Neither the wagon nor sedan X-Type models are small cars. The sedan measures in at 183.9 inches (L) x 185.7 inches (W) x 58.4 inches (H), while the wagon gets an extra 1.6 inches in length and 0.6 inches in height. Both models offer a decent amount of front legroom, offering 42.4 inches, but rear-seat passengers may be a bit cramped with just 34.3 inches in the rear. But where the X-Type can be seen to somewhat redeem itself is in its cargo capacity and plush seating options.

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The X-Type sedan boasts a respectable 16 cubic feet of trunk storage space, but if you are looking for luxury and a lot more versatility, the X-Type Wagon boasts 24 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up, or 50 cubic feet of space with the 70/30 split rear seats tucked away. Unfortunately, though, models like the Audi Avant, 3 Series Touring, Outback Wagon, and Volvo V70 all offer more in terms of maximum cargo capacity. The Jaguar just looks arguably classier than these models.

What To Look Out For When Buying A Jaguar X-Type

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With the X-Type being a luxury car, there are some things you need to take into consideration before being swayed by the alluringly low average auction prices. Throughout the model years of the Ford-built Jag X-Type, there have been a fair few well-known problems and owner complaints that could turn the cheap luxury beast into a bit of a money pit.

All-Around High Running Costs

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The first thing to note is that fuel economy across the MYs is anything but frugal. The most fuel-efficient Jaguar X-Type variant available is the 2.5-liter V6-equipped 2003 model that boasts a manual box. Even this can only achieve an estimated combined mpg rating of 20 mpg (17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway), costing you, on average, $3,050 a year on gas. That amounts to $6,750 more on gas compared to the average modern car over five years.

The least fuel-efficient model, the 2008 X-Type Wagon, which boasts a 3.0-liter V6, will cost you approximately $3,500 on gas, or $8,500 more than the average modern car. It can only muster a combined mpg rating of 18 mpg, and costs around $5.60 to drive 25 miles in.

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Maintenance schedules, garage visits, and parts for the X-Type can also be a bugbear, and while , RepairPal rates the whole model lineup with a low reliability score of 2.5 out of 5. They also say that the X-Type will cost you, on average, $692 a year in maintenance costs.

While that may not seem too horrendous for a used luxury car, mainly because a lot of non-luxurious Ford parts were utilized for it, which are relatively easy to come by, this RepairPal data is more centered on a time when the X-Type was a more commonly-seen model on our roads; the known problems list is not a short one. Some of the most-needed Jaguar X-Type repair and servicing cost estimates include:

• Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Replacement: $115–$258
• Oil Change: $169–$200
• Battery Replacement: $417–$487
• Radiator Hose Replacement: $815–$969
• Cylinder Head Replacement: $10,177–$12,385
• Crankshaft Replacement: $1,500
• Clutch Replacement: $3,187

Most Common Problems With The Jaguar X-Type

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There are a fair few common problems that owners have complained about over the 2001–2009 model years. For all different engine types, rumbling noises, due to a knackered or worn bottom crank pulley being the main issue, have been reported. Likewise, across all MYs, a heavy clutch in manual transmission models is commonly complained about, and, in automatic transmission models, rough changes, delays in changing, and clunking gears have all been mentioned by owners.

Other owners have all mentioned that common problems also include leaking from the engine oil pan gasket, persistent coolant loss, radiator lines breaking, transmission slips, non-functioning cruise control, engine stalling, and the front axle becoming dislodged from the transfer case. If you are looking at buying a used Jaguar X-Type of any age, alongside everything you should check when buying a used vehicle, you should ensure that these points have been addressed or repaired.

Other Used Luxury Cars Under $10,000

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There is no doubt that the Jaguar X-Type looks the part, but there is a lot to weigh up if you think that buying one is worth it. We think it is; it looks great, it is cheap, and the AJ V6 under the hood of all the different available displacements can be juiced up. Perhaps, though, the known foibles of the Jaguar X-Type are putting you off; maybe it is the Ford Mondeo chassis, or perhaps you are looking for a used luxury car with more power under the hood. Thankfully, there are still lots of good options out there.

The luxury car market generally takes a nose-dive in terms of value depreciation, and while that is not great for those of us who already own a luxury car (unless it is something exceptional and very collectible), it is good news if you are looking for a used model. Thanks to the market’s typical heavy depreciation rates, there are some very powerful and luxe used models available for under $10,000 today.

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