What to buy??

Guess what I'm asking is what model has the best spec, looks good and returns what I asked above??

Hi ecomate, this is going to be controversial but I suggest getting an XJ over the X or S Types; The X/S types have a lot of known faults and are generally a bit of a disaster area in my experience. I'm sure there are nice examples out there, but the X type I had, the S type my cousin had, and most of the ones that go through my mechanic are just a nightmare.

So I think you should go for the XJ TDVi, which is the Diesel version of the XJ X350 (That's the Aluminium bodied one) and they started doing them in 2005. I've been looking for one myself but they tend to start at about £9000 and go up depending on mileage and specification, so I think they're a bit out of my price range and I'll end up getting a Petrol. Buck has a really nice one and you'll find more info on them in the X350 forum here: http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/

Cheers

Thanks for this Galcian and I'll look into this. I did see a beauty sport in black on an 04 plate, which is a bit older than I want but the white leather and black piping was pristine, like new, it only had 45k on the clock but when I went back it had gone to a dealer!!

hi ecomate, the smallest diesel available in the jaguar range is the x type 2.0d, there is also a x type 2.2d. the s type diesel is 2.7 as is the xj. i have the x type 2.0d s and ive had the car for 2 years with no problems. the fuel economy has been as good as high 40 to low 50 mpg depending on how you drive, heavy right foot using the turbo lots results in lower mpg. using bio diesel is not recommended by jaguar as the engines are not configured to run on bio diesel, and this is even said in the owners manual resulting in no comebacks on jaguar i.e will null and void any warranty. hope this helps.

Thanks johnxtype, I'm looking for the smaller engine as for my money it has the better eco credentials - I would expect Jaguar, or (any) manufacturer to say this, however I don't really care what jaguar says, I will run it on biodiesel and it will run exceptionally well. I'm currently working on a commercial bio processor concept.

I'm moving into a new stage in my life and I want that class and comfortable ride back that 'for me' only a jag gives.

I really should go the x-route as it has the smaller engine, I certainly don't need huge speed or turbo if it comes to it, I need economy with lower emissions but I would like the toys, the internal piping, the exterior style (that kind of unbadged look and less chrome) and of course (that) cabin but I don't need the monster cc's.

So what model, in any, delivers that??

"but I would like the toys, the internal piping, the exterior style (that kind of unbadged look and less chrome) and of course (that) cabin but I don't need the monster cc's.

So what model, in any, delivers that??"

Wll, it has to be the XJ6 TDVi as stated here already. Between 35 and 40 mpg should be "eco" enough for anyone, plus it has all the other things you want. However, you really need to ask yourself why you want a Jaguar, they are not sold on an eco-ticket. Better to buy a hybrid or one of the small cars with a very mall diesel engine to make sure you stay 'pure as the driven snow'.

Why Frazer,

Because I've had 5 Jaguars in a lifetime of cars and it has always been my favourite, also they were great times in my life. I have no interest in an eco-friendly small car, I intend to make this Jag surprisingly eco-friendly and economical - I just want to get the best-looking one without being a clear emissions and fuel monster that only costs me more on road tax and insurance. That would only serve to defeat some of the core ideas.

I recently did a similar thing to you Mr ecomate dude. I had an XJ before and wanted to get back into a Jag, because I loved the feeling owning one gave me.

So I looked at all the models you are; X, S and XJ. I went in open minded, and made sure I looked round them all properly and drove them. My opinions? The X Type was cramped and not particularly nicely put together on the inside, plus the 4cyl engine was quite clackety. The S was much better, but I just could not cope with how the front looked. Then I tried the XJ...and it was all I hoped it would be and more. I have just bought an 06 XJ TDVi Sport Premium which is just awesome (save the small exhaust issue I've just had!!!)

Good luck in your search, but make sure you give all the models the right amount of effort to see if they fit the bill for your personal taste.

hi ecomate, will admit for what you would want in a jaguar it would have to be the xj tdvi, if you check out the owners galleries there is plenty of pics of different interiors and exteriors. the only thing you will have to check out properly would be the tax bands and insurance groups. my car as said is the 2.0 d x type road tax is £130 per year, cant remember what insurance group its in but to be honest i dont care as all i wanted was a jag so i took the hit on the insurance cost hence going for the more economical x type diesel, but i do eventually want a diesel xj x350. as for the bio diesel i would still be wary of doing this to a jag as the fuel system isnt really set up for bio diesel , the fuel pump and seals can be deteriorated with the use of bio diesel. have had a friend who ran a car on bio diesel and wrecked the fuel system as a result, but i suppose if you have knowledge of how to do this safely then good luck, hope we have been of some help to you.

If you decide to go for the X-Type, I've had both the 2.0d and 2.2d and found little to choose in terms of economy - the 2.2d is 6-speed hence is lower revving in the cruise than the 2.0d. My 2.2d was in Sport spec and the ride was a bit firmer than my 2.0d SE, though still very compliant and poised on rough roads, which is more than can be said of the German competition. I had Piano Black wood as I didn't fancy the standard grey veneer. You do know you are in a 4-cyl diesel at low speeds, but generally I found both to be good cars, at least as well made and reliable as anything else I have owned including VWs and BMWs.

Rael said:

I recently did a similar thing to you Mr ecomate dude. I had an XJ before and wanted to get back into a Jag, because I loved the feeling owning one gave me.

So I looked at all the models you are; X, S and XJ. I went in open minded, and made sure I looked round them all properly and drove them. My opinions? The X Type was cramped and not particularly nicely put together on the inside, plus the 4cyl engine was quite clackety. The S was much better, but I just could not cope with how the front looked. Then I tried the XJ...and it was all I hoped it would be and more. I have just bought an 06 XJ TDVi Sport Premium which is just awesome (save the small exhaust issue I've just had!!!)

Good luck in your search, but make sure you give all the models the right amount of effort to see if they fit the bill for your personal taste.

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Thanks for this Rael, you've got what I want to do, I've had several jags and its a simple case of back to good times. - I just want the best spec, without the overly high insurance caused by huge engines and I'm heavily into the whole eco thing in both business and lifestyle so couldn't be seen to be driving a gas guzzler.

So a good but not huge diesel engine, with colour coded exterior (little or no chrome) and that whole jag interior cabin, the darker the console the better and its got to be leather.

Thanks All,

The XJ 2.7 TDV1 is looking favourite right now, have seen a nice 2005 in sliver....

Although I would like a smaller engine, I may drop to the x or s dependent on spec.

I'm fairly sure the S-type was only available with the same 2.7 diesel engine that's in the XJ, with only relatively minor increases in economy. I don't think it was ever offered with a 4 cylinder. It took Jag years to realise they should have had a more economic engine in the XF, which is now available with a 2.2d engine.

If you don't want loads of chrome, then I should imagine a Sport would be the best choice, as these often delete a lot of the chrome parts such as window surrounds and boot plinths. Certainly with mine I only have chrome on the bumpers, none around the windows. I have a wooden dash but that was a factory free option, usually a sport would come with some sort of carbon type dash (might not be the right description but it looks a whole lot more modern!)

X-Type = 2.0d or 2.2d 4 cyl
S-Type = 2.7d v6
XJ = 2.7d v6

That's your choice of diesel engines in the Jaguar range, just go to a dealer and drive all of them, make an afternoon of it. Each interior is based on the X-Type dashboard, just each model up having slightly better materials. I would go for the S-Type myself in XS trim, with the body kit it looks great, don't have to worry about the corrosion issue like the XJ and no expensive air suspension to worry about either.

If I was all eco though, I'd just buy an S-Type R and LPG it.