2002 Jaguar X-Type review from North America

Tranny, Electrical, Trim.

Lets see, classic Jaguar looks come along with the 70s-80s reliability issues @factory AND @Dealer. Read on:

Day one, proudly showing off the new Jag to in-laws, pops pointed out the broken taillight. 10 minutes of ownership, back to the dealer the next morning.

2 weeks, kitty ornment on hood stolen (affixed by the factory with a cheap spring) $45 to replace it with a cheap looking plastic medallion. Had to return it as the medalion was on crooked, dealer only had 4.0 liter ones left.

Then we dented the "boot" trying to slam the trunk closed 20+ times to get it to stay put. See fact. TSB XT501-04 and fix it please...

10/13/02 at 4800 miles the tranny light went on, car would barely move. The shop-guy got stuck taking the "test-drive", needed a flatbed. Had to beg for a loaner (got Merc Sable). They replaced it in 72 hours, not bad except...

12/28/02 8400 miles, on our way home from Florida (to NY), tranny light and a dead stop on I95/beltway on a Sunday Eve after Xmas. Called service, Monday??? I got the car rolling again by somehow shifting violently anbd it snapped into 4th (only 4th), drove it home 300 miles.

Looks great, drives great (but only 16mpg). My first and certainly LAST Jag, I could have gotten a nice 1990 XJ-6 for $3500 and had fewer problems. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR, the BMW 325IX or Benz 4-Matic C-Class will get you there (and home!) far better.