Hi CJay,
I have experience of the IS200 Sport.
The IS200 is a driver-oriented car, and I rated it highly. The 2-litre straight 6 is silky smooth -almost as good as a Honda- and the 6-speed is the best i have used, fully justifying the rifle-bolt comparisons. Handling is sure footed but the ride is firm. The IS200 feels quick only if you use all the revs. It's quite low geared, even in 6th, and this produces more motorway noise than you might expect in this type of car.
Spec is very high, with heated electric Leather, roof, climate, 17'' alloys, & multichanger all standard. The IS200 feels much smaller than the X-type. Headroom will be marginal and the rear cramped if you're much over 6 foot.
The IS200 is a thirsty car. I struggled to get over 28mpg on mostly motorway driving
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Spot on summary, bradgate.
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CJay
I have owned a 3.0 x-type for just over a year now (it's now 3 years old), major downside is its thirst (28 mpg real world), but it certainly sounds nice whilst it is consuming it!
Reliability wise - had to have a new auto gearbox fitted under warranty so could be better. No other problems though, I suppose that should be enough.
As for interior - I have the ivory leather trim - which I thought would be a nightmare, but so far it's been fine. Usual rules apply though it needs a 15 minute clean every month or so and you need to ban SWMBO and the kids from consuming anything other than water in it.
No other squeaks or rattles though, have you considered the diesel? as I stated in another thread today whilst I wouldn't get one on performance grounds they are OK, and in the estate look pretty good IMO.
Sorry I have no experience of the IS200 apart from Alan Partridge and his superlatives about them.
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CJay
Sorry ignore comment about the diesel, you state that they maybe beyond your price range, albeit that they have been out for almost a year in the saloon guise - perhaps a higher mileage one? Forgot to mention I have also driven the 2.5 manual x-type - mines an auto, and performance wise it's about the same if you work the gears hard, which incidentally were quite good. MPG was not much different than the 3.0, marginally better I would say.
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Many thanks for everyone for their contributions. Most helpful.
Interesting to note that the petrol consumption of both the Jag in 3.0 guise and IS200 are near identical.
Paul, presumably your car's interior is fine and the steering wheel warning sounded out by Vansboy's is a one off.
Will have to test drive both. For some inexplicable reason my heart says go for the 3.0 litre Jag!
Now, is anyone interested in a 2002 318iSE with 72k on clock? Immaculate in and out. I am looking for around £10,990 ono.
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The X type steering wheel is NOT a one off problem/charecteristic - cheack around a few older examples, you'll see what I mean!!
Get the Jag Get the jag Get the Jag Get the Jag (subliminal message)
VB
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Get the IS Get the IS Get the IS (subliminal message)
It won't fall to bits and your mates won't make "You drive a Mondeo" remarks...
Seriously, go with your heart, not your head. Buy and drive something you feel proud to have parked on your drive and when you fill it up, say "It's the Lexus/(Jaguar)" instead of "Pump 4 Love".
All the best,
CM
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It won't fall to bits and your mates won't make "You drive a Mondeo" remarks... Seriously, go with your heart, not your head. Buy and drive something you feel proud to have parked on your drive and when you fill it up, say "It's the Lexus/(Jaguar)" instead of "Pump 4 Love".
No, No, No, No.
Don't be yet another shallow, status obsessed, badge fixated numpty! Get the car that YOU want, for your own reasons. Sod what other people think. It's your car, not theirs.
(nothing personal, CM )
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CJay
Whilst the steering wheel has improved on the 2003 facelift - (if you can call clear side indicator repeaters and a slightly elongated chrome finisher on the boot a facelift), I haven't personally noticed the problem identified by Vansboy. That said the steering wheel won't be winning any beauty contests, but all things considered a small price to pay given the operational ease of the cruise control, lit up at night, unlike the mondeo, and the stereo remote controls.
Yes the new steering wheel is better, but you would expect improvement in most updated vehicles.
As always you will of course make up your own mind - but earlyish 3.0 examples are relatively cheap in terms of a lot of car for the money - avoid the first 2500 built though, according to www.Jagtalk.com there were QC problems.
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Paul45,
I reckon 28mpg is quite good going for a 3-litre auto! I wish i could get that from my Impreza....
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bradgate
there are two trip computers on the jag, the latest count this morning (it zeros after 10k miles) was 4534 miles @ 27.9 mpg, of course as many a thread has discussed there will be a level of inaccuracy about the trip computer. Agree what you say about the Impreza though - bet you get a lot of air miles / nectar points etc....
Quite a lot of my miles are extra - urban - came to Chelmsford yesterday M4/M25/A12 (135 miles) at 33.4 going at a steady 75 ish.
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An update:
I bought a 2002, manual 2.5V6SE yesterday, in Adriatic blue with ivory leather interior.
While the car is very nice, however the initial impressions are not the kind of feeling that I got when I first drove my 318iSE many moons ago. Perhaps, it is an unfair comparison, since I was moving from a Mondeo to a BMW, and such an incremental gap would be absent between a BMW and a Jag.
To my knowledge, despite two additional cylinders and a full 25% increase in engine capacity, the Jag is not as eager as the BMW to 'get on with it'. I dread to think how the 2.0V6 makes progress!!
It is definitely more comfortable, and you feel 'very clean' when seated.
I already have a problem at home - SWMBO has declared that she does want to drive it!! Perhaps, should have waited till I was at least 10 years older before venturing into Jag territory?
As some backroomers may have noted, I have sold my 318iSE via eBay (as stated in another post).
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Good choice!!
You could let us know how good the 'DEAL' was, auction, main dealer, independent? How much discount from screen price??
& the Mrs SHOULD like it - after all, lady drivers were particularly targeted, with X Type publicity material, from the start!
VB
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DEAL - I got the car from BCA blakbushe. My total cost (including the fee for the auction buyer and BCA fees), was £175 more than glass trade in value. How good/bad is that?
MRS - I'll keep on trying. However, when we had the BMW there was 'competition' as to who took the car in the morning, now she happily takes the Mondeo. I suppose, I shouldn't complain too much!!
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I am also happy to report that the steering wheel is fine. I can't see any problem with it.
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CJay - would be interested to hear your true fuel consumption figures, not from OBC which are wildly optimistic, but brimmed tanks.
I ask because a friend has a 2.5 manual, which he drives reasonably sensibly and is only getting 22 mpg when calculated on brimmed tanks.
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CJay/ Dude
I have a 2002 2.5 Sport manual and I average between 24 - 28 depending on whether my mileage is around town or open road. If I take it really carefully on a trip I can get just over 30 mpg. I consider this to be ok for a 4 wheel drive V6.
Its worth mentioning that the engine ECU can be upgraded with the latest software release (I found this out via another site). I've had this done twice (free at each service) and its felt faster and smoother each time.
The handling and traction are a hoot in the wet and the school run was a breeze in teh snow.
Enjoy!
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I would second Simon's consumption figures. During the last month, I averaged 27.1mpg, over very fast A roads and M/ways.
Dude, I think there is something definitely wrong with your friend's car.
I didn?t like the car much, and have since sold it. I suppose my views of the car changed significantly once I bought it, every one (including my parents!) thought it was an old man?s car. Only one person thought that it was a nice car ? guess what - this guy was someone who had just migrated from the USA.
Went back to a BMW.
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