OV9

Harry poses the question in his 2022 roundup vid.

Link goes directly to comments : "I still scratch my head why these cars have no sort of following and you never see a magazine doing group tests with them or whatever....things like the F-type around, waving at you in the classifieds, and an early F-type V8 S or R - they are just bargains, and yes you can buy your Aston Martin or whatever but then you've got much higher running costs...."



I've always liked the XKR/XKR-S, and the F-Type. From a visual perspective the F-Type coupe is awesome to my eyes. Manual V6 is probably the only interesting option with the more powerful versions (and the F-Type R with 567bhp has serious power) less-so with auto-only. A total of 4 manual cars on Pistonheads at the moment in a sea of 267 F-type up for sale - so not a popular option to tick.

So to Harry's question - what puts people off? Even the press

Badge? (Doesn't bother me).
Image? (I admit the fact that the excitement of spotting an F-Type is rather dulled by the possibility that it could be just a 2.0 4-hammer)
Focus? (considered a slightly softer / less-hardcore option?
Reliability? (JLR don't score well here generally over the last few years)

It’s not a Porsche. I know one person who had one (a V6S coupe) but she has replaced it with a Merc GLE350d.

Jag talked about and launched the F-type as a Boxster alternative, but it was much heavier and not really aimed at the Boxster/Cayman. I don’t remember any particularly effusive reviews over the years either. I just can’t see the appeal ok buying one when it’s a head over heart good value choice, not a heart over head desire.

I thought about them for a while but prices were higher than BoxsterS, the V6 "feels" underpowered, but V8 is a recipe for burning cash (as well as auto). Also, JLR don't have the best rep for reliability.

A friend had a Boxster and swapped it for a V6S convertible F-Type. I remember driving them briefly and thinking just how different they were. The Jag was surprisingly stiffly sprung and felt large and heavy. The Boxster was much more nimble, felt lighter and made a better sound. Smaller too.

That said, the F type was such a nice place to be compared to the Boxster. Not sure I'd put my own money into the Porsche as it didn't feel like value for money, unlike the Jag which felt like a bargain for what it was. (Both were obtained second hand).

I wanted an F Type since they came out, current experience with the XE has really put me off.

The inverse TARDIS interior along with some less than ideal suspension always struck me whenever I got to drive an F-Type.

Love the looks and the concept but the whole is less than the sum to me.

Only really appeals because of the V8 option - unfortunately it seems they can rack up some serious bills (but then again, what cars don't these days).

Also like the XKR-S, but they still fetch £50k.

I’ve been browsing F-Types recently as they seem good value and I like the look of them but the reliability is still putting me off.

A friend has an older XK (58 plate I think) and the ride is awful. The rear seats are useless and the whole cabin is tiny for such a big car. It does sound nice though.

It's JLR - gives me more fear than anything French. Generally though I don't think they've ever shed the "old git heading to the golf club" image

Stupid shouty artificial sounding exhaust noises and grandad image.

The first thing I think with Fs is "too wide", then I see "inverse TARDIS interior" above
I don't think I'd have a problem with image because I'd get one in a spec I like. Plonk me in a lairy POPPENFART exhaust jobbie and I'd no be comfortable though. Hopefully that's easy to configure out.
Reliability and parts quality - perceived or otherwise - always raise their ugly head(s) though. If I found a car I liked, was happy with how it drove and could live with the space, that may still prove an insurmountable hurdle

It's too in the middle for me. Light and sporty I'd rather a cayman, big and GTish I'd rather something like this lexus:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11585131

The pops and crackles as one gently reverse parked at the doctors a long while back put me off.

Dave!

The only reason I don't have a 5.0 XKR is the ridiculous rear seats that are too small for even our 6 year old with his car seat in.

They are lovely to drive, look great and are very quick and don't cost the earth to run, parts aren't silly expensive and they crack 28-30mpg on a long run.

For such a big car to have such small rear seats is pointless, but not unexpected, the rear of my XF isn't great for space either.

When the coupe F type came out I lusted after one and I still think they look beautiful but the JLR reliability would probably stop me when a Cayman or TTRS or similar could be had.

The stupid exhaust noises put me off the F-Type, which otherwise I think is a lovely car.

The V8 in particular sounds stupid with all its pops and bangs as mentioned above

If it's been back into Jag since 2020, unless the exhaust flaps are stuck in the open position then it shouldn't pop and bang.

Latest software for the ECM stopped any shenanigans in normal or dynamic even with flaps open, and with them closed they sound decent, but not over the top (IMO).

There are just too many other choices in that sector. Also I couldn't drive something that makes as many embarrassing coughs and farts as the F-Type does, they sound like they're broken.

16vCento wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:05 am If it's been back into Jag since 2020, unless the exhaust flaps are stuck in the open position then it shouldn't pop and bang.

Latest software for the ECM stopped any shenanigans in normal or dynamic even with flaps open, and with them closed they sound decent, but not over the top (IMO).

That's useful to know. I'm less put off now.

Is the reliability really that bad on modern Jags?