Ready to take the plunge

[crispy]

Hello everyone.

I have drooled over the F-Type for as long as it has been around and promised myself I'd own one once my current car was paid for. The time has come and I wondered what opinions people here have on a few things that are on my mind as I search for the perfect car....

• What are the pros and cons of the P300 2.0 and the P340/380 3.0 V6? I'm currently thinking about a 3.0 V6 about 2 years old with, hopefully 10-20k miles, but notice a massive price difference between the 2.0 & 3.0 litre cars available at that age.

• My preference is for a non-black-pack car with silver wheels and a light interior - can a dealer do anything about wheels and black pack on a car that doesn't meet my criteria? There are lots of cars with 2 out of my 3 but very few with all 3!

• I do about 20,000 miles a year, mostly on the motorway, how many miles can I expect to get from tyres?

• What else would you advise a first-time buyer to look out for, consider, be aware of, etc? Anything I should specifically ask the dealer on a car of this age?

Here's hoping the dealers won't be too busy on 12th April - I've crossed through my diary already!

 

[scm]

The P300 is cheaper to but new than the V6 models which should explain the price differential you've noticed. The P300 has a turbo-charged 4 cylinder, whereas the V6 is supercharged. If you want to buy a P300, don't test drive a V6!

I doubt that dealers would be much interested in modifying the car and their labour rates and part prices would probably make it uneconomic - much better to do any upgrades yourself, or find a competent independent if you don't feel brave enough to tackle it yourself (plenty of helpful advice available on here, though!).

Regarding tyres, it depends how you drive, I've never got much more the 10,000 miles on a set of tyres on any Jag I've owned (F-Type is my 4th Jag) but I've read on various forums of people complaining that they had to replace tyres at 20,000, which I really can't compute! I guess if you do a lot of motorway cruising your tyres will last well, so long as you don't fall prey to driving the F-Type like it should be driven!

Good luck with your search, I'm sure there's one out there with your name on it!

 

[crispy]

If you want to buy a P300, don't test drive a V6!

Thanks scm, that answers my question - it was the V6 I had assumed I was looking for but wondered how significant the difference was. I currently have a 3.0 V6 E-Class and have had other models as courtesy cars - on paper not so much between them, in reality just different leagues! I've never driven an F-Type as I didn't want to be that guy who keeps taking cars out and never committing - I knew I wasn't ready and then just as I'm at that point the last year has scuppered things.

 

[Anonymous]

I would advise test driving the different models first, they all drive really well but there are subtle differences. I found the 2.0 more nimble but lacking theatre, the AWD versions really planted but not quite as engaging as the RWD versions and the V8 monstrous. If you’re going to do big motorway miles the 2.0 would obviously be cheaper to run, if that’s a factor? Coupe more practical and most think better looking, but open air driving is more rewarding?(for me). Happy hunting, you’ll enjoy whichever you choose!

 

[scm]

I've never driven an F-Type as I didn't want to be that guy who keeps taking cars out and never committing ...

I'm that man! I first drove an F-Type (3 actully!) at a Jaguar Millbrook event in 2014 but it wasn't until 2018 that I started looking in earnest - I liked my XKR too much to just throw it away! I've driven all models and had to get a V8 as I didn't want to "downgrade" from my XKR, but many people will tell you the V6S (P380) is the "best" F-Type in terms of balance, handling and equipment. And it used to be available with a manual gearbox, if that's important to you, although the ZF auto box is excellent and really suits the car.

 

[Anonymous]

Loads to choose from so I'm sure one with preferred spec will come up soon. Test drive as many different models as you can, and if your in the car for long journeys then make sure you try out the different seats.

Tyres, mine is AWD, mostly motorway/dual carriage. I'm nearly 4 years in, 27000 miles covered. First rears lasted 8,000, second set 11,000 miles and fronts lasted 22,000. Car is always in dynamic and I dont have a heavy right foot so expecting it to be mainly rear wheel most of the time.

 

[Jaguandy]

Don't worry about wheel colour, it's only £300 - £400 to have them re-done in any colour or diamond cut if that's the type. Looking forward to the rest of your story, and photos of course. Good luck.

 

[crispy]

If you’re going to do big motorway miles the 2.0 would obviously be cheaper to run, if that’s a factor? Coupe more practical and most think better looking, but open air driving is more rewarding?

Thanks GusA, yeah cost is always a factor isn't it. However I'm not about to spoil a £40-45k purchase for a few hundred quid's worth of fuel each year. In terms of body style I'm definitely only after a coupe. I agree on open air driving but already have a bargain 14-year-old MX-5 for that. Pound per smile the MX-5 has been the best thing I've ever got into.

 

[crispy]

I've never driven an F-Type as I didn't want to be that guy who keeps taking cars out and never committing ...

many people will tell you the V6S (P380) is the "best" F-Type in terms of balance, handling and equipment. And it used to be available with a manual gearbox, if that's important to you, although the ZF auto box is excellent and really suits the car.

Good to know, thanks. Since having my first auto and getting over my dad telling me I was an old man (at 40!) I've never wanted to go back to manual. OK it's the perfect candidate for a manual box but I'm still converted so, no, the auto will be the one.

 

[crispy]

make sure you try out the different seats.

Good point, thanks. Any idea what the list of different seats is? What should I make sure I sit in before deciding, etc?

 

[scm]

The ZF box is really good, it adjusts its shift pattern to the way you drive so if you're pootling along it'll upshift at low rpm, whereas if you're driving it "properly" it'll redline in all the gears. It seems to read my mind and shift when I would have in a manual - spooky!

 

[crispy]

Don't worry about wheel colour, it's only £300 - £400 to have them re-done in any colour or diamond cut if that's the type. Looking forward to the rest of your story, and photos of course. Good luck.

Interesting. I'm not one for messing with a car until I see it as 'old' but maybe that's a good idea. I did have mine done on my current car when they started to get scruffy and wasn't impressed. They deteriorated the first winter and I'd wished I'd not bothered. Is a 'proper' job significantly better? How close to manufacturer/original quality can the best job be, do you think?

 

[Anonymous]

Good tip above to try out the different seats. Post 2017 the standard ‘sports’ seats I found a little more comfortable, the ‘performance’ seats were an expensive option and gave me better support. Also, only the performance seats can have the cooling option.

 

[Millwheel]

Fully support performance seats over the sports seats. I’m 1.88m and 100kg and found the sports seat on a test drive quickly uncomfortable. I’ve done a lot of mileage now on the performance seat and find it very supportive.

Other key features I would recommend are the panoramic roof, wonderful when touring, the rear camera, essential when reversing, and a vanishingly rare option, the BLIS, as the three quarter vision on the left is non-existent. Also look for the autofolding mirrors, the car is already as wide as a van and reducing the footprint is no bad thing when parked. Heated windscreen a boon if driving in the cold season, though some dislike the wires embedded in the glass - can be very visible when driving into the sun. With the new rules emerging on the use of handhelds, having Apple and Android navigation apps on the main screen is becoming a necessity.

Regarding the engine choice, when I replaced my V6 (and that replaced a 5l XK), I moved to the 2 litre. Reason for this was that living in the South-East the opportunities to use the performance advantage of the V6 are few, and reducing every year as yet more speed limits are imposed and existing limits reduced. So for me it’s more about the nimble handling at legal speeds. As mentioned in an earlier post, you lose the theatre but living in a heavily built up area my neighbours do not miss the tooth rattling start up crescendo. If I lived in Wales or the North I would have gone for the P380 for sure, and given the weather, selected the AWD. As it is the attractive pricing of the P300 gives you a lot of car for the money, and ample performance in normal driving. I wouldn’t reject a P300 out of hand - get an extended test drive.

 

[bob_mcn]

Its a difficult choice to have to make, I opted in the end for a new 1st edition P300, as my previous car was a 300Sport XE, (same motor but AWD), and that was ample performance for me as a daily driver, but i always lusted for an F Type, my other choice was possibly a 2 to 3 year old 380 V6, very nice, but for me i found it too noisy, (i also know someone who 'had' a 380 V6 and he kept getting complaints from the neighbours with early morning starts), hence my decision to opt for the P300, and i have not been disappointed, and being RWD i can easily break rear wheel traction, and speed limits if i so wish, but i don't :roll: . So, best of luck with your search, and i hope you find the car of your dreams.

 

[Quiet man]

I have only owned my car a few weeks, I didn't test drive one before I bought it, online purchase and car was delivered, it has the sports seats with some electric movement 4 way, I am a short arse so even on the highest setting I couldn't see the front of the car, I've bought a small seat wedge which helps. I took it for a rear diff oil change yesterday and gave it some stick on the way home, v6s, I am still smiling what a car. Which ever you choose you will enjoy. Happy hunting.

 

[crispy]

Other key features I would recommend are the panoramic roof, wonderful when touring, the rear camera, essential when reversing, and a vanishingly rare option, the BLIS, as the three quarter vision on the left is non-existent. Also look for the autofolding mirrors, the car is already as wide as a van and reducing the footprint is no bad thing when parked. Heated windscreen a boon if driving in the cold season, though some dislike the wires embedded in the glass - can be very visible when driving into the sun. With the new rules emerging on the use of handhelds, having Apple and Android navigation apps on the main screen is becoming a necessity.

Regarding the engine choice, when I replaced my V6 (and that replaced a 5l XK), I moved to the 2 litre. Reason for this was that living in the South-East the opportunities to use the performance advantage of the V6 are few, and reducing every year as yet more speed limits are imposed and existing limits reduced. So for me it’s more about the nimble handling at legal speeds. As mentioned in an earlier post, you lose the theatre but living in a heavily built up area my neighbours do not miss the tooth rattling start up crescendo. If I lived in Wales or the North I would have gone for the P380 for sure, and given the weather, selected the AWD. As it is the attractive pricing of the P300 gives you a lot of car for the money, and ample performance in normal driving. I wouldn’t reject a P300 out of hand - get an extended test drive.

Thanks Millwheel - good points. I'll take all that on board. I must admit I've thought that the heated front windscreen would be a nice-to-have but if its irritating in low winter sun then I would hate that. I hate any marks on my windscreen and painstakingly clean it on my current car because I hate to see swirl marks or anything. I'm also a bit of a geek so Android Auto is really a must for me too.

I find the engine choice info interesting but feel like no matter what I test I'll end up with a V6. I do live in the North and very close to lots of open countryside - there are plenty of opportunities for getting away from the urban roads so it'll not really be a traffic car - motorway and open roads mostly.

 

[crispy]

i found it too noisy, (i also know someone who 'had' a 380 V6 and he kept getting complaints from the neighbours with early morning starts).

I know I'm going to lots of "you've no idea!" replies to this, but are they really THAT noisy?

 

[crispy]

I have only owned my car a few weeks, I didn't test drive one before I bought it, online purchase and car was delivered

I have been so tempted to do that but I really need to know I can drive for a few hours and get there refreshed! I have to test drive at least one. I'm tempted again now though....how much longer can I wait?

 

[Anonymous]

“I know I'm going to lots of "you've no idea!" replies to this, but are they really THAT noisy?“

Depends if daily driver, what time you head out for work & how well you get on with the neighbours