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Considering Purchasing A 2016-2017-2018 F-Type - Reliable Enough To Be Trusted?
As the title says, I am seriously considering purchasing a 2016-17-18 F-Type. There is, in fact, a car I've come across that I may very well purchase shortly. Almost certainly an F=Type R, or possibly an F-Type R Dynamic.
I have seen some commentary in the forums here with owners reporting positively about reliability. However, I just came across this, from Car and Driver's review, no less, which concerns me "The 2018 Jaguar F-Type gets an abysmal predicted reliability rating of two out of five from J.D. Power. That's the lowest possible score. By comparison, the 2018 Porsche 911 gets a five out of five."
I absolutely love the look of the F-Type's and have wanted one since the first time I saw one. Please tell me that I can expect at least reasonable reliability. Thanks for your thoughts, expertise and advice.
The complaints labelled as “reliability” issues relate primarily to the infotainment system, not to any mechanical aspect of these cars - and because these electronic systems have undergone multiple iterations and introductions, the resultant “issues” (often very minor) are lumped together as reported “problems”, thus fueling the myth of Jaguar unreliability.
The truth is quite different. The F-Type is a very reliable and satisfying car - in fact, a very exciting car - not to mention being just about the most beautiful car on the road).
When car companies do not consistently introduce new systems, mechanical or electronic, they can focus on perfecting the existing systems and therefore do not trigger reliability claims.
I did have to have a fuel injector replaced (under warranty). It was a Bosch injector that failed. No doubt the same injector that Bosch supplies to Porsche😊
We all know that Porsches are perfect in every way because auto journalists say so, constantly, repeatedly, ad nauseam.
I have owned many Jaguars over the past 25 years. I have loved them all...regret selling more than 1 of them. Even in the earlier years (of my ownership), they were reliable automobiles. Buy an F-Type R...you will never regret it.
The v8 and v6 engines are very reliable. i had my XKR (essentially the same engine) to 60,000km and about 5 years old, it had zero engine issues (it did have a faulty headlamp module). I have had my F Type since new (coming on 6 years), it now has 45,000km and has only had a leaking sensor.
The f type does get other little issues - body panel fitment/creaking is one of them - but on the whole they are good. All of my Jags have been excellent, and virtually trouble free, with the exception of the first year 2008 XF which had a few issues but became trouble free as time went on.
What kind of car you get is another topic, but just sayin', a 2016 F Type R will have RWD if that floats your boat (2017 was AWD I think), the prettiest version of the front end (2018 had horizontal brake vents, not quite as nice IMHO), but improved infotainment. Just dont expect much sense out of the sat nav.
My wife and I currently own a 2014 XKR and a 2020 F Type SVR. We bought the XKR, which was certified, in Aug 2019 and the SVR in April 2021. We have had no issues!
I agree with the comment earlier that the 5 liter V8’s are robust.
... but just sayin', a 2016 F Type R will have RWD if that floats your boat (2017 was AWD I think)...
Slight correction: 2016-on F-Type R were AWD. 2015 F-Type R was the only year of RWD. Normally a one-year option like that tends to lead to increased value but the market shows that 2015 FTR's are worth much less than 2016-on.
Have had my 2017 SVR for 7 months and have put 11K miles on it. Not single issue until last week it threw its first CEL. Turns out all that needed fixing was a quick software update. Dealer said cats came back far below efficiency thresholds... wonder why that could possibly be the case!
Otherwise this F-Type has been extremely mechanically sound. The C63S I purchased brand new had frequent electrical issues. Things like sensors throwing warnings or the TPMS suddenly not working.
The only preventative maintenance I've done is from the advice in the video below. Injector cleaner every couple months or so and then I had the diff fluid flushed on the last service visit.
Slight correction: 2016-on F-Type R were AWD. 2015 F-Type R was the only year of RWD. Normally a one-year option like that tends to lead to increased value but the market shows that 2015 FTR's are worth much less than 2016-on.
Cheers, over here the '16MY ('15 build) R's were still RWD, so it appears were some of the '17 build MY17 cars, but the AWD was available from the 16.5MY (I have the 16.5MY with my v6S, but RWD). I took the 16.5 S for better infotainment against a '15 RWD R, I agonised over the decision but really I hated the earlier version of the infotainment with the black and white screen (which I had in my second XF) and liked the incontrol infotainment which we had in our XE at the time.
No regrets, though I suppose that I have probably spent $15K on performance mods since buying the car (excluding wheels), I might have been better off spending that money on an R at the time.
For model year differences, I was thinking of the US market. I forgot this is an international forum. Bruce is obviously much more familiar with the Aussie market than I am.
... Just don't expect much sense out of the sat nav.
I don't understand all the complaints about the satnav, unless it's a non-UK thing. I've had satnav in three Jags so far and all have got me to where I wanted to go with a minimum of fuss and excellent directions. If there are lots of new road building in your vicinity (or where you want to go) I guess you might expect issues, but for me, I've never had problems with it.
I love hearing the wonderful british woman telling me to "follow the motorway". I really follow my google maps directions on my phone, but I concurrently run the satnav in my XJL just to hear her say that.
These cars a pretty good overall. Any performance car is more likely to "break" than a vanilla/non-performance car (including Porsches - I have owned 20+). If you plan to buy a high end/ performance car, then plan to have the funds to repair it if it breaks. You can find ANY reliability statement (good or bad) you want on ANY car if you search the Internet long enough. AND...If it is on the Internet, it is 1000% true always.
I hear the Prius is very reliable...
DC
My 5 out of 5 Porsche 911 Turbo - Failed Water Pump and Idler Pulley:
02-21-2022 | 04:55 PM
Considering Purchasing A 2016-2017-2018 F-Type - Reliable Enough To Be Trusted?
