Just curious as I'm sure I'm one of the younger ones around here. I'm not sure I would have looked at buying an XK over an F-Type as it seems like an older "gentlemens" car, but the F-Type feels quite a bit more youthful. What do you guys think?

It seems like the F80 M3 is still the car the kids in the "cool kids club" (30+ year olds) drive. I'm not sure the F-Type is part of that club The new W205 C63 is not a part of that club either for some reason.

 

My Dad has a XK8...

 

So does mine

 

 

Just my opinion, but I think Jaguar was facing a similar issue as the Chevy with the Corvette, Cadillac in general and Harley-Davidson with pretty much all their bikes. Each year, the median age of the owners was going up by a year. Eventually, that is not a sustainable model. Chevy started addressing the Corvette by departing from the path the car was on and making it 'Younger'. Cadillac's theories have been multi-fold: First, an SUV of all things made them relevant, then they tried showing more and more powerful engines in with the V Series.They still hadn't hit the right formula, so they stole talent from Audi.H-D I don't think has found a solution other than selling more T-Shirts. There are H-D shops now that don't even sell bikes...

So Jaguar took the approach of departing from the 'new' tradition that started with the end of the E-Series. They went from bigger, cushier GT cars to a no excuse sports car. It's small, has a hard time accepting a bag of golf clubs, has a firm ride, is loud and sexy. They alienated a large amount of the traditional Jaguar owners and shot firmly for a younger market. I have no facts to back up any of this, it's just what I see, and I think it's exactly what Jaguar needed.

I've heard Jaguar is bringing back an XK successor and I think that's a good idea. IMO, it should be a 2 door version of the XJ to compete with the other big GT cars (like the Merc S Coupe). I believe that a direct evolution of the XK isn't what the market will support, but I also thought that the Scion XB was a horrible idea and thought the Escalade was never going to catch on.

Having said all that, a car that is low to the ground, has a firm ride, isn't designed around a bag of golf clubs and that has a button that's only purpose is to tap into your inner teenage with loud noises is firmly targeting a younger audience.

 

I'm 24 and did not consider an XKR -- the f type has a look and feel the XKR never captured for me.

 

I dont necessarily think so, but there are some factors which make the f type less suited to older people and the XKR more suited. First, older people tend to love the wood in the XK. I'm not young, but I disliked the wood in my XKR. Second the infotainment in the XK is very, very dated. If you listen to a transistor and have a black and white TV at home, it might be acceptable. So pretty much for old people. Third, the XKR is much easier to get in and out of, pretty much sedan-like compared to the f type. Fourth the ride in the XKR is slightly more comfortable, though really there isnt much difference.

Personally I can throw the f type around more than I could the XKR which makes it more fun, but I think that is something I do more as I get older.

 

 

I own a car that is probably older than a lot of members here. That being said, age is in the mind boys and girls. I, for one, feel quite at ease in both cars.

 

Maybe you should just say it's a car for the "young at heart." Or possibly it indicates we act like a bunch of teenagers?

 

I don't think OP meant any ill will by his initial message -- but when I went on the 2018 Wild Blueberry Blast my girlfriend and I [21 & 24] were by far the youngest there -- the median age of the group probably being late 40s early 50s if I had to guess -- an incredible group of people and an unforgettable weekend.

 

At 24, all I could afford was a used Plymouth Caravelle.

 

Someone did a poll here a few years ago as to the age of owners - with 75 votes, the 30s and 50s are leading...
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...owners-132923/

That thread is from 2014, but no reason folks can't add to the poll.

 

No, not at all. All enthusiasts are awesome, regardless of age. It was just an inference and a question I thought to ask. I still wonder why 30 year olds prefer the F80 M3. Is the F-Type not cool enough? Is it the Jaguar brand? The aftermarket support?

Those are the questions that I'd like to discuss.

 

 

The 4-cylinder may help, as that pushed the base price down. But I shudder to think of 20-somethings buying a $80-100k car. I'm sure a few can actually afford it, but that's a huge amount of debt otherwise.

 

I'm very lucky to have the opportunities I've had to enjoy such frivolities

F-Type is plenty cool but my theory would be model recognition is low -- many people don't seem to know what the car is -- additionally, an M3 is a very "normal" nice car, its a safe purchase; the F Type feels more exotic, more unnecessary

This is exactly why I bought one -- I've seen maybe one or two others cruising around Boston in a sea of 911s, M3/4/5/6s, RS3/4/5/7s and AMGs.

I'm sure there are some who are purchasing cars they can't afford but given the state of the job market right now [at least in my industry] its hardly surprising some young people are able to afford fun toys.

 

+1, but i dont have children

 

 

…..and the both of you were a most welcome and great couple to have on the blast! The age range was quite spread out. I suspect we hit every decade from yours on up ( I wouldn't say how high though, as I don't know). PBarb hit it, it's for the young at heart and possibly the other thing too.