I am starting to think about getting an F-Type V6 S Coupe manual, but I am having trouble justifying the car. I haven't driven one yet, so maybe the answer will be obvious when I drive one, but it seems like at that price point, there is so much out there, new and used. Namely, a whole host of P-cars, BMWs, Mercs, etc.

A major part of the problem is performance. I know this is apples and oranges, but before I got into my XKR 3+ years ago, I had a 2012 Ford Mustang V6 6-speed, and that car matches the acceleration performance of the F-Type V6 S Coupe--not to mention it wasn't supercharged, and was a 60 degree V6 instead of a (less desirable, IMO) 90 degree V6. I guarantee you the Mustang doesn't drive as nice as an F-Type, but at the end of the day, a substantial number of inexpensive performance cars can give the F-Type V6 S a run for its money! Frankly, the F-Type V6 S is not as fast as it looks. If for the price of a V6 S you could get a V8 with a manual, (and 400+ horsepower) I could totally understand.

The exterior is gorgeous, and I appreciate how rare the car is. That's one of my favorite thing about Jaguars. But I've always bought Jaguars used, after they've depreciated substantially. When looking at a new Jaguar, it becomes extremely hard to overlook the shortcomings. As much as I love Jaguars, I think a price of ~$70k would be more appropriate for the V6S, and $55-60k for the base V6! Seems like the MSRPs are moving in that direction for 2017.

2017 Jaguar F-Type slashes $3,600 off base model

On top of all this, add the fact that this is no longer a fresh new model (it's now in its 4th model year).

What do you guys think? Have I made any valid points??

 

If you've yet to drive an F-type, how do you know it drivs better than your 4 litre Mustang?

The new Mustang looks good, even though the front springs appear to have been chosen for kerb clearance...

 

I think once you drive it, you'll know. Either the visceral experience is worth it to you, or it isn't. No wrong choice, I think - either it works for you, or it doesn't.

 

Plus, Car and Driver Managed 4.9s for the V6S. The V6 'stang appears to be 5.8s?

 

Sportscars are an emotional purchase so the right car needs to make sense for YOU; combination of looks, performance, marque, etc.

It has to be about more than $$$'s vs. performance or we'd all be driving new Corvettes. Me? I didn't want a Corvette.....or a Mustang, regardless of performance (a new GT500 is almost as fast as my V8 F type). You can't justify the $$'s based on price/performance alone. A relatively low production English sportscar is always going to be more expensive than a generic Mustang produced 100,000 units at a time.

Also, FWIW, the V6S seems to be about .6 sec and 7mph faster in the quarter than a 2012 v6 mustang....may not sound like much but it's noticeable

Fresh? 3 model years is pretty fresh; AND it's a pretty timeless look that I don't expect to change substantially in the next few years; that's what convinced me to buy the F type over a 2016 Boxster S which was getting a complete redo for 2017.

I bought a slightly used F type but the pricing seemed good to me looking at Porches (really expensive with every little option being huge $$$'s) and even the Corvette Z06.
Mercedes? the MB I really wanted was an SL63 AMG - way too expensive and so I was left with the SLK55 AMG which just didn't do it for me like the F type does. BMW; pricing for an M4 Cabriolet was getting stupid IMO. Porsche? 911 pricing is astronomical.....and don't even THINK you'd like to get the Turbo.....so for me, Porsche meant getting their ENTRY level sportscar vs. Jaguar's heavy hitter....is the F type R as good as a 911? Yes and no, but there is a massive difference in price.

At the end of the day there are lots of options that will give you more performance for your buck if that's all you want.....If you want style, personality and flair with your .98G's or 11 second quarters, then things start to get a bit fuzzier...and more subjective.

My only suggestion is to drive the cars before deciding.

2 cents,

Dave

 

Yes, all your points are valid and similar to why I purchased a new base V6 in the low $60s. I couldn't come close to justifying the V6S, because it isn't a significantly better performer for an extra $15K.

If I'd wanted track or street speed, I would have purchased a new C7 Z51 (either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed auto) for $55-60K, which has essentially the same acceleration and top-speed specs as the F-Type R, is a good 500 lbs. lighter, has a higher cornering limit (>1g), and likely quicker around a race track as a result. The C7 Z06 is in a completely different league, performance-wise, than the F-Type R, but can still be purchased for less.

In the end, I was looking for the F-Type experience (sound, feel, and other intangibles), and I felt 90% of that could be had in the base car for a fair price.

 

I bought the base MT. I might have the math wrong, so someone correct me:

The S vs the Base is:

40 more hp
1 more second 0-60
faux-Brembo red calipers
$10K more in price.

I just couldn't understand where the value is on an "S" unless you really like the button. lol

convo on base vs s or R
Capsule Review: Jaguar F-Type - Base Is Best - The Truth About Cars

 

This may be true for the latest generation. My 2012 had the "V6 performance package" which may have included a different axle ratio (can't remember), and I believe it was quoted as 0-60 in 5.1 frequently in magazine tests.

[edit]Here is what I'm working off of http://www.motortrend.com/news/2011-...tang-v-6-test/

For the F-Type, it seems like ~5.0-5.5 seconds is what I'm finding with the manual.

 

Well, let's not kid ourselves. 1 second 0-60 is an eternity! By the time you hit 60, the other guy would be car lengths ahead of you!

 

I am just assuming it does. Will have to find out!

However, the Mustang (or any other muscle car) is not in contention for me. I don't want one of those cars. The Cayman/Boxster, 911 or perhaps a Lotus Evora, or a used Aston Martin Vantage V8 are what I'd be interested in looking at for comparison. Even the SRT Viper would be an interesting comparison, although the new Vipers are ridiculously priced.

 

In my mind the only reason to purchase a V6S over a V6 base is for the limited slip differential. If that were available as an option I would have opted for the Base model. The additional power of the V6S is easily reproducible with a good tune. I would have rather spent the additional money on performance upgrades, and will anyway.

That's one expensive LSD.

 

That's a rather silly comparison. The Mustang GT (435HP, 5.0, V8) MSRPs at half the price ($33K) of an F-Type base, and C&D has it at 4.3 0-60.

 

Canadian Prices (MSRP base);

F type R: $118,500.00

MB SL63 AMG: $164,100.00

911 Carrera S Cabriolet: $132,200.00

911 Turbo: $195,800.00

Corvette Z06: $100,450.00

....when I priced out a Boxster S or M4 Cabriolet with the options I wanted, I was also getting close to $100k and I didn't feel that either car was comparable to the F type in terms of style.



2 cents,
Dave

 

I have an S Coupe MT vert. Like everyone on this site, I bought what I wanted and love driving the car every day. I knew the performance numbers when I purchased it - though I wouldn't say the performance was the key purchasing reason.


I'd add this - Ford sold 86,000 Mustangs in 2014... I saw an FType two weeks ago.


Go drive both and see which one fits for you. I'll stick with a Jag.

 

Actually, it's 1/10 sec. quicker to 60 according to the JLR published spec. Also the 40 extra HP only shows up above 5K rpm. Until that point, they have approximately equal HP.

Most significantly, it only has 7 ft lbs. more torque, which is round-off error. Torque is what give you the experience of acceleration.

 

I looked at most of those too;

- Boxster (no Cayman for me, I wanted a roadster). Last model year for the engine, styling changes in 2017 and though the base price wasn't bad, ANY options pushed the pricing up.....fast.

- 911; nice car, ridiculous price

- Lotus Evora; didn't consider one honestly; pricing seems similar to the F type no dealer locally.

- Aston Martin Vantage V8; pricey new though I did look at a nice used one but $$$'s to $$$'s I could get more F type for the money and the performance wasn't quite as good.....but the main thing was that they are quite a bit more dated compared to the relatively modern look/feel of the F type.

- even thought of a Viper but it isn't really a good choice for what I wanted.....to much rawness and not enough luxury.

Dave

 

And I think we've seen 0-60 times for the V6S (AT) around 4.5s. The JLR numbers are very conservative (guesses?)

 

Maybe, but if JLR was roughly accurate about the S being 1/10 sec. quicker than the base, it would be at 4.6-4.7 tested under similar conditions. An examination of the torque and HP curves of each would lead one to believe that's accurate.

 

If you have to "justify" it, your not ready to get the car.

 

Hills - uk based Wreckers Yard - are selling parts from a crashed V6S.

They are not having much luck.

2014 JAGUAR F TYPE 3.0 V6 SUPERCHARGED S REAR DIFF DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY 2013-15 | eBay