​​​​​​​Please do. This is starting to get like which oil to buy and at what change interval!

 

This article is on MSN, not Classic Motorsports so its aimed at the average Joe. The average Joe doesn't DIY any repairs and maintenance. The average Joe has to pay labor for every little thing his car needs. And we know how hard it is to find a mechanic you can trust to get within ten feet of your car let alone take it apart. The average Joe doesn't read these Jaguar forums and heed the advice to do preventative maintenance that's not on the official maintenance schedule. The average Joe doesn't even do half of what's written. The average Joe doesn't park in a garage. The average Joe parks outside in all extremes of weather. The average Joe rarely even washes his car, let alone waxes it. The average Joe actually mistreats his car pretty bad and will experience more frequent repair needs than we do. As we all know, cheap used Jaguars tend to need very expensive repairs. The average Joe lives from paycheck to paycheck and when things do go wrong, has to max out his credit card or go to a loan shark to pay for repairs. Yes, the average Joe should avoid Jaguars like the plague. Jaguars should only be in the hands of very dedicated, and yes, financially "comfortable", driving enthusiasts. And the older your Jaguar gets, the more "comfortable" you need to be.

 

Bringing the e-Type versions into the discussion is a bit tricky. The later S1's got some help going from a 3.8L to a 4.2L, but the V-12 boost in S3's really just compensated the power lost in the S2 because of all the new smog controls. (Of course, none of them could touch today's F-Types - even the 4-banger.)

On reliability, my e-Type only failed to get me to my destination once - caused by a failed fuel pump. And, it had the decency to do it in my driveway, as I was headed out to pick up a pizza.

Meanwhile, my Dad's Rolls needed an engine at 30k miles. That must be the reason I never bought one.

 

Sadly, the Average Joe will get your F-type 10 years from now and complain about the missing back seat and loud exhaust !😂🤡

 

Since you asked, only use Jaguar oil and change once per year and keep it topped off!🎯

 

Hmmm. Forgive me - but I don't' remember 'asking'!

 

Yep, I think we all bought the best model for our preferences and driving conditions. The fun roads here in central Europe, the Alps or in the UK are pretty different from US coastal roads (damn I'd like to do the PCH in the F-Type btw!).

Spot on pdupler. At least around here the average Joe and very young drivers seem to get that, and just don't buy nice Jags like the F-Type and just go German. Probably because they think a Jag will be super expensive to run, which has some truth to it because there's nowhere else to go than overpriced JLR dealers for servicing and repairs. Around here we also have loads of guys who are pretty clueless about cars and actually could afford a new F-Type but all go for a 911 or high end BMW. The reliability myths probably play in a bit there. We'd probably have quite a few 911, Cayman, Z4 etc drivers in an F-Type if they knew how reliable the cars actually are.

Now over to that oil discussion...

 

When I set my sights on this final premium car purchase, I wanted something track capable that was actually potent. I remember instructing once and was behind the wheel of a 2006 7 liter normally aspirated Z06. What a phenomenal car. Less than 3200 pounds, with torque out the ying yang and monster brakes. It drove phenomenally well. I gave up on it because with a bad knee I was not keen on rowing the boat anymore. I looked at the Cayman S (compromising on torque but tremendously nimble), but their idler bearing failures (and lack of customer support) turned me off. 911s were always an option, but so many out there (very big positive is holding value for much of that product line). I then saw this video of Randy Pobst driving the 2016 AWD and was impressed. We actually cut our teeth road racing together, but I was no where near his talent level. I then researched more and realized what a phenomenal car as well as absolutely gorgeous. These cars were not at every stoplight. Folks still to this day comment how beautiful the lines. I showed my wife photos and videos - she said without hesitation - go for it.

Despite my angst at the crappy parts and cost of late - I love my car every time it fires up and every time I push the go pedal. Everyone I know is totally amazed at how good looking and performance capable it is. We plan on keeping it for the long haul. I just hope I'm not going to get eaten up by crappy parts breaking down and costing a fortune.

 

It should last forever if you keep it in a garage and keep it maintained. My X Type is 24 years old!

 

That's an interesting theory, but I don't think data would support the general case. Test-driving the base V6 versus the V8S in 2015, I could feel the difference in balance. I got to choose the test drive route and the salesman was, shall we say, understanding of my choice.

Not trying ot rub it in, but it's great. The thing about Hwy 1 (the PCH) is that there are very different parts of it. San Francisco south to Santa Cruz is GT country and while beautiful, not the most fun to drive. San Francisco north to the Lost Coast is spectacular and where a sports car would shine. Carmel Valley Road south through Big Sur is a delight, and (hopefully still) has a sign indicating "winding roads, next 75 miles."

The F-Type is either at the sporty end of GT or the GT end of Sports, depending on the road you're on. I'd have more fun in my NA/6 Miata on Mines Road, but the F-Type would get the nod on Del Puerto Canyon Road. My 748 rocks for either.

I've still got a stash of Castrol R30. I'm sometimes tempted to put a little in the fuel tank just to get that smell. Much more evocative to me than Blendzall.

 

The article linked is written to draw people to MSN so they can serve ads for revenue, and is very likely written by AI. Facts matter none, the article's just there to stir up an emotional respons and deliver traffic that can be served ads. If you go looking you'll probably find another article on there about how the F-type is the best car ever made.

Seems to have done its job...

 

Not with me. I didn't read it. I won't claim I don't occasionally cave in and follow click-bait, but not this time.

 

The Range Rover Sport and similar are the modern GT cars. You gotta have the ability to go anywhere, have space, have a full size spare, have power, luxury and handling.

The F-Type is the ultimate road sports car. It was never designed to be a GT like the XKR. If the F-type was any sportier; it would be unbearable on urban city streets!🎯

 

Yeah I've never compared to any of the V8 versions because I was never interested in them but those who made a proper comparison seem to conclude that there's a marked difference in weight and balance feel. Same thing of course with the P300.

Did the Hwy 1 from Santa Cruz to LA once, including an involuntary detour to the central valley, but in a boring and comfy car. Still absolutely loved it. What struck me most were the spectacular views. Definitely on par with some of the other most amazing roads in the world like the Route Napoleon through the French alps. Would love to do it again and explore some more American driving roads in a fun car.

Fortunately I've been pretty busy with good roads around here too... this country happens to be a bit of an unknown drivers paradise. Fantastic empty well maintained country side roads on the doorstep and many of the world's most spectacular roads (French, Swiss, Italian alps, the French riviera...) within handy distance. Plus 20 minutes to the nearest derestricted Autobahn, about an hour to the Nürburgring and about an hour hours to Spa Francorchamps. So around here many people including myself actually do bring their nice cars to race tracks.

Yep, the F-Type definitely is the ultimate road sports car with some GT qualities. In my case it's proven to be brilliant for both long road trips and mountain road carving.

 

Pass the Grey Poupon.

 

From everything I can find the V6 weighs between 3477 and 3550 while the 2wd R (used 2017 models) weighs 3814. If accurate that's a significant difference, but I'm not sure where the savings comes from? Certainly the engine isn't 200+ lbs lighter but those numbers are everywhere. Regarding suspension, I thought it was the same outside of the base non-adjustable, no? Tires are an easy fix so the way I see it, if that's true, a stage 3 or 4 V6 is a pretty viable competitor to a stock R and maybe the best of both worlds depending on what you want from it. For what I do the weight difference is very attractive, whereas that extra HP is not that useful.

 

Hmm, was the R still available with RWD in 2017? Apart from the engine I don't think there are many other differing components that could affect the weight. Maybe the exhaust, and maybe the V8 E-diff for some reason weighs more than the V6S's LSD. If you compare pre-facelift and MY18 facelift cars the seats may make a difference. The magnesium based performance seats introduced with the MY18 facelift apparently weigh some 8 kg less each than the old performance seats. Anyways you're right about the suspension. Same adaptive suspension in the V6S, no difference in wheels/tires and brakes either if it's a properly optioned V6S or 400. The models that have more mechanical differences are the 4-bangers and the SVR cars.

 

Hmm think those v6 weights are pretty optimistic. Maybe that is a stripped down base v6 with the smaller brakes and no LSD? Not sure but the weight difference is not that big, and let's face it, they're all quite porky!

A good thread with some real weights: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...hassle-161094/

Comparing apples to apples (ish, like V6S RWD vs V8R RWD) I imagine the feel/balance has some to do with engine weight distribution, some to do with different suspension tuning/alignments, some to do with being able to put your foot down more in a V6 without sending yourself into the hedges.

 

Regarding the OP's article, having spent a considerable time in the area, I generally tend to take most things that come from Redmond with a healthy dose of salt. For example, without pointing fingers, I'd wonder what would might included within a MSN article about computer operating systems, spreadsheets, mobile phone, etc.

Regarding roads, I've done the PCH both north and south of San Francisco many times, and it's one of my favorites - including driving top-down over the Golden Gate bridge in a heavy fog. Still, I've only done the Great Ocean Road in the land of Oz on a bus tour. I was really struck by the uncanny similarities between it and the PCH. I'd LOVE to do that in my Jag.

 

+1 on The Great Ocean Road. Unfortunately I too was on a bus.