I've been looking at a couple of 2018 F Type R's that have less than 500 miles on them. So I'd have to assume they've been parked for about two years. Should I be interested, or is the engine a ticking time bomb because all the rubber bits have gotten dry and the fluids have started to eat through the plastic? Thanks

If its been inside it should be OK. Still is on warranty right? The rubber won't deteriorate THAT much indoors as whatever coatings/mold release compounds are unlikely to have worn off.

And the engine will be OK (the lightweight oil used in the F engines pumps up quickly to where it is needed).



If it was outside all this time (dealer lot in LA) I'd inspect it carefully, though. Stuff like interior/dash leather, headlamp coatings, etc HATE UV and heat.

Assuming that the car has not been sitting in the sun for 2 years, there should really be no problem except that the battery will have a shortened life. If I were to buy such a car I would insist on a new, fully-charged battery being installed -and the term "fully-charged" is key. These cars need full voltage to all the multiple modules for proper operation and performance. Infrequent use and short runs lead to an undercharged battery -and that leads to issues. The solution is easy: start with a fully charged battery and keep it fully charged by using a battery maintainer such as the CTEK unit when the car is not being driven. Result: no issues.

Yep, the battery is the only real concern; the whole "deteriorating rubber/plastic bits from sitting" is largely an urban myth and all things being equal, the lower mileage the better. I've had 40 year old collector cars with the original belts, hoses, wires, etc. and my 2000 motorcycle was purchased 3 years ago with 577 miles on it - the only things it needed was a battery and tires, everything was original and mint.

Dave

Unless the cars have been sitting in extreme temperatures (hot or cold) for 2 years, shouldn't be a problem.

...I wonder how long the average new car sits from assembly to final sale....hmm..

Dave

Unless you are time-traveler from 2040, I wouldn't worry about 2018 car sitting. Absolutely worst case would be the car left baking in the Texas sun for 2 years, in that case you may have some plastic dash fading.

Wouldnt worries me as others say

Have dealer provide date of manufacturer (I think there is a label on the car in door jamb) and the in-service date. It is likely that the dealer bought the car and put it in service. If car was sitting over a year after being placed in service, dealer should have changed the oil. Warranty may have also started if placed "in service". All good things to know. You may also be able to get a CPO on the car. I don't think fluids would be eating through the plastics.

I bought my volvo s60R nearly 18 months after its production date (who would have thought that a manual high powered volvo would take a long time to sell?) and it was perfectly good. It only had delivery kms on it when I took it.

One thing I would check on - has the warranty period been started? Dealers have been known to punch the warranty before a car is sold. It's not a deal-breaker, but you'd like to know what you're getting. You may also get them to throw in extended coverage.

I purchased a new 2018 model year F type manufactured 2/17 in late 2/19 for 30% off of sticker. I've had no issues with the car except for what uncheel mentioned: despite assurances from the salesman that the warranty would not start running until I purchased the car, I came to find that the warranty actually started early January 2019. I'm not sure why salesperson felt the need to be deceptive on this as I would likely have purchased the car anyway but I was unhappy to find that I had been misled (which came to light when I reached out to Jaguar USA to confirm the in service date on my car). Jaguar USA woudn't budge on resetting the warranty date but the dealership did send $500 my way to make up for the "confusion."

As an fyi, you can likely get a CPO added to a car that has been "punched" (put into service) by dealer. I was offered an additional year for $1100. In hindsight I should have taken it. 4 months had expired on my 76 mile new car when I bought it. 5 years goes quick when you're having fun.

thanks all

mind if i ask what dealer? thanks

If you're considering purchasing a 2018 F Type R with less than 500 miles on it, you shouldn't be worried about the engine being a "ticking time bomb." The rubber components and fluids should be fine, and the engine should be in good working order. However, it's always a good idea to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before making a purchase.

Last year I started to be interested in jdm import cars and found a great Supra sitting for 3 years in Japan. After an inspect, all was alright, and I bought it. I had no problems with it.

It will be fine. Have the dealer service department clean/prep it, new oil, recharge/check the battery and replace if needed, check things, get the warranty corrected/extended so you have at least 5 years of real warranty if not more, get new wiper blades (my pet peeve on old rubber...they can get hard and then streaky). Have fun. Hopefully it was indoors but modern materials are amazing.

Pssst...this is a three year old thread.

Don't you hate when that happens!

Reminds me of the time I went on a 20 minute rant with my ex- and was finally able to say all the things I could never put into words only to find out that the call dropped about two minutes into the rant. I called her back and I don't think I ever heard her laugh so hard.

I guess some things are better left unsaid...