By the time you are done adding all of the options you really want on the car (because let's face it, it's a luxury sports car) you are going to be in the 75k range. The reduced base price is a perceived value that's merely designed to attract new buyers who may think that the F-Type is unattainable for their budget... it's Marketing 101. I doubt they are going to sell many cars with these few options.

 

According to the GM at my dealership, your doubts are unfounded. Lately, he's been ordering only base F-Types for his inventory with few or no options because he says that's the best-selling model and the one with the best resale value. They now have 10 such cars in stock, with no S or R models.

He used to order mostly S and R models, but they sat for a long time, yet he always sold his base cars relatively quickly. This is the same dealer that just delivered a Project 7, which was chronicled here, but, of course, that was a special order.

 

Interesting, because the average price of a base on Car Gurus is about 75k,meaning that most dealers have been ordering higher optioned cars.

Why would a dealer order a bare-bones car for their lot and down-sell? If I was in that position, I would reserve the lower optioned car for a last resort, special order and be sure to quote it at full retail in hopes of upselling the consumer to the higher priced car off the lot (even if at a slight discount off MSRP) and ultimately enhance my overall profit.

 

http://www.cnet.com/news/jaguar-f-type-sports-car-price-cut/

Cheers to more in the club.

 

I suppose they do it because that formula is working best for them given the way JLR compensates their retailers, which I think has more to do with units moved than it does average sales price. They also do it because that's the F-Type model that sells best for them.

Annapolis JLR is a very successful dealership owned by the Penske group and located in a state with the #1 median household income in the US, 30 miles from Virginia, and Wash, DC which are also in the top 5.

 

+1

 

Yet, another reason why one would think they shouldn't have to down sell ... being in an area like that you would think that they would be selling more vehicles at the higher end of the range. Unless back to my point, they draw consumers in with the lower base then upsell them. They could have less high end models on the lot because they reserve some of their allocation for special order, higher end cars models. Then, not discounting them / discounting less than they would a car off the lot that may not be the perfect combination a customer wants.

I do understand your comment as it speaks to sales volume in relation to allocation. Ultimately though the highest profit margin lies in the premium models.

I assume the will probably be little room for negotiation on a bare-bones base model car.

 

EDIT: I see now that 2 threads were merged into one.

 

I understand your point in theory. However, if those high-end models aren't moving, there is no higher profit margin.

I've been watching this dealer's inventory for more than 2 years now, and saw it shift from S and Rs in the beginning to all base models today. I've seen the higher-end models sitting for long periods of time.

I've gotten friendly with the GM so I asked him about it, and he simply said, lower-end, base F-Types sell much better. There isn't a huge market for high-dollar 2-seaters since they are considered by many as "toys." On the other hand, people are willing to pay more for an expensive car that can be justified as "practical." He moves boatloads of six-figure Range Rovers.

 

True that... though I do love my toy!!!

 

I am sort of joking, but selling this car without the Vision pack is dangerous, and should be illegal. LOL

I got the base v6 but factory built and ordered, with all my options, ended up late $80's =)

Your post is spot on... the car is easily the greatest *value* of any high end sports car, and it's entry price is *just* close enough it may be attainable for some enthusiasts that otherwise would stare at Astons or Porsches all day.

Dropping that few grand in price will only appear in the places people are already looking at cars, and *really* plant that seed. It's an incredibly smart move, but 101 like you said.

 

The vision package is completely unnecessary with the convertibles. I can agree for the coupes.

 

I agree. I see absolutely no need for it in the convertible. I've been doing just fine for 1-1/2 years and never been in a situation where I felt like I needed it.

I also think they will sell a lot of the "stripped-down" base models. Car forums generally aren't representative of the car buying public, at large. Enthusiasts frequent the forums, and being "car crazy," they tend to spring for more options and spend more money in general on all things related to their "disease." I'm certainly afflicted as well, but I'm also a big fan of simplicity and carrying around as little weight as possible for things that really don't enhance my pure driving enjoyment.

 

My observation out west is that the R coup is the best seller. Having said that my dealers stock is split between base and S now when he never had much base in stock. His R's don't last long and all of his R conv. have been pre sold. Probably Jag wants more units sold and that low advertised lease is always on a base.

 

Again, I think judging numbers from this forum is misleading for reasons I stated above. I don't see many Rs in dealer stock anymore, but there were many more when the R-Coupe first appeared. I'd bet the V6 outsells the V8 by a very wide margin nationwide.

 

More info on the new base model (from a JNA bulletin given to me by my sales associate):


included - 770W meridian, GPS, SXM, InControl, sport seats


differences compared to F-TYPE PREMIUM (last year's base):


1. fixed metal roof (no panoramic option)
2. no driver memory for seat, steering column, or mirrors
3. manual folding mirrors
4. 6-way partial electric seat (as opposed to 14-way full electric)
5. no keyless entry, adaptive headlights, or auto-high beam


Options:


1. climate pack (heated seats and wheel)
2. interior is jet/jet sport seats only, jet fascia, console and door trim - no other choices
3. exterior - Polaris, caldera, ebony, storm grey, or rhodium
4. Wheels - 18" vela, no other choices


On 2017 convertibles, trunk space has been "reconfigured" to add 0.3 cubic feet of usable space.

 

That's just a return to the spec on the 14 base. The only difference is the original base cars had the 380w Meridian.

 

I sure as hell wouldn't want that car...

 

I wouldn't want it as a coupe either, but then again, was never interested in the coupe. However, as a convertible it's perfect.

 

I agree that V6 is probably more overall, but it was just a recent observation about the few dealers I keep track of.