If you were following the news last week from the LA Auto Show, you're now aware that 2015 is the first and last year that the Coupe R has RWD and hydraulic steering in North America. Maybe it's the hopeful purist in me, but I *think* that this particular configuration may just be more desirable than the 2016+. If that's true, resale on the 2015 should hold strong and might even appreciate.

Thoughts?

 

If you're talking long term, probably not. The RWD V8 configuration is still being produced in other parts of the world, and 25+ years from now will be available for import making them less special. Also if the AWD version significantly out performs the RWD variant (which it very well may) collectors may desire the AWD version more in the long term.


If you plan on selling your car in the next few years it will probably command a higher used car price for those who specifically want the RWD version, of which there will be some. I wouldn't call it an instant classic quite yet tho. I wouldn't count on it appreciating either. Its not that limited.


There are alot of people out there saying Jaguar made a huge mistake with the standard AWD, and they very well may have. But how many of those people are potential customers and how many are just talkers... If they made a RWD version of the Nissian GTR, I imagine it wouldn't out sell the AWD version. The F type could very well be the same way. Only time will tell.

I personally wasn't going to buy one unless it was AWD, but that is only one person

 

Need to see how the AWD system performs. If it becomes like the GTR (awesome performance but clinical feeling) I can see the RWD being more coveted.

 

Well, we already have the following fact:

- The AWD system doesn't engage until the rear wheels lose traction.

So, 98% of the time that you're driving around, you're doing so with 176lbs more weight than the RWD variant for no reason at all.

As for performance, they could have designed the AWD system with the track in mind, or with snow in mind. My bet is that JLR went this route to be broadly appealing, rather than to double-down on the "performance enthusiast" market. They need to sell these cars in large volume more than they need to set the fastest lap times at the nurburgring. If that's true, they might be successful in selling to the ~50% of the USA that experiences inclimate weather, but will be less successful among the narrow (but vocal) performance car nut crowd.

Yes, AWD can perform better at the track when designed to do so (e.g. GTR), but that doesn't mean AWD cars are always faster than their RWD counterparts (e.g. BMW 335xi vs 335i...BMW doesn't *do* performance AWD systems yet). Porsche offers another good example with their GT3 being their fastest track-purposed vehicle, while the Porsche Turbo has even more power and AWD, but clocks in slower around tracks which have turns on them.

I hope for JLR's sake that they sell a ton of these AWD variants, but believe they'll actually be lesser performing than the RWD Coupe R now facing extinction.

My .02

 

Another known fact that supports the assertion that they're optimizing for snow/ice with the AWD system is that they've raised the ride height by .2".

 

I think that if the side by side performance is poorer, then the MY15 Coupe R will be sought after for awhile.

I like to change cars frequently but may hold onto the F-type longer if the resale of the Coupe drops as fast as the MY14 V8S has.

 

Seize the day! Use your car and wait what are the magazines will be saying earlier 2015. A lot of people suffer by anticipation. I believe no one here bought the F-Type to be a daily driver, that was disposable income that car lovers/enthusiasts often do, now why complain?

 

Not so fast, I bought it as a daily driver. It is my only vehicle.

 

Same here!

 

Plan on mine being a DD as well...

 

Likewise here.

 

I very much doubt that we've heard the last of the RWD.
I think Jaguar's strategy is to keep offering variants of the F-Type to fully leverage the platform, so we may very well see RWD re-emerge in a lighter GT style high performance model, a hybrid electric variant, etc.

 

I think they will back step on this decision and give people a choice; however, I think that RWD will be hard to get in the Northern states.

 

Wonder what stratedgy is to pitch '16 while barely selling '15 model year due to lack of on the floor inventory?

 

All AMG is going AWD in US, which is a great improvement for the handling. Most Audi's are AWD, now that A3 series is opening range. So Jag decision seems in line.

 

It really depends on where you are. A quick check of a couple local dealer websites shows that there are plenty of '15 F-types in stock here in SoCal. 39 at my dealer alone.

 

Apologies here, I underestimated how many people bought it as a DD. I use the GTI as a DD, since I don't have the courage to put this wonderful car as an every day driver. Now on a different subject this weekend I just backed it up the Evoque on my neighbor's car. :-((

 

I would be more concerned about the electric steering than the awd. When I was shopping for a new sedan, the difference in the BMW 5 series between the awd 550 and the rear wheel drive was the awd still had hydraulic steering and the rear wheel drive electric. I would not have purchased the electric as it had no connection to the road. I bought my X F on the driving experience as the primary factor. I hope the switch to electric doesn't mess with the best feature of jags.

 

Audi's lower powered models are AWD because their alternative is front wheel drive which is not really a viable luxury offering in the USA.

 

Is the new AMG GT going to be AWD? For some reason I thought it was going to be RWD?