Hi Guys. I have just bought a 2016 F-type convertible 340hp, it is still on the water from Japan. Red of course to match my red XK, no I won't be selling my XK, a much better car.

I shouldn't have bought the F-type because I am 86, but I wanted one, that is a good enough reason. Could someone tell me the Ground Clearance? It is the 340hp model. I am not as flexible as I was in my younger days, it is fair to say it will not be pretty watching me getting in and out.

Cheers
Trevor from New Zealand

 

Trevor, having owned a beautiful XK as well as an F-Type, I can say that they are both superb automobiles and very different from each other both in purpose and behaviour. Neither is better nor worse than the other.

The entry form: bum in first, then the legs!

 

Yes, you are quite right. Different cars for a different purpose. The XK derived from the XJ, a gentleman's cruiser. The F-type is a pure sports car going back to the roots of what made Jaguar famous. I feel privileged to have the best of both worlds. Space, Grace, Pace.

Yep, I practiced today in a friends F-type. Without telling him I had one coming.

 

About 50cm to the seat level, depending on where you have it adjusted to.

 

Thank you. I will manage that quite well. Not much lower than my XK depending on where I measure the seat.

Thanks again

TrevorNZ

 

Yeah having gone from a XKR to the F Type, it does feel lower and you kind of plop into the seat when you get in. But then the seating position is closer to the end of the door so you dont have to open the door as wide to get in and out, which makes it easier in garages and car spaces.

I love the XK too, I think my perfect garage would have an XKR-S in it as well as the F Type. I flirted with getting another XKR when I tired of the Mustang earlier this year, but ended up with the F Pace SVR instead which has really grown on me.

 

I love this. The passion for automotive still burns ;-0 Congrats on your new F-type.

Don’t know the exact clearance, but the stock height is at least not dragging everywhere. It is very liveable on the road I find. Very rarely do I ever find myself having to think I’m gonna hit. For looks I would like it to be lowered a bit more, but for practicality no thanks. I prefer the stock clearance.

A friend of mine has some lowered bits on his V8 Vantage, and he is often dragging out on the road.

 

As having both the XKR and a F-Type V6S they are different vehicles. The XKR is a GT and F-Type is a sports car. I prefer the F-Type more its so much fun and exciting and a offers a better driving experience. XKR is fun as well but having them both and when driving the XKR I would always be wanting more and thats where the F-Type comes into play. Back to your question I believe the XK is lower to the ground at least my XKR was when I had it it was lower by like a inch to the ground.

 

@TrevorD
Are you worried about scraping the undercarriage when driving, or ease of entry?



Scraping the undercarriage is possible, even at the stock height (no lowering), This is a function of approach angle.

Fortunately there are the sacrificial 'lips' under the front that often rub. These cost me ~$100 USD when I replaced ours, but I understand the price is now a lot higher.

A couple of scrapes and you will 'learn' how to approach your driveway apron.

Part of my yearly service routine is to smooth the frayed bottom lip(s) with sandpaper while the oil is draining.

+++++++++

Regards entry and exit, If the car you are purchasing has the 3-memory power seats, all you need to do is program one setting to fully 'down and back' to ease entry. Tho' an alternate strategy for exit would be to program one setting higher, so that you only need to easily fall out.

If you are apprehensive about ease of entry and exit, go to a Cars & Coffee where there are Lotus Elises. Those cars are a worst case scenario, and a challenge to people who are 25 years younger than you!

 

You don't get into a Lotus Elise - you put it on!

 

I had more trouble taking it off. I asked to get past the velvet rope a at the SF International Car Show and was able to get in with difficulty, but egress was anything but elegant. I had to literally crawl out. The Evora was only marginally better.

Still, you wouldn't need to ask we twice if I wanted to flog one down my favorite country road.

 

I'm 6'3 and I have to get into my coupe butt first, then swing both my legs in.

 

Mine's RHD so I put left leg in first, then butt on seat, and right leg in last. If it's good enough for Harry Metcalfe ....

 

I'll try that next time i drive my F-Type, try setting your seat lower then you won't have to squeeze under the steering wheel so much but not too low otherwise people will think you are a dwarf or moving the squab back a few inches ( back rest ) ( 50mm) when you get out and resetting it when you're back in the cabin..however, the steering wheel does lift up when you get out..🇬🇧

 

Thank you for that advice. I will try by having the seat high, less distance to "drop" down, or take your suggestion and lower it to help get my legs under the wheel. I wasn't sure if the steering wheel rises like the XK, if as you say, it does, that will be a big help. Sliding the seat back may also help.

It will not be my daily runner so if I have to fiddle with the seat to get out and in, so be it. I guess I am a bit silly buying a sports car at my age, but I have always wanted one and couldn't resist the red convertible when it came up. And WHY NOT. It will be a great mate for my red XK.

I will sit back and wait till it comes now and try out the different ideas.

Cheers, TrevorNZ

 

Getting into the convertible is much easier if you can do it with the roof down. You don't have to try to duck your head/torso under the roofline and you can grab onto the top of the windshield frame to help raise or lower you into the seat.

 

Thanks. Yes, that is one of the reasons I went for a convertible.

Cheers