Without a doubt, the brakes [not the dust].

I remember the first time I drove a 911 back in the early 80's and it was the brakes that blew me away. After all, is there anything better to have in a car that goes really fast...is a way to stop really fast [and safely]? After that first drive, I tried to come up with reasons [other than cost] why the entire automotive industry did not adopt leading-edge brake technology as a matter of course. I can't even imagine how many lives this might have saved [and how many people would have been spared the dire consequences of surviving a catastrophic accident].

For those chronologically challenged, before anti-lock brake became a thing in the 80's(?), you would commonly hear the long [rubber on paved road] screech of a car locking its bakes, waiting for the inevitable..............................BOOM!! These types of accidents were frequent [especially with hazardous road conditions].

Anyway, I am not saying they are the best out there, but our brakes are pretty damn good and that's a great thing in car that can go so fast, so fast.

 

Interesting you should say this about a car fitted with the smallest/weakest brake package available ("performance" 355 front/326 rear).
Which means the higher spec brakes must be even better, at least in theory.
Thing is my old 2010 XFS had the same 355/326 brakes and it was some 300 lb heavier than my F-Type, but I found the brakes to be plenty strong enough.

 

Not wishing to spend my money prematurely, but will be glad to get, perhaps the Porterfields, for same grip and less dirt.

I like my swiveling auto-dim headlights.

6 speed manual

rear and front alerts, especially the back when in reverse in a parking lot, so as not to get the rear end ripped off

folding side mirrors, when car is locked

ability to change my own oil, without a lift (which I sorely regret selling when we moved)

seat adjustment controls on the door where they are easily seen and used (as opposed to 2018 Corvette's on side of seat base)

This forum with its spectacular knowledge base and willingness to help and advise

 

Yep, my favourite feature is the rear cross traffic alert system.
It has saved my bacon many times when reversing out of a tight parking spot between two boof-mobiles.
It is the ONLY "safety feature" I use or appreciate.

 

I have a base model so I don't have the bells and whistles which I don't mind. That being said...

6 speed manual was the absolute requirement for this car. It's not the best, but there is something so satisfying and engaging about rowing your own gears in the twisties.

And the sound, even a base stock V6, the sound is glorious. With a cold air intake the supercharger whine with the sound is intoxicating.

The first thing I did to the car? Since it's a coupe I got a video rearview mirror which I absolutely would not want to drive without. It's super wide angle so it acts as my dumb rear-cross traffic alert system which is nice.

 

The exhaust note.

/thread

 

I ordered my car to my provided specs. Vision pack, including cross-traffic alert was a requirement. Visibility is, shall we say, less than stellar for anything other than about 60 degrees ahead.

To steal a phrase from Sir Mix-a-Lot, I like big brakes, I cannot lie. I ordered with the maximum brakes I could get. CCM were not available for the 6MT, but I doubt I'd have coughed up the extra coin (a lot of it) for them even if they were. That was another requirement for me.

To the original question though, favorite feature? I think the fact that it's an F-Type is it for me. I was even *this close* to buying an automatic, just to have an F-Type, before the 6MT was announced.

 

I dont know if I would call this a feature, but I really appreciate the non invasive dts is fantastic compared to the previous cars where the power would cut out as soon as there was wheel slippage. I would also say cross traffic alert if I had it. I dont in my car and it makes for a PITA reversing out sometimes. But probably the thing I like the most about the car is the looks.

 

Agreed on all points.

 

I like that the roof only takes 12 seconds to go up or down, and can be operated at up to 30MPH.

Hard to argue with its looks being the best feature.

But I love the powertrain. I think the quick-shift ZF8 combined with the supercharged V6 is a terrific combination.

 

Sound.

Performance seats - the lateral inflation is amazing.

The ZF8HP70. The world's best tranny perhaps....(VAP can even tune it to be a PDK equivalent thing)

Oil change from the top is as pointed out great.

Suspension that can take a 45mph curb strike by design (and wheels with same). Priceless as the roads are not getting better....

The community - it is very different than the Porsche community.....people seem more down to earth.


And unofficially, the look on people's faces when they get a drive in it - even 992 owners.....it is remarkably good and by many estimated, off the track, at least as good as the 992....and it has a big trunk (coupe)....amazing cars. Very much something that will likely be re-discovered in time and get way too expensive like every other good thing...

 

I'd challenge anyone who knows how to properly drive a stick and tried the manual F-type to argue with you. It was also the main reason why I started looking at buying one. The noise and engagement we get far outweighs the extra stuff and weight of the other trims, IMO.

​​​​​Would it suit anyone? Well, I bought it to daily drive on curvy, 60mph roads and in that scenario, it gives you the best experience for the money no doubt.

 

Cross-traffic alert cures a symptom, not the core problem. The best solution is to back into parking spaces whenever possible. Pulling out is so much safer than backing out, always. You have far better control and sight lines this way. Also, when you back into a space to park, you generally have good situational awareness and can safely back-in knowing the surrounding traffic and pedestrians. If you back out of a spot you've parked in, you lack this degree of awareness. Hence, cross traffic alert helps supplement this to bail you out in case you've missed something. I'd rather have far-better awareness to begin with.

I've been backing into parking spots for over a decade now. It really is a better solution (when possible, sometimes you have to still pull in). Just my opinion.

 

Can you post a link to the rearview mirror? Interested in how it's connected, mounted, etc.

 

I have the Jag clearsight mirror in our XE. Unfortunately they are no good for me because I wear corrective lenses, and while looking in a rearview mirror you are essentially looking at something several meters away due to the reflection, with the video (fantastic quality by the way) you are looking at a screen about a foot away, which gives me eyestrain.

 

This is the one I bought, in fact, I've bought it twice as I have one in this car and my Jeep - Well darn, the direct link to Amazon is not working. You can search for WOLFBOX G840S 12" 4K Mirror Dash Cam Backup Camera. Costs about $100 depending on if you catch one of their sales. Looks like there are some newer versions around 120 as well.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow of the setup, it's not "great" looking when you see it from the outside, but I simply don't care as it makes the rear visibility a non-issue.

 

Sound and looks.

 

I agree, besides parking way out there in lots, the back in really does work. I've started backing in more with the F as well as the Golf for all the reasons mentioned.

 

Should always be backing in with anything this low/aero pkg. Unless you enjoy replacing plastics lol.

 

Yep, I understand and agree with all the comments about backing in being the better way to go.
My problem is that I have never been much good at backing in and it's rapidly getting worse due to advancing MS, such that my spatial awareness and judgment of angles etc is pretty much shot to bits now. Even with driving in to a parking bay I really struggle to line up straight between the lines.
For these reasons I find it much easier to "drive in and back out" than vice versa, and so far thanks partly to the reverse cross traffic alert system I haven't had even a minor scrape.