In most threads, there is some allusion to the F-Type's "image", and the fact that it's a relatively new car, but it doesn't have all the silly stereotypes or assumptions that other cars have (yet).

In that, we can definitely control what eventually becomes the image of the "F-Type Driver". I think about this a lot, and sort of in context of the Audi A4 commercial (I love it, and totally consider myself the good driver):


I saved for 10 years for this damned car, and I am not going to allow us to be grouped together with tools, bros, etc.... supercar owners, drifters, road racers, pompous jerks, etc. I let *everyone* go in front of me. Where I grind out traffic in my Jeep and don't let lane cutters and jerks in (I don't give an inch), I routinely have a 2 or 3 car buffer in traffic whilst in the F-Type, letting people come and go, merge and weave, at their leisure (even entitled jerks that use exit lanes to jump traffic... SCREW those people). I let multiple people turn while I patiently wait at crowded intersections with stop signs, etc... I give up parking spots to other people... you name it. I am literally thinking "check the privilege".

I want F-Type owners to end up looking like sophisticated people that adore their cars, *&* other people's love of *their* cars, all the while having fun. without being an entitled idiot.

So, that's a long intro to ask:

1) What do you do to reinforce what "An F-Type owner" actually is?

2) Is there any existing notion of what an "F-Type owner" is starting to become, or be defined as? I assume it's not akin to BMW or Challenger/Mustang owners, etc.

Just curious. No one has been shallow or silly enough to ask this yet, but it *IS* mentioned in most threads, in one way or another. Just thought I would ask, because I can't be the only one this self-absorbed to think about this LOL

 

I too think about this and purposefully let people into traffic and try to be as courteous as is safely possible.

 

Uncle Fishbits, no offense intended, but your post strikes me as just weird.

You describe yourself as “self-absorbed.” I would say, to the contrary, that you're other-obsessed. When you say that you “think a lot” about the image of the F-Type owner, what you’re saying is that you’re overly concerned with what others think of you.

I too drive differently in my F-Type. Not because I expect or want my driving to affect the popular image of F-Type owners, but because I’m more mindful of accidents, scratches and scrapes.

In your F-Type, you write, “I am literally thinking: ‘Check the privilege.’” This reminds me of another recent post of yours where you confess, if memory serves, how unconfortable you feel when others look at your car. If, as you say, you saved for 10 years to buy your F-Type, where’s the “privilege”? And even if you didn’t, where’s the “privilege”? So you spent more than Civic owners. That’s nothing to feel guilty about, and it’s nothing for which you need to apologize.

You ask: “What do you do to reinforce what ‘an F-Type owner’ actually is (italics added)?” Here you’re assuming that they actually are what you want them to be: “sophisticated,” etc. No doubt some are. Just as surely some are not. In any case, the popular image will be determined by many factors, and many drivers. So when you write: “I am not going to allow us to be grouped together with tools, bros, supercar owners, drifters, road racers, pompous jerks, etc,” I wonder how you’re going to prevent that from happening. If 90% of us drive like “bros” or “road racers” then that’s what the image will be. If 90% drive like self-effacing doormats, then the image will be quite different. If you alone drive like those in any one of your categories, then what you will or will not allow is just foot-stomping.

 

Frenchy, I believe you are over-thinking this. In a perfect world, it would be nice if we weren't lumped in with the image of the BMW and Acura drivers.

 

I don't think at all about the collective image of F - type owners but I do worry that it is easy to personally look like a tool in this car, it is a luxury sports car that grabs attention and makes a lot of noise.

I do mostly do as you do and make sure I am courteous and let other drivers merge and don't cut people off etc. no need to attract the attention of ********* and road ragers and cops etc. it try to unleash my less socially responsible side when there are less people around.

 

Unhinged wrote: "In a perfect world, it would be nice if we weren't lumped in with the image of the BMW and Acura drivers."

If that happened I would henceforth drive only at night, say after 1:00am, and in disguise. Then I would sell my F-Type, because, as everyone knows, image is everything.

 

Wait, Acura drivers are a thing now ?

 

Here in the DC area they are the worst.

 

Like your thinking...

I think, convincing a potential buyer to purchase your car after 1:00am dressed up in a disguise might take some effort though

 

I'm going to leave all this "image" stuff to Jaguar's marketing department. Worrying about other's thoughts and opinions of you and your car seems a little self-absorbing.

 

I'd try not to look like a douche, but the s#it-eating grin I have on while in the car isn't helping.

 

I really dislike 'check privilege' nonsense. This is part of victimhood culture and I don't subscribe to it.

 

There are so few F-Type owners that I can't really see a stereotype forming.

 

This is a weird thread.

 

I don't particularly think or modify my behavior in any of the cars I drive. My in-car personality is mine and not dictated by what brand I am driving. I like to think I am respectful of other road users especially in built up city areas, and have fun when the roads are more deserted and quiet

Would you change your behavior and personality if you were driving a BMW, Honda, Jaguar, Toyota or Porsche? Answer should be no, I don't think you should have to create a personality for driving a Jaguar.

If you drive like a douche its likely to be irrespective of the brand you drive.

 

I am a black 32 year-old in a F-type, I am sure I am setting no stereotypes for F-type owners. And this is a super weird thread. Like a thread started on a drunken lonely light.

 

I sign my name in pirelli rubber at the slightest perturbation. Sorry to the rest of ya?

 

Wait one second here... I resemble that remark!!!

 

So I have to be a suit-wearing slick haired aristocrat to drive this car?

 

Not sure why someone has to drive a jaguar to do the right thing, but ok. The first thing do to protect the FType image is to not take yourself so seriously.