Sometimes the auto trans comes with a V8. Just sayin.

 

Yeah, I considered going to a Vantage manual (previous shape) to get both. But more money, less goodies, very dated tech, reliability concerns put me off. I modded the F Type instead.

 

I considered that same thing. When I asked myself if I thought an out-of-warranty Aston Martin as my only car was a good idea, the choice was clear.

 

If you haven稚 been through this thread, take a look. At some point, it discusses how many MTs were actually shipped to the US. Be glad you池e not in Canada!
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...s-more-234970/

 

What a great question. It will not be a primary car, though in warmer months as a practical matter I use it nearly daily. My area is rural so traffic in which a manual is a hindrance is a non-factor. These factors would favor manual...but...I already have an 2006 SLK350, a not-so-rare car with a rare-ish manual transmission. The obvious thought has been to sell the SLK when I find and buy the F-Type, but I guess I could rethink that and keep both. But...nah. LIfe痴 too complicated. I just want the one fun car.

I could just keep this one....

Current ride...

 

As I’m sure you have already realised in your test drives the FTYPE in all configurations is a night and day difference from the Merc. I have an SLK as well but only because SWMBO demanded it and its a sometimes fun car to throw around but the Ftype just is pure raw joy. My choice came down to general driving conditions since I never intended her to be a garage queen. I ultimately decided that the AT made more sense foe most of my “routine drives on the highway and in traffic but my back road adventures in PA, MD and Maine were just as much fun with the auto. In sport, dynamic and paddles of course. I’ve found that looking at the car that has the color combo I wanted outweighed my need for a third pedal. I know heresy but I can always get a little roadster to scratch that itch.

 

I get it. I would NEVER have considered an automatic fun car until I'd driven the Jag. The auto is awesome. You can be just as much a hooligan w the paddles as a stick and it shifts faster than you can blink. There is plenty enough to keep a driver entertained without a clutch. You get the noise, and enough power to keep you always thinking. Of course, a manual v8 would be a riot, but w the power + manual, that's some nascar sh*t right there. I may get a late model 911 S w manual for that fix. I guess the essence of the nonsense I'm spewing is the auto Jag is fun. It will keep you on your toes. After a week in sport mode you will have zero regrets.

 

Great observations, thank you. Curious, isn稚 the 2014 SLK an auto-only four cylinder? Your point is well-taken, of course, but isn稚 that configuration more fairly compared to the four cylinder F-Type? I rented that 4 cylinder/auto SLK through Turo once and found it pleasant enough, but not comparable to my eight years older SLK 350 with a six cylinder with a manual. I like your observation though that if it ain稚 pretty to you it won稚 matter what transmission it has...thank you.

 

Brilliant stuff. It is a fair and important point. Though I put over 240 miles in one day on an automatic S convertible in Colorado canyons and mountains - and loved it - you can稚 really know until the novelty wears off and you really come to know the car. So you may be right that, a week in, I wouldn稚 miss the stick while loving the color/interior/features. Thanks.

 

Further question: I’ve driven both but don’t remember the answer...does the manual or the automatic trigger the glorious exhaust note, snarls and pops more? Love that, and can’t get anything close in my SLK...

 

I have the manual. Took me 6 months to find one, so I guess I was relatively lucky. She痴 fun to drive. However, not the best MT ever. The Jag auto is a great driver. So, if it was between no FT and an auto FT, I壇 pick the auto every day of the week, esp if I had another stick to drive when needed.

Last thought, if you池e stuck on a stick and serious about buying, color can be changed, unlike options (BSM, etc).

And, since I知 spending your money, you could find an auto you like and then swap once you find your unicorn. Will most likely lose a bit that way but you値l also have had time in an FType and that痴 not a bad deal in any way.

Good luck!

 

This is helpful...thank you. These posts have made me think hard about my experience with the manual when I had one for the day. Looking back my thoughts might be like yours, it was a good manual for sure but perhaps not enough to keep on unicorn searching.

So...with the helpful input of so many...I am changing my search. I am now officially looking for...a Firesand Metallic Convertible with performance seats. Still not easy to find but far less of a complete unicorn, I hope. Thank you all, this was enjoyable!

 

Adding the shortshifter transforms the MT into a unicorn.

 

F-type MT isn't bad at all, while I drove better sticks, they are not that easy to find. I would say F-type MT easily in top 25%, with a 4th gen clutch.

Keep looking for MT, forget about color.

 

Automatics are for Grocery Getters! Manuals are for Sports Cars!
There are some cars that do double duty, and an Auto is fine. But if your want a true Sports Car to tingle the soul? Hold out for the stick.

Just My Thoughts

Jack

 

I started driving in 1970s, guess a few here started in that decade or earlier. Most manual transmission were four gears a few were five speed, auto boxes were three speed without a torque converter lock up.

Auto transmission of the period were known as slush boxes, they were easy to drive, smooth and in my country (UK) were almost exclusively used in luxury cars with large engines, they suited this type of vehicle, smooth shifting, lower efficiency resulted in worse fuel consumption but this mattered little in this segment.

Fast forward several decades: manual transmission often have six gears, ZF auto have eight in our F type.

The torque converter lockup and electronic control of the transmission leads to fuel consumption that's equivalent or better than manual transmission, it changes gear much more quickly than any driver in a manual, it can skip gears, the ZF8HP70 can change down from eighth to second gear when required. In the extremely unlikely case that it's not in the gear that you wish then select the gear you want with the stick or paddles

Comparing auto to manual in the F type is comparing an auto transmission (ZF8) that's probably the best auto transmission in the history of auto transmission with a six speed manual that's partnered with a clutch with well documented problems.

I think I can understand why some manual fans (Unhinged) still have a longing for manual, I believe it's an emotional attachment. Modern high performance cars all have auto boxes or DC automated manuals, there's several reason that can be summarised as more advantages than disadvantages.

I doubt anyone could list any characteristics of the manual box that are superior to the ZF8.

Additionally if the OP rules out automatic on the F type he's also limiting choices to V6.

Obviously personal preference , drive both for an extended period an decide which suits

 

Automatic gearbox belongs on a beige appliance, not a sport car.

 

You’ve received many responses to your inquiry. May I add a few to ponder as to your choice of F types:
vert or coupe, mileage, warranties, maintenance record, v6 base mt, v6s mt RWD or AWD, panoramic roof, v8 RWD or AWD, lower skirts or none, black pack or not, wheel choices. Color of exterior, color of interior performance seats, flat bottom steering wheel, sound system, infotainment system, vision pack. So you have plenty of choices to choose your perfect F type. Good luck with whatever you choose, cannot go wrong with
a F type.
Frank

 

Completely true for me. I learned this skill of driving manual from my dad. I taught this by-then anachronistic skill to my wife, and then my children, both of whom passed their driver license tests on manuals. And many of the advantages of AT - lightning speed of shifts, for example - don稚 move the needle for me in my particular use of the vehicle. The only reason I must consider automatic is that I致e been looking for a manual with color and options I like and haven稚 succeeded.

 

heh.