I have a very specific F-Type I want- A single color, Manual transmission, S model, Convertible.

I have been watching for over a year and have not found it. I have alerts on every site I know of, and have a number of dealerships keeping their eye out on them. I found a manual S coupe, and I found 2 manual non S Convertibles.

I'm getting impatient, and can't figure out why I'm not seeing more of them pop up on the market. I almost settled for a 718 Boxster S, which is supposed to be a better drivers car, but it just didn't make me smile like the F-type did, and I felt like i was settling.

There is one of the right color, Manual, non-S convertible that I'm tempted buy now. Should I hold out for finding this car that seems oddly rare? (Or people are just holding onto it!) or do you think I will be happy with a non-s?

I'm really wanting to get rid of my Ferrari because its a pain in the neck to service (I live hours from the dealer so I ship it away for months every time I need anything done, and since its a Ferrari, thats twice a year) I figure the F-Type may not be as reliable as the Porsche, but at least I live near a dealer so I can get it serviced when it breaks!

 

Coming from someone who settled for a MY2017 Premium that didnt really meet my specifications, hold out for what you want or you'll be disappointed that you dont have them.

Examples are as: Limited Slip Differential, Active Suspension, Better brakes.. ETC.

Although you can always just get a VAP tune/pulley if the power is the issue you have.

 

When I was getting all hot and heavy for a R but had to have IRR I seriously considered buying a black one and having it wrapped. Getting a black car and wrapping it would be my preference because the unwrapped bits wouldnt look as out of place.

Which is anecdotally my suggestion to you of considering a black S manual and getting it wrapped to your specific tastes.

Otherwise I agree with Ohwams not to compromise in case you have regrets.

 

Without knowing what it is specifically about the S that you desire over the base model I can't answer that. I know what put me there but what I required may be irrelevant to you.

 

The reason you are having issues finding the right MT is the simple fact that few were ever produced (only about 1000 for the US). Factor into that possibly an unpopular color (green), you’re facing a configuration that someone would most likely have custom ordered as dealers will avoid taking such colors on speculation. Owners with the patience to custom order generally will hold onto their cars.
That said, someone on the forum previously was looking for that specific configuration, (BRG, Vert, MT). I can’t remember whether S was a part of the requirements. It took 5+ months, but we eventually found it. (However, he/she never responded when notified)

 

There are very few of them made. Some years there were no S MT produced unless special-ordered.

The key reason to get S is if you want LSD, while it is extremely important for performance driving, if you don't track it you will be fine without.

 

Also, if we get enough interest, we'll get Quaife to produce a Torsen LSD that you can retrofit.

 

Unless you are a ordering a new car with your exact specifications, you are likely going to have to compromise. What you need to do is to list, in order, your must haves. You cannot have two "must haves" in the same position. Then based off your must have priority, you go used market shopping.

 

This kind of conversation means prices are about to start climbing IMO.

 

You can have my V6S for $150K. One owner. Gently driven by an old lady house. As is where is.

 

Good thoughts, but time is the one factor... i can force a buy now or wait.. how long do you want to wait? I've been looking for a manual yellow Maserati coupe for 3 years now also!

I think MT is priority 1
Convertible is 2
Black interior with orange (preferred) or green (not sure it even exists ) exterior 3
not having base wheels is 4 (I know I can replace them)
LSD is 5
My ego in having an S trim at car meetings and conversations and knowing it's there best drivers car that will probably ever be sold by jaguar is a contender too... Haha. 6
heated seats is 7 (happy wife, happy life)
Backup camera and sensors is 8
Certified pre owned is 9
Within 250 miles of Ohio is 10 but not a big deal.

​​​​​​​I

 

I test drove an NSX about 8/9 years ago​​​​​​. Thought the $18,000 asking price was too high, so I didn't buy... Haha.

6 years ago I test drove a manual transmission Ferrari 360, and decided the $69,000 price tag was steep because it didn't have the wonderful F1...

Both have doubled in price...

 

Life is compromise.

 

I'm happy as hell that I pounced on mine when it popped up last Feb. Hesitation's a killer!
All the good folks here who told me to be patient through the early transmission hassles were absolutely right - it was all worth it.

I thought I wanted black but now I love what I have. Maybe wrap one day... but that will come well after other upgrades I have planned to treat myself with.

I've continued to keep an eye on the Canadian market via a handful of platforms. Granted, this market is much less active than the American one, but nevertheless I've never seen more than 2 or 3 manual S's on the market at once, nationwide. To top it off, I also haven't seen a list price as attractive as what I got.

 

You will find what you want, but it will take time. It took me seven months in 2018 and Polaris White wasn't my first choice but the rest of the car was pretty much what I wanted (MT #1, coupe #2 were a must) and like you location was #10. So, I found what I wanted at West Palm Beach Jag dealership and drove it 1,400 miles home to Chicago area. That was actually fun.

To give you some idea about what you might be dealing with here are some numbers posted on UK forum recently about MT sales in UK:

For Make "Jaguar" Model "F-Type"
----------------------------------
TOTAL New F-Types Registered in UK
2013 Total = 1,218
2014 Total = 2,183
2015 Total = 2,111
2016 Total = 2,230
2017 Total = 2,181
2018 Total = 1,868
2019 H1 = 960 (Q3 data not yet available)


----------------------------------
Of which how many were manuals? / Percentage of total sales
2013 Total = 0 - 0.00%
2014 Total = 0 - 0.00%
2015 Total = 60 - 2.84%
2016 Total = 63 - 2.82%
2017 Total = 33 - 1.51%
2018 Total = 46 - 2.46%
2019 H1 = 4 - 0.41%


----------------------------------
Of which engine splits - V6/P340 or V6S/P380 R-Dynamic (model numbers changed for MY18 - Q1/Q2 2017)
PERIOD - V6/340 - V6S/P380
2015 Q1 - 4 - 6
2015 Q2 - 10 - 9
2015 Q3 - 9 - 9
2015 Q4 - 7 - 6
2016 Q1 - 8 - 4
2016 Q2 - 11 - 9
2016 Q3 - 10 - 10
2016 Q4 - 8 - 3
2017 Q1 - 4 - 5
2017 Q2 - 8 - 1
2017 Q3 - 3 - 6
2017 Q4 - 5 - 1
2018 Q1 - 6 - 18
2018 Q2 - 2 - 11
2018 Q3 - 3 - 4
2018 Q4 - 1 - 1
2019 Q1 - 1 - 1
2019 Q2 - 0 - 2

​​​​​​​

 

Yep, likely exterior/interior color (and location) is what will need to be compromised.

 

There's a black S convertible CPO manual for sale right now, but it has red stitching and trim inside unfortunately. I could deal with almost any other color interior, but red interior with an orange wrap will look pretty awful unfortunately.

It sounds like it's worth holding out for the S, but I may get impatient and put an offer on the non S this week haha

Than you!

 

​​​​​​​Would be interesting to see the numbers for NA.

 

Wouldn’t you know, once you settle for something, the exact match turns up 😶.

I don’t think the OP’s first 3 criteria are difficult to find. Its when you work downward the list.......

 

Unfortunately you convinced me to hold out and wait for an S.

If I get my first 3 + S, then most of the rest are taken care of.... so I'll hold out for it.
I was so tempted by this one: https://lancastercarco.com/inventory...jaguar-f-type/
It LOOKS perfect, just lacking what I want under the hood!

Thanks for convincing me not to buy this one