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I thought I would share my story with you all. A 30 year dream come true. Some of my first memories were in my grandfathers 1985 Jaguar in classic British racing green. His love for cars clearly was passed on to me. Fast forward 30 years and I currently just got my dream job as an EMS helicopter pilot.
I have been slightly obsessed with the Jaguar F type ever since first seeing one in a Road and Track magazine. I have been waiting for prices to lower and then I saw a few of you recommend to look into leasing. Well, I knew I wanted Manual transmission and i studied AutoTrader for over a year! I finally found a lease for 399$ a month!!!! All boxes checked, White, Coupe, Manual, Active Exhaust! After some negotiation with dealership over how much they were paying for my plane ticket to San Francisco I was in the air! Departed Ohio en route to sign the papers for my new cat!!
I arrived at Jagaur Marin, signed the paperwork and they gave me the keys for weekend to go explore San Francisco! ( I was later shipping car back to Ohio)
It was me, my dream car, and nothing but roads to explore!
However it quickly become night and I realized I was NOT the only one on the road
I became a bit worried about the wildlife, so I pulled into a Hotel. But I could hardly sleep!
Next day I headed down to the Golden Gate to get the iconic car photo with the bridge!!!
Then I saw another F type and an very exited younger driver with his wife. They had rented to car on Turo. I explained to him I once rented an Ftype on Turo and to be careful because next thing you know you will have to own one!
I then decided it was time to go explore the area so I packed up and headed north to Sonoma wine country. I stopped in at the famous Sonoma Raceway!
I went into Santa Rosa for lunch and saw some of the devastation from the recent forest fires. It was simply terrible.
Then It was time to grab dinner and head down to a night in the city! I grabbed a few shots at sunset with the golden gate again and so did some strangers that were simply in awe of the car!
Driving Manual on the hills on downtown San Francisco I was reminded why no one wanted to buy this f type for over a year. Steep Hills and Manuals simply do not get along.
After exploring San Frans downtown Nightlife and seeing a few spots, it was time to head back to the Hotel. I flew back the next day to Ohio. The car was loaded and ready to follow me to her new home. An unbelievable first weekend, with an unbelievable car.
Thank you all for your posts and help over the past few years. I simply cannot believe I now own this car! Dream cars do come true!
I do have to ask why you wouldn't take the opportunity to drive it all the way home yourself? No way I would take a plane home when I had that to drive instead!
Approx, two reasons. First I would have had to pay California Sales Tax If I drove it home. Also I was needed back at work, so it had to be a quick trip.
GORGEOUS CAR! I bought my car out of state and drove it home and I only paid Ohio tax.......................
So glad you had a good trip - Marin County is the wealthest in the USA and I'm sure you saw why Did you enjoy 'new car row' Sometimes, it is hard for me to look
Thanks! Loved those roads up north of SF. Insane remote and twisty fun!
Marin was great, beautiful area. I was shocked by the attention the car got. I knew I might get a thumbs up or two a day. But It was amazing how many people wanted to ask me about it.
911 Where in Ohio do you live? Do you own a F-type! Im in Columbus Area.
I drove the same road myself and had a splendid time too. There were some Camrys, SUVs, beat up Toyota trucks, and soccer mom mini vans in front but I turned out, waited a few minutes and caught back up with them. A couple times, the drivers ahead turned out and let us go. I gave them a thank you gesture. Did this a few times.
Another fun drive to take is in Southern California on the Pacific Coast Hwy and Mulholland Drive. I think I'd like to do that next year.
Funny thing about the Golden Gate Bridge. The locals and surrounding areas consider it just as another mode of transportation and only stop to enjoy it when friends come out ! There was a Jaguar meet that went pretty far west to a missile site which is now tourist attraction. The tourists were taking pictures of the Jaguars and much as the scenery.
It would have been nice to spend two weekends out here but it looks like you got a good chunk out of it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your journey.
Oh, and Konigen: which auto row are you referring to?
Last edited by Jagged Wire; Nov 6, 2017 at 03:11 PM.
Reason: Grammar, added content.
Approx, two reasons. First I would have had to pay California Sales Tax If I drove it home. Also I was needed back at work, so it had to be a quick trip.
Speedski It was with $2,000 down.
Interesting, I had no idea about the tax. Thanks for the explanation, learned something new!
Thanks for sharing your story. I remember your inquiries over these past months and even more pleased that this great forum was of help. Also congrats on the great new job and thank you for serving as a first reponder!
The Forum here was a total game changer! It is an absolute wealth of information. As you know, you can find things from peoples reactions, to which color leaper looks best. I also have literally 4 YEARS of forum posts to keep reading!
First things I will be doing.
-Xpel Clear Bra
-Window Tint
-Possible Chrome window trim and side sill delete (change to black)
-I really loved the red seatbelts but have not found a cost effective way of changing the color.
Funny about Ca and tax. I bought in Rancho Mirage and they wouln't let me take possesion in Ca. So I made a deal where they gave me a loaner to drive to Vegas while a valet drove my new car . We trade and after some paper work he drove the loaner back. No extra charge just the 280 miles. In Nev we only pay tax on the difference between the trade and the purchase price. Another dealer was willing to just hang a 24 hour tag and let me drive it straight out of state, I would have to have gotten a Nev, temp at the DMV next day.
Two years before I got mine, I won an auction where I got a weekend with an F-type (a V6S vert) and did that same drive. Except I kept going to Mendocino! Anyone out that way should take Comptche-Ukiah road back to civilization, it was spectacular!
But it seems like you really maximized your time here, good for you and congratulations!
Thanks! Loved those roads up north of SF. Insane remote and twisty fun!
Marin was great, beautiful area. I was shocked by the attention the car got. I knew I might get a thumbs up or two a day. But It was amazing how many people wanted to ask me about it.
911 Where in Ohio do you live? Do you own a F-type! Im in Columbus Area.
I drove the same road myself and had a splendid time too. There were some Camrys, SUVs, beat up Toyota trucks, and soccer mom mini vans in front but I turned out, waited a few minutes and caught back up with them. A couple times, the drivers ahead turned out and let us go. I gave them a thank you gesture. Did this a few times.
Another fun drive to take is in Southern California on the Pacific Coast Hwy and Mulholland Drive. I think I'd like to do that next year.
Funny thing about the Golden Gate Bridge. The locals and surrounding areas consider it just as another mode of transportation and only stop to enjoy it when friends come out ! There was a Jaguar meet that went pretty far west to a missile site which is now tourist attraction. The tourists were taking pictures of the Jaguars and much as the scenery.
It would have been nice to spend two weekends out here but it looks like you got a good chunk out of it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your journey.
Oh, and Konigen: which auto row are you referring to?
The Forum here was a total game changer! It is an absolute wealth of information. As you know, you can find things from peoples reactions, to which color leaper looks best. I also have literally 4 YEARS of forum posts to keep reading!
First things I will be doing.
-Xpel Clear Bra
-Window Tint
-Possible Chrome window trim and side sill delete (change to black)
-I really loved the red seatbelts but have not found a cost effective way of changing the color.
Two years before I got mine, I won an auction where I got a weekend with an F-type (a V6S vert) and did that same drive. Except I kept going to Mendocino! Anyone out that way should take Comptche-Ukiah road back to civilization, it was spectacular!
But it seems like you really maximized your time here, good for you and congratulations!
Story time
Sometimes, it is hard for me to look
! There was a Jaguar meet that went pretty far west to a missile site which is now tourist attraction. The tourists were taking pictures of the Jaguars and much as the scenery.
