Top Gear was not impressed.

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/...pe-convertible

 

That isn't Top Gear, that is toop geer. The only Top Gear review that matters:

 

Apparently the general public isn't paying much attention to the new "Top Gear." I was running some errands today and only got 3 compliments on my nearly 8-year-old F-Type.

 

A truly dumb review...they found the V8 over-powered, the convertible trunk too small (so why did they not test the coupe, which has ample room...uh...and isn't the F-Type a sports car?), find the interior just fine but still claim here as in every other aspect of the F-Type (but with no substantive complaints) - that time has moved on...and then this most beautiful of all current sports cars is once again said not to compare with the 911; after a 50-year production the Porsche bloody well should be perfected, no? And the lima bean shape of the 911 and its siblings is never mentioned as having outlived its interest.

 

If the F-Type were introduced today, it would be lauded as innovative, nostalgic, brash, beautiful, intoxicating, and fun, fun, fun. And it always was. And always will be. TopGear are right... the new models aren't significantly different from old, and that production won't last through the decade. But Jag has tried to cover it bases with regard to what its customers are after (looks, drivability, power), and they have done a respectable job. It would have been nice if the review celebrated the best in class of a dying breed and not focused on the small delta of technological advancement. I hope we all soak up this F-type experience as much as we can before they disappear forever.

 

Well said...except that I would even say that regarding the looks, driveabilty and power, Jaguar has done a far more than respectable job. It seems that no review of the F-Type can end without the automatic and subservient claim that the 911 is better...where I live, Porsches are almost as common as BMWs, which means almost as common as cockroaches. The F-Type, in contrast, always attracts a lot of attention not only because of its beauty but also because of its rarity. And the fun aspect never gets old, does it?

 

Different strokes - different folks. Different cars for different purposes. The styling, power and sound is what got me. Porches are a dime a dozen in my area. Unless it's one of the rare ones (read $$$$) it doesn't raise an eyebrow around here. However...my 2017 R vert is constantly getting thumbs-up, admiring looks and compliments. The handling limits of most modern performance cars is WELL beyond what can reasonably be explored on the street. I've got a miata for that and it's an absolute blast! The Jag is a for going out with the wife on a warm summer night with the top down (The car, not her - mostly and great tunes playing. Don't know about anyone else, but what I remember most about my favorite cars is not only performance, it's the memories they produced. That is their true value.

 

Actually, I find the review quite honest and to some degree, accurate. And nearly every critique they have about the car perfectly captures why the F Type is so incredibly lust worthy. "Old school driving experience" Check. "That’s a tricky balance to hit, and it gave older F-Type’s a TVR-esque feel: muscle, noise, drama and the ability to catch you unawares." Check...and even better, we get TVR excitement without the foibles. "This is a deeply quick car, capable of 0-62mph in 3.7secs and a limited top speed of 186mph. But treat it with respect. Don’t go out and expect to be able to use full throttle everywhere." My gawd, what the hell else would you ask for? I do take issue with this though, "It’s just as well that the interior design is decent. It used to be fabulous, but time has ticked on and the F-Type’s materials and quality haven’t, which means you cast your eyes around a little disappointed at what your money has bought you. The shaping of the centre console, the driver-centric layout and dash is all good, we have no issue with the joystick-style gear selector and the air vents that rise up out of the dash top add a welcome bit of theatre. Updates to the on-board infotainment mean Jaguar has just about kept pace with its German rivals." That is drivel...if it was fabulous DESIGN yesterday, it remains so today. And will be tomorrow as well. Carry on.

 

Lima bean stying... Love that! Can't get excited about the Porsches. Too common and too "I don't know anything about sports cars, but I have a lot of money, so this must be the sports car to get".

 

I have had a couple 911's and will say I love them and hope to buy another one soon. They are just a different animal. The 911 handles so much better than my R but again the R has the raw power, sound and acceleration that I couldn't get or feel out of my 911's. It is why we have variety in life. I just cannot compare a 911 to a Jaguar F Type. They are like apples and oranges.

 

well said and i wish more could understand that!

 

[QUOTE=Whatsnext;2370550 The 911 handles so much better than my R but again the R has the raw power, sound and acceleration that I couldn't get or feel out of my 911's. .[/QUOTE]

The curious thing is that the V6S is probably closer to the 911 in handling compared to the V8 (R)...it is universally admitted to be better balanced than its more powerful sibling. But yes, the Porsche and the Jaguar are different, and so they should be.

 

Sounds like you just did compare them!

 

I think the reviewer has the wrong mindset. Think sporty GT car, not hard core sports car (although many lament 911s bloating toward GT status as well).

Listen to Harry Metcalfe.

 

Great review - thanks for posting: Now, one question remains: why would anyone buy an Aston instead of the F-Type unless it was merely as a prestige tool?

 

I can tell apart in a blind test $50 and $500 Scotch, but not $500 and $5000 ones. Can you?

 

I'm pretty sure I would fail the Scotch test. My wife says I can't tell the difference from drinking out of the hose vs drinking out of the toilet. Your point however, is well taken...

I find these comparisons interesting. It's all about performance and handling but there are may other factors affecting a buying decision. For my fun cars, I value uniqueness above all else. That puts the Porsches way down the list around here. In my view, the F-type is a much prettier car, has more personality, much more attractive interior and all the performance I need for the street. I'm not going to race anybody so track times don't mean so much, but I do enjoy an exhilarating drive from time to time . I'm not going to drive anywhere near the car's limit on the street- too many people on bicycles and wildlife to contend with. I might enjoy making a little noise in town and occasionally light up the tires if situation is right. So comparing new model to new model, I see these cars to be close. The F-type strongly leads the 911 for uniqueness and fun factor, and the Porsche leading by a slight margin on performance and a large margin on depreciation.

I only buy used to get a fair bit down the depreciation curve, To make a dollar for dollar comparison between my 2014 F-type V8S with 23Kmiles, I would need to look at 2006/2007 911 with 50ish K miles. How do you suppose that performance comparison would go? If I choose a 911 of 2014 vintage and similar mileage I would be looking at 2x the price. I could own the F-type and a nice SUV for Porsche money to compensate for the F-type trunk space. So comparing used to used, the F-type wins fairly easily in my view.