I've been missing all the fun!
I quite liked the short drive I had with the F-Type R... but at this time in my life its really not for me.

Usually, I'm taking longer drives. Need a small suitcase, laptop bag (and maybe golf clubs or skiis). It just doesn't seem as comfortable in the F-Type to me.

 

+1 to Ralph, above, and others who've pointed out the apples-n-oranges nature of the question.

I've been thinking the same thing myself lately, FYI . Not about an F, but about the age of my car. I'm gonna hit 80K in a few weeks. And it was pointed out to me that my in-service date is on my service invoices, which looks like September 2009. 11 years on it now.

For me, two critical issues:
- my XKR is not only my daily driver, it's the only car I own.
- I take LOOOOOOONNNNG road trips. Like behind the wheel for eight hours for days on end.
For those reasons alone, if I go to another car, the F-type is not even on my list. It's a great Second Car, but I need the spaciousness and comfort of the XK interior.
I still sniff around at newer XK's.

Having said all this: I made my decision two months ago when the car REALLY needed new tires, and rear breaks were getting close.... I still have the car. Between the tires and rear pads-n-rotors, which are being done now, I'll be out about 2 grand. So I'm sticking with it for a while.

For you, I'd offer one observation: the fact that you posted this says more than you think. Sounds like you had a good run with the XK, and it's time for something new for you.

P.S: I drove this car and liked it-- but it's a lateral trade in terms of age, and I'm REALLY not in the mood to give California another four grand in sales tax....
https://www.privatecollectionmotors....ca-id-37012521

 

Not a potential F-Type customer right now. But out of curiosity, someone mentioned expensive problems with it. How does it compare to our X150s? If I'm asked about my car, special problems besides what all cars have, I mention very sensitive to not fully charged battery, duckbill and valley pipes. Not a very concerning list. What would be the same answer from an F-Type owner?

 

F-type is my first Jaguar, when I was shopping I was mainly considering sports cars - 911, C7, GT-R. Clarkson review had me give a Jaaag a chance. My previous car was an SL550, but I wanted something more performance oriented. If Jaguar simply released X151 instead of F-type I would not have given it a shot.

Now, this is not going to be popular message here, but if you are after a grand tourer experience and is on a budget, you can't do much better than R129 (last year 2001) Mercedes. Newer SLs are unfortunately woefully unreliable. I driven an SL for many years, and it is always an uncompromising luxury. One of the cars I regretted not keeping around forever is R129:

 

F-type is slightly more reliable than X150 as all the drivetrain fixes over years that went into X150 are there from day 1. For example, water pump failures are at the "what all cars have" rate instead of being a pressing concern. Think of F-type as XKR-S+

Yes. Supercharger coupler rattle and no duckbill-like issues. The cars equipped with LSD (yes, a number of F-types have a true mechanical LSD that would bolt-on onto most Jags) are prone to differential seal leaks, but it isn't "every one of them will leak".

 

Friend of mine has one from the late 90s, amazing car. I very nearly bought one, if I was into collecting cars it would be high up on my list.

 

No doubt a good car, but so boring to look at. Not even in the same league as the X150.

 

which is why, as someone not into cars, I still had to have an X150...

 

Absolutely. Few cars have more beautiful, flowing, elegant lines. Grace, space and pace indeed. Jaguar have made two truly beautiful cars in modern times - the E-Type and the X150. On looks alone, the car gets my vote. Then add in everything else - comfort, performance, reliability, running costs etc etc and it's easy for me to understand why I can't see me ever getting rid of this car, no matter what else I may decide to buy in the future.

 

The old boy living in our road when I bought mine told me he was a big fan of the e-Type, but that in his opinion the X150 was the more beautiful car - up to that point I always thought I was the only one with that opinion. Mine comes out for a trip to Le Mans once a year because its the cool thing to do going in a sportscar; the rest of the time I just look at it - it just looks good enough to serve that as a solitary purpose, its the reason I had to have one. The performance was an unexpected bonus, very good for a car, but when I want fun I take one of the motorbikes for a spin.
Never thought I'd buy a whole car just to look at, but I did this.

Conversely I met an independent who has a new megga money Ducati in his office - yet he doesn't even have a motorbike licence - he said it's an "ornament". Clearly there are people who see vehicles as art just for looking at.

 

I must have edited my sentences into the wrong order so it looks like my comment about the F-type doesn't do that might have applied to what should have been a standalone sentence in another place.
The F-type simply does not match the peaceful aura that the XK interior in Caramel with wood trim gives off.
Jaguar didn't make the F-type that way, and most mass marketed cars these days are no longer availible with such an interior experience either.
And if I want a faster car with better handling I own that too.

I think the important thing to keep in mind is that the question is being asked of "trade".
If anything trading both my 'Vette and XK for a 2+2 Ferrari would be on the table.
Although the Ferrari would be much heavier than the 'Vette it would still have a good 'Git to it while keeping the tan leather interior of the Jaguar.

After this the directionn of Mercedes changed.
Mercedes after this do not hold appeal from me.
I do wonder if I'd want the V12 model, would have to drive one some time.

 

I can understand that. It is a truly beautiful piece of automotive art. I think the E-Type is a beautiful car too, but it's a moot point which is the most beautiful - that or the X150.

What is it with Ducatis? I know someone too who has an unused 901 hanging on a wall in his house! I have to admit, it looks amazing like that (it's red).

 

I know and fully agree. I stayed with Mercedes way too long, should have jumped the ship much sooner.

Well, this is complicated. While more is better, in both R129 and R230 chassis that offered V12 it was too much power (and a very high premium when new). Mercedes naturally aspirated V8 (both M119 to M113) found in nearly all modern SLs, from 500SL to SL550 are wonderful engines - flat torque curve with instant power from 2000rpm. However, SL platform was always tuned for comfort so the car was always too soft and too quiet to be a sports car, even V12 and/or AMG versions. In most years you had to step up to AMG to even get a LSD.

So with V12 you are paying a lot (upfront and/or with increased costs of maintenance due to complexity) to see traction control light flash more often and to have more weight upfront. At least at legal speeds in US. I was told, but never experienced it firsthand, that SL600 really shines at autobahn.

Personally, I never felt that my SLs were slow, but I always felt that they were too heavy and too traction-limited. In this way SL is a very comparable car to XKR.

 

It is understandable with the Ducati.
Ride it once and reason might dictate not to ride it twice; then remember that sensation every time you look at it.

 

I'd trade my XKR for a Project 7 (if I could ever afford one).
That's the front grille the F-Type should have debuted with.
I'm not a fan of the horizontal bar across the grille on all other F-Types.

 

+100 on this. I had a 1999 SL500 before my XKR. It was at 135,000 miles-- just hitting that point where these cars begin to become a project. (I also find that, maybe it's some combination of the plastic and who-knows-what, but at some point these cars get that Old Mercedes Smell.) I actually might go loot at a 2001 tomorrow, but I'm finding that people are holding onto the good ones. I heard 2007 - 08 were also good years - no? I posted about this one which was a SWEET ride, but maybe too much car...
https://www.privatecollectionmotors....ca-id-37012521

 

Before my 2009 XKR Portfolio, I had a 1993 600SL, the first V12. The side panel cladding and bumpers originally were gray, and I had them resprayed white to match the monochrome 1994 model. Later, I upgraded the standard 16" wheels with 18" AMG Aero wheels. Like the Jaguar X150, the MBZ R129 is a classic, timeless design.



I gave it to my son, who lives in Dallas, TX and he still has it. But that didn't get him to change his mind; he still doesn't forgive me for selling my 1960 Corvette (bought new) to buy the SL. I sold it because I didn't want him to drive a death trap; it was too fast - modified with a 327-365HP engine, Holley 3310, Mallory distributor and capacitive discharge, long-tube Hooker headers, 4-speed transmission, and 4.11 Positraction rear end, and factory off-road exhaust. Over 400HP and just 3,000 lbs, it was a hoot to drive! I never should have sold it. The color is Honduras Maroon, first introduced in 1960. Also, a classic design.

 

In years to come the X150 vs e-type will be a more widely recognised debate I feel - at the moment its just the e-type because everyone just knows that as it is - herd mentality and all that.

The Ducati 916 is like an elegant work of art. I rode one once, and couldn't give it back to my friend fast enough (I cut short our 10 mile trip to just 2 miles). However, only last night I found myself looking up spares or repairs Ducati 916 or similar to have as a static ornament - they just look damn handsome. Crazy idea, until you consider I seem to do exactly the same with X150 aside from the trip to Le Mans I make in it.

 

Beautiful Corvette. I understand you regretting you sold it. We all have a car we regret selling I believe. Mine is my 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT. They fetch up to £500,000 nowadays - I am too embarrassed to reveal what I sold mine for in 1979 The Dino is one car that I think is even more beautiful than my XKR.

I don't have a photo of my car on my computer, but it was the exact same car as this one, also in Rosso Chiaro (Bright red).

 

Ouch...no words

I regret very much selling my RS2000 Mk2. It was the biggest disappointment of any car I've ever had, but that didn't stop them peaking out at £40,000 pre-covid here in the UK - I would have enjoyed selling mine so much more at that price. Semi-regret selling the Mk1 Astra GTE, but not much. As with the Mk3 Supra Turbo - you can't keep everything, and anything I did have would have had to make way for the ultimate as it did - the X150.