Scotty, no matter how much I try to get my wife to change her mind, she is set on a Jaguar F-Type as her dream car (over 7 years ago she decided, and the time has finally come to honor a promise to her). Unfortunately, I do all the maintenance on all our cars and always have. My experience is mostly with Hondas and Audi (which I agree with you on, btw), but I have always heard awful things about Jaguars and Land Rovers. Being as they are the same company, what are YOUR thoughts on the F-Type? Is this going to be a nightmare for me to work on? I've been on the forums and the guys who own the F-Types seem to like them, without too many obvious issues. And the reviews from Edmunds, etc. seem fairly favorable. But those things can be very deceiving, so I'm asking you if you'd ever do what I'm contemplating, and even if you wouldn't, what advice might you have if I go to purchase one? It'll be a used for sure, as I cannot afford a new car (and think it's a waste of money to buy new). I'm leaning toward a 2016 or later, as they were first made in 2014 and I tend to find that the first year or so tends to have kinks to work out. As far as the model, the plan would be an "S" or "R" model, which typically is either a supercharged V6/V8 or a turbocharged V8, depending on the year. Thanks so much for such a great channel!
Here's the deal on the F-Type:
It is a beautiful design, arguably one of the best out there right now. In supercharged form it is a blast to drive as well. The drivetrains, for the most part, are relatively solid. I'm saying relatively as they are not Toyotas or Hondas. But they also aren't Fiats.
That being said....it is a Jaguar. We do a lot of electrical repairs on these cars and as they age, you can see some interesting things happen as the wiring goes nuts. They are also extremely difficult to work on as the panels and clips are very delicate.
It also has a very, VERY cramped interior. I'm 6'9", so everything is cramped to me. But my lead Jaguar tech is about 5'10" and he has to squeeze in. Everyone's body type is different, so I suggest you definitely have the wife sit in one and see how comfortable she is.
They are not DIY maintenance cars. Oil changes, etc. maybe but electrical issues, computer problems, etc. require a very expensive scan tool, as well as someone who knows what they are doing. Neither come cheap. Parts are also high dollar and often not in stock with a decent lead time.
They can be fun toys. I would recommend one ONLY to someone who is driving it weekends only around town. If you do get one, I strongly advise you keep the battery charged as they don't like low voltage conditions. Also, these cars are tail happy and the rear can come around on you easy if driving spiritedly.
Bottom line: They are beautiful cars that have the expected quality draw backs, expensive repairs, and they can be a handful for the unexpecting driver.
Mod, this is a very helpful post. It is definitely a reminder to beware if I go this route. I appreciate this.
You're welcome. Glad I could offer you some insight. 🙂
Unfortunately, I do all the maintenance on all our cars and always have
If she wants it, let her do the maintenance
IF only :). That said, this is a promise I made a long time ago, and I'm not about to break it. Just want to see if I can get her to change her mind vs. dealing with what may well become a headache. I like the meme, though!
@kaizen has a good idea
This is an English car. If you know anything about English car makers, you know that they have only a rudimentary understanding of electricity, they can't seem to make gauges that work and haven't yet figured out how to keep their engines from leaking oil. This will be a vehicle that will spend more time in the shop than on the road. I hope your wife likes to walk and has you on speed dial. The only time these cars look good is when they are parked. The F in F type is for FAILURE.
Thanks for the thoughts, Doc. I'll definitely keep your considerations in mind.
it's an Indian car now
In PITA scale, it's better then Maserati, but worse than the Audi's you are probably use to if any major problems appear. Also luxury car tax. Fun-ish car to drive. I still like my bmw and benz's better though. Good luck is all I can say. In terms of what to look out for, they seem to always have suspension issues. And then being a 3-5year technology packed car. Computer systems in luxury British cars ain't the greatest...
Thanks, Bruce. Good comparisons. I enjoy my Audi a ton, but it is finicky in ways I have never seen with Hondas, Toyotas, etc. And the Germans just seem to never want the car worked on. Almost as if they expected you to throw it out at the first sign of wear and tear....
Maybe @Mod_Man can chime in since he deals with exotic type cars. Anything I've ever heard both from people who own them and their overall reputation for decades is that they turn into serious money pits when out of warranty. (At least the unreliable electrical systems on the old ones from British Leyland days were simple.)
You'll be working on it a lot. And it will cost you a lot of money.
I recommend test driving the Lexus LC before test driving the Jaguar. No pressure to buy it. Don’t even try to sell the Lexus. Just let her see it, drive it, and feel it. Don’t say a word. Then go test drive the Jag. Ask her what she likes better.
If she switches to the Lexus, amazing. If not, prepare yourself for the Jaguar.
But make sure it is her decision, with no pressure from you either way.
I love the LC, also. This would be my first choice. Gonna give this another try.
With "semi-reliable" cars, like the Jaguar or Land Rover or BMWs, Scotty's standard line is to lease one, not buy it. These cars are generally OK for the first couple years, and then you walk away.
Please do not buy this car. Please do not buy any Jaguar in general. The computers on that car are the most complex today; more complex than the German's in my opinion. If she really wants one, just lease it.
Lease it if you have to get the car and pray that your wife changes her mind before the lease ends.
