As a Jaguar enthusiast and owner of several of the progenitor, I looked forward to my first experience with the F-Type. I have just had some time in the car and here are my impressions: Really nice tech! A bit superfluous, (don't need to set my own speed limiter and some other gadgetry) The design is very nice and I am so happy a compromise wasn't made (i.e. bean counters) with trunk size like some other companies do. It is basically too small to be useful, but if you want a trunk buy a sedan. I love the adjustable side bolsters. I am a three pedal person so the auto doesn't suit me. The v8 I was in was supercharged and has mucho grunt, really packs a wallop and the car seems capable of dealing with it competently. (unfortunately not the driver) the price $104K in the trim I was in. I am pleased Jaguar was able to put forth such a worthy effort. Comparing to my v8v: Tech is better, execution of tech worse, too busy and in your face. The seat comfort and driving position are outstanding and will accommodate anybody: nearly equal to v8v, a tad better in some respects, but lacks two lumbar supports. A pillars are a little obscuring of the drivers view, but no worse than any other car of it's type inclusive of AM. The interior just has a little too much of the "made easy to mass produce feel" (IMO) but, far superior to many cars arriving on the market, but IMO, not close to AM. The DBs were contemporaries of the early e-types. The VH platform cars are the contemporaries of the F-type. History lends perspective. I would definitely like an F-type, and also believe the E-types place in history unchallenged.

 

The F-type is a nice attempt, and the bean counters were kept at bay in all but the most impotant area for this type of car - the proportion. The car is too tall for its length........A shame really.

B+ could do better.

FF

 

That is one of the reasons I wanted to see it in person, and did not scrutinize when I went and came back as it was raining and parking didn't avail a real good look. Also, the car was a not so pleasant orange ( Wilmington, De dealer) and did not encourage me to linger. Dimensions make or break ( Honda S2000, new t- bird, etc )
Will take another look, not in the rain

 

I saw it in person at the Shanghai Auto show. It was lined up alongside other jag sports cars from the past. I thought this was a nice idea but it actually put me off the car as it really highlighted its awkward height....even in this Jag pic from the show, which is taken from a perspective that masks its height, the overall stubby look of the F-type is still plain to see.

 

I saw it in person and sat in it, overall the car is very well done. Odd that it will start out costing as much as a Boxster and end up costing as much as a 911.

This car will do very well.

 

Well, almost everyone...... I drove a red 6 cylinder last week (sounded awesome!!!) and just couldn't get comfortable. Worst part when you adjust the seat back and/or the the entire seat to its rearward limits it automatically moves the seat FORWARD about four inches and you cannot stop the forward movement!!!! Worst part, it does it while you're driving! For me, at 6'-5" tall, it moves it sooooo far forward it's dangerous......

When I sat in the car a few months ago at a Jaguar event I fit just fine. Dealer thinks that car did not have the sport seats like the one I drove did have?

I'm a Jaguar fan too (have an XJ Supersport) and am really disappointed. I was actually thinking about trading my DB9.....

 

^^^^ did you mean sport seats or the performance seats? I went to the Jag dealer yesterday to see the XJL (how do you like yours). They had an 8-cyl F-Type there and I thought it looked damn good. Of course the sales manager saw my Aston and confessed he thought the Jag would be a step down.

 

Not sure on the seats. The car I sat in did not have the sport pack and the one I drove did.

Absolutely love the XJ. We've had several performance sedans including Alpina B7, S8, S55 and Quattroporte Sport GT. The Supersport is far and away the best in every way. SOP performance, comfort, quality, reliability, value and in my opinion looks.

BTW, after driving the F-type, I too believe it would be a downgrade.

 

@ FatFrank, Wow, never saw that pic before. Not at all flattering. I think Jaguar would be wise to not do that again. It makes me regret selling my last E-type. Makes me thankful AM got the Vantage right.

 

It's funny, I had a similar thought. Jag created a car that would span and compete with both Porsche models depending on the trim. Having said that I have been told by Jag people that the S version with 380 HP is the best balanced and most fun. So after configuring one I came to 90K. Doing the same thing with a Boxster S, I came to 88K. So I really see it more of a Boxster level car than a 911. The V8SC version really tops out at about 105-110K. I would challenge anyone to configure a 911S cabrio to the gills for that number.

What is most interesting though is how many of us have taken a look at this car. I am slowly considering an understated car for more daily use. I have had 3 BoxsterS's and they keep coming to my attention. I was hoping that the F type would present me with a legitimate 2nd option. My RR dealer has one but I have not had the opportunity to get a peek. It will be interesting to compare them back to back. It would seem that we all had high hopes for the F type. There is a bit of Aston Martin sprinkle on it but just like margarin, spenda or cool-whip, it's just not the real thing.

 

I know, I tried to find a pic of the lineup at eye level - that perspective highlighted even more that it is not really any sort of credible comparison to the E-type. As Penguin says the car will sell well I'm sure, but it just does not have the looks or proportion to compete with an Aston. It is a good mainstream car, well of the mark of an exotic. That said, I'm sure my wife would like one.....

FF

 

Went back to the dealer yesterday and sat in the V8 F-Type but did not drive it. I've got to say that I really liked the cabin, seats, controls, materials and thought it was a very nice car overall. Don't think that it looks too tall as others have said. The trunk, however, is a joke. I think it's even smaller than the one in my MX-5 DD which I didn't think was possible. I didn't try the car with the roof up, so I don't know if my head would fit. Overall, it would be a big step up from the Miata as a daily driver though. :-)

 

I accidentally drove the F-type V8-S today while seriously considering a newer Aston Martin.

It is a brilliant car. I'm average height (5'-10") and so I fit nicely. Things were simple and intuitive-ish. The steering wheel sucks, lots. But the drive is soooo nice.

If I were buying one, I'd likely prefer the V6-S just because I simply have no use for the idiotic power in the 8.

But when I rolled back to the showroom, I still couldn't take my eyes of of those Astons.

Dear Aston Martin, Please make a new, more better than ever Vantage that cleanly smokes that really nice new Jag. Thanks.

 

They have. It's called the V12V S.

 

Jag is no longer Jag to me...........