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Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Jaguar F-Type Buyers Guide

The Jaguar F-Type is Britains answer to the Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz AMG GTS & SL-Class, Corvette Z06, and Audi R8. They were offered in Europe since 2013 and the United States since the 2014 model year with the goal of replacing the XK, Jaguar’s long standing coupe platform that ceased production in 2015. When equipped with the R’s 550hp V8, they are very capable dailies and weekend vehicles, even on the track. The well known crackling exhaust note is appreciated by most and is seen as a major selling point of the F-Type. They perform far superior to the XK being a smaller, more agile, and lighter platform. 

2014-2015 model years are identical. 2016 featured minor tweaks to the trims available, 2017 introduced the SVR trim, and 2018 brought forth a facelift. 

Analyzing Target Vehicles

The expectation for most luxury vehicles is for them to depreciate 50% in three years. Jaguar is special; it depreciates closer to 40%-50% in two years. While most people make the assumption that this is a bad signal from the brand about how they retain value, I would beg to differ. Depreciating 50% in one year allows for less room for the value to fall, resulting in a lower cost of ownership, especially purchasing around the three year mark and selling at four. This makes them perfect as hackable vehicles. 

For the sake of what is the most desirable and easy to hack due to lower volume, we will examine the 2014-2015 Jaguar F-Type V8S & V8R, 2016 F-Type V8R, and 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR. 

2014-2015 F-Type V8S and V8R

The 2014-2015 Jaguar F-Type was the first two years of its production and the only years of RWD V8s. The V8S and V8R are the only V8 models produced in these years, and they are the easiest to hack as there is always a demand for V8 F-Types, and they are at the lowest price point. Options are very clear cut and easy to spot on these, making them easy to filter through when searching for the perfect target vehicle. It is important to understand that unless put on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, these RWD V8s lack significant traction. 

The V8S is the convertible version of the V8 packed with an ample 495hp. These come less loaded with more options available to choose from than the R. Do not look at vehicles lacking the Vision Pack, Premium Pack, and Performance Pack. These vehicles are known to sit and sell for several thousand less than their loaded counterparts. The Black Pack is strongly encouraged as this helps these sell faster since it gives a little bit of a more sleek look. The 770W Meridian Surround is also a nice touch and highly recommended as most cars out there have the upgraded audio. The Suede Interior Pack is incredibly rare, and it offers an ideal chance to do a scarcity play. The same can be said for the cars with the CCM brakes, they are very hard to find on the convertible. Both options are strong indicators that the vehicle is incredibly loaded. 

V8S Options (bold is necessary) 

  • Black Pack 3 ($400)- Gloss black front grille surround, side vents, and window surrounds 
  • Suedecloth Interior Pack ($2,100)- Suede interior (very rare option) 
  • Vision Pack 3 ($2,100)- Adaptive front lighting, intelligent high beams, rearview camera, blind spot monitor, and front parking sensors 
  • Climate Pack ($600)- Heated seats & heated steering wheel 
  • Premium Pack 3 ($800)- Garage opener, wind deflector, Climate Pack, heated seats & steering wheel 
  • Performance Pack V8S ($2,950)- Performance seats, red brake calipers (easy to spot), flat-bottomed steering wheel, active exhaust, interior black pack 
  • 770W Meridian Surround Audio ($1,200)- Distinguished from base Meridian by saying “Surround” below Meridian on the speakers 
  • Extended Leather Pack ($1,925)- Windshield pillars, sunvisors, console, dashboard, door panels 
  • Design Pack V8S ($3,500)- Body colored front splitter, aero splitters, side skirts, and diffuser 
  • Design & Black Pack 3 ($3,900) 
  • Red Leather + Performance Pack ($6,450)- Performance Pack with entire red interior 
  • CCM Brakes ($12,000)- Calipers are yellow and are only on the “Storm” style of rims 
  • Performance Pack w/CCM Brakes ($12,950)- Performance Pack with carbon ceramic brakes 
  • Red Leather + Performance + CCM Brakes ($16,450) 
  • Suedecloth Upper Environment ($550)- Suede headliner, pillars, and sunvisors 
  • Active Exhaust ($1,500)- Stand alone option when there is no Performance Pack 
  • Heated Front Windshield ($350) 
  • Red Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Camel Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Illuminated Treadplates ($450) 

 

The V8R is the coupe version of the V8 packed with 550hp. Generally, these come well loaded with little options available and standard with the 770W Meridian Audio, Premium Pack, and Performance Pack. It is necessary to purchase one with the Black Pack, Vision Pack, and Panoramic Sunroof. I would avoid those with suede interiors, the coupes sell better with leather seats. 

V8R Options (bold is necessary) 

  • Black Pack 3 ($400)- Gloss Black Front Grille Surround, Side Vents, and Window Surrounds 
  • Suedecloth Interior Pack ($1,000)- Suede Interior (very rare option) 
  • Vision Pack 3 ($2,100)- Adaptive front lighting, intelligent high beams, rearview camera, blind spot monitor, and front parking sensors 
  • Extended Leather Pack ($2,200)- Windshield pillars, sunvisors, and headliner is leather 
  • Red Leather Interior Pack ($2,500)- Pretty much red everything on the interior 
  • CCM Brakes ($12,000)- Calipers are yellow and are only on the “Storm” style of rims 
  • Red Leather + CCM Brakes ($14,500)- Combination of Red Leather Interior Pack and CCM Brakes. 
  • Suedecloth Upper Environment ($550)- Suede headliner, pillars, and sunvisors 
  • Heated Front Windshield ($350) 
  • Red Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Camel Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Illuminated Treadplates ($450) 
  • Powered Tailgate ($750) 
  • Panoramic Glass Roof ($1,200) 

2016 Jaguar F-Type R

The 2016 year models had very few but major changes to the F-Type. First, the V8 trims moved to AWD rather than RWD. This addressed complaints about the vehicle having too little traction due to the torque, resulting in many unintended slips when driving (I can personally attest to these on the RWD models but have found it to be fun). Also, there was no split between the V8S and V8R in 2016 like in 2015. The models joined together to make the R convertible and coupe that could be had only in the 550hp V8. This resulted in the doing away of the Performance Package, optional 770W Meridian Surround Sound, and Premium Pack, all that now come standard on Rs whether in convertible or coupe form. The deletion of these options essentially makes 90% of 2016 F-Type Rs hack worthy. 

A notable reason to consider 2016s over their predecessors is that the factory warranty is bumped from 4yr/50k miles to 5yr/60k miles, giving educated buyers an extra year to wait out depreciation before picking up an F-Type with full factory warranty benefits. 

R Convertible Options (bold is necessary) 

  • Black Pack 3 ($600)- Gloss Black Front Grille Surround, Side Vents, and Window Surrounds 
  • Suedecloth Interior Pack ($1,000)- Suede Interior (very rare option) 
  • Vision Pack R ($2,100)- Adaptive front lighting, intelligent high beams, rearview camera, blind spot monitor, and front parking sensors 
  • Extended Leather Pack ($1,100)- Windshield pillars, sunvisors, and headliner are leather 
  • Red Leather Interior Pack ($2,500)- Pretty much red everything on the interior 
  • CCM Brakes ($12,000)- Calipers are yellow and are only on the “Storm” style of rims 
  • Red Leather + CCM Brakes ($14,500)- Combination of Red Leather Interior Pack and CCM Brakes. 
  • Suedecloth Interior Pack ($1,000) 
  • Black Brake Calipers ($450) 
  • Heated Front Windshield ($350) 
  • Red Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Camel Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Illuminated Treadplates ($450) 

R Coupe Additional Options 

  • Panoramic Sunroof is standard (these cars sell quicker than carbon roof examples) 
  • Carbon Fiber Roof ($3,200) 

2017 Jaguar SVR

Next, the SVR is the most powerful F-Type produced with 575hp. These SVRs are more expensive, slightly more powerful with 575 hp, have better aero, and have a top speed of 200 mph. As a result, these are the most collectible, and they have the most clout. 

They come fairly well optioned no matter what. The Exterior Carbon Fiber Pack and CCM Brakes are very desirable, especially together; however, they are not necessary if the price is right. Most SVRs have neither of these packages. 

SVR Convertible Options (bold is necessary) 

  • Extended Leather Pack ($2,200)- Windshield pillars, sunvisors, and headliner are leather 
  • Red Leather Interior Pack ($2,500)- Pretty much red everything on the interior 
  • Sienna Tan Leather Interior Pack ($2,500)- Pretty much tan everything on the interior 
  • Exterior Carbon Fiber Pack ($4,000)- Carbon fiber hood louvers, side vents, mirror caps, front & rear spoilers 
  • CCM Brakes ($12,000)- Calipers are yellow and are only on the “Maelstrom” style of rims 
  • Black Brake Calipers ($450) 
  • Carbon Fiber Center Console ($750) 
  • Heated Front Windshield ($350) 
  • Red Seatbelt ($350) 
  • Illuminated Treadplates ($450) 

SVR Coupe Options 

  • Carbon Fiber Roof ($3,200) 

 

Special Mention

The Jaguar F-Type V6S Coupe specifically with the manual is considered a potential future classic since the manual has been discontinued. There are very few out there (11 total for sale pre-owned on Autotrader in 5/2020), and these cars received fantastic reviews from automotive journalists, many preferring them to the V8 variants due to their balance. If you consider picking one up, I would follow similar parameters to what I have listed for the V8S and V8R trims. The most desirable examples have the Body Design Pack providing body colored rear diffuser and side skirts. If you want a next level rare example, find one with the Body Design Pack and CCM Brakes (yes, the CCMs were an option on the V6S Coupe). 

Ownership Experience

We have owned two 2015 F-Type V8S Convertibles and have loved every minute of owning them. After selling the first, we couldn’t find a superior vehicle without doubling the price. Therefore, we bought another as a replacement, except this second one is a super rare spec being the only Convertible V8S I have EVER seen with suede interior. It’s difficult to justify spending double the cost for a reasonably similar competitor- the F-Type V8 is just so much car for the dollar. 

In regards to reliability, our 2015s have been problem free after a combined 30,000 miles of driving, similar to other JLR products we have owned. I’ve brokered several other F-Type Rs and V8S in the past, and all owners have reported the same findings. 2014s are known to still be working out some issues as they are the introduction of the F-Type, and some 2016s have issues with the AWD system. Buy the 2016 under warranty and there is little to worry about, the warranties are quite comprehensive. I believe going with the 2015 is one of the reasons ours have been so reliable since it is not the first year model. 

Now, it is important to know that the Convertible trunk space is incredibly small. This is something you may want to consider if this will be your primary vehicle. When in Dynamic and Sport, the car is incredibly engaging to drive, and it encourages you to drive like a maniac. It’s certainly more of a power heavy sports car rather than a proper GT. The exhaust is absolutely nuts and requires no modification. Overall, it’s a great car that can keep up with most exotics, still turns heads, and is relatively quite reliable. 

General Information

The Carbon Fiber Roof is not a sought after option on the coupe, it is better to go with the Panoramic Sunroof. Be aware, some 2015s can be found with just a painted roof, avoid them at all costs. They bring noticeably less money and are difficult to sell. 

Carbon Ceramics (CCM) are relatively uncommon but are not overwhelmingly desirable. Jaguar F-Types have the capability to be proper track cars, but most buyers are not seeking to track them, so CCMs only bring added value to the right buyers. With that being said, I am friends with someone who has a hell of a fun time tracking a 2015 F-Type R with CCMs, and he notices a difference. Replacements are around $8,000, so I would be cautious and only purchase those with lower miles. 

The Design Pack on the 2015 V8S and V6S Coupes are very desirable but not a necessary option, these vehicles always sell quickly. In general, the Suede Upper Environment gives a much more expensive exotic feel than all leather, so consider this when looking for the perfect target vehicle. 

The 2018 year models introduce new infotainment and options including a new style of performance seats. The 2018s are not low enough yet on the depreciation curve to be hackable, so I have not included information on them since the information is not relevant. 

Make sure during a PPI that the health of the coolant system is checked. The coolant reservoir and housings are all plastic/rubber, so they are known to deteriorate overtime and cost about $2,500 to replace through a third party. This is consistent with all JLR products that have the Supercharged V8. It is important to go through a third party not only because it is a significantly lower repair bill but they can also replace the coolant systems with more robust parts that eliminate any future concern. Other than this one coolant issue, there is very little to worry about on F-Types. 

Also, check the condition of the rubber interior pieces & buttons like on most Jaguars, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, etc. It is near impossible to find an F-Type with purely perfect buttons unless it is 2 years old, just make sure not to buy an example that is really torn up. It’s not that hard to find these with still relatively clean buttons. If they become sticky over time, like they have on mine, there are some low cost DIY fixes you can do to clean up the buttons. 

The ideal mileage range on 2016s and 2017s are to buy with 20,000 miles and sell at 30,000 miles. 2015s can exceed this recommendation and be driven from 35,000 to 50,000 *if* the price AND options are right. 

And there you have it, all the information you need to hack your next F-Type! 

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