Jaguar F-type Convertible
The best thing about all Jaguars is that they become affordable sooner rather than later. So we haven’t had to wait that long for the gorgeous F-type to arrive on our local forecourts at almost realistic prices. You would be bonkers to overlook one of these.
Back in 2013, what the world was really waiting for was a proper Jaguar, so a visually stunning rearwheel-drive, big-engined, fabricroofed sports car was just what the loyal customer wanted to order.
It came with a choice of three responsive engines: a cooking 3.0 V6, a supercharged version and, at the top, a supercharged 4.2 V8. They all worked through an eight-speed auto and had super-fast stats. Even the slowest could get to 60mph in just over five seconds and top 160mph. Proper, old-school performance, then, with gadgets and nice touches like the fantastically noisy exhaust.
Buyers got a lot of kit with the standard V6, so your half-price used F-type will come with keyless ignition, touchscreen infotainment and all the usual driver aids and passenger comforts. It is worth finding an S derivative with that trick exhaust, sports suspension and a limited-slip differential. Lots of buyers reckon the optional 19in alloys are better-looking, plus there is leather inside and a designer console.
There’s a whole range of different packs, too. Some are cosmetic and a bit pointless but others are useful, such as the Visibility Pack, which adds a heated front screen and automatic wipers and lights.
The V8 F-type has just about everything, so if money and fun are no object, this is the model that will depreciate the most.
Not only is the F-type becoming much cheaper to buy, but it is also day-to-day affordable. The 3.0 V6 is supposed to exceed 30mpg, and even the V8 does mid-20s to the gallon if you don’t drive it as Jaguar intended. There is stop/start technology, which is all part of keeping the C02 low for the V6 anyway, because the V8 is always going to sting you in the toppermost tax bracket.
Like most modern-era Jags, they are reliable – and so they should be at just over three years old – but the niggles are minor electricals, condensation in the headlights and not too much else. This is the super-value sports car you always promised yourself. It just might be the best used Jag ever.
This is the supervalue sports car you always promised yourself