Vantage or F Type ?
Discussion
Lunablack said:
Jockman said:
BTW, OP, just get a V8 Vantage matey. Great introduction to AM beginner level 
He shoots....... He scores..... Cuts like a knife
I think he wants Michael to join in at one of his caravan 'parties' or something
yeti said:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/jaguar-f-type/ja...
The F-Type and XK series will have manual gearboxes fitted soon... just as Aston seems to be doing away with them.
Rather changes the argument the the F-Type can't be taken seriously as a sports car. What now Jag haters?
Great news, this can indeed change my mind to trade in my Audi for a manual V8 Jag (but the Aston ........ never! The F-Type and XK series will have manual gearboxes fitted soon... just as Aston seems to be doing away with them.
Rather changes the argument the the F-Type can't be taken seriously as a sports car. What now Jag haters?
)
@ Albert As the time for the arrival of the F type gets closer, I had a jolly day out in Manchester on Thursday, at Jaguars expense, along with other prospects / owners / order placed customers, to preview the F Type. It was not an opportunity to drive, but just to look and feel.
Wow, in the flesh this car is truly stunning. There is not, in my opinion, a bad angle on this car. Yes, the front may have a slight hint of Ferrari California - not a bad thing, but overall the style and proportions are simply perfect.
Inside, the layout, driving position, ambience and style are also excellent. Not quite the bespoke feel of the Aston, but generally high quality and well thought out, with a simple interface to be able to jump in and just drive, but also with enough options and gadgets to keep the techies happy.
Criticisms - The door handle feels flimsy - it needs to be more solid and of better quality material (metal / carbon?), gearbox paddles should have a metallic finish (same criticism for XKR) as should the starter button, and the small storage box between the seats needs to be made more substantially, as the ones we viewed were working loose. Bearing in mind the cars on display were pre - production, the quality overall was very good. With a few tweaks before production I am sure it will be excellent.
In terms of price, the V6 models seem to be relatively good value, sitting nicely between Boxster / Gayman and 911 prices. The V8S price is high - £79k, ours as specced is coming in at £83k! When the standard (high) spec is taken into account, and the performance promised (as good if not better than the XKR-S), then I suppose in comparison to a V8V, V12V and specced up 911 convertible - or even an XKR-S convertible, it is reasonable value.
Cant wait to drive one - if it does everything promised, this is going to be another world class car from Jaguar!
Wow, in the flesh this car is truly stunning. There is not, in my opinion, a bad angle on this car. Yes, the front may have a slight hint of Ferrari California - not a bad thing, but overall the style and proportions are simply perfect.
Inside, the layout, driving position, ambience and style are also excellent. Not quite the bespoke feel of the Aston, but generally high quality and well thought out, with a simple interface to be able to jump in and just drive, but also with enough options and gadgets to keep the techies happy.
Criticisms - The door handle feels flimsy - it needs to be more solid and of better quality material (metal / carbon?), gearbox paddles should have a metallic finish (same criticism for XKR) as should the starter button, and the small storage box between the seats needs to be made more substantially, as the ones we viewed were working loose. Bearing in mind the cars on display were pre - production, the quality overall was very good. With a few tweaks before production I am sure it will be excellent.
In terms of price, the V6 models seem to be relatively good value, sitting nicely between Boxster / Gayman and 911 prices. The V8S price is high - £79k, ours as specced is coming in at £83k! When the standard (high) spec is taken into account, and the performance promised (as good if not better than the XKR-S), then I suppose in comparison to a V8V, V12V and specced up 911 convertible - or even an XKR-S convertible, it is reasonable value.
Cant wait to drive one - if it does everything promised, this is going to be another world class car from Jaguar!
yeti said:
pb1695 said:
Cant wait to drive one - if it does everything promised, this is going to be another world class car from Jaguar!
The replacement Vantage, if indeed there is going to be one, better be very, very good 
yeti said:
The replacement Vantage, if indeed there is going to be one, better be very, very good
Lets face it based on the "new" DB9 and 310quish the vantage will probably be the 470 BHP version of the current engine, new panels to update the body shape and 310quish/177 influenced interior I think Jag will do well with the F type
mikey k said:
Lets face it based on the "new" DB9 and 310quish the vantage will probably be the 470 BHP version of the current engine, new panels to update the body shape and 310quish/177 influenced interior
I think Jag will do well with the F type
You're probably right. And that isn't good enough against a very modern car (although based on the old XK chassis still).I think Jag will do well with the F type
yeti said:
You're probably right. And that isn't good enough against a very modern car (although based on the old XK chassis still).
JLR are becoming masters of reworking platforms and engines in to a very appealing package (Evoque, RRS, XKR, F type)Aston try but don't seem to pull it off, most people see straight through the attempts
yeti said:
Nor me... But we seem to be in a minority. You offer a manual box; less than 10% pick it, you stop offering it. Sad but it's the way it's going. The art of driving doesn't interest most people it seems.
My v8v was manual. Hated it. Love the auto in my 9. I guess it's all about how you use the car though, there is no art as far as i can see in running it around uk roads at somewhere near speed limits. Well, I saw my first F Type today.......or at least I did when it was pointed out to me. Popped over to Grange today and was taken into the compound to be shown the new model as Jag and Aston share the same site. And I almost walked straight past the rather nondescript looking Jag!
Copy cat side strakes, bonnet vents and an attempt at a signature grill are the order of the day, but it's all nasty plastic. The bonnet vents are a black plastic mesh and the grill with the big black bumper moulding running through it just looks cheap.
On the interior, there's this big "grab handle" on the passenger side next to a very BMW looking gear selector which is just plain ugly and spoils the cabin. Considering you can spec this thing well North of £80K it feels just way too mass produced. Late forties to mid fifties, sixty grand tops is where this model should be. Not eighty plus! The rear is distinctive enough but as for the rest of it, well it's disappointing. If it was a new MR2 then you could say it looks OK and for a more sensible price I could see it doing well. but £80k? Don't think so and definitely not a rival for an Aston.
I mention MR2 because in the metal, the styling looks a bit Japanese in my opinion. Now I know I'm making a comparison without driving it, but you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to even consider comparing the Jag with and an Aston. And in my opinion, Jag have done Aston a favour, especially those dealers that share with Aston, because it makes the vantage look a bargain when sat side by side.
Copy cat side strakes, bonnet vents and an attempt at a signature grill are the order of the day, but it's all nasty plastic. The bonnet vents are a black plastic mesh and the grill with the big black bumper moulding running through it just looks cheap.
On the interior, there's this big "grab handle" on the passenger side next to a very BMW looking gear selector which is just plain ugly and spoils the cabin. Considering you can spec this thing well North of £80K it feels just way too mass produced. Late forties to mid fifties, sixty grand tops is where this model should be. Not eighty plus! The rear is distinctive enough but as for the rest of it, well it's disappointing. If it was a new MR2 then you could say it looks OK and for a more sensible price I could see it doing well. but £80k? Don't think so and definitely not a rival for an Aston.
I mention MR2 because in the metal, the styling looks a bit Japanese in my opinion. Now I know I'm making a comparison without driving it, but you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to even consider comparing the Jag with and an Aston. And in my opinion, Jag have done Aston a favour, especially those dealers that share with Aston, because it makes the vantage look a bargain when sat side by side.
Little Donkey said:
Well, I saw my first F Type today.......or at least I did when it was pointed out to me. Popped over to Grange today and was taken into the compound to be shown the new model as Jag and Aston share the same site. And I almost walked straight past the rather nondescript looking Jag!
Copy cat side strakes, bonnet vents and an attempt at a signature grill are the order of the day, but it's all nasty plastic. The bonnet vents are a black plastic mesh and the grill with the big black bumper moulding running through it just looks cheap.
On the interior, there's this big "grab handle" on the passenger side next to a very BMW looking gear selector which is just plain ugly and spoils the cabin. Considering you can spec this thing well North of £80K it feels just way too mass produced. Late forties to mid fifties, sixty grand tops is where this model should be. Not eighty plus! The rear is distinctive enough but as for the rest of it, well it's disappointing. If it was a new MR2 then you could say it looks OK and for a more sensible price I could see it doing well. but £80k? Don't think so and definitely not a rival for an Aston.
I mention MR2 because in the metal, the styling looks a bit Japanese in my opinion. Now I know I'm making a comparison without driving it, but you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to even consider comparing the Jag with and an Aston. And in my opinion, Jag have done Aston a favour, especially those dealers that share with Aston, because it makes the vantage look a bargain when sat side by side.
LD, I guess that wasn't Grange in Brentwood as I was there today and did not see an F!Copy cat side strakes, bonnet vents and an attempt at a signature grill are the order of the day, but it's all nasty plastic. The bonnet vents are a black plastic mesh and the grill with the big black bumper moulding running through it just looks cheap.
On the interior, there's this big "grab handle" on the passenger side next to a very BMW looking gear selector which is just plain ugly and spoils the cabin. Considering you can spec this thing well North of £80K it feels just way too mass produced. Late forties to mid fifties, sixty grand tops is where this model should be. Not eighty plus! The rear is distinctive enough but as for the rest of it, well it's disappointing. If it was a new MR2 then you could say it looks OK and for a more sensible price I could see it doing well. but £80k? Don't think so and definitely not a rival for an Aston.
I mention MR2 because in the metal, the styling looks a bit Japanese in my opinion. Now I know I'm making a comparison without driving it, but you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to even consider comparing the Jag with and an Aston. And in my opinion, Jag have done Aston a favour, especially those dealers that share with Aston, because it makes the vantage look a bargain when sat side by side.
Little Donkey said:
Well, I saw my first F Type today.......or at least I did when it was pointed out to me. Popped over to Grange today and was taken into the compound to be shown the new model as Jag and Aston share the same site. And I almost walked straight past the rather nondescript looking Jag!
Copy cat side strakes, bonnet vents and an attempt at a signature grill are the order of the day, but it's all nasty plastic. The bonnet vents are a black plastic mesh and the grill with the big black bumper moulding running through it just looks cheap.
On the interior, there's this big "grab handle" on the passenger side next to a very BMW looking gear selector which is just plain ugly and spoils the cabin. Considering you can spec this thing well North of £80K it feels just way too mass produced. Late forties to mid fifties, sixty grand tops is where this model should be. Not eighty plus! The rear is distinctive enough but as for the rest of it, well it's disappointing. If it was a new MR2 then you could say it looks OK and for a more sensible price I could see it doing well. but £80k? Don't think so and definitely not a rival for an Aston.
I mention MR2 because in the metal, the styling looks a bit Japanese in my opinion. Now I know I'm making a comparison without driving it, but you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to even consider comparing the Jag with and an Aston. And in my opinion, Jag have done Aston a favour, especially those dealers that share with Aston, because it makes the vantage look a bargain when sat side by side.
I sort of see your point, however, it is much cheaper than an equivalent Vantage Roadster. Therefore the costs have to be saved somewhere and that is the use of plastic for the vents etc instead of chrome. Copy cat side strakes, bonnet vents and an attempt at a signature grill are the order of the day, but it's all nasty plastic. The bonnet vents are a black plastic mesh and the grill with the big black bumper moulding running through it just looks cheap.
On the interior, there's this big "grab handle" on the passenger side next to a very BMW looking gear selector which is just plain ugly and spoils the cabin. Considering you can spec this thing well North of £80K it feels just way too mass produced. Late forties to mid fifties, sixty grand tops is where this model should be. Not eighty plus! The rear is distinctive enough but as for the rest of it, well it's disappointing. If it was a new MR2 then you could say it looks OK and for a more sensible price I could see it doing well. but £80k? Don't think so and definitely not a rival for an Aston.
I mention MR2 because in the metal, the styling looks a bit Japanese in my opinion. Now I know I'm making a comparison without driving it, but you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to even consider comparing the Jag with and an Aston. And in my opinion, Jag have done Aston a favour, especially those dealers that share with Aston, because it makes the vantage look a bargain when sat side by side.
On the interior, with the premium leather specified and Performance seats, I would suggest the interior quality is far better than a Vantage, which to my eyes looks dated and confused. In terms of quality, I am sure the leathers and chrome in the Aston are superior, but the execution and build are not.
Outside in the flesh, the F Type to me looks fantastic, yes the front is a little generic but the rear and rear 3/4 views are stunning. I do think colour choice will have a big impact.
On the pricing front, I gasped when I first heard the price levels, however, after reading the Car review vs the 911 and R8, you could argue it is underpriced!
I will have my fist test drive on Friday, if it drives as well as the reviews suggest, I may have to stop using the XKR-S, which IMO is a significantly better car the the Vantage / DB9 and even the DBS.
i agree the XKR-S is probaly a better car...faster , stability etc...but..the interior is still all plastic , it looks no where near a good as any of the AM range....and is not a fanny magnet....i do know this because i used to have xkr's and the such...in the new form and the old....my DB9 was drolled over by Jag owners wanting one but couldn't afford one....and when i got my DBS....f
k me...i was nearly thrown out of the jag club meets i went too..(only to show off).....the fact remains....if you asked which would you prefer....a Jag or Aston....9 times out of 10....even though the jag maybe a better car...people say Aston.....and in my opinion that more than makes up for it's short falls etc...and besides all that...Jeagar Le coutuer...(spelling wrong i know)...do not do a watch for the XKR-S....i think it is more of a Sekonda associated type brand.;)
k me...i was nearly thrown out of the jag club meets i went too..(only to show off).....the fact remains....if you asked which would you prefer....a Jag or Aston....9 times out of 10....even though the jag maybe a better car...people say Aston.....and in my opinion that more than makes up for it's short falls etc...and besides all that...Jeagar Le coutuer...(spelling wrong i know)...do not do a watch for the XKR-S....i think it is more of a Sekonda associated type brand.;)tonyhall38 said:
i agree the XKR-S is probaly a better car...faster , stability etc...but..the interior is still all plastic , it looks no where near a good as any of the AM range....and is not a fanny magnet....i do know this because i used to have xkr's and the such...in the new form and the old....my DB9 was drolled over by Jag owners wanting one but couldn't afford one....and when i got my DBS....fk me...i was nearly thrown out of the jag club meets i went too..(only to show off).....the fact remains....if you asked which would you prefer....a Jag or Aston....9 times out of 10....even though the jag maybe a better car...people say Aston.....and in my opinion that more than makes up for it's short falls etc...and besides all that...Jeagar Le coutuer...(spelling wrong i know)...do not do a watch for the XKR-S....i think it is more of a Sekonda associated type brand.;)
That's it Ton' you've just knocked the N on the H. Watches can easily be associated with cars to make the point. And it works both ways. Bentley and Breitling for example and now Jag and Seconda. Perfect. k me...i was nearly thrown out of the jag club meets i went too..(only to show off).....the fact remains....if you asked which would you prefer....a Jag or Aston....9 times out of 10....even though the jag maybe a better car...people say Aston.....and in my opinion that more than makes up for it's short falls etc...and besides all that...Jeagar Le coutuer...(spelling wrong i know)...do not do a watch for the XKR-S....i think it is more of a Sekonda associated type brand.;)Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff