Jaguar F-Type V6 S manual | Spotted
The manual F-Type was not a huge commercial success - so it's all the more interesting secondhand
The six-speed manual F-Type was a surprising move for Jaguar back in 2015; a few years down the line it seems staggering that such a thing ever happened. The F-Type had a very good eight-speed auto as standard, a gearbox that worked well with both V6 and V8 engines; Jaguar itself wasn’t exactly known for manual gearboxes, having never offered one in the old XK, and self-shifting transmissions weren’t hugely popular in sports cars generally. See the popularity of Porsche PDKs for that.
Nevertheless, Jaguar introduced a gear lever and clutch pedal for the F-Type, available for the 340hp V6 and 380hp V6 S models. At the time just one in 10 sales were expected so be for the manual; in the end it seems that even fewer than that were sold, as they very seldom come up for sale secondhand. With hindsight it’s probably no great surprise, as those merely intrigued by the F-Type would be more than happy with the auto, and those dead set on a manual sports car would get a more invigorating experience with something like a Porsche or Lotus.
Moreover, the six-speed was never offered on the four-cylinder model - and that was a problem because the more affordable version accounted for the majority of sales soon after launch. Which meant that it ended up being a very shallow pool of customers for Jaguar to fish in.
A few are out there, though, and with the future not exactly rosy for new combustion engined sports cars with manual gearboxes the recent past looks appealing. Sure, nobody would call the F-Type’s the best manual in the world, but it ensured another level of interaction for what was already an enjoyable rear-drive Jag. That tuneful supercharged V6 meant good downshifts were well worth perfecting, too. Maybe the manual wasn’t the making of the F-Type, but it was nice to have the option.
Now, like so many recent cars that didn’t sell brilliantly when new, sheer rarity adds to the appeal secondhand. That and the fact any F-Type is going to be a great-looking Jaguar that’s really nice to drive. This V6 S (so the most powerful manual offered) plays to the strengths of the coupe nicely, with bold red paint and big wheels making the most of that voluptuous shape. It’s covered just 26,000 miles, with a service and MOT at a Jaguar dealer 46 miles ago. Elements of the interior - not least the knob sprouting out from the centre! - date this one against a new F-Type, but it will definitely still be turning heads inside and out.
It’s priced at £38,995, which might look a lot when there are V8 F-Types with fewer miles out there for similar money. And comparable V6 S models with the auto for less. As when new, then, it’s going to take committed folk to plump for a manual F-Type. But as a combination of old school involvement and modern technology, it’s easier than ever to see the appeal.
SPECIFICATION | JAGUAR F-TYPE V6 S
Engine: 2,995, supercharged V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 380@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@3,500-5,500rpm
MPG: 28.8
CO2: 234g/km
Recorded mileage: 24,160
Year registered: 2015
Price new: £60,250 (V6 S Coupe)
Yours for: £38,995
I love mine, it’s a really great GT car which we’ve used on road trips down to Lake Como and to the South of France, and for me the 410 ish bhp it puts out with a DMS upgrade is plenty enough on the road, but if I were splurging £40K on a 2015 model now I’d be going V8, especially with the days of its ilk numbered.
Is it a horrible ownership prospect or something? Anyone got an insight in what it’s like to live with one?
Beyond that it’s a great car. Goes well, sounds good, gets lots of positive attention if that’s your bag, and the coupe has plenty of luggage space for a 3 week European road trip even with my wife’s approach to holiday packing. The interior is fine by me, but fit and finish falls a little short of a Porsche, but not a huge amount.
It’s not quite as agile on tight B roads or the narrower Alpine passes as a Cayman or Alpine as it’s a bit of a fatty despite the aluminium body, and it’s also pretty wide, but at 8/10ths it’s a great car for long distances. The V6S is a bit cheaper to tax than the V8 and I get around 27mpg in mixed driving, although admittedly low 20’s when I’m trying a bit harder.
I suppose the acid test question is would I buy another or recommend one to a friend (or complete stranger!)? I’d say no to the first question, but only because I never buy the same car twice - too many cars to experience and only one life and all that- but would I recommend one, yes definitely. I’ve loved having ours, it still makes me smile when I get in and go for a drive even after 5 years, and I’ll be genuinely sad when the the time comes to move it on.
Beyond that it’s a great car. Goes well, sounds good, gets lots of positive attention if that’s your bag, and the coupe has plenty of luggage space for a 3 week European road trip even with my wife’s approach to holiday packing. The interior is fine by me, but fit and finish falls a little short of a Porsche, but not a huge amount.
It’s not quite as agile on tight B roads or the narrower Alpine passes as a Cayman or Alpine as it’s a bit of a fatty despite the aluminium body, and it’s also pretty wide, but at 8/10ths it’s a great car for long distances. The V6S is a bit cheaper to tax than the V8 and I get around 27mpg in mixed driving, although admittedly low 20’s when I’m trying a bit harder.
I suppose the acid test question is would I buy another or recommend one to a friend (or complete stranger!)? I’d say no to the first question, but only because I never buy the same car twice - too many cars to experience and only one life and all that- but would I recommend one, yes definitely. I’ve loved having ours, it still makes me smile when I get in and go for a drive even after 5 years, and I’ll be genuinely sad when the the time comes to move it on.
Is it a horrible ownership prospect or something? Anyone got an insight in what it’s like to live with one?
Is it a horrible ownership prospect or something? Anyone got an insight in what it’s like to live with one?
Is it a horrible ownership prospect or something? Anyone got an insight in what it’s like to live with one?
Is it a horrible ownership prospect or something? Anyone got an insight in what it’s like to live with one?
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