Jaguar deserves praise for providing F-Type buyers the option of a manual gearbox. Because it was a genuine concession to the enthusiast market; even back in 2015 only 10 per cent of sales were forecast for the six-speed option, at a time when the eight-speed auto was (and remains) a very good gearbox. The business case wasn't tremendously strong, in other words - yet Jaguar managed to make it. And who isn't intrigued by the idea of a manual, supercharged V6 Jaguar sports car?
As it transpired, the reality of the F-Type manual wasn't quite as good as we'd all imagined. Even allowing for the inevitable Porsche comparisons, the six-speed gearbox wasn't all that brilliant. The shift action was vague, and the clutch equally imprecise. That said, having run a long-term F-Type manual on the PH Fleet, it should be said that you do get used to it. That and occasionally punching the dash.
Elsewhere, F-Type manual drivers are left with all that makes the Jag sports GT so good: the ride/handling balance, the noise from the supercharged V6 and the well-sorted steering. Along with an additional layer of interaction, even allowing for the transmissions peccadillos. Ask anyone fortunate enough to prize the keys to that old long-termer from Dan T's hands and they'll talk very fondly of PH's orange F-Type, which is kind of the point. For all the flaws, F-Types are very easy cars to like. In the case of the manual, it's the classic GT formula brought up to date; modern enough to do everything required of it, yet with a traditional enough feel to make it interesting.
Given sales were always slow, it's difficult to find an F-Type manual for sale in 2020. A problem surely compounded by the fact that if you'd made the conscious decision to plump for a manual one, it would surely be for keeps and not to sell on in another couple of years. There's not much like it as an experience.
All that said, it's not an impossible task: while 268 of the 271 F-Types on sale are automatic, there are three with the manual gearbox. This one should fulfil the drop-top GT role nicely: a 380hp V6 S, black with black leather, the snazzy 20-inch carbon rotor wheels (in need of a refurb) and a lower-than-average 30k mileage for a 2015 car. With the weather hopefully turning soon, there's surely no better way to enjoy early mornings and late evenings than with a manual Jag roadster.
Of course, there are alternatives. From the obvious Porsche ones to the less obvious Lotus ones the F-Type's asking price - £32,795 - does open up a world of possibilities. Some might also want to hold out for a V6 S manual Coupe, as it's ever so slightly better to drive, but that could be a long wait. Whatever the preference, there's a lot to admire in the three-pedal F-Type, however imperfect it ended up. As the march towards autonomy continues, don't expect the niche appeal of a DIY gearbox to diminish.
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@3,500-5,500
MPG: 28.8
CO2: 234g/km
Price new: £60,250 (V6 S Coupe)
Yours for: £32,795
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