Though I love you guys' car reviews, I'm always amused by the Staff Ratings. Three and a half stars for 'Stock Performance' puts this beast on the same line as the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.
In his spare time, our managing editor serves as chairman of the board of the British Motor Trade Association. During their recent annual gathering out in California, he needed something appropriate to drive.
Like most of you, this car is pure dreamland fantasy for me. I'll never be able to afford one, so like a Countach, 288 GTO, or Porsche 550 Spyder, it's all about lusting from afar.
The thing is, no matter how sexy the F-Type is (and it is sexy as all get out), or how fast it goes (pretty darn fast), I can never bring myself to lust after it. I like it, admire it, want to look at it all day long.....but I'd never want to own one---even if I was a rich guy.
Why? It doesn't have a clutch pedal.
While that doesn't matter to some--it matters to me. Sure I'll be called a troglodyte, but for me a car like this is all about visceral interaction, and I can't bring myself to love it with flappy paddles doing the shifting.
So, like the Ferrari 458 Italia (also not available with a clutch pedal) this car will never be an object of lust for me.
Sorry--- I'm a traditionalist, a throw-back, an old-man. But, in a sports car I need to row my own gears. To me, it's a huge part of the driving experience. Somehow I don't think Jaguar is overly concerned about my reluctance....
I drove this one while out in California for the British Motor Trade Association's annual conference. A British meet needs a British car, right?
First, I know, I know, only two pedals, go and stop. Actually, there's a third control that's equally important. There's a button on the console depicting two exhaust tips. Press that button, and suddenly the Jag emits the most amazing note this side of a Trans-Am Mustang. Oh, and the Jag pulls just as hard.
Is this your next Miata? No. Is it a viable alternative to a new Porsche 911 convert or Corvette? If you're a Jag person--and you know who you are--then yes. The Jag doesn't carry as much, though. An overhead bag fits in the Jag's trunk, but that's it.
The Jag isn't going to win big at Solo Nats, but it's a big, fast, comfortable convertible. It arrives with plenty of style and babies its occupants.
Oh, and that noise. That glorious, wonderful exhaust note.
Though I love you guys' car reviews, I'm always amused by the Staff Ratings. Three and a half stars for 'Stock Performance' puts this beast on the same line as the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.
...and just below the Kia Soul +
nderwater wrote: ...and just below the Kia Soul +
But a Kia Soulless has three pedals for troglodytes.
Yeah, those numbers didn't sound right. That Jag is fast in a million different wats.
I just checked the admin and let's just say that something wasn't done correctly on the backend. It's been fixed but the new values might take a few to show up.
Thanks.
Sidebar says manual transmission? And I think the 6-cylinder cars will be getting the option for a manual transmission last I read.
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