Jag F-Type vs California

I think the first two cars below are way over priced for the HP.

$81K for 380 HP? $12K to add a Supercharger to the base V6 model and only gain 40 HP?????? Are they serious? Yes, you heard it right: Add twelve thousand dollars and you get 40 more ponies and a whopping 0.3 second better 0-60 time.

The new Vette has 460 HP without supercharging, more torque, and the same fuel mileage -- and the convertible starts at $57K. It will be a shocker if it does not do 0-60 under 4 seconds.
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i like the f-type. i wont be buying it, but i also wont be buying a cali.

but i do agree with curt that the best color combo on a front engined ferrari is silverstone over cuoio

 

I understand why the F-Type appeals to you. They did a very good job bundling a lot of valuable features for what is after all meant to a fun car, well suited for daily commuting and light shopping "excursions". The interior looks modern and well-sorted.

And yes, the F-Type does have a longer wheelbase than the SLK, perhaps to give it a compliant ride which is a good thing. It's the roadster seating and lack of trunk space that puts it in company with the SLK. A few years ago, I almost bought a black R171 AMG SLK55 but felt it was too small and the SL while big enough and elegant didn't feel as exciting and tossable as the SLK55. The California 30 seems to bundle it all together for me.

When I first got my car I did notice both throttle and braking were significantly more sensitive than I was used to with BMWs but after about 1,000 km the car now feels completely smooth to operate. I am not sure if I am just more in tune with it or if the breaking in process helped. Since you've had your car for a much longer time I think some of the issues (roughness and oddities) you experience with your Cali may be abnormal and should be looked at. Perhaps you can try driving another Cali for comparison.

I have heard the barking exhaust note of the V8 S and it is very neat but the backfires also seem to be very consistent and so comes across as a bit contrived. I prefer it to be less unpredictable like the way race cars exhibit rough idle. I think it is more fun when it comes across as having a mind of its own. I think that's the way it is with some cars, where they behave in an extra interesting way once in a while, sort of beckons you to extend the drive or take an extra trip to see if you can get it conjure up those pleasant surprises again. Ferrari retuned the California 30's exhaust manifold when they remapped the engine. The new Calis do sound and drive more aggressively and the exhaust note seems to have a mind of its own.

I am interested to see how you feel about both cars as you become accustomed to your F-Type. Just make sure your issues with your Cali's "roughness and oddities" have been properly addressed.

 

I think the prevailing weather and intended mood play a big role when I pick colours for my cars. Black, grey and greyish-green all have that purposeful elegance that comes across as "serious driving machine", especially under overcast or rainy conditions when those colours become highly saturated. To me, it's a Northern European or North-eastern "Fall season" thing.

For my car, I went with white and all-cuoio including the headliner for a warm Italian Spring/Summer countryside feel. It goes perfectly with sunny skies, green grass, white houses and blue water. I love playing with colours.

 

Sorry TheMayor you are absolutely "Incorrect" about adding 12k to the base model and only getting 40 more horsepower!!! Please reread the ad the base model is also "Supercharged" so the additional 12k addition for the 40 extra horsepower is only for a SMALLER PULLEY for the supercharger so it ups the boost by a 2 to 3 psi...NOW that's really expensive...LOL!!!

 

couple of points based on what many of you have written.

* The pricing for the additional HP. It's curious that Land Rover and Jag do the same thing. For a 'little' bit more you get alot. (e.g. the supercharged Range Rover and Sport are just a 'bit' more expensive than regular) Other manufacturers charge an arm and a leg for additional HP. Therefore the 495HP V8 is worth the money. I've driven both. Also, the fit and finish feels worlds more refined than an american muscle car. The interior is a little Aston-like with the sloping dash. I've already developed POV's of what i'd change, though overall it's very well done.

* the F-Type feels a bit smaller ONLY due to the fact that it's a strict 2-seater. I look back and see ..... the trunk. Otherwise if I just focus on the front compartment it seems more roomy to me. Seats are more comfortable and plenty of room. A bit firmer, though surprisingly smooth on the freeway.

* re: apologizing - thanks for the comments. I try to strike a balance of providing impressions to those who are real car enthusiasts. Heck, if i had the dough, i'd have one of everything. Some on this chat like to get into the debate of who's right and whats better. Not me. I'll just disengage.

Bottom line...everyone's going to have different perspectives and bias's. For the moment this is a VERY fun car to drive both spirited, and when i just want to 'cruise' along an LA Freeway. Also, one of the biggest things i like in comparison is the steering feel. I really feel like i've got the appropriate feedback from the road vs. overly power steering.

It IS a VERY different feel from a Ferrari....and what the hell....i'm enjoying it alot.

 

gadgetman how are you enjoying the F type? I test drove the V8S today and I was very impressed with it. The F type does not drive like your typical Jaguar.

 

The F-type is a great addition to the market and is certainly no Cali...why or how could it be for a small fraction of the price of the Ferrari. That said, it's a helluva car for the price. Brand new F-type S + cayman R + cayenne S fills my garage for the same as a new Cali (typical list price is $250k for newly optioned Cali's and those 3 can be had for $80k ish each).

Is the Cali better than the F type? sure. Worth $150,000 more than even an F type v8? Hmmmm...




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Bringing a vette to a value fight is a bit unfair

Heck, a ZO6 can lap streets of willow faster than a 458 for less than 1/3 the price.

Doesn't mean I compare the two though.

I happen to be very interested in the new vette vert also and the f type...I just can't justify spending Cali money on a Cali when their are masers, astons, vettes, Porsches and now jags for so much less...

Vette's always win on value!




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To me they are both in the same class (Vette and Ftype) and about the same price range. Jag knows it's competing against the Vette and not the California. It should do better for the price they are asking, at least in the HP.

BTW: Now we know more about the Vette since that post. The BASE VETTE gets 6 more MPG at 460 HP than the top of the line Ftype and does the 0-60 in 3.8 secs rather than the V-8 F's 4.2 sec.

It's getting worse for them, not better even if you keep price out of the equation. Literally if you put the two cars side by side and ignored price completely, the Vette would still win in performance and (I think) looks-- although the Jag is not unattractive.

But I mean... come on... $81K for a 380 HP supercharged V6? They aren't even trying. That's a lot of dough for 380 HP.

 

Well, a Porsche Carrera is not even supercharged, has less HP, and costs about the same... and with very few options. Same HP story with the upcoming NSX, for what I hear. More than HP, is what the car can do with those HP, and the overall package as a whole. But for the price differential, I'd only consider the V8 S-type too. An option you don't have on the other 2 cars mentioned above.

 

you are absolutely right there is no way to justify a california or a 458 or an f12 or any ferrari for that matter if you are basing it on purely on cost. I have always owned and loved corvettes and own a 2013 corvette 427 conv that I sent to callaway and added the 652 hp upgrade package .. It is a real nice car very fast but I also own a 2013 california and nearly everyday I decide to drive the california they are totally different cars not even comparable but they are both great... If i could only have one it would be the california....
LarryH