Skip to main content

The Most Underrated Sports Car You Can Buy In 2025

While the brand does not have the best reputation, especially of late, here's why I find the Jaguar F-Type to be an unsung hero.
Jaguar F-Type is an unsung hero

As an automotive journalist, I get to drive many cars. Some of them, I enjoy more than others. Some are disappointing, but others manage to surprise me pleasantly. That's what the Jaguar F-Type did for me when I first tested one in 2015. The reason this British sports car surfaced in my mind is because, recently, I saw what I perceive as a bargain. And it got me thinking: we are so used to seeing the Porsche 718 Cayman/ Boxster as the benchmark in the segment that other cars are being overshadowed.  

This is good for enthusiasts like you and me, who love a good bargain, and I'm here to tell you the Jaguar F-Type is awesome, especially now that Jaguar's efforts to go EV have resulted in a questionable outcome. I decided to make this as a list of things that make the Jaguar F-Type V-6 S an awesome sports car worthy of your fast-toy budget. 

I will also include everything I found out about the F-Type, in terms of reliability – another area where I was pleasantly surprised.  

The V-6 engine is a thing of beauty and surprisingly reliable 

The Jaguar F-Type has aged extremely well, just like its predecessor, the E-Type

The Jaguar F-Type I drove years ago was a V-6 S, which was a mid-range model in terms of performance. There was the P340 – the same engine with less power – and the V-8 R, which packs a 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8. Some believed the V-8 is a derivative of the Mustang's Coyote, but it's not. It is actually of a European design. In any case, 2022 saw the V-8 as the only Jaguar F-Type engine option.

Let me give you the performance specs of the Jaguar F-Type V-6 S as tested by me. 

  • Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, supercharged V-6 
  • Power: 376 horsepower at 6,500 RPM 
  • Torque: 339 pound-feet at 3,500-5,000 RPM 
  • Transmission and drivetrain: 8-speed automatic (6-speed manual also available), front-engine, rear-wheel drive (optional AWD) 
  • Curb weight: 3,514 pounds (1,594 kg) 
  • 0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds 
  • Top speed: 171 mph 

The Jaguar F-Type is more reliable than you think, but there are a number of things to look out for, many of which relatively minor.

  1. The V-6 and V-8 engines are reliable, as long as you get a car that has been maintained properly. Generally, these powertrains are trouble-free, but it's still worth doing a check-up and make sure proper service records have been kept. 
  2. Infotainment issues – the Jaguar F-Type features a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with zoom-in/ zoom-out/ gesture control. The system is prone to glitches, especially on earlier model years.  
  3. Various sensors may fail or leak. 
  4. Rust – the chassis and body of the Jaguar F-Type are aluminum, but there are chassis strut-braces underneath that are made of untreated steel. They are prone to rust. 
  5. Body fitment is, sometimes, not great. 
  6. Creaking/ squeaky interior trim. 
  7. Carbon buildup – the F-Type engines feature direct fuel injection, prone to carbon buildup. 
  8. Injectors – on V-8 models they can clog and spit more fuel than necessary, resulting in white smoke from the exhaust. 
  9. Differential wear – highly-uncommon and mostly occurring on V-8 models. Symptom: a whining noise that gets louder with speed. 
  10. Supercharger coupler/ torsion isolator – uncommon, but can happen on V-6 and V-8 engines. Some owners describe the symptom as a “loose marbles” noise.  
  11. Active exhaust actuator may fail – Jaguar F-Types come with an active exhaust, which lets you open and close a valve for more or less noise. When open, it's really loud. Facelift models are more restrained in terms of the noise they make. 
  12. Saggy luggage cover.
  13. Water may damage the trunk lining around the tailgate edges. causing it to peel off.
  14. Coolant leaks - Y-pipe and "valley"/ throttle pipe (underneath the supercharger) are prone to cracking.
  15. Water pump - may develop leaks
  16. Supercharger bypass actuator may fail
  17. Catalytic converters can get clogged or start disintegrating

The F-Type's styling 

The Jaguar F-Type interior is a special place to be. Both sporty and luxurious, even if a bit cramped

The Jaguar F-Type was meant to be the spiritual successor to the iconic Jaguar E-Type from the 1960s. Like its predecessor, the F-Type is considered one of the most beautiful modern-day sports cars. Facelift models (2019-) adopted the brand's, back-then, corporate look, with horizontal headlight. The V-6 engine options were also dropped in favor of an “Ingenium”, 2.0-liter, turbo-four that made less power – 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet to be exact. 

The interior of the F-Type is not the most spacious, but it is a great place to be. All contact surfaces are high-quality and I love the hidden vents that pop up upon starting the engine. The F-Type gets very close to mimicking a jet fighter cockpit, though there isn't a ton of room for seat adjustment. You also get up to 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space if you go with the coupe variant, which features a hatchback-style tailgate. The soft-top convertible only provides 6.92 cubic feet of luggage space. 

Sublime chassis makes the F-Type an exciting car to drive 

The Jaguar F-Type's aluminum chassis is cleverly engineered to be, both, sporty and comfortable. It features special engine and transmission mounts along with a special undertray and double-bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment for better sound insulation. The V-6 S and upper models get a limited-slip differential, as standard. The base V-6 does not.  

Even in rear-wheel-drive setup, the Jaguar F-Type V-6 S was composed during high-speed cornering and gave me immense confidence. Even at speeds of over 130 on corner exists, I did not feel like I was near the grip limit. The adaptive suspension, which is forged aluminum, double-wishbone at the front and multi-link independent at the rear, was surprisingly comfortable in normal mode, but very stiff in sport mode. 

The Jaguar F-Type can be found for dirt cheap if you know where to look 

Currently, I am seeing pre-facelift, V-6 models going for around $27,000 on average. I am talking about a Jaguar F-Type with around 60,000 miles on the clock. There isn't a significant price gap between the coupe and convertible models like we, often, see with Porsche sports cars. I think the real bargain is if you find something that is lightly damaged from an insurance company. In such cases, prices can be less than $10,000. Would you consider an F-Type as a sports car? Let me know in the comment section below.

Image source: Jaguar CX16 Concept

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

News Opinion
Performance Vehicles
TorqueNews Hot Topics
Jaguar

Comments

Mike (not verified)    January 29, 2025 - 12:55AM

Permalink

I've has a 2015 V6 coupe for a year now. A big thing to watch out for is the coolant y-pipe which in older ones is prone to cracking and kind of pricey to replace (the newer models have an updated pipe design). I bought one that had already had the newer version of the pipe swapped in.

But aside from that the car is an absolutely blast to drive. I put 15kmi on it in my first year and the car was in storage for 4 of those months lol.

For $750-1k USD you can tune either V6 model to a hair over 400hp, which makes the V6 even more appealing

My only real complaint is the infotainment system is terrible

Alex m (not verified)    January 29, 2025 - 4:53PM

Permalink

I've added android auto/ apple Carplay system to my 2016 FType. Brings the infotainment system up to date. Make was IDCore from a UK distributor. It tucked into panel between seats where the head unit is on my coupe.

Dimitar Angelov    January 30, 2025 - 1:58AM

Permalink

I didn't play with the F-Type's infotainment too much. I know it's not as good as what the competition had back then. To be fair, I don't like most infotainments, but it sounds like a must-have upgrade. The newer F-Types have better infotainment.

Personally, a bad infotainment isn't a deal-breaker for me. You can always upgrade later. Otherwise, the F-Type is an awesome sports car that's a lot more luxurious than a Porsche 718.

Dimitar Angelov    January 31, 2025 - 2:14AM

Permalink

Thank you. I feel that the Y-pipe and throttle pipe are not talked about enough. I am assuming it isn't too cheap to do since you have to remove the supercharger with the intake plenum, which from what I saw was a single piece.

Aside from that, great-looking cars that are amazing to drive. I would also add that this is one of the most unique-sounding V-6 engines I've ever driven. With the exhaust valve open, getting close to the redline can burst your ear drums.

Facelift models are a bit more restrained. Not a fan of the 2.0-liter base engine.

 

Chris (not verified)    January 29, 2025 - 2:20PM

Permalink

Owned a 2016 Ftype R in British Racing Green for 4 months now. As my daily driver I love it!

I was also asked why I didn't go for a Cayman or older 911 and my answer is simple; the Porsche is the safe option. It checks all the boxes, also retains ridiculous market value and delivers. But again, the safe option, you see them everywhere. In 4 months of ownership I've yet to see another Ftype in the wild.

Dimitar Angelov    January 30, 2025 - 1:55AM

Permalink

You are right. The Porsche 911 and 718 are safe options, but I think the F-Type is a much bigger bargain if we are talking about used examples.
I think the brand's reputation for reliability, which isn't great, hurt these cars more than anything else, but they actually hold up very well when maintained.

Ike (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 4:41AM

Permalink

You are 100% correct ! I bought a new 2015 F-Type coupe in British Racing Green to platoon with my 2007 Jag XJR, also in BRG.) Both are “Driver’s Cars” and stand subtly out in a crowd. You don’t need a red 911 or silver Mercedes to get a quiet, “nice car”…because they are…very nice cars. I’ve waited patiently for a Jaguar successor to either car but it looks like I will be driving my dynamic duo for much, much longer.

charles colclough (not verified)    January 29, 2025 - 4:23PM

Permalink

I have a 4.2 XK8 coupe which I love so would definitely want an F Type. Way better looking than any German equivalent too.

Dimitar Angelov    January 30, 2025 - 1:54AM

Permalink

Sadly, I am yet to drive an XK8. I have driven some of its competitors like an R230 Mercedes SL and BMW 6 Series, which are way more common around here. I love the way these cars look and I think Jaguar's questionable reputation for reliability hurt these cars more than anything else. They hold up surprisingly well.

 

Wshudds (not verified)    January 29, 2025 - 5:03PM

Permalink

Great article! It's crazy how rare the F-type is even here in the UK. Mine is a 6-speed MT V6 2018. It's been a joy to own and daily drive it. It's not the fastest in a straight line but a brilliant car for the twisties.

Dimitar Angelov    January 30, 2025 - 1:50AM

Permalink

Indeed. In my years as an auto journalist, this car surprised me the most. I did not know what to make of it before I got behind the wheel. I only knew what I saw - that it was a gorgeous-looking car.

But the handling and ride quality really surprised me. The noise is epic too. The F-Type's biggest problem, for me, is that it lives in the shadow of cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman/ Boxster, which are a safe option. I don't think the Jaguar F-Type is a worse car overall, just different.

Will Fraser (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 10:05AM

Permalink

Hmmm. Ive seen the new ones on the street. They're gorgeous. Equipped with the twin turbo BMW V6 in the M model, it'll run with an F Type R. The interior is more modern. Stylistically it is beautiful. For me, the F Type R is more evocative and grin inducing.

Jason Ward (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 8:57AM

Permalink

I agree it’s a great car… until it’s not. Unfortunately if you own one you will be driving more loaner cars than you will be driving your own car. But maybe that is a good way to keep the miles off your own car and keep the value up as high as possible

Will Fraser (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 9:34AM

Permalink

As it turns out , Recent Jaguars have a very good reliability rating. It is common to assign reliability problems to Jaguars and British cars in general based on older models which did indeed have Lucas electrical and other types of mechanical weaknesses. This is no longer the case and the Jaguar F Type is very good from a mechanical standpoint. We are talking about a car(the F Type) that listed for $78000 to the $130,000 range new. So, no, the Jaguar F Type does not spend a lot of time in the shop.

Will Fraser (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 10:01AM

Permalink

I found a 2022 F Type R (575 hp) roadster in British Racing Green with 4000 miles on the clock recently and grabbed it for $71k. It is fully "speced out" with upgraded leather and all the electronic and comfort goodies. Besides being one of the most beautiful grand tourers out there, it is fast, handles well, sounds great and sticks to the pavement like it's on rails when cornering. A Jaguar saloon, the XF, fitted with the same V8 runs Nurburgring in 7:18, which is faster than many German sports cars from AMG, BMW and Porsche. The car is boisterous, evocative and fun to drive. People stare and make admiring comments about it on the street. As a classic British sports car that will also out accelerate a Mustang GT or most Porsche S models it's quite a bargain indeed and the author has hit the nail right on the head with this article. Further, in the US , this car is rare . You will not see yourself coming and going as you will with most brands. And as for quality, Jaguar has won Le Man six times, the last time in 1990. Porsche's last win at Le Mans was 1998. In fact the only manufacturers who have won Le Mans more times than Jaguar are Porsche, Audi and Ferrari. In summary, if you can find a near new supercharged V8 British luxury grand touring roadster for anywhere near this price, you definitely should buy it. But you won't find anything like this at the price point I paid for mine. Prices for Rs (supercharged V8 F Types) fall into the $50k range if you're willing to buy the pre-face lift version (pre 2021). Most of the F Type Rs on the market have less than 20k on the clock as they tend to be the owners second car. Go get one . You will be pleased. I certainly am.
Some people feel that a recent Corvette C8, available in the same price range as a used F Type R is a better choice. I think that depends on whether you prefer a V 8 mid engine sports car which I can say unabashedly is not particularly appealing from a style standpoint. Ive seen enough of them on the road to have formed the strong opinion that the C8 deserves the flat plane crank ZO6 V8 as well as a much better body . The current one looks like it was designed by a bunch of 8th graders with an erector set kit. Its fast. It's relatively inexpensive. But it is not styled well. So, there's my two cents worth. The C8 is slightly faster in the 1/4 mile than an F Type R 575. It corners and brakes comparably. But it is not a beautiful British roadster with a supercharged V8 and a tradition of beauty, emotion and tradition. Great job by this author by the way. Cheers

Ks (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 6:42PM

Permalink

2019 R here, no issues whatsoever,but did replace the coolant pipes on my own dime before failure. I also purchased an extended warranty because I plan on keeping her. I've NEVER done that for any other car i've owned. That should tell you how I feel about this beauty. Only 16k miles on the clock.

Jack Benjamin (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 10:10PM

Permalink

Nice article I agree on the styling opinion but you have a few technical specs incorrect friendly facts offered in response. The engines are Ford engines they are the same ones they put in mustang 5 litres this came from when Ford owned jaguar they are European design as well as most of the engine valves cam shaft and pistons have been modified for their line. I know this not only from research but also working on them I own 5 Jags. From an x-type to a Svr-Ftype to an xj when you get into the engine after all the Jag badging on top you will find still up to 2017 at least I can confirm Ford stamping on the engine blocks and other components the superchargers are Eaton branded which is pretty high tier they are roots type which is not optimal they run a bit hotter and dont boost as well as a screw type the v6 engine unfortunately is literally a V8 with two cylinders literally chopped off so many of the reason why people want a v6 over a v8 are lost. Weight reduction balancing and handling are all typically improved on a v6 over a v8 so the power loss is sometimes prefered for improved handling and fuel efficiency (you can zoom around corners etc.) But chopping the 8 down forges most of this (especially the balancing) rather then building it up from the ground. Something they did to save money. And the images you are showing are NOT of an F-type which is misleading to people not informed. They are of a concept car (C-x16) that was never put into production much like the c-x75 it was a hybrid. The F-type was based off of it and considered the production form of that car. But it had a handful of changes to the point the kept almost nothing but the basic body style the entire rear was redesigned (especially the window. They added a spoiler and a gate reduced the aggressiveness of the "haunches" total engine redesign rear storage area separated and the interior is almost nothing the same at all. Seats wheel alcantara and leather coverage majorly reduced no led lighting on the roof and vents or branding on the headliner. In most parts it was majorly dumbed down and made much much cheaper to meat price targets. Honestly the original concept was more like an Aston Martin's interior no plastic just alcantara and leather as far as the eye could see. What we ended up with is far far from that. There were only around 2 c x16's ever produced only for exhibitions etc. They are now at the Jaguar offices along with the cx75's which other then being in a bond film were never produced either.

Matthew Wigent (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 11:04PM

Permalink

I have a 2016 Jaguar S Contrrvible. It is British Racing Green and has black leather interior with the "leather everywhere" kit. I got to build and order myself and took delivery in July 2015. Most importantly it has a 6 Speed Manual gearbox with the gearbox upgrade to the transmission that can take the 380 horsepower. The car is a dream to drive. It only has about 13,000 miles. It does not take me to work and is no a grocery getter. It has been accused of being a Ferrari. I have yet to take it to be serviced. I have done oil changes and changed the rear differential fluid. I do not understand why the prices have fallen so much. However it keeps my wife off my back to sell it. It is about 15 BRG convertibles with a manual in the world. Ripping through the gears is a joy.

David Wesson (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 11:47PM

Permalink

I am a car collector based in South African. I own a 2013 F=Type 3.0 S. I regard myself as a big Jaguar fan.
In my collection, 1969 E-Type 4.2 2+2, 1973 E-Type V12 convertible with stick shift, 1963 XK150S Drop head, replica D-Type & various sedan models.
Regarding my E-Type, when deciding which model to buy, I test drove the V6 S & the pre AWD V8 models. Living in a mountainous area surrounded by the most beautiful passes, I opted for the White with Burgundy soft-top, very well balanced V6 S. 12 years later with now only 37k miles on the clock, I still get the the same thrill of driving it as when I initially bought the car. The vehicle is serviced annually irrespective of milage done. It is a highly under valued & under estimated çar. I have never had a single issue with this vehicle and can strongly recommend it as an excellent undervalued thrilling ride. I have in fact started selectively buying up some good used examples for future investment.

JB (not verified)    January 31, 2025 - 8:17AM

Permalink

Have a 2016 V6S that is VAP stage III so 473hp/450ft lbs. It can be stage IV (E85) but I got tired of looking for fuel stations on longish drives - locally it was not an issue but one does not need "more" than 473hp (this is a super cheap option).
Engine is super strong as is the zf8hp70 and such.
AWD is amazing - it can be 50/50 in rain mode or 90+ to the rear (fun) in other modes. It is NOT intrusive at all.
ZF8HP70 is able to take the fully tuned torque of the v6 no problem. It too can be tuned to be as fast as a PDK but way more civilized off the line.
Sound: amazing.
To do's are not hard:
1. Coolant pipes and solid s/c coupler. While there, plugs and s/c fluid.
2. Apple car play.
3. Optional: led headlights (pre facelift) - brighter but still moving back and forth.
That is it.
-
I have added custom floormats from cocomats (jester pattern if you wanted to know...super cool mats) and have done a washer hack for my car's cargo cover for about 5 dollars. Added OEM forged wheels and run continental DWSplus in 265/305 (SVR spec) - they are more than enough for anything on the street all year long. It is great in snow! Also, I coat the steel parts with a spray on substance to prevent rust (think Land Rover)...no rust.

Things you did not mention that people should know:
1. The seats are amazing (sport). Lateral bolstering is a memory item! 3 memories on both sides!
2. Heat steering wheel is great (at the time is was a big deal).
3. The car is a real dual personality car: on normal auto mode it is a lazy, relaxing cruiser that no spouse with object to. On sport/dynamic (especially tuned) it is a gt4 killer.
4. 3500lbs in my case - so not light, but on the street and with this chassis, amazingly light on its feet and fun. You will run out of courage before it will.
5. The paint is amazingly nice - the best I have ever had.
6. I like it better than my prior cars, which included a 993 and a 996gt2 - the looks are way better, the seats are way better, the noise suppression (road) is way better, the exhaust is way better (and I had a switzer x pipe on the latter car)....these are criminally underrated cars.