If Jaguar's ever going to get a manual transmission, it's now.

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
03/29/2014 at 19:12 • Filed to: jaguar, manual

The upcoming XE could definitely use one, as it's a 3-series competitor and the 3er's 3-pedaled variants are pretty popular. The F-Type is just begging for one, as well. I might just ruin my pants if they were to make a manual, light-weight F-Type R Coupe. Now if only Volvo would get on board... it would be a shame to see that beautiful hatch concept come out and not be able to row your own gears in it. Sure, it's beautiful, but you're not looking at the damned thing while you're driving it!

DISCUSSION (29)

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
03/29/2014 at 19:13

This is the most important post ever right now

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 19:20

Why thank you. This is the most important comment ever right now. Like, ever. At this very moment. :D

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:04

Can I get greedy?

I want them to make manuals and a gated shifter to stick in a new mid engine sports car that has dat supercharged V8

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 20:09

That's what everyone wants them to do, they're just too small for it right now. A manual F-Type would be a great start though.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:13

Hogwash!

Aren't they owned by Indian billionaires? They can spread a little dough and make it happen!

I wouldn't care if India got something in return. They could put a small Indian flag on the dash. Whatever it takes to give us a sexy mid engine Jaaaaaag with dat glorious V8 and a gated shifter!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 20:19

I know it doesn't make much sense, but that's the reason they didn't make the CX-75!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:23

That I understand more as very high end sports cars are risky business.

But imagine how automatic the sales of a Jag R8 would be! It's simple - no more gated shifter in new R8 and gated shifter in new Jag. Only high power mid engine sports car for around $150K.

Instant success. We already know it would look good. It would steal sales from more expensive cars.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 20:39

I'd sure as hell buy it. I can almost guarantee they'll come out with some sort of halo car that has those features in a few years.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:46

It would be so amazing.

Dat V8 is the best sounding engine out today that uses FI

I would love it so much I would buy two. One in blue with the gated shifter. And one in an alternate color (not sure which yet) with a DCT. Because driving stick when I go to LA makes me want to commit suicide.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 20:48

That's genius. I still don't understand why some people refuse to drive some supercars daily. The MP4-12C is a perfectly useable and comfortable car that can be driven everywhere. That can be said for pretty much any supercar.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:51

I always wondered too!

But I finally figured it out when I did all that research this year and contemplated it.

It's cause a lot of guys that buy them can just barely afford them. So they don't want to put too many miles on them in case they have to sell the car.

It's way cheaper to keep a second car and only drive the supercar on weekends and occasional week days.

But yeah the 12C is an ideal DD

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:54

Did you know the 458 has a "bumpy road" button?

If I had unlimited money I would get a red F430 6MT spider and a blue F430 Scud track car and DD this:

http://m.autotrader.com/vdp.html?id=36…

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 20:54

Damn that makes so much sense. I have much to learn.

I bet your M3 is such a useful DD, aside from the gas milage.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 20:56

Yes! the FF has it as well. My god this car looks amazing in black. In person this color looks even more staggering.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 20:58

I'm seriously living the E90 right now! I don't even care about the MPGs anymore. I've driven to LA and back FOUR times in 8 days. Min 2.5 round trip each time, sometimes more.

I used both cars. Never again. I'll only use the E90 from here on out when going to LA. You just can't count on avoiding traffic anymore, no matter when you make the drive!

LA is becoming a big and flat NYC. It's horrible...

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 21:00

I saw this car in person last weekend.

The 458 does look great in black. It hides some of the weirdness.

Now I want this car too. Damn it. Even if I make enough money to buy something I'll never be able to decide what to get.

The 458 replacement should debut by then end of next year...

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:01

*shudders*

Driving a stick through there must be a nightmare.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 21:03

Driving there sucks in general. Diving stick just makes it worse.

It's the worst place I've ever driven. I liked driving in Chicago more.

The population keeps growing in LA. And the roads and highways are all old and its too expensive to improve them. And lots of crappy drivers with no insurance.

It's hell!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:08

It's not too much better in NY, but the grid-like layout makes it quite easy to navigate.

As for the 458, now you have to buy one. It hovers over everything else.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 21:10

NYC sounds tough to drive in

Maybe I shocks email the Ferrari guy and ask if I can put a deposit on the 458 replacement without even knowing how much it costs or what it looks like.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:11

Haha for some reason I have a feeling he'll still take it.

A good used 458 is still hovering around $225k, which is a shitload. I'm sure in another year they'll drop down to reasonable prices.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
03/29/2014 at 21:13

I'll email him later today saying "take my money! Make sure I get the new car first and not a dollar over sticker!"

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:39

The funny thing is that you're probably not the only one.

QCGoose > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
03/30/2014 at 13:37

1,000,000 times this!!!

The F-Type is a major homerun for Jaguar. The looks, the sounds, and from reading/watching reviews, the drive as well.

There are only two major drawbacks to it, and one I can forgive: It's about 200-300 lbs too heavy, but if there is ONE car currently in production that is just BEGGING for a row-your-own, it's the F-Type. Put three pedals in it, and it would shoot nearly straight to the top of my modern auto lust list (modern cars just leave me a bit cold lately, what with their ridiculous designs and ever-decreasing choice of a manual).

I'd even be alright if they only gave a manual to the V6 models and left the V8 to just an auto; those V6's still have the looks, the drive (especially with less weight on the nose) and IMO the sounds as well. They sound totally bitchin'! I'd have no shame whatsoever driving the base model of this car, honestly. And with a manual, it'd probably be my favorite of all the F's.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > QCGoose
03/30/2014 at 13:46

You are so right. Just do what MB did in the 90s, but actually try to sell the manual cars. Offer the lower trim levels with a manual transmission and I'll be happy; most gearheads can't afford the ridiculously expensive ones on the used market anyways, let alone new! Save the "I have a V8 one" glory for the showoffs for all I care. Speaking of manual V6 F-Types, they offered them in the 90s!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-B…

If only they were sexier.

QCGoose > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
03/30/2014 at 14:03

When MB finally gave the SLK a manual, I was ecstatic! However, even though I never drove one with a stick so I have no say, everything I'd heard and read about it was less than stellar, and that it was actually a better car with the auto.

In fact, I've heard that about nearly all MB's auto/manual cars from the last 20 years; their manuals are just completely lackluster and make perfect cases for sticking to autos when it comes to Benzes.

Sad if true, but since I've literally not heard any positives about their "modern" manuals ('90's on up), I basically feel that it is to be believed as truth.

Which makes me add that if Jag is to add a manual to the F-Type, then for the love of God make it a good one!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > QCGoose
03/30/2014 at 14:13

What you've heard about MB manuals is true. They are generally sloppy, especially when compared to their incredible 4G/5G-tronic automatics. I once almost bought a 300E with a 190's 5 speed swapped in, and it was just okay. The current SLK250 has a pretty good 6MT as standard, as did the '08-'11 C300. I never understood why they didn't develop a good one, considering their funds. I think there is hope, however, for a Jaguar manual transmission because they would probably be forced to use another company's gearbox. Perhaps a Getrag unit? I just don't think they have the funds to make anything decent themselves, so I hope they outsource that project.

QCGoose > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
03/30/2014 at 15:23

Often times I wonder if MB knowingly and even purposely allowed for such shitty manuals in hopes of not only shutting up the people clamoring for a MB with a stick, but to also convince them after putting up with one for a while to go back to a Benz with an auto, as well as those on the fence of buying one with a manual reading/hearing enough bad things to go with an automatic instead.

Then, with no sales and no cases made to choose a manual Benz, MB goes back to just one transmission choice, cutting their production costs.

Basically, MB doesn't want manuals, but some customers do, though not enough to make much money for MB. So MB throws a few models a few shitty transmissions to shut those people up (MB: "Hey, here are the manuals you all cried for") while also making them eventually choose a Benz with an auto (Client: "Man this manual is terrible. Screw it, I'll just get one with an auto"), and then MB finally goes back to just auto as they originally wanted.

At least that's my conspiracy theory lol.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > QCGoose
03/30/2014 at 15:59

Whoa, that is gold! Seriously, one of the most realistic conspiracy theories I have ever heard. It's like how Blackberry swore that touch screens (I know this is kind of an inverse way of looking at this) were not the future, made a few shitty touch screen phones, and called it quits for a couple of years until it was too late — with Apple and Google dominating the market — coming out with BB10. Then they didn't sell any. That theory just really warrants its own post, though.

Apple/Google=BMW
BB Z10 = C300/SLK