F-Type 380 Vs P450

[YorksLS18]

Is there much real-world difference between performance feel of a V6 380 and V8 450 F-Type?

I know what the stats say, but could anyone who's owned both provide any insights please? Does the V8 facelift feel loads torquier, quicker or whatever else?

I'm considering either as my next car so would like to be able to test drive both back-to-back.

But for now I'm wondering if the price gap warrants waiting and saving a little more for a face-lift V8 before I hassle a dealership for some sets of keys!

Thanks in advance folks.

[snafu10]

Great you are thinking about thr F,having owned 2016 f typre R rwd for the last 3 yrs ,they are complete hooligans ,fantastic performance and of course the exhaust music,not having driven the v6 cannot compare best of luck in your journey.

[fatboy b]

I test drove a 380 not long after they came out. I couldn’t live with the lack of leg room then and the howlly exhaust noise of the V6. Some like it, but it had to be a V8 for me. Then they fixed the seats to provide more legroom. I’m currently 2 1/2 years in with an R and love it. I’m not a fan of the facelift and mine is one of the last pre-facelift with the latter led lights. I think the sweet spot.

[YorksLS18]

Thanks for the replies so far folks. Two more very strong endorsements for the F.

I was keeping an eye out for pre-facelift (550bhp AWD) V8s. I'd like a post-2017 car for cheaper tax as I intend to hang onto it for a good while. They seem few and far between though.

I'm slightly less keen on the facelift, but there do seem to be more 450bhp facelift V8s on the market, so more choice and a slightly newer car for the money.

Or I just pay a few grand less and get a really nice 380 V6.

Decisions, decisions. I'll keep an open mind and see what comes up over the next few weeks.

Thanks again!

[fatboy b]

YorksLS18 said:

Thanks for the replies so far folks. Two more very strong endorsements for the F.

I was keeping an eye out for pre-facelift (550bhp AWD) V8s. I'd like a post-2017 car for cheaper tax as I intend to hang onto it for a good while. They seem few and far between though.

I'm slightly less keen on the facelift, but there do seem to be more 450bhp facelift V8s on the market, so more choice and a slightly newer car for the money.

Or I just pay a few grand less and get a really nice 380 V6.

Decisions, decisions. I'll keep an open mind and see what comes up over the next few weeks.

Thanks again!

If you get a V6, you will no doubt love it. But then wonder what the V8 feels like. Just saying

[Nuttbelle]

V8 all the way.

No one buys a V8 and then thinks they wish they had the V6 but it will always be the case vice versa

[Matt99man]

fatboy b said:

I test drove a 380 not long after they came out. I couldn’t live with the lack of leg room then and the howlly exhaust noise of the V6. Some like it, but it had to be a V8 for me. Then they fixed the seats to provide more legroom. I’m currently 2 1/2 years in with an R and love it. I’m not a fan of the facelift and mine is one of the last pre-facelift with the latter led lights. I think the sweet spot.

Did the jag dealer fix the seats? How tall are you? I just about fit in my chimaera, would love to know if an f type could go on the list!

[fatboy b]

“Fixed” was the wrong word really. Jag redesigned them. They made them thinner with a titanium frame. I’m 6’2” but long legs, so seat is right back. My cousin is 6’4” with short legs and he fits no probs.

[blackmme]

fatboy b said:

“Fixed” was the wrong word really. Jag redesigned them. They made them thinner with a titanium frame. I’m 6’2” but long legs, so seat is right back. My cousin is 6’4” with short legs and he fits no probs.

I'm 6'3" with I guess a 'balanced' leg to overall height ratio (33") inside leg. Our 2016 car has the original seats and I have no issues with fitting at all.
Hope this helps!

[fatboy b]

blackmme said:

fatboy b said:

“Fixed” was the wrong word really. Jag redesigned them. They made them thinner with a titanium frame. I’m 6’2” but long legs, so seat is right back. My cousin is 6’4” with short legs and he fits no probs.

I'm 6'3" with I guess a 'balanced' leg to overall height ratio (33") inside leg. Our 2016 car has the original seats and I have no issues with fitting at all.
Hope this helps!

I have the seat right back. My cousin who’s taller had to move the seat forward.

[ftypical]

I bought a V6 back in 2014, having test driven the V8. The latter is on a different level in terms of straight line performance. The former is still 'somewhat' traction limited.

With a 33" inside leg measurement, I'm not sure what the problem was with the legroom mentioned above, but I did go for the seat the time.

HTH

[reddiesel]

V8 every time for me and like most on here I’ve heard all the V6 arguments . An SVR must make a pretty tempting case for a long term keeper

[8bit]

YorksLS18 said:

Is there much real-world difference between performance feel of a V6 380 and V8 450 F-Type?

I know what the stats say, but could anyone who's owned both provide any insights please? Does the V8 facelift feel loads torquier, quicker or whatever else?

I'm considering either as my next car so would like to be able to test drive both back-to-back.

But for now I'm wondering if the price gap warrants waiting and saving a little more for a face-lift V8 before I hassle a dealership for some sets of keys!

Thanks in advance folks.

I've never driven a P450 but I have driven a V6 S 380 and owned a 4.2 XKR (V8, 420bhp) and later a 5.0 XKR (500ish bhp). On paper the F-Type 380 should have been equal to the 4.2 XKR's pace but in reality it felt nothing like as quick. Personally I did like the sound of the V6 (and I don't normally like a V6 note) but it felt a bit underpowered really for what it is. IMHO of course - drive both and see what you think yourself.

[TheCoot]

I've owned both, from new. A V6S (2017) and my current F Type R 75 (2023). They are very different beasts. One post earlier states given the choice you would always take a V8. I beg to differ. I think this comes down to the type of driver you are. I've driven and tracked sports cars my whole life. The V6S is a far better balanced car than the V8 and as such you notice this in the handling. The V8 is a bruiser/muscle car and you notice the weight.

The V6S is closer to a true sports car whilst the V8 is bordering on GT.

Don't get me wrong, I love both........but, given the choice, and my personal driving style, I would go V6S.

My problem when buying my second F Type was they didn't make a new V6S. I came very close to buying a used V6 400 but settled on the final R 75 simply because it's the last and came with a longer warranty.

Think about your driving style and what you'll use the car for. If it's long motorway stretches and long journeys, consider V8. If it's darting around more, consider V6S.

[fatboy b]

The weight difference between V6 and V8 amounts to carrying a light passenger in the V6. It’s not a lot.

[reddiesel]

" The V6S is closer to a true sports car whilst the V8 is bordering on GT. " As always Coot its great to read your Posts and unlike many you have made your choice , put your hand in your pocket and lived with your decision . That's an interesting conclusion you have drawn ?

[YorksLS18]

TheCoot said:

I've owned both, from new. A V6S (2017) and my current F Type R 75 (2023). They are very different beasts. One post earlier states given the choice you would always take a V8. I beg to differ. I think this comes down to the type of driver you are. I've driven and tracked sports cars my whole life. The V6S is a far better balanced car than the V8 and as such you notice this in the handling. The V8 is a bruiser/muscle car and you notice the weight.

The V6S is closer to a true sports car whilst the V8 is bordering on GT.

Don't get me wrong, I love both........but, given the choice, and my personal driving style, I would go V6S.

My problem when buying my second F Type was they didn't make a new V6S. I came very close to buying a used V6 400 but settled on the final R 75 simply because it's the last and came with a longer warranty.

Think about your driving style and what you'll use the car for. If it's long motorway stretches and long journeys, consider V8. If it's darting around more, consider V6S.

Thanks for this really interesting and informative comparison - just what I needed.

It sounds like the V6 has smoother, more linear power delivery, which might actually work better on many British roads. I do a mix of driving, but living near the Yorkshire Dales there are some epic twists and turns within easy reach and I'd like a car I can really engage with.

Either way, it's clear from your experience that the V6 has real-world merit despite the V8's more favourable stats. Plus the fact you would've bought another speaks volumes!

At the moment, around £45k seems to get virtually any V6, with tons of low-mileage cars and a wide choice of spec. V8s (either later mk1 or earlier mk2) seem harder to come by at this price but by no means impossible. It's just a waiting game.

As much as an SVR would be a shrewd move for residuals etc, I can't stretch to it and simply don't want to take out loans at current interest rates!

I've been leaning towards buying through the main dealer network for all the obvious reasons, but would appreciate any experience/thoughts about buying main dealer Vs independent. Thanks again.

[piquet]

TheCoot said:

I've owned both, from new. A V6S (2017) and my current F Type R 75 (2023). They are very different beasts. One post earlier states given the choice you would always take a V8. I beg to differ. I think this comes down to the type of driver you are. I've driven and tracked sports cars my whole life. The V6S is a far better balanced car than the V8 and as such you notice this in the handling. The V8 is a bruiser/muscle car and you notice the weight.

The V6S is closer to a true sports car whilst the V8 is bordering on GT.

Don't get me wrong, I love both........but, given the choice, and my personal driving style, I would go V6S.

My problem when buying my second F Type was they didn't make a new V6S. I came very close to buying a used V6 400 but settled on the final R 75 simply because it's the last and came with a longer warranty.

Think about your driving style and what you'll use the car for. If its long motorway stretches and long journeys, consider V8. If it's darting around more, consider V6S.

Since they share the same block, I'm always surprised there is that much in It when it comes to weight, or is the extra weight all the extra upgraded bits either from drive train to toys

Happy if I've got this wrong, just always thought it slightly weird

[loquacious]

I know someone who was involved with the development of the 'F' type, he always said that the V6S was the pick of the bunch.

[fatboy b]

piquet said:

TheCoot said:

I've owned both, from new. A V6S (2017) and my current F Type R 75 (2023). They are very different beasts. One post earlier states given the choice you would always take a V8. I beg to differ. I think this comes down to the type of driver you are. I've driven and tracked sports cars my whole life. The V6S is a far better balanced car than the V8 and as such you notice this in the handling. The V8 is a bruiser/muscle car and you notice the weight.

The V6S is closer to a true sports car whilst the V8 is bordering on GT.

Don't get me wrong, I love both........but, given the choice, and my personal driving style, I would go V6S.

My problem when buying my second F Type was they didn't make a new V6S. I came very close to buying a used V6 400 but settled on the final R 75 simply because it's the last and came with a longer warranty.

Think about your driving style and what you'll use the car for. If its long motorway stretches and long journeys, consider V8. If it's darting around more, consider V6S.

Since they share the same block, I'm always surprised there is that much in It when it comes to weight, or is the extra weight all the extra upgraded bits either from drive train to toys

Happy if I've got this wrong, just always thought it slightly weird

It’s about 80 kg difference. For that I’d take the V8 any day. The V6 does sound like you’re going faster with the exhaust it has though. But I’m sure that placebo isn’t at play here