F type 340 vs 380 S
Discussion
I had an extended test drive in both. My feeling was that, while the 380ps is a bit quicker, the difference wasn't stunning. It was actually the improved suspension and handling that made the difference. The 340ps felt like an old school muscle car, whereas the 380ps felt like a really planted modern sports car.
In the end, I bought a Lotus Evora as it gave me the option of carrying the kids occasionally, but if i'd stuck with the Jag, I think the extra for the 380ps model would have been worth it.
In the end, I bought a Lotus Evora as it gave me the option of carrying the kids occasionally, but if i'd stuck with the Jag, I think the extra for the 380ps model would have been worth it.
To be honest, even the touches to the interior trim make it a nice step up (bronzed paddles and switches). The LSD and noticeable extra power are the biggest difference. The sound (the main thing!) with the active exhaust which is standard on the v6S.
V6s also has the ability to adjust set up. Not sure if the standard one has that or not.
If you want the 'go' (performance and set up) aswell as the looks then the v6s (as most reviews will tell you) is the 'sweet spot' in the range.
V6s also has the ability to adjust set up. Not sure if the standard one has that or not.
If you want the 'go' (performance and set up) aswell as the looks then the v6s (as most reviews will tell you) is the 'sweet spot' in the range.
Having just purchased a V6S Coupe I feel qualified to answer this and its Yes. I have driven a V8 TVR Cerbera for the last 10 years so I know a quick car,i drove the 340 and it needed a little bit more. I bought the V6S and wasn`t sure when I bought it if I was going to be impressed by it....but believe me....its impressive and its worth the premium.
The extra bits are worth having, but not worth £9k. Except for the purposes of Bragging Rights.
Exhaust. The basic exhaust appears to be louder than the dynamic exhaust in the closed setting. It really doesn't need to be louder (you may have trouble on Track Days...)
Torque above 5k. You can feel it, but need to be using big throttle openings to do so.
LSD. The different ratio on this appears to account for most of the extra 'zing' of the S. To get the benefit of the LSD you need to light the tyres up. This is easier in the S due to the previous point, but is pretty damn easy in either model.
Dynamic suspension. Does improve the ride - noticeable better at low speeds, and less bouncy when you're getting a move on. Most other Marques appear to charge less than £2k to add this...
Stereo. Both cars are too loud to be worth spending more money on in this area.
Seats. Wing Back Armchairs in a 'sports car'??? - you get the idea.
Separately, Just Say No to powered tailgates (it's really small, and hides a boot that will not hold enough luggage/shopping to need both hands), and Carbonfibre engine covers (only your mechanic will ever see it, and the first thing they'll do is remove it in order to get at the engine...). Also, if you keep it in a garage, why would you need heated seats and steering wheel? Finally, the cabin is 'compact' - you are unlikely to notice dual zone climate control unless your passenger sets theirs at the opposite end of the dial to yours.
Exhaust. The basic exhaust appears to be louder than the dynamic exhaust in the closed setting. It really doesn't need to be louder (you may have trouble on Track Days...)
Torque above 5k. You can feel it, but need to be using big throttle openings to do so.
LSD. The different ratio on this appears to account for most of the extra 'zing' of the S. To get the benefit of the LSD you need to light the tyres up. This is easier in the S due to the previous point, but is pretty damn easy in either model.
Dynamic suspension. Does improve the ride - noticeable better at low speeds, and less bouncy when you're getting a move on. Most other Marques appear to charge less than £2k to add this...
Stereo. Both cars are too loud to be worth spending more money on in this area.
Seats. Wing Back Armchairs in a 'sports car'??? - you get the idea.
Separately, Just Say No to powered tailgates (it's really small, and hides a boot that will not hold enough luggage/shopping to need both hands), and Carbonfibre engine covers (only your mechanic will ever see it, and the first thing they'll do is remove it in order to get at the engine...). Also, if you keep it in a garage, why would you need heated seats and steering wheel? Finally, the cabin is 'compact' - you are unlikely to notice dual zone climate control unless your passenger sets theirs at the opposite end of the dial to yours.
ftypical said:
The extra bits are worth having, but not worth £9k. Except for the purposes of Bragging Rights.
Exhaust. The basic exhaust appears to be louder than the dynamic exhaust in the closed setting. It really doesn't need to be louder (you may have trouble on Track Days...)
Torque above 5k. You can feel it, but need to be using big throttle openings to do so.
LSD. The different ratio on this appears to account for most of the extra 'zing' of the S. To get the benefit of the LSD you need to light the tyres up. This is easier in the S due to the previous point, but is pretty damn easy in either model.
Dynamic suspension. Does improve the ride - noticeable better at low speeds, and less bouncy when you're getting a move on. Most other Marques appear to charge less than £2k to add this...
Stereo. Both cars are too loud to be worth spending more money on in this area.
Seats. Wing Back Armchairs in a 'sports car'??? - you get the idea.
Separately, Just Say No to powered tailgates (it's really small, and hides a boot that will not hold enough luggage/shopping to need both hands), and Carbonfibre engine covers (only your mechanic will ever see it, and the first thing they'll do is remove it in order to get at the engine...). Also, if you keep it in a garage, why would you need heated seats and steering wheel? Finally, the cabin is 'compact' - you are unlikely to notice dual zone climate control unless your passenger sets theirs at the opposite end of the dial to yours.
That's the most ridiculous argument ever.Exhaust. The basic exhaust appears to be louder than the dynamic exhaust in the closed setting. It really doesn't need to be louder (you may have trouble on Track Days...)
Torque above 5k. You can feel it, but need to be using big throttle openings to do so.
LSD. The different ratio on this appears to account for most of the extra 'zing' of the S. To get the benefit of the LSD you need to light the tyres up. This is easier in the S due to the previous point, but is pretty damn easy in either model.
Dynamic suspension. Does improve the ride - noticeable better at low speeds, and less bouncy when you're getting a move on. Most other Marques appear to charge less than £2k to add this...
Stereo. Both cars are too loud to be worth spending more money on in this area.
Seats. Wing Back Armchairs in a 'sports car'??? - you get the idea.
Separately, Just Say No to powered tailgates (it's really small, and hides a boot that will not hold enough luggage/shopping to need both hands), and Carbonfibre engine covers (only your mechanic will ever see it, and the first thing they'll do is remove it in order to get at the engine...). Also, if you keep it in a garage, why would you need heated seats and steering wheel? Finally, the cabin is 'compact' - you are unlikely to notice dual zone climate control unless your passenger sets theirs at the opposite end of the dial to yours.
Basically just go for a boggo standard car...tbh I'm surprised you didn't go the whole hog and say no need for seats at all, just put the kitchen stool in!
ftypical said:
Also, if you keep it in a garage, why would you need heated seats and steering wheel?
Well the lady in my life loves her heated seats, whether the car lives in a garage or not. In a tin top I use mine less, but it's still nice occasionally, if you've the open top then the heated seat makes driving with the lid down out of summer a much more comfortable affair. I wish the heated steering wheel on my XKR had different settings, I normally find it too warm and have been known to turn it on and off at intervals balance that out, I suppose I could always get a pair of string back driving gloves 
.....how often do you use the Willy warmer?.....esso said:
;).....how often do you use the Willy warmer?.....
That's really no way to refer to...Actually when I bought the car the drivers side seat heater wasn't working. I didn't notice for ages then I had a bright spring morning drive down to CKL and soon found that at motorway speeds you getting pretty cold in skirt sleeves even with the heater on full. No problems getting the seat fixed under warrantee now I can blast around topless on cold morning with no problems. Only wish is that as well as levels 1,2 & 3 there was a 1/2 setting too.
akadk said:
That's the most ridiculous argument ever.
Basically just go for a boggo standard car...tbh I'm surprised you didn't go the whole hog and say no need for seats at all, just put the kitchen stool in!
The wing backs are an acquired taste, And so heavy they take two mechanics to lift them out. In a "sports" car...Basically just go for a boggo standard car...tbh I'm surprised you didn't go the whole hog and say no need for seats at all, just put the kitchen stool in!
As I note at the start, most of the extras in the S are worth having, so buy second hand and don't pay extra for them.
ftypical said:
akadk said:
That's the most ridiculous argument ever.
Basically just go for a boggo standard car...tbh I'm surprised you didn't go the whole hog and say no need for seats at all, just put the kitchen stool in!
The wing backs are an acquired taste, And so heavy they take two mechanics to lift them out. In a "sports" car...Basically just go for a boggo standard car...tbh I'm surprised you didn't go the whole hog and say no need for seats at all, just put the kitchen stool in!
As I note at the start, most of the extras in the S are worth having, so buy second hand and don't pay extra for them.
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