Weekend hire of an F-Type V6S AWD

[jcuthell]

So this weekend I hired an F-Type V6S AWD from Miles and Miles after no dealer offering me a test drive locally (I was honest and said I wouldn’t be buying for 12 months). Following the weekend I most definitely would like one but will be wanting to spend around £35k so will need to be patient. I did 410 miles on a variety of roads. Sensible driving surprisingly gets into 30mpg and enjoyable driving about 20mpg. The car was ultimate black with black tornado 20” wheels which were knackered (all but 1 wheel kerbed badly after 6k miles and 3 months from new). It had the carbon fibre roof, performance seats and a few other bits including heated steering wheel. I made it at least £77k. The black paint was not in good condition and it was registered to Jaguar UK.



Few thoughts/ questions:

· The noise! The standard engine sound is lovely but the switchable exhaust wow! I only turned it off on motorways where it is boomy.

· Very usable. It can drive in a very relaxed manner or at time felt like a race car.

· People slow down, stare, smile – generally they love it!

· The noise in tunnels J

· Is there much difference between the V6 and V6S? On paper am I going to notice 10nm and 40 bhp?

· Is there much difference between RWD and AWD? I was quite surprised the backend went out on a slightly greasy roundabout even with the AWD and moderate throttle.

· Should I try the V8R?

· It does feel wide particularly driving it into London and from London (pick up near Gloucester Road tube). My neighbours must love me for starting it at 05:10am this morning!

· First car I have ever driven where the wheel arches are as wide as the mirrors. Makes parking and getting into a garage difficult…

· It used £84 of petrol to do the 410 miles!





Only other car I might look at is the

MX5 RF. I know it’s completely different but looks smart. Current cars Mazda 6 2.2 Sport Nav and a 1998 Jaguar XJR.


Cheers,


James.

[esso]

Your gonna have to wait a while to get a AWD V6S for 35k.I have just sold a RWD V6S Coupe ,had it a year,did 8k miles in it,fantastic car but too clinical,glad I kept my TVR Cerbera....now that's a lot more fun.

Edited by esso on Monday 10th October 13:00

[Johnnytheboy]

The V6s gets a LSD and the V6 does not - in RWD form.

Most of the early reviews seemed to conclude that the V6S was the "sweet spot" of the range.

[Simpo Two]

To be frank it just sounds like a very expensive way to do what a Griffith (or any TVR) does for <£15K! (and little depreciation)

[Phil.]

Simpo Two said:

To be frank it just sounds like a very expensive way to do what a Griffith (or any TVR) does for <£15K! (and little depreciation)

There is quite a difference in terms of technology, comfort, safety and reliability. But they are the closest to a TVR experience, especially the RWD 5.0L V8S

[esso]

TVR puts a bigger smile on your face !

[Phil.]

esso said:

TVR puts a bigger smile on your face !

I've had two 4.5 Cerbera's that have been remapped and decatted by Joolz. The V8S runs them very close for performance, sound and smiles

[Phil.]

BTW James. In answer to your question, definitely try the V8R!

[jcuthell]

Not sure I have the driving skill for a TVR. No driving aids? I think I will try the V8R and the standard V6. Interestef when I will notice the difference between the V6 and V6S in the real world.

[Simpo Two]

jcuthell said:

Not sure I have the driving skill for a TVR. No driving aids?

I have an XF and it has buttons called 'DSC', and 'DYNAMIC', and there's 'TRAC DSC' too, which is probably like DSC but with extra TRAC in it. I have no idea what they all do; the manual waffles on confusingly for ages but none of them seem to make any difference. Acronyms don't make a lardy diesel go any faster. Engine, wheels, brakes, that's all you need

[Riccardino]

Just had a coupe V6S at the Art of Performance and drove the convertible (V6S and V8S) at a previous event and also considering the options

jcuthell said:

· Very usable. It can drive in a very relaxed manner or at time felt like a race car.

Think this is a prerogative of the V6 as the V8 with all the torque available is more challenging to drive. In Circuit (damp but not wet) you had to be very careful with the throttle of the V8S whilst you could just floor the V6. Was faster on track with the V6 vs the V(. The V8 is also considerably heavier in the front

jcuthell said:

· The noise in tunnels J

you should also try the V8 then

jcuthell said:

· Is there much difference between the V6 and V6S? On paper am I going to notice 10nm and 40 bhp?

Cannot comment as I have never driven the base V6

jcuthell said:

· Is there much difference between RWD and AWD? I was quite surprised the backend went out on a slightly greasy roundabout even with the AWD and moderate throttle.

Still have to try the AWD but the difference might not be that big. Even the AWD is a RWD that transfers torque to the front tyres if needed
Did the rally circuit tour at Goodwood with a WTCC pilot driving and the F-PACE was going sideways like a RWD

jcuthell said:

· Should I try the V8R?

You definitively want to try one.
Power and low end torque is massive and the noise great (but very different from the V6)

[Pickled Piper]

Small article in this weeks Autocar about how good value used F Types are.

[jcuthell]

I just drove a Porsche 718 PDK. Felt fast buy clinical but definitely helped me confirm its the F type for me.

[FtypeRmeister]

Sounds like you had a great time!
I have run a v6 and have the v8 R rwd at the moment.
There is little difference between the v6 and the v6s up to 5000rpm, so it delivers 90% of the experience most of the time.
The R is completely different and much more full on. I tried one by chance at the Jaguar heritage track facility when I went to drive a C type/D type and xkss. Had to have one after that! The R seems to be in the high £50k range now so if you can, I would wait and go for one of those or as I did, get a v6 and trade up in due course. The dealer I use was excellent
Oh yes....it's too wide! I really notice it on country roads and getting in and out of the garage!
Last thought, cant imagine why the reversing camera is an option. I had it on the v6 and don't have it on the R. I really miss it!
Have fun!