F-Type as an everyday car?
Discussion
For reasons I won't bore you with I'm thinking of buying an f-type as an everyday car. We have a Range Rover as a practical car and a little Yaris for my daughter to learn to drive in. I'm planning on selling my Morgan 3-Wheeler as my wife gets a bit cold in it! Anyway, my question is "is the F-Type (380) okay as a work / everyday car"? I'm not sure whether or not to sell my XF - my drive / garage is getting cramped with lots of cars and a motorhome!
IMHO I can't think of a nicer 2 seater around, I've driven a few 3.0 ltr V6 S's and enjoyed them immensely. Interiors are again IMHO a little basic (compared to my XKR) but still a nice place to be. Bags of power (enough for general road use) and when in Dynamic mode a sound track to die for. 
Big Al. said:
Interiors are again IMHO a little basic (compared to my XKR)
I'd have an XKR as a daily over an F-Type.The F-Type (roadster) felt no more special than my Z4. Apart from the V8 soundtrack of the example I spent some time with it just didn't feel the Money.
The XKR I had for an extended drive was a wonderful car. I've been seriously thinking about a used XKRS.
Yes. Have run a v6 and a v8r. Very different cars. V6 well balanced, quick enough to entertain and surprisingly economical. Used to take it up to Scotland and if not in a hurry it would easily return mid 30s. V8R is a wild car. What some supercars used to be like with a surfeit of power over grip. It takes a while to get the best out of it and that has been part of the fun. Both are rather wide for U.K. B roads and parking spaces which is a pain. Both easy to live with in terms of reliability and maintenance. Very happy after years of 911s.
Been using my F-Type R as a DD for half a year now (only car) after years of 911 ownership (also only car). Perfectly doable, certainly more "usable" than my 997 ever was (don't have a need for the puny back seats).
Regarding the interior: lots of people find it a tad boring, but it's certainly not worse than a 991 and definitely better than the rattly abomination that is the 997 era interior. Lightly used, one year old F-Types, particularly the R, are a great all-round bargain! If it had a manual, I'd be inclined to keep it forever. It could also do with some weight loss, but no car in this price range is perfect, if we're being honest. I put only around 10k miles on my 997 in 3 years...meanwhile I've already racked up 6k miles in just a couple of months in my R. Just so much more fun to me (though I still love Porsches, don't get me wrong) - and much less of an annoyance (mainly lack of rattles...).
Regarding the exhaust noise: in "regular" mode and with the exhaust switched off, it's no louder than any ordinary car. If you're just cruising along in standard transmission mode, the car won't really build revs anyway. When you're really putting your foot down, the exhaust valves will open, however, no matter if the exhaust is activated or not. I personally find that a tad annoying and could do without it, but considering the immense power of the R you're only ever going to put the foot down when you're "willing to play" and road and traffic conditions allow it. Might also be correctable via software in the future. Minor point, to be sure.
Regarding the interior: lots of people find it a tad boring, but it's certainly not worse than a 991 and definitely better than the rattly abomination that is the 997 era interior. Lightly used, one year old F-Types, particularly the R, are a great all-round bargain! If it had a manual, I'd be inclined to keep it forever. It could also do with some weight loss, but no car in this price range is perfect, if we're being honest. I put only around 10k miles on my 997 in 3 years...meanwhile I've already racked up 6k miles in just a couple of months in my R. Just so much more fun to me (though I still love Porsches, don't get me wrong) - and much less of an annoyance (mainly lack of rattles...).
Regarding the exhaust noise: in "regular" mode and with the exhaust switched off, it's no louder than any ordinary car. If you're just cruising along in standard transmission mode, the car won't really build revs anyway. When you're really putting your foot down, the exhaust valves will open, however, no matter if the exhaust is activated or not. I personally find that a tad annoying and could do without it, but considering the immense power of the R you're only ever going to put the foot down when you're "willing to play" and road and traffic conditions allow it. Might also be correctable via software in the future. Minor point, to be sure.
The exhaust noise was one of the things which won me over - I don't think I could get bored of it. If I did I'll just stick some decent music up to eleven! Also, we do have a Range Rover Evoque as a 'sensible' car. Pick it up on Saturday. At some point this year I'll be selling the Morgan 3-Wheeler but I've had fours years of fun in it.
fatboy b said:
I was going to get an F V6S as a daily until I drove it. Everything good, but to do 22k a year with that exhaust noise would be pretty impossible when I got annoyed with it after 5 mins. It's there all the time. Maybe the V8 is more accommodating.
I don't know for sure but I think I've seen you post this before, unless the one you drove was broken the active exhaust in silent mode makes the car amazingly quiet for what it is. The noise is only there when you want it, the later cars are even quieter in quiet mode.
I will say this though, when I picked mine up it had an issue with the active exhaust actuator so it wouldn't go in quiet mode, maybe this is what you found. Was an easy quick fix under warranty.
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