F Type P450 vs GR86

[T1547]

Hi All,

I need some help… I currently have a GR86 which to be honest I love, but am in the fortunate position of having some funds available and with a big bday coming up have been considering upgrading to something with a bit more of an exciting engine and drama.

I have seen and test driven a very nice P450 coupe AWD and very much enjoyed the v8 and thought the car had an interesting split personality being able to waft and yet also seemed to handle well when I chucked it into a few corners in dynamic mode. The issue is I couldn t really drive the car ‘properly’ in the 45mins or so I had with the sales lady sitting next to me in the test drive.

I wondered if I could ask opinions from anyone who has driven both cars? Or for F Type owners (particularly P450), how engaging do you find the car to drive on twisty A/B roads? Do you often go out for a drive just because?

I guess I m worried about giving up a fantastic example of the little GR and regretting it if the Jag doesn t deliver. But then I kick myself because the Jag is a beautiful car and judging from reviews a lot of fun.

My use case is weekend / fun car, long drives to wales from W.Sussex, trips out with my young son and wife (but not at the same time). I have a family car for day to day use.

Thoughts/opinions welcome!

PS I m aware these cars come from a different weight class and the usual thing is said of GT car vs sports car, but would like a bit more substance behind the experience if possible

Edited by T1547 on Tuesday 23 June 22:50

[CarlosSainz100]

Harry's Garage did a very good review of the Ftype 450 a few years ago and likened it to a cut price Aston

[CABC]

I really think only you can decide, it may just be an itch you need to scratch.
You clearly appreciate the GR and it is a fabulous B road driver. The Jag won't be, but it has other virtues that will make it part of your car journey.
I had an 86 for 8 years only as an occasional car, but it was joyful even though I had sportier cars in the garage. The Jag V8 is spectacular though and Jaguar ride/handling balance is special. Not helping am I!

[Crumpet]

The problem is that there are so many great cars out there to try and enjoy that, to me at least, it makes no sense to stick with one car.

As good as the GR86 is, you’ll find a stonking V8 to be intoxicating, so much so that you don’t even need to be going quick to enjoy the noise. On top of that, you won’t have to endure the horrible Toyota interior smell and instead will get the nice smell of Windsor leather. (I say that in jest, but I was in my friend’s GR86 the other day and the smell is very……..Uber Prius!)

[Herbs]

I love the F type and almost bought one a few years back but......


I don't do a huge amount of miles and I found the auto box removed a level of involvement that I wanted in a sports car despite it ticking all the other boxes. This is obviously different for various use cases and personal preference but something to consider.

[T1547]

Thanks All, this is very much summing up my feelings too. Life is short to experience so many great cars and I have opportunity to experience something different. Never had a V8 before (or supercharged) so new experience there. I get close to deciding this is the direction to go in, but then as per last poster mentioned will I lose some engagement with the auto box and extra weight.. sends me back to keep the GR.

What would everyone else do in my situation? Stick with the GR or twist for the V8?

Not fussed about running costs. Decision is purely about driving enjoyment.

[drgoatboy]

You can always go back to GR if you want to, if you can sell privately that won't hurt so much financially either. It's not like it's super rare and you'll never find another.

Ask yourself do you really want a GR as your forever car? I'm sure they are great, and I really fancy one myself but until you try something different you'll never know!

[Crumpet]

T1547 said:

What would everyone else do in my situation? Stick with the GR or twist for the V8?

As someone who has had six different cars on his drive in the last 18 months I’m going to say make the change!

The supercharged V8 is probably my favourite engine and although it was in an F-Pace SVR the ZF 8 speed ‘box was still good fun and plenty engaging. Hopefully it ‘snorts’ between the shifts like the SVR does!

Different car but with similar genes, but the F-Pace SVR was the most laugh out loud car I’ve ever had - and that includes Porsches, TVRs, Aston V12s etc… Jag make a good car, they just market them horrendously. Make the change and then sell it and try a V12 Vantage if you don’t like it.

[Herbs]

Definitely change.

To quote Willy Wonka (kind of) - so many cars, so little time

If you don't gel then move it on. I did that that with a S2000 after a couple of months but I don't regret buying it. You miss 100% of the chances you don't take as they say.

[Diderot]

Go for the F Type. The engine is fantastic.

[Portofino]

F Type, very good cars & in dynamic mode using the paddles the shifts are great.

[Baked_bean]

Go for the Jaguar!

Even if you buy it and regret it, there are still going to be plenty of nice examples of the GR86 about due to their ownership profile.

[Belle427]

I would find it difficult to overlook the Jag really as good as the GR is.
That engine and noise is just incredible, I would just enjoy it for what it is and that is a total event every time you start it up.

[andy43]

Crumpet said:

T1547 said:

What would everyone else do in my situation? Stick with the GR or twist for the V8?

As someone who has had six different cars on his drive in the last 18 months I m going to say make the change!

The supercharged V8 is probably my favourite engine and although it was in an F-Pace SVR the ZF 8 speed box was still good fun and plenty engaging. Hopefully it snorts between the shifts like the SVR does!

Different car but with similar genes, but the F-Pace SVR was the most laugh out loud car I ve ever had - and that includes Porsches, TVRs, Aston V12s etc Jag make a good car, they just market them horrendously. Make the change and then sell it and try a V12 Vantage if you don t like it.

The F Pace SVR is just… nuts.
Having the opportunity to try that engine in a good looking sportscar and turning it down over a four pot would be a mistake imho.
Middle ground : F Type V6 manual if you can find one.

[Ed Banger]

Give it a go, otherwise it'll always be the itch you didn't scratch.

You also need to find out if you can live with an auto as your fun car. I went from a manual 911 to an auto Alfa Giulia Quad. Love the Alfa in many ways but my next car has to be a manual again as no matter how much power some cars provide, for me there just isn't the interaction you get from having 3 pedals.

[Crumpet]

andy43 said:

The F Pace SVR is just nuts.
Having the opportunity to try that engine in a good looking sportscar and turning it down over a four pot would be a mistake imho.
Middle ground : F Type V6 manual if you can find one.

V6 manual would be quite nice, but I think if you go V6 it would be hard to pass over an Evora and at least have the best steering in the business and handling that’ll be better than the Toyota.

You’re right about the F-Pace; if it wasn’t for the theft issues (it’s why I got rid of mine) it would be part of a long-term two car garage with a GT4. Awesome machines.

Do F-Types go walkies? Always an issue to consider with JLR cars (and other brands).

[Herbs]

Crumpet said:

andy43 said:

The F Pace SVR is just nuts.
Having the opportunity to try that engine in a good looking sportscar and turning it down over a four pot would be a mistake imho.
Middle ground : F Type V6 manual if you can find one.

V6 manual would be quite nice, but I think if you go V6 it would be hard to pass over an Evora and at least have the best steering in the business and handling that ll be better than the Toyota.

You re right about the F-Pace; if it wasn t for the theft issues (it s why I got rid of mine) it would be part of a long-term two car garage with a GT4. Awesome machines.

Do F-Types go walkies? Always an issue to consider with JLR cars (and other brands).

I thought the manual boxes in these were quite poor, any real experience of these as it would eliminate the blocker for me?

[sjc]

I've always been a lightweight two seater fan, owning 4 TVRS, 2 Nobles ( one for 19 years ), and now a Lotus.
An Evora of any GT410 / 410 Sport/ or GT410 sport is the stand out upgrade to a GR86. An F-type is a completely different type of car, and not in the same league for any measure of driving dynamics (I'm a Lotus and Jag owner). I've had my GT410 Sport (with Komotec 475 upgrade for a year now, and it's teh ultimate hidden gem (again Harry M, Jay Em and virtually everyone elso who's driven one says the same)
The problem is finding one,