Best sounding F Type?

[notax]

I am considering swapping my Vantage S roadster for an F type. I have a huge preference for V8s - currently fortunate enough to own three and have had them in everything from Ferraris, to Astons, TVRs and AMGs. They have all had their own character and unique sound - although the Vantage S and C63 AMG sound amazingly similar. Anyway, I naturally assumed I would opt for a V8 F Type but having driven several of each model in the range I'm now not sure.

First F Type I drove was a V6S and it didn't sound great and I didn't enjoy it. The sales guy promised to arrange for me to have a V8 for the day but never got back to me - so I bought the C63. I recently decided to have another go and test drove both a V8 coupe (at 183mph ) and a V8 roadster (180mph) at Bruntingthorpe. Both sounded good but not as loud as the AMV8 - especially the coupe.

On the road I then drove another V6S which had the switchable exhaust and sounded absolutely epic! It was also bloody good to drive. I finally tried a V8 roadster without a switchable exhaust (which the dealer, apparently wrongly, said isn't an option on the V8). This was very, very quiet even roof down except on start up, up until the valves opened at which point it suddenly sounded too loud and quite contrived to me. I also felt that I could really feel the weight of the V8 up front and the handling seemed a bit leaden compared to the V6S. Has anyone else test driven a few and which sound and car do you prefer?

[Phil.]

Firstly, the V8S can have the loud button fitted and you shouldn't IMHO consider any F-Type that doesn't have it fitted. It's a big part of the enjoyment.

I have driven back-to-back the Coupe V6S and V8R at Millbrook, as well as a V8S Cab. The one that produced the biggest smile on the day was the V8S with the top down and the loud button activated I had bought a new V8S a couple of days before so may have been biased but I was open minded. The V6S didn't do it for me when there is a V8 option. Each to there own.

I found the Coupe without the glass roof a bit claustrophobic and I drove both with and without.

Go for a drive a V8S in Sport and Dynamic mode with the roof down and you won't consider anything else

Edited by Phil. on Saturday 7th June 12:47

[Little Lofty]

I agree the money I spent on the switchable exhaust is probably the best £350 I've ever spent.Loads of people have commented on how good it sounds.The noise it makes on the up shift and overrun in manual sport is bonkers.I rate the V6S with loud button pressed an equal or better to my previous Vantage/RS4/R8/GranTurismo.

[Phil.]

To add, the V8 pops, bangs and crackles on the overrun much like my old de-catted V8 4.5 Cerbera. Unsure if the V6 does this as well?

[Little Lofty]

Phil. said:

To add, the V8 pops, bangs and crackles on the overrun much like my old de-catted V8 4.5 Cerbera. Unsure if the V6 does this as well?

Yes the V6S does this by the boatload in manual sport.

[notax]

Thanks, I guess I need to try a V8S with the optional button then - could be the best of both worlds. Did anyone else find that the V8 felt a bit leaden to drive compared to the V6S? I don't mean slower, but the turn in didn't seem as crisp to me and it didn't seem quite as playful - may have been partly psychological due to the lack of noise in the ones I test drove... I would only be considering roadsters by the way.

[MaverickV12]

If only these dealers would understand that we, "want what we want", I find it funny that he said he would get back to you and didn't ..... you voted by the your feet and bought a C63. If I was his boss and found this out, I tear him a new one..... ..... taking into consideration its his job to sell you his car .....

Please tell me your not going back to the same guy for this V6 / V8 face-off.....

[notax]

MaverickV12 said:

If only these dealers would understand that we, "want what we want", I find it funny that he said he would get back to you and didn't ..... you voted by the your feet and bought a C63. If I was his boss and found this out, I tear him a new one..... ..... taking into consideration its his job to sell you his car .....

Please tell me your not going back to the same guy for this V6 / V8 face-off.....

Nope, now gone to a different dealer. It is staggering just how dreadful the vast majority of car salesman are. They more often than not talk themselves out of a sale in my experience. A few years ago I went to a local Ferrari main dealer (in my Ferrari) with my girlfriend who was intending to buy a Maserati. We stood around for literally half an hour and no one even came to talk to us - needless to say she bought it elsewhere. I have had numerous similar experiences whether I'm wearing a pinstripe suit or jeans doesn't seem to make any difference. Anyway, rant over!