I'm thinking of buying an F Type

chrisp

New member
Hi there, Ive been reading these forums and you guys seem to be the go to guys for advice on everything F Type.

So...

I am currently using a 1989 Saab Turbo as a daily driver, however as much as I love the thing I am now doing more miles and I am selling it as its taking the shine off owning it, petty its a rubbish time to e selling a Classic but hey ho.

Anyway I am really wanting an Type, I have been to view and drive a few, Iw ill be financing it and was originally looking at the cheaper end at V6s's at around £20k-£25k, but having seen the offers for Car finance from my bank I am thinking of actually getting a far newer one on PCP rather than HP as the monthly payments are pretty much the same (but obviously there is a bubble payment at the end with PCP but Im thinking they should hold their value pretty well)

Ive been to see two near me (I hope posting links is ok?)

a P380 and a P450 both similarly priced.

Ive run check on the p380 and for a fairly young car the service history seems a bit sketchy, the V8 has complete fill Jaguar service history

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...del=F-Type&postcode=bd195hb&radius=15&fromsra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...del=F-Type&postcode=bd195hb&radius=15&fromsra

I really like the interior of the V6 but I also like the newer looks of the facelift and the digital dash on the V8

Any advice is appreciated, I need to sort a car out pretty sharpish as the Saab is going this week!

Thanks in advance
 
I don’t think you can go wrong with any f type just go with a well maintained one I’ve got a 2019 380 and absolutely love it.
 
There are loads of very well maintained F-Types out there. So personally I wouldn't want any gaps in service history, especially on a 2019 car. You don't need to make those sort of compromises at that price.

A one-owner FSH P450 in a nice sharp classic spec like the one above sounds like a great choice to me. They're brilliant cars - get the best you can afford and you won't regret it.
 
Looks like two good options, both with some advantages and disadvantages. Considering what I expect an F-Type to be I'd definitely go for the P380, but that's a matter of preference and taste.

About the P450:
That interior is pretty much poverty spec for an F-Type and I personally couldn't live with that. Equipment wise it seems to have the same kit as the P380 except that it has the standard stereo and the digital dash being a second facelift. Looks like it's an RWD car which I think is an advantage. A nice thing is that a simple remap will unlock the remaining power and give you some 600 horses if you're into straight line grunt. A bit odd that it's presented in such a grubby state and without the parcel shelf.

About the P380:
Very nice spec inside and out. More seat adjustment options and better sound system than in the V8. It's obviously an AWD car and I personally think that's a disadvantage, especially with the V6 cars. The upside of that is that you won't have the RWD bonnet vent water ingress issue if you intend to let it get wet a lot. Being a MY19 it might have the OPF which makes it more quiet than earlier V6 cars, if that matters to you. Since it has the facelift LEDs it will suffer from the passenger side DRL issue sooner or later, so that's one thing to check in case you go ahead with it. A dodgy history is a red flag.

Above all you should ask yourself what kind of F-Type you really prefer in terms of sound, character and handling feel... a V6 or a V8.
 
Thanks for the replies

On the V8 ive been to see it and driven it, it’s better presented in the metal than the pictures, I suppose the lack of options is the reason for the lower price? Will that affect resale down the line?

The only thing i would miss is the upgraded sound system as I believe the stock one is poor?

I really like the V6 interior but the sketchy services on a fairly new car puts me off. Ive also driven it and opposite to the V8 it was in a very grubby state and needed a proper valet.

I have driven earlier cars and yes the sound was definitely muted in both these cars but I’m not sure if the noise being turned up to 11 might actually annoy me after a while?

I’ve found the below which I really like the colour of but i would prefer pano roof!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068823960

I might go test drive the V8 again this week, with it being newer the monthly price is actually lower than the V6
 
I had a very bad experience buying from Riviera on my first F-Type so (I personally) would give them a wide berth

I do love the burble of the SAAB turbo’s, always sound nice

Given the money you’re potentially dropping you should certainly consider the Main Stealer’s as you’ll get a proper one year warranty
 
That V8 is actually not that bad in terms of options.

These newer F-Types all come with a decent sound system, the 380W Meridian. Really early cars had some really crappy system and the 380W Meridian used to be the mid range option which then became standard. It won't be night and day between this and the Surround version and you'll need to add sound insulation and sound deadening in the doors to get them to sound pretty good.

Concerning the noise of the earlier cars, they're only really loud with the valves open and when pushed. In normal driving mode with the valves closed they're nice and quiet.
 
chrisp said:
I have driven earlier cars and yes the sound was definitely muted in both these cars but I’m not sure if the noise being turned up to 11 might actually annoy me after a while?

Look up "fuse 15" on this forum. Removing the fuse opens the exhaust valves. It totally transforms the sound of the P450 into a proper burbling V8. If it's too much you can replace it - best of both worlds. Never owned a V6 so can't comment on that but think the same trick applies.
 
This one looks like my perfect spec for not much more.

I just need to check Service history and also try get over to Wigan to see it, which isn’t that far but I’m now carless so might have to wait until i can borrow the wifes car

https://www.motor-class.co.uk/used-jaguar-f-type-wigan-lancashire-6753565
 
Spoke to Motorclass in Wigan

It's had 3 owners - seems a lot for 4 years?

Its got a full service history, first to carried out bye Jaguar Land Rover the other 3 by Mac Motors in Staffordshire , the first one in 23 appears on the Jagar portal so bit sure whyy the more recent ones don't.

Reg is VO21NVK

VIN SAJDB1AEXMCK74257
 
Update:

The amount of owners and non Jaguar Servces spooked me so Ive gone and bought the one from Leeds, picking it up tomorrow.
 
Hi i bought the one with the lower spec black interior, price was ok and I liked the fact it was a one owner full Jag history.

https://www.riversidemotors.co.uk/used-cars/19193117-jaguar-f-type-5.0%20v8%20r-dynamic%20auto%20euro%206%20(ss)%202dr/?finances%5Bdeposit%5D=3950&finances%5BproductName%5D=Personal%20Contract%20Purchase&finances%5Bterm%5D=48&finances%5BproductType%5D=Personal%20Contract%20Purchase&finances%5BannualMileage%5D=10000&finances%5Bdescription%5D=
 
It’s even got the heated steering wheel which is nice in the cooler months. When do you collect it?
 
I got a years warranty with them discounted in with it though not sure how much use a non Jag warranty is but thought it was worth it for a bit of peace of mind.

I financed it with a deposit through my bank (Halifax) as the rates were half the price of the dealership.
 
Kev said:
It’s even got the heated steering wheel which is nice in the cooler months. When do you collect it?

This afternoon!

Yeah I find the heated steering wheel more useful than heated seats which on my last car that had it (Polestar 2) i hardly used it as i actually found it too hot and a bit uncomfortable to be honest.

Looking at the spec bar the upgraded stereo it has everything i would need/want.

I decided to go for a newer car as I intend on keeping it for a few years and I thought the older ones might start showing their age in time so the things like the digital dash appealed to me.

Plus my wife said don’t get an older car again :-)
 
Nice, congrats! Let's see some more pics once you have it.

Fully agree about the steering wheel heating. Brilliant option. Haven't had a car without it for many years now and always used it much more than seat heating (or cooling for that matter).

Out of the V8 versions I always found the P450 the most appealing because you could get it with RWD (as the early V8S) and because of the brilliant value for money compared to the other versions. It feels like Jaguar put a bit too ridiculous prices on the Rs and SVRs, while the P450 had all the same important kit at a completely different price and was just a remap away from its normal power. Half price Aston Vantage as Harry said in his review. :)
 
Cheers guys

It was well prepped along with parcel shelf!

It’s actually got heated seats.

I’m in love!

Ill post pictures soon
 
Glad the shelf was in the car they ain’t cheap! Enjoy lovely motors you lock up tonight and your keep looking out the window at lol.
 
Back
Top