Test drove Jaguar F-Type - want a car that sounds like an R

[Kief]

So yesterday I decided to go to Jaguar and test drive the F-Type. IMHO, this car is sex. I love the exterior design and I found the interior not to be as cheap/rental as some reviews have described--although it could be better for the price point.

I arrive early, just as they were opening, and a young sales man greets me as I exit my M4. I tell him I'm interested in the F-Type and he is eager to take me out. The guy appeared to be an enthusiast, and him loving my car made me like him even more--lol. However, he really knew nothing about the product he was selling. For example, he didn't know the F-Type came with adaptive damping or that the car weighed relatively heavy for a two-seat coupe--"it's not heavy, it's made out of aluminum"--WTH!

Anyway, I tell him I want to test drive a rear-wheel drive coupe. He pulls up and I'm in awe of the shear beauty and sound of this thing. Unfortunately, he tags along on my spirited drive, but something just didn't feel right. It was cold, and with the summer rubber, I didn't want to start my New Year off around a tree, so maybe I wasn't riding her hard, but I wasn't able to get the tail out and the sound that I have fallen in love with was a bit too muted--even with the sport exhaust in dynamic mode (open). Overall, it was a nice place to be, and I'm sure I would of had more fun if it was warmer and I didn't want to see the contents of the kid's stomach from his partying the night before all over the passenger seat. Despite only working at the dealership/Jaguar for 6 weeks, the guy could tell I was lukewarm and recommended we take out an R-coupe. He tells me the videos and reviews of the "S" I probably watched sounded much better than in reality, and often what I'm hearing was probably the R-version. Not sure I agree with the sound "voice-overs," but hell, I'm game about taking out an R! As I pull up to the dealership and get out, I walk around the car again to admire the beauty, and noticed the damn thing is an AWD version--duh--on both of us. One, for him not even knowing his product; and two, for me not being able to tell immediately!

He then retrieves a pre-owned '15 F-Type R coupe with rear-wheel drive. Immediately as he pulls up, the sound of this thing plants a ginormous grin on my cold face! This one is it! The look, sound, and potential performance have me excited, despite knowing the price. I get in and he tells me to stomp on the pedal. I swear it sounded like I was in the pits of Le Mans. Also reminded me of the Baltimore Grand Prix a few years back and watching those C6 ZR1 Corvettes downshift around the circuit. Glorious!!! The sound was incredible!!! I pull out of the dealership, and the rear end immediately wants to play. What a car! It was a blast! And again, that sound!!! I mean really, that sound!!! The drive was too short, but I loved it! However, the price of admission was too steep. And if I was seriously considering that price point, I would obviously have to consider the competition.

But this gets me to my point...the sound. One of the few things I dislike about my F82, is the sound, besides the size. I will admit it, and I'm a BMW fan boy, I am disappointed by both the cold start lawn mower noise and the synthetic/artificial sound when driving hard. I want my next car to sound like that Jag, but provide me with the overall performance/value of my current M4. So what would folks recommend for this short list???

Below is a pic of the S version. I totally forgot to take pics of the R after the drive as I was too busy listening to him park it in the lot.

[mkoesel]

Corvette, C63 coupe, or RC-F.

Not that I have personal experience with these cars so as to be able to comment on their performance. But they all have V8s that sound nice, and are in the same price range as an M4.

[M3ZING]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Corvette, C63 coupe, or RC-F.

Not that I have personal experience with these cars so as to be able to comment on their performance. But they all have V8s that sound nice, and are in the same price range as an M4.

wouldn't buy an RC-F because of its heavyweight, however i really like the interior in the Lexus

[erind]

I'll trade my m4 for an F-type R next year. The sound of this car is porn. Multimedia is crap but i don't care. I'm used to it as I own an XFS.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by erind

I'll trade my m4 for an F-type R next year. The sound of this car is porn.

Exactly! I'm still smiling thinking about it from yesterday

[Kief]

BTW, I purposely started this Thread in the General Automotive (Non-BMW) subforum, but I guess the Mods figured everyone would have more fun here and moved it. Just don't want this to turn into another countless Thread on the F80/82 Sound. For the record, I love the overall package of my M4.

Getting back to the comment about similarly priced V8s (vette, c63, rexus...), I'm not sure it's the V8, Jaguar had to do something magical to get this R to sound this GOOD!

[ihc95]

C63 coupe is what you're after. Although dynamically it will be behind the M4 because of the 400 lbs extra weight. Also a GT350 with that flat plane crank V8 is a great sounding car, but lacks luxury, and unfortunately is having a lot of quality control issues at the moment.

[ASAP]

This car does indeed sound amazing but unless I am wrong, I havent really seen any great reviews on it... its handling is apparently all over the place, watch the motortrend hot laps.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by ASAP

This car does indeed sound amazing but unless I am wrong, I havent really seen any great reviews on it... its handling is apparently all over the place, watch the motortrend hot laps.

Our boy Chris seemed to like it...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Kief

BTW, I purposely started this Thread in the General Automotive (Non-BMW) subforum, but I guess the Mods figured everyone would have more fun here and moved it. Just don't want this to turn into another countless Thread on the F80/82 Sound. For the record, I love the overall package of my M4.

Right, the thread is just as likely to start that kind of discussion elsewhere. Having it here, where it belongs, means I won't forget it exists.

Getting back to the comment about similarly priced V8s (vette, c63, rexus...), I'm not sure it's the V8, Jaguar had to do something magical to get this R to sound this GOOD!

Did they use the magic dust on the V6 car you drove too? I gather not. You see, the sorcery starts with eight cylinders and goes from there. There are good sounding six cylinder engines out there just like there are not-so-good sounding V8s, sure. But you are unlikely to a find a six cylinder that sounds "heavenly" or whatever other superlative one could use to describe a sublime sounding engine. That's why I started by listing off V8s.

If you aren't afraid of roadsters, a V8 S CPO can be had for $65k-ish. I noticed there was one available in my area. Like you, I too lust for an F-Type.

[M3guy3]

car has the sounds to match the looks.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ihc95

Also a GT350 with that flat plane crank V8 is great sounding car, but lacks luxury, and unfortunately is having a lot of quality control issues at the moment.

Forgot that one. Good point. That's the one, right there, if price/performance/sound are all priorities. That's assuming you can get one at MSRP and prefer (or at least don't mind) a third pedal.

Hadn't heard about the quality issues but I'm sure they'll get that straightened out.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Right, the thread is just as likely to start that kind of discussion elsewhere. Having it here, where it belongs, means I won't forget it exists.



Did they use the magic dust on the V6 car you drove too? I gather not. You see, the sorcery starts with eight cylinders and goes from there. There are good sounding six cylinder engines out there just like there are not-so-good sounding V8s, sure. But you are unlikely to a find a six cylinder that sounds "heavenly" or whatever other superlative one could use to describe a sublime sounding engine. That's why I started by listing off V8s.

If you aren't afraid of roadsters, a V8 S CPO can be had for $65k-ish. I noticed there was one available in my area. Like you, I too lust for an F-Type.

There are good sounding 6's (GT3rs)... however their price is quite prohibitive

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ASAP

There are good sounding 6's (GT3rs)... however their price is quite prohibitive

Exactly. Plus, as good as a racy six can sound, I think most still prefer the sound of a powerful V8.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Right, the thread is just as likely to start that kind of discussion elsewhere. Having it here, where it belongs, means I won't forget it exists.

Did they use the magic dust on the V6 car you drove too? I gather not. You see, the sorcery starts with eight cylinders and goes from there. There are good sounding six cylinder engines out there just like there are not-so-good sounding V8s, sure. But you are unlikely to a find a six cylinder that sounds "heavenly" or whatever other superlative one could use to describe a sublime sounding engine. That's why I started by listing off V8s.

If you aren't afraid of roadsters, a V8 S CPO can be had for $65k-ish. I noticed there was one available in my area. Like you, I too lust for an F-Type.

Lol, yeah you're correct that this Thread is likely to unearth the ongoing exhaust debate no matter where it is posted!

I'm not as attracted to the vert as I am the coupe. The coupe is simply gorgeous

[erind]

Originally Posted by Kief

Lol, yeah you're correct that this Thread is likely to unearth the ongoing exhaust debate no matter where it is posted!

I'm not as attracted to the vert as I am the coupe. The coupe is simply gorgeous

+1
The coupe pwns the vert anytime

[Kief]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Did they use the magic dust on the V6 car you drove too? I gather not.

Not as much, but it's still there

It was this review that had me going there yesterday thinking the F-Type S would sound the same...but it didn't. There were no crackles at all.
This review sounds more like the R I test drove, but even better (the Type R that is). Maybe it was just too cold or there is a difference between the '15 vs '16? Or a difference between the Euro vs. NA markets. B/c if the F-Type S I test drove yesterday sounded like this video review, I likely would have been driving it home...
It really is disappointing that there was such a discrepancy...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Kief

I'm not as attracted to the vert as I am the coupe. The coupe is simply gorgeous

Agree with you on that. I just have this aversion to spending money on sports car that doesn't have some type of open roof. However, for an F-Type, I might make the exception.

Originally Posted by Kief

Not as much, but it's still there :thumbsup

I'm not the best judge of these things, I admit. My ears were subject to the loudest V8 engines on the planet at a very young age since I grew up spending my Sundays at a drag strip. So everything that can be driven on public roads sounds like a model airplane to me.

But, anyway, to me that F-Type S simply sounds like any decent six cylinder engine note with a nice exhaust system bolted on. If the R you drove sounded anything like that, then it'd be a disappointment for a V8 in my opinion.

[Jai 302]

My friend has one. It's nice but sounds too similar to a 5.0 ford engine with a Roush exhaust. AMG gives you an unmatched deep sound and you've got delicious turbo torque to boot. The looks are an acquired taste but AMG's look mean as hell if that's your thing.

Either way both the Jag and AMG V8's sound better than anything from BMW. You might also want to consider the Viper it sounds and looks phenomenal in person and gets more stares than a Ferrari here in Dubai.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

If the R you drove sounded anything like that, then it'd be a disappointment for a V8 in my opinion.

The R sounded exactly like Chris' review video above and I loved it.

My point with the F-Type S video was to note my disappointment I experienced when test driving the S yesterday since it sounded nothing like that. I honestly think there must be a difference between the EU/US markets

[damnitBobby]

I heard one in person. It does sound good, very reminiscent of the 5.0 in the mustang.

Too bad they are going AWD for the newer models.

[RussianPete]

save yourself the money and just buy an exhaust for your car.