I decided to check out a 29k mile 2017 R vert at my local JLR dealer. It was in nice shape, had most of the normal options on an R and was in very good condition (not excellent, but very good). Asking price 60.9k. Mine has 20k miles and is in excellent condition both cars are black, mine has red seats, the R has black seats.

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but figured maybe a 25k spread plus tax/tags....turned out to be a 32k spread plus tax/tags. Considering, I see some older V8s out there in the 30's, I could get one of those and KEEP my car for the same price. I like the idea of reupping my CPO for another couple years.

For my current v6s I have a tune and pulley in hand that I just haven't had installed yet. I guess the reason being that is that once I make that plunge it probably seals the deal that I will be keeping the V6s and not getting a v8 s or r. When driving the R, it reminded me of the mind boggling power/response when stepping on the gas pedal of pretty much any of the V8 Ftypes. I don't know what my expectation is for increase in performance once I install the tune and lower pully (I am not doing the trans tune) and I have see all the posts and the recent post where one owner wasn't really happy with his performance improvement for the v6 tune. The only thing I have done to mine is swapping out the heavier stock wheels for VS forged wheels.

How significant for anyone that has driven a V6s with tune/pulley and some lower unsprung weight vs a stock v8s or R between the performance of the two? Without the tune on the V6s, it was "Holy Sh$! is this thing a lot faster than mine" while driving the R AWD.

A. Does 35k seem a bit steep to make that jump? It seems it to me considering I could find a v8 somewhere for about the same out of pocket $$ and not have to trade in mine. I assume I could negotiate maybe 5-7k off that spread, but didn't try because I was not intending on leaving with the car that same day and it would have been a waste of everyone's time.

B. Do I just take the plunge and install the tune/pulley and assume the difference between my tuned v6s and the R won't be all that much?

 

It seems steep. Unless this 2017 R is absolutely loaded with rare options like CF roof, ceramic brakes, etc and even then perhaps not.

I recall Unhingd saying his tuned V6S (with weight reduction on battery, rotors, wheels, and perhaps more) is now on par with a V8S in power/weight ratio.

 

Couple of thoughts. Firstly on the power, someone on here with the tuned V6 can confirm. But yours is 380hp (S model). I think the tune and pulley is claimed to get you to 460 or so. And the V8 R is 550. So - I'd say it's about halfway on the numbers

I've not driven a tuned V6, but as you say the difference I felt between V6 and the V8s is immense. I also love the sound of the V8!

One other consideration. Sure you could buy an old V8 for that difference and keep your current one. But by moving to a 2017 you are getting a much newer car

It sounds like you want power. If it were me, I'd make the jump and both get newer and V8

But I'm sure you could work a better price... It seems a lot to put in for the difference

 

60k sounds about right for a 30k mile 17' R vert assuming clean title, remember US used car price has been on the rise since the pandemic. Believe it or not, a la carte options don't worth a lot unless it is something really huge, like CCB, or a big package within the same trim level, like a tech pack with screen, speaker and navi upgrade, or a sports pack with a seat, suspension and engine(tune) upgrade.

If I were you, I'd sell your v6 and get a 14 v8s. You're already gonna tune it, if I wanted a vert, that's where my money is at. Slap a 5 year B2B warranty on it and you'd still be ahead on it compared to the 17.

I don't think a fully tuned v6 is slow, but to get from 340/380HP to 495 of the 14 v8s would take a lot more than just a tune and pulley, and that's not even mentioning the potential of the v8 tuning, you can tune to 550/575 with a factory R/SVR map, or go all out with a 650 pulley map.

 

$35K is a lot of money to get the same thing again. In 2017 you are not getting something drastically different from your existing car. Why not keep your existing car and put that money toward something entirely different?

 

Based on the published hp of the V8S, that is indeed true, but it has been suggested that published hp rating on the V8S is understated.

 

+1. I believe that’s true. It’s always felt a bit more powerful to my butt dyno

 

thanks for the comments, still undecided....an AWD R with CPO is calling my name.

 

I'd find an R coupe and keep the V6S drophead. If, after 6 months, you find you aren't enjoying one of them as much, let it go.

 

The power delivery is different, IMO. I have driven the R a few times but not since I did the pulley and tune to the v6S, but then I had an XKR for a few years so I am pretty familiar with the engine. The tuned 6 is very controllable, I feel like I can get a lot out of it. It revs freely but even with wheels slipping you can squeeze it on. The RWD R I tended to think was a bit hard to control (XKR was very hard to control, it could get very messy especially in the wet) because it all seems to come on at once. Not so sure about the AWD R but I thought it felt front heavy on the track and it wasnt my favorite to drive.

Ultimately the tuned 6 is wild and fun, but it doesnt have the widowmaker edge of the RWD R. So I'd say an average driver could get more out of the tuned 6 (or maybe the 450hp 8 which I havent driven), but the R would make your heart beat faster. I'm happy with the tuned 6, but I think if I bought an R the 6 wouldnt get driven much unless it was manual.

 

 

If you can stand to do it, sell your 6 privately. You will get more money for it rather than trade in.
Also look to see if there are any companies looking for used cars. One of the big dealers near me has a ‘buys from public’ place. One of my friends suggested it for my Lexus and was surprised how much they gave me (almost private retail), though they still had it on their lot of $5k more than I sold it to them for. Wasn’t there for more than 2 weeks.

The 2017 vert seems a little leggy (high miles) compared to what you could find nation wide for the same money. My 2016 R coupe with 12k and extended to 7 yr warranty has just cost me $56,300 plus a plane ticket and gas money. I would guess you could get the same car with 15kish miles for the same money if you are willing to shop and travel.

I guess to me it comes down to how much work you are willing to do vs the money you are willing to spend. For me it’s a no brainer as I have very limited funds so I have to do the work. Some people it’s more about the convenience and limited hassle.

I’m looking at the fly an drive as a little adventure and a bit of a holiday. I’m taking my son (so extra $135 plane ticket) and we are going to make a long weekend of it - taking in Niagara on the way home.

As for whether you want the 2017 R vs your 2014 v6, only you know if that makes sense to your man math. In my wife’s version of man math, I only really need 1 car and that could be a Kia base spec something, and truthfully she’s right. Doesn’t stop me having a garage of cars I can only use on days when there’s no guarantee of rain for the day (Atom / Caterham) or little chance of rain (old 911) or even needing the Jag for a daily.