Hi. I’m looking at purchasing a new F-type and looking for some advice.

1. Is it worth the price difference for a P575 vs a P450?

2. I can get a P450 with AwD is that worth it, or is it better to stay with a RWD car?

im just trying to figure out the major differences and if its worth the extra money or should I just upgrade later?

I have a 2000 XKR and don’t have issues with modifying.

 

My $0.02 is that the base P450 for a high $70k range price is an exceptional value. The added cost of the higher tier model just not worth it to me.

 

I bought a new 2024 F-Type AWD coupe this February so here is my input.


1. Is it worth the price difference for a P575 vs a P450? I don't think the P575 is worth the extra $$. The P450 has plenty of vroom with the same sounds as P575 imho.

2. I can get a P450 with AwD is that worth it, or is it better to stay with a RWD car? I bought AWD because it snows where I live and want to drive my F-Type year round. If snow wasn't a factor then I'd get RWD to save $$.

 

Buy a P450 AWD, get a VAP Stage 1 tune, and have more power than a P575 for about $1200 USD.

 

That's my plan, the day after the factory warranty runs out, OR the company folds.

Whichever comes first....

BEST !

RWS

 

The P575 has more basic kit fitted as standard, and some of the suspension components are supposedly better than the P450. Obviously you won't invalidate or risk any warranty problems by leaving it as standard power, vs tuning the P450, but that's a risk that only you can determine. Given the same amount of power and the same options (matrix LED headlights for instance), would you notice any practical difference on a day-to-day basis between an AWD P450 or a P575? Most likely not.

Personally, I'd save the money and get a 450 with as close to my ideal options list as possible (since it's no longer possible to spec one from fresh) and then, if you find it's not exciting enough, opt for a tune.

EDIT: For what it's worth, I never found my P450 slow. It did always feel 'flat', but that's mostly the factory tune providing full torque across almost the entire rev range, so there was never any "whallop" for want of a better word. It would still go from 0 - license losing speed (over here in the UK) in no time at all, it just does that even sooner now with the tune applied!

 

You have to go drive both. One will be a clear winner.

In my experience, the difference between my 35t and the S is night and day. Way more than the 40hp on paper.

RWD in the real world is crap. My 4.2 XF was undrivable in the rain, even with PS4S's.

Also, the facelift doesn't do much for me. I'd look for a 2020 AWD R.

 

On the topic of RWD, vs AWD, I've driven my tuned RWD F-Type through torrential rain recently, on both motorways and muddy country roads (wet mud isn't fun) and I didn't die, once. The throttle pedal isn't an analog switch, never has been, never will be, and if you're travelling too fast for the conditions then AWD isn't going to save you either. Ultimately, it's your preference and if you want the added reassurance of AWD then absolutely pick that over RWD, and anybody that 'judges' you for it is somebody you probably don't want to be friends with anyway .

EDIT: I should add, as I realise how easy it can be to misinterpret words on a screen, that none of this post is aimed at anybody in particular on here. I have seen multiple posts over the years (not necessarily on here) suggesting that RWD in the F-Type and other high power cars is somehow a bad thing, and I find it a very weird take. Even with the much-derided P-Zero tyres, my F-Type was nothing but predictable at all times, even if grip was diminished in colder weather as the tread wore down. Ultimately, the driver is in control of what the car is doing, barring freak occurences. Does having RWD stop you from simply stamping on the loud pedal from a standstill, without lots of intervention from the traction control? Sure, but that doesn't mean RWD is crap. And all of this is for what I would call 'normal' driving conditions, and not those times when the road is frozen solid or there's a blanket of snow everywhere, because RWD is compromised in those situations without doubt.

 

All, this is very interesting. I live in California and don’t have to drive it in inclement weather. I have other cars, suv or a truck for that. I have always had RWD cars and have had my fair share of racing and track time so I’m not worried about losing control.

it’s just interesting to me that I can’t find a factory high horsepower car without the AWD system so with all curiosity I wondered if it really made the driving experience better. I have read that it gives roughly an 80/20 split on power distribution, but seems to detract from the feel of the road. I have always felt the added weight wouldn’t be worth it.

Im going to go test drive a couple cars and see which I like. My choices are somewhat limited now and have purchase whatever is in stock or on its way in. Most are now located in SoCal, so it’ll be a roadtrip to get it.

there really aren’t very many cars that I am drawn to in this category. I’m looking for a sporty GT and I’m not a Porsche guy. What does that leave? BMW M8, in this price range? Aston’s are out of what I can spend. Im looking for something that I can drive several days a week.

 

Not Porsche and less expensive than an Aston. Check.
Only other car I can think of would be the Mercedes AMG GT coupe.

As to AWD not being sporting: https://www.audi.com/en/sport/motors...y/quattro.html

I understand the RWD version of the F Type does feel more sporting. I get it. It is a preferential situation. I remember driving my 318i in the winter and going from "driving pleasure" to terrified rather quickly. Needed snow tires just to get out of my driveway. The very next car I bought was a Coupe Quattro. And yes, it drove nothing like a BMW. But it also drove everywhere, anywhere, whenever I wanted to go.

When you go test drive the RWD F Type, think about having to turn left at the light in the rain, in the right hand left turn lane, beat the people in the left hand lane, and get on the entrance ramp before them.

 

If I wanted rwd, I'd go for the P450. Otherwise, I'd go for the P575 for all the other little bits that make it better. Jaguar doesn't do a good job of marketing. The SVR was a failure because everyone thought that it was just an R with 25 more HP and slightly different looks for roughly $25k more. Jaguar has been awful in all forms of marketing the F-Type. I think they could have built upon the 'Good to be bad' tag line, but they didn't and many people don't know that F-Types exist, ten years into the run,

The awd (corrected to state awd, not rwd) system isn't like an Audi. It's biased 100/0 to the rear until you start to lose the car or in a launch from a dead stop. From my own experience, the traction control will kick in before the AWD system tries to save you when you lose the rear.

 

thanks for the advice and the tid bit about the bias

On initial blush there’s a reason this stuff is always on their premier car. I’ll soon find out.

 

I would just throw in that on the pre facelift cars at least (I havent driven the facelift) the weight of the AWD could be felt in the front end. Personally I didnt like it but that might be because I drive a v6S RWD as my daily, and I only drove the AWD R for a few laps on a track with a hairpin turn. I quite liked the RWD R though.

I had a 4.2 XF myself, in the wet the lack of a LSD made itself known launching through a corner, but while the engine sounded fantastic it was very modest on the power stakes, not disagreeing with Robtrt8 but I dont think that I ever had a scare in it unless it was giving it a bootful from launch turning at lights in the wet.. My 5.0SC XKR on the other hand was very much a handful in the wet with virtually unavoidable wheelspin followed by the dts cutting power, quite frustrating, but the F Type suspension is a lot sharper and it allows for controlled wheelspin and some drift even for me with relatively rudimentary driving abilities.

Sorry to get off topic. Back on, personally I would take the p450 RWD and mod it from there.

 

I love my RWD R. Pucker factor makes me feel alive!

As others have said, tunes make it down mostly to RWD or AWD, try if you can to drive both and see what you like.

 

I owned a V6S RWD, spent 24 hours (550 miles) in a 2018 V8R AWD, test drove a few pre facelift V8's before going for the RWD P450, even though I live in a colder\wet climate. Love how alive and engaging the RWD car feels. The AWD car does feel like it has a heavier front and the power is completely wasted on twisty country roads. Great for traffic light races and up and down highways. RWD is also cheaper to service than the AWD equivalent and less to go wrong (don't underestimate this in a Jaguar).

This is a good video from a well respected journalist\enthusiast in the UK -

 

Have a v6s awd stage III/IV....473hp on pump gas. TCU tuned too.....faster......betterer.

1. Shorter geared than the v8s..........
2. Lighter up front so the awd "weight" is probably a wash with the v8rwd......
3. Cheaper to buy by a lot....
4. In no way lacking for power - 550hp in e85 mode...but 473 is a lot. 450 is a lot....
5. Once you get metal cooling pipes, do 5k oci's,, use bg44k every oil change or so, and use common sense it is utterly (Bosch..) reliable
6. And while it sounds different, it is not worse sounding. I like 1970's Formula 1 soundtracks.......here in the states the mustang v8's save the 350...have made me value the amazing v6 as just a lot different.


Great cars. And whatever year you get, you can add carplay if you need to....and led headlights......so focus on the chassis/drivetrain and condition of the car...buy the seller as always.

 

I’m either in the minority, or R owners just don’t care to respond.

I think it could be worth it to get the R depending on your goals. This car has the suspension of the SVR plus plus due to the rear knuckle changes or whatever…That’s gotta count for something over the non-R in the minds of some.

I am VERY passionate about the F-Type and wanted the highest trim variant available for the last year of production without needing to mess around with tuning etc…That’s just me…I like some of the exterior look differences as well that the R brings in the front and back…I am keeping this car for a long time so averaged out over the years to come the difference isn’t really that large…

Buying a car like this brand new is not exactly a budget purchase to begin with so for me splitting hairs over trim level is not really gonna get ya anywhere in the end anyway…Just my thoughts, but I respect that some may not view the R as worth it depending on their goals etc…I get it…

 

I tend to agree. I’m not worried about the cost.

I drove the R yesterday and going to drive the P450 later this week. My favorite color is sold out nationwide so now I need a second choice color

 

Only you can decide if its worth the extra money, go drive both.

I haven't driven the S but i can't imagine the 'improved' handling would supersede the noise and emotion the V8 brings to the table.

But that's what i value.

 

What is you ideal colour choice (interior and exterior)?

Regardless, good luck in your search! Owning this car has been everything I’d hoped it would be. They’re awesome.