I ask this because I am toying with the idea. I have a 2008 XK with all of the trimmings and I love the car. That said, I'm intrigued with the F-Type, add to that, It might be time for a change.

My concern, in a nutshell, is the size of the F-Type as it relates to storage and ride quality. I wish they would have designed the car to be a bit larger, however, who am I to make this a requirement.

In summary, I was curious if anyone else is having the aforementioned thoughts?

 

Go drive one first, when your fillings have all fallen out of your teeth, get back in your XK and smile with the teeth you have left. ha ha really rough ride, I was really shocked.

 

While I don't own either car, I've driven both a 2015 F Type V8 S and a 2014 XKR. I would concur with Greek175 that the ride was harsher in the F Type, and the ride in the XKR is already somewhat harsh to begin with.

The other non-performance related aspect that I didn't like about the F, compared to the XKR, was the interior. While obviously more modern, it seemed lower-end to me. There was no aluminum/wood/piano black trim. No contrast stitching. No interesting leather colors. Just yards and yards of black plastic and leather everywhere. So this might not matter to you, but its just my subjective experience. Space in general was more cramped in the F. If you're over, say, 6,0" and 200lbs, it would be uncomfortable I think.

All in all, I do love the F Type, but I would take a 2012-2015 XKR over it any day (unless it was a track day). The XK is a fabulous GT car. The F Type is a fabulous sports car. I guess it comes down to what you want out of the car.

Just my 2 cents..

 

I have thought about getting the f type, though I might keep the XKR and have them both once our youngest gets her license next year. But driving the base f type I thought that the seat was awful and the ride was way too hard (and that was the vert, I believe that the coupe is stiffer). I've noticed since that a lot of what I love about the XKR ride comes from the seat having been stretched by a fat former owner, which made me think that I could probably have the f type seat stretched by a leather guy and absorb some of the harshness that way, and I'd think that was a good investment if it took the jarring away.

The steering was good and the transmission awesome, probably the only aspect that I really noticed as an improvement on the XKR. The sound (V6) was so so, I'd much rather the V8 personally. The pick up in the 250KW model was good enough, I thought as good as the XKR because there was no loss of traction even under the hammer.

The f type interior is much more modern but blighted by the crappy black and white screen system that I found to be a complete PITA when I had it in the XF, worse than the blue one in the pre '12 models. It was also a bit cheaper looking than the XKR though the steering wheel is nice.

In the 'vert I couldnt see behind me to the side with the top up. Having the top down got tired after about 10 minutes but I've never been a fan of the 'verts.

All told I was very happy back in the monumentally more comfortable XKR and in fact I'm toying with getting a second XKR rather than the f type, though that might be just a passing fancy. I think stretching the seat leather might really improve what is a harsh and unforgiving ride, at least for those of us without huge ***** to absorb the punishment.

 

At 1st I was seriously considering getting an F-type when I was in the market for another toy. I looked at one after they first came out and my 1st impression was it looked pretty cool until I got into it. It was to tight for me although I could manage to find a suitable seating position (6'3" , 235#). Then there was the space issue which limited our ability to take 2 golf bags with an overnight bag for a long weekend. Next was the test drive which was very firm and not to different from the Corvette I tested but I imagine would be tough on a 4 hour drive. Last was the price as I would have selected the V8 and that took me over $100K which was out of my budget. Now when I look at the used car listing I see a number of the V6 cars available and they are reasonably priced. Unfortunately size matters but if I were single I might get one but in my present stage of life the XKR met the need .

 

If you looking for space you probably looking for the coupe. The vert seems sufficient with the lugagge kit (I could not fit any off my lugagge sets, have all kinds from Porsche etc) for my wife and me for a week. Golf clubs and lugagge obviously not.
The interior is tighter than the XK but fine, I am a husky guy (6/250) and I fit fine. The older models had some flat black plastic in the center console which was ugly and looked cheap. From 2015 on you have more options. I got this:



The ride is barely harsher than my XKR-S, I would define it as more nervous, following the road and requiring more steering input. The XK soaks up the road better. We have the performance seats which are identical to the XKR-S and active suspension. If people test drive a base 6 with none active suspension I can imagine it is harsher. I have no problem taking the F-Type on a week long trip. We have 5 day scavenger hunt in NY coming up with 8 hours in the car everyday no issue. Any Porsche I had including a 997 turbo was harsher.

Infotainment is what it is, it is not worse nor better than the XKs, there is no good infotainment in Jags and none of us bought one because of it. The old one is certainly not better.

The gearing to me is no different. The F-Type has 6 forward gears and two overdrives to get the fuel economy together with auto start-stop. No difference because most of the time I am in 2-5.

The F-Type is certainly quicker, especially the V8S vert. It is even faster than the F-Type R around Laguna Seca.

42.Porsche 911 Turbo S1:40.11 130'10530 / 1585
43.Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI1:40.20 129'09525 / 1620
44.Nissan GT-R1:40.45 129'08480 / 1740
45.BMW M61:40.52 129'12560 / 1896Randy Pobst
46.Aston Martin AM 310 Vanquish1:40.71 129'12573 / 1739Randy Pobst
47.Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro1:40.75 129'06420 / 1560
48.Jaguar F-Type V8 S1:40.81 129'13495 / 1665Randy Pobst
49.Chevrolet Corvette Z061:40.90 129'05513 / 1437
50.Ford Mustang Boss 3021:41.06 128'11450 / 1650
51.Porsche Cayman S1:41.26 128'13325 / 1320Randy Pobst
52.Porsche Cayman R1:41.64 128'10330 / 1320
53.Jaguar F-Type R Coupe1:42.00 127'14550 / 1665Randy Pobst
54.Mercedes E63 AMG S T-Modell1:42.39 127'13585 / 0Randy Pobst
55.Lotus Evora S1:42.49 127'11351 / 1437
56.Jaguar XKR-S1:42.90 126'11551 / 1843Randy Pobst


Put the top down and it feels even faster with the exhaust and wind.

Visibility in both vert and Coupe are bad, no three quarter rear view but not that the XK coupe was a shining example of rearview visibility.

The stereo is even worse than in the XK, here you have too much bass and virbrations and drone. Need to turn the bass down and fade behind the seats .... put the top down, who cares.

No locking gas cap.

Lock feature on shifter is annoying, almost every other time going from reverse to forward or vice versa I have to do it again becuase the button was not pressed correctly.

I got $20K off on a fully stocked, every option package except for carbon ceramic breaks 2014 V8S. So the deals are out there. I paid at the end $10K more than I paid for my XKR-S.

 

IMHO, it's as simple as that.

 

I would consider an F-Type once they come down in price. How long before we see any under $40k?

 

I recently purchased my XK Coupe with the intention, to "upgrade" the classic XK when the new F-Type with manual gear box will be available. After 3000km with my XK I`m afraid, this would be a "downgrade". I love to drive the XK.


bernd

 

As I REALLY wanted to love the F-type, I test drove every version of it. Being 6' tall and 185lbs they all felt confining for me. After each drive, getting back in the XKR it felt like a much better fit for me as well as visually more pleasing.

So, no F-type for me, I am keeping the XKR and just got a '15 Stingray for sports car fun. Half the price, faster, better handler, much more aftermarket mod possibilities and, in my personal opinion, better looking than the F-type.

 

I have driven the F type on good sporty roads in Southern California for several days and came to the conclusion that the XK is a better car for me. The XK is a true GT and the F Type is a modern day sports car. I have also driven both at the Sonoma Raceway (XKR and F-Type R). On the track the F type is clearly superior to the XKR, but if you are going to drive your car as a daily driver or semi-daily driver in MHO I would stick with the XK, but maybe upgrade to a 5.0 (2010+).

 

I haven't driven the F-Type but have sat in one in the showroom. It is a little tight for me at 6'1"/205 lbs, but I have had more confining cars. I'm just more into the GT type of cars and have really never owned a true "sports" car. I just love the 2010 XK portfolio coupe I have - the styling, workmanship, interior materials, seating comfort, ride quality (even with the 20" wheels), handling and overall performance. If I were buying a true sports car, the F-Type Coupe V8 would be it though.

 

Seems Schwabe has the right mind set. Save up and just have both. My thought Drive the XK a few times a week and drive the F-type on the weekends. Problem solved.

I've been having this debate with myself as well. I'm in the process of developing headers, exhaust, cats, induction and throttles for the 4.2 and 5.0. As soon as I'm finished, I'm going to have to jump into the F-type. The sound alone sold me. Youtube does not do the car justice when it comes to sound. Once I heard the engine in person, I knew I was going to need this weekly. I hope to ****** up an F-type R this year (Anticipating tuning and building the engine)

Being that the cars are quite similar. The main question is:
Do you want to enjoy yourself by a having smooth nice sporty ride and people complimenting your car at a stop light?

Or do you want to enjoy yourself by having a performance ride and people complimenting your car at a stop light....then scaring the bejesus out of them by the sound of the exhaust?

Regards,
D. Fricke

 

I just bought a CPO 2011 XKR Convertible. I compared it to the F Type because the new lease deal on the F was so attractive. The salesman parked the cars side by side and it was no contest for me. the size of the XKR vs the F was huge. The storage space was also a huge difference. With no back seat even an overnight trip is out of the question if you have a woman with you as there will be no room for anything. Granted I didn't drive the F, but if you go with the R, it will be hard to compete with their 500 hp. Good luck

 

If you are a larger than life person than the F-type cabin will be a snug fit.

 

I thought about it.............. I'm keeping my XKR.