Is it worth going from a 4.3 to a 4.7??
Discussion
Hi Luna,
It's always very easy to use these discussions to justify our own personal decisions, so take this (and other advice) with the requisite amount of salt.
Like you, I had a 4.3 V8V Coupe which I loved. I owned it for a year, but always had that nagging feeling it needed more poke, especially in the mid range, where it was a waiting game with your foot buried in the carpet until the engine really started to get on its game above 5000 RPM.
I had an Elise 111R before hand, which hardly every had the roof on (too much of a ball-ache!) so I also hankered for a convertible again. In the end, it cost me a not-inconsiderable £22k to upgrade from a 07 V8VC to a 09 V8VR. I owned the 4.3 outright and didn't have twenty grand lying around, so financed the difference. This is not to everyone's taste (cue Mr. G), but I could justify the repayments over 2 years as it coincided with a promotion and resultant pay-rise, so I still netted-out up (just about!) at the end of the month, and I had my true dream car
Looking at the price differences in the classifieds, you could reasonably argue that the £22k I paid was approx £15k to go from an '07 4.3 to a '09 4.7, and £7k to go from a coupe to roaster. So if you're looking to stay in a coupe, the maths match-up.
Obviously due to my new car not having a roof, comparing the two isn't apples-with-apples, but they really feel worlds-apart. As Yeti says, the drivetrain is one thing, but the interior does feel that much more modern and the ride and turn-in are considerably improved, I found. Grant's book talks at length on the MY09 upgrades, so it's worth a read.
Being objective, however, knowing what's under the bonnet hasn't radically changed the joy of owning an Aston Martin that I had before (it was already pretty high) and, let's face it, aesthetics is a huge reason for buying an Aston (otherwise we'd all be in GTRs or something) and the coupe is a more handsome beast than the Roadster. If you stay in a coupe, you're not going to get any more / less attention, or stare at it any more longingly in the garage just because it says 4.7 on the cam cover.
I haven't driven an 'S' and wouldn't for the reasons outlined by previous posters, which is the same reason I wouldn't drive a V12V (i.e. I'd end up buying one). My man maths are legendary, and could easily get a spreadsheet to justify a £90k V12V if required!
I would say hold out for the S if you want the sharper steering, throttle response, ASM2 'box (which I understand is great) and the nice V12V visual addendum. It will also be a newer car of course. If performance is your main driver, I wouldn't find another 15-20k or wait another year or two for a claimed 10 extra bhp. Check out RobGT's dyno prior to his BR mods and you'll see how much of that makes it way to the rear wheels.
We're all very lucky to own what we do, and it's human nature to hanker after more. Ultimately, it's the opportunity cost (what else could / would you do with £15k) versus the happiness, satisfaction and general grin-factor increase you'll FEEL from changing. And that is a calculation unique to yourself.
My only advice is to not drive one unless you're prepared to write the cheque
Good luck!
It's always very easy to use these discussions to justify our own personal decisions, so take this (and other advice) with the requisite amount of salt.
Like you, I had a 4.3 V8V Coupe which I loved. I owned it for a year, but always had that nagging feeling it needed more poke, especially in the mid range, where it was a waiting game with your foot buried in the carpet until the engine really started to get on its game above 5000 RPM.
I had an Elise 111R before hand, which hardly every had the roof on (too much of a ball-ache!) so I also hankered for a convertible again. In the end, it cost me a not-inconsiderable £22k to upgrade from a 07 V8VC to a 09 V8VR. I owned the 4.3 outright and didn't have twenty grand lying around, so financed the difference. This is not to everyone's taste (cue Mr. G), but I could justify the repayments over 2 years as it coincided with a promotion and resultant pay-rise, so I still netted-out up (just about!) at the end of the month, and I had my true dream car
Looking at the price differences in the classifieds, you could reasonably argue that the £22k I paid was approx £15k to go from an '07 4.3 to a '09 4.7, and £7k to go from a coupe to roaster. So if you're looking to stay in a coupe, the maths match-up.
Obviously due to my new car not having a roof, comparing the two isn't apples-with-apples, but they really feel worlds-apart. As Yeti says, the drivetrain is one thing, but the interior does feel that much more modern and the ride and turn-in are considerably improved, I found. Grant's book talks at length on the MY09 upgrades, so it's worth a read.
Being objective, however, knowing what's under the bonnet hasn't radically changed the joy of owning an Aston Martin that I had before (it was already pretty high) and, let's face it, aesthetics is a huge reason for buying an Aston (otherwise we'd all be in GTRs or something) and the coupe is a more handsome beast than the Roadster. If you stay in a coupe, you're not going to get any more / less attention, or stare at it any more longingly in the garage just because it says 4.7 on the cam cover.
I haven't driven an 'S' and wouldn't for the reasons outlined by previous posters, which is the same reason I wouldn't drive a V12V (i.e. I'd end up buying one). My man maths are legendary, and could easily get a spreadsheet to justify a £90k V12V if required!
I would say hold out for the S if you want the sharper steering, throttle response, ASM2 'box (which I understand is great) and the nice V12V visual addendum. It will also be a newer car of course. If performance is your main driver, I wouldn't find another 15-20k or wait another year or two for a claimed 10 extra bhp. Check out RobGT's dyno prior to his BR mods and you'll see how much of that makes it way to the rear wheels.
We're all very lucky to own what we do, and it's human nature to hanker after more. Ultimately, it's the opportunity cost (what else could / would you do with £15k) versus the happiness, satisfaction and general grin-factor increase you'll FEEL from changing. And that is a calculation unique to yourself.
My only advice is to not drive one unless you're prepared to write the cheque
Good luck!
Cheers Adam.... Good post..
I suppose the thing is, at the moment I'm not in any rush, and its not as if I haven't got an Aston to drive around in....
The other thing is that I'm very fussy regarding colours.. If I'm going to spend any amount, it has to be on the right car and combo for me, and not just upgrade to a any 4.7 just because that's what I want...
Fortunately there are not that many 4.7's around that in colours I would accept.... Most are silver greys, and blacks which are a definite
for me...
In saying that, I have spotted an example, that has the right colour combo, mileage, and price.... The only thing holding me off at the moment is that its a bit of a trek to go and see it...
I suppose the thing is, at the moment I'm not in any rush, and its not as if I haven't got an Aston to drive around in....
The other thing is that I'm very fussy regarding colours.. If I'm going to spend any amount, it has to be on the right car and combo for me, and not just upgrade to a any 4.7 just because that's what I want...
Fortunately there are not that many 4.7's around that in colours I would accept.... Most are silver greys, and blacks which are a definite
for me...In saying that, I have spotted an example, that has the right colour combo, mileage, and price.... The only thing holding me off at the moment is that its a bit of a trek to go and see it...
yeti said:
If it's Londan way, I'll go and have a look for you 
T'other way I'm afraid....... You'd probably end up with a nose bleed
I haven't made any enquiries.... But based on the condition, spec and mileage of my car, I'm thinking I could get my arse in this for £15k ish
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Lunablack said:
But based on the condition, spec and mileage of my car, I'm thinking I could get my arse in this for £15k ish
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Was just about to post "is this the one"? http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Can't beleive that of 24 for sale, only two are non-black/grey/silver/white! And the other one is a £75k MY12 one in red.
That blue one is lovely, and i LOVE sandstorm interior.
You'd need to factor in to costs for visas, innoculations, whippet-purchase etc before going to see it though. Could end up an even more expensive exercise
Lunablack said:
Thanks for the replies guys all food for thought.....
Regarding someone always having a quicker car..... Yep that's always going to happen, but this is a mate I'm talking about, and to give an example of how much difference there is, on the way back from the Griff Growl, on the Shrewsbury bypass, coming off every roundabout, he left me for dead..... I'd love to make it harder work for him...... Oh he loves the Aston by the way
But Mikey's hit the nail on the head, as I do think the S is what I should be hanging out for.....as it will be a big step up from a 4.3....
Next time you are round Shrewsbury let me know! all food for thought.....Regarding someone always having a quicker car..... Yep that's always going to happen, but this is a mate I'm talking about, and to give an example of how much difference there is, on the way back from the Griff Growl, on the Shrewsbury bypass, coming off every roundabout, he left me for dead..... I'd love to make it harder work for him...... Oh he loves the Aston by the way
But Mikey's hit the nail on the head, as I do think the S is what I should be hanging out for.....as it will be a big step up from a 4.3....
The S is the way forward (but then I still fancy a V12
)Lunablack said:
T'other way I'm afraid....... You'd probably end up with a nose bleed
I haven't made any enquiries.... But based on the condition, spec and mileage of my car, I'm thinking I could get my arse in this for £15k ish
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
No Sport Pack on that nice colour thoughI haven't made any enquiries.... But based on the condition, spec and mileage of my car, I'm thinking I could get my arse in this for £15k ish
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
I'd have a look at these two
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
mikey k said:
No Sport Pack on that nice colour though
I'd have a look at these two
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Not within budget I'm afraid..I'd have a look at these two
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Luna ... I can't see the problem, for £15k you get a faster, newer, more improved car, more toys, less miles, more power and you get a change of car, so you get to scratch that, "new car itch".
For £15k, why are you even thinking about it, start going through the Ads, check out the dealers, I find that coffee always taste different in car dealerships when you're buying a new car.
Make sure you get the colour you want, not, "what is acceptable", to you ......
For £15k, why are you even thinking about it, start going through the Ads, check out the dealers, I find that coffee always taste different in car dealerships when you're buying a new car.
Make sure you get the colour you want, not, "what is acceptable", to you ......
yeti said:
Bincenzo said:
Chasing more and more power becomes more and more of an obsession. To those with a large budget, this can be a very enjoyable hobby. For those without, it can be a very frustrating game of adding minor, often imperceptible improvements.
And so endeth the lesson according to St Bincenzo......
Not sure who conferred your sainthood old bean? Pope Nick of the Layby? And so endeth the lesson according to St Bincenzo......
Your minor/imperceptible improvements for the Vantage... I don't know what they are?
Maybe a backbox? That pretty much does nothing!As for my Sainthood, an attempt at seasonal humour. Never mind.
Nick, in answer to you question, you'd be surprised how little shaft horsepower will get you airborne. The Lynx manages it with just over 2000shp, but only does about the same speed as your DBS, so really, I'd rather have your motor!
MaverickV12 said:
Don't worry about them Bincenzo, they are just jealous because you're a Pilot. I'm jealous because you're a Pilot .........
A Pilot with an AM ..... umm I'm more jealous than I thought ........ bugger
Thanks Mav.......oh hang on, that sounded a bit Top Gun! I'm just suffering from withdrawal symptoms, haven't flown for a few days and spent more time shopping than being in the Aston. A combination to test the patience of, well, a saint!! A Pilot with an AM ..... umm I'm more jealous than I thought ........ bugger
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