New 2013 Vantage Roadster - is Vantage S worth the extra?

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I am looking at buying a Vantage roadster (having previously owned a 4.3 coupe) and am coming around to the idea of buying new rather than second hand. Leaving aside the issue of manual v. sportshift, is there now any point paying the considerable premium for an S over the revised standard car? It seems the new basic car has the styling, larger wheels, revised suspension and steering of the S - although please feel free to dispute this...

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Thanks for all the replies. I had found a rare brand new manual S roadster which I was seriously interested in buying - £114k with extras, but it sold today before I had a chance to even finalise my enquiry

Ironically I went to the same dealership earlier in the week (which is some way from me) only to find that they'd sold the N400 roadster I went to see before I got there...

Apparently the manual S roadster I missed out on is the only one anywhere at the moment. The Vantage prices are pretty confusing, but it seems a basic roadster pre options is now £94k and the S is about £110k as mentioned above. As many of the previously unique S features have now made it onto the basic car it is pretty difficult to know which to go for. I'm hoping to drive a manual S coupe tomorrow and a sportshift S roadster to make sure the sportshift isn't for me. I quite like the F1 in my F355 but feel that a manual may suit the Vantage better...

Next issue is colour - dealers obviously keen to sell me a car from stock and are quoting about 12-16 week delivery for a new order. Preferred colours are Meteorite or Frost White. I prefer the look of the white car, but am concerned it may look a little too flashy as I intend to use it as an occasional work car...

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mikey k said:

Good point that S price is with ASM2, it may be slightly cheaper with a manual on a 2013 car
I'd put my money in to a used S roadster and save 25k

Thanks for all the replies - the above is exactly what I've done! Bought a stunning year old Vanatge S, having tried manual and ASM2 back to back I felt the sportshift suited the character of the car and much preferred it to the initial sportshift. Glad I preferred it to the manual as being able to buy a secondhand car has saved me a large amount of cash

I collect the car on Easter Saturday. I have to say one thing that swung it for me on the S versus non S was the epic noise with the sport button pressed, can't wait 'til Easter - beats an egg

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yeti said:

Well done that man, was a long search and hopefully well worth it!

Have you sold the 355 yet..?

Thanks, very pleased with my new Vantage - stunning car and exactly the spec I was going to choose if I'd bought a brand new manual . Having said that, I haven't actually seen the car yet! Two Vantage roadsters were sold this week as I was on my way to see them and as this one was in Wales I bought it from a main dealer unseen. I'm sure I'll be delighted when I collect it.

F355 GTS is yet to be marketed, waiting for the weather to improve - a long wait! A large part of me wants to keep it - I'm sure it will appreciate in value markedly in the coming years and is a stunning example, but I barely use it now that I'm single and with the new Aston it runs the risk of becoming a garage queen - good for the mileage but not a lot else in my opinion!

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R1CKF said:

The 'S' will give you so much joy, the gearbox I think is fantastic and as for the exhaust, you have 7 days to find and plan your tunnel runs !!!
Awesome choice of car, get some piccies up and welcome to the club

Yes, I feel the need to arrange a few more Notax Hoons when the sun comes out . You've just given me an idea - I may drive back from London via the A3 tunnel

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sukh_m said:

Congrats on you're purchase!! Bet you can't wait to pick it up

What colour did you go for in the end?

Certainly looking forward to Easter Saturday more than usual! It will be strange seeing the car for the first time, but I'm confident it will look as stunning in the flesh as in the photos. Colour is Morning Frost White (pearl white) with red calipers, black interior and silver stitching everywhere! And lots of nice carbon bits and pieces. The 'ski slope' and console are piano black but I may swap to carbon if such a thing exists (or get the original one wrapped in decent carbon sheet?)