V8 Vantage vs Grancabrio vs F-Type
Discussion
So I'm in the very enviable position of trying to decide between the Aston Martin V8 Vantage convertible, Jaguar F-Type (V6 and possibly V8) convertible or the Maserati Grancabrio. I have 50k max to spend.
I have test driven the Vantage and Maserati and both are excellent in their own way but very different.
At some point I think I will have all 3 but which first? I'm by far rich and keep telling people who ask me how I can afford it that the banks have thousands of pounds I haven't borrowed yet! So I need to keep depreciation to a minimum. I'll probably have two euro trips per year so a max of about 6000 miles per year.
So, do I buy a 2009 4.3 low miles Vantage, keep it a year, sell it - by which time the 2010 Grancabrio I can afford now will turn into a 2012 Grancabrio Sport one I can afford then?
Where does the Jag fit in? Much more modern but not as prestige but Oh so lovely. And the sound is something else entirely.
Any suggestions welcome.
Cheers
Andy
I have test driven the Vantage and Maserati and both are excellent in their own way but very different.
At some point I think I will have all 3 but which first? I'm by far rich and keep telling people who ask me how I can afford it that the banks have thousands of pounds I haven't borrowed yet! So I need to keep depreciation to a minimum. I'll probably have two euro trips per year so a max of about 6000 miles per year.
So, do I buy a 2009 4.3 low miles Vantage, keep it a year, sell it - by which time the 2010 Grancabrio I can afford now will turn into a 2012 Grancabrio Sport one I can afford then?
Where does the Jag fit in? Much more modern but not as prestige but Oh so lovely. And the sound is something else entirely.
Any suggestions welcome.
Cheers
Andy
Good lurking! 
Without being biased (went through the same 6 months ago) I went for the Aston Martin again and decided on the 2 car route. Reasoning was simple
Maserati - would have allowed me to have just the one car with a child seat in the back, great noise but more GT than sports car - hence the name
F Type - auto, heavy depreciation to come, badge (if that matters), would have been a V6 at my budget - I like them but personally see them more akin to Z4M/ Boxster level than Aston Martin/Maserati. I will have one at some point but 4-5 years down the line.
In the end I went for a manual N400 Roadster which is better in everyway than the normal 4.3 sportshift I had previously.
As with all of these - go out and test drive them (back to back if you can) and it will be clear which is going to be the best for you.
Without being biased (went through the same 6 months ago) I went for the Aston Martin again and decided on the 2 car route. Reasoning was simple
Maserati - would have allowed me to have just the one car with a child seat in the back, great noise but more GT than sports car - hence the name
F Type - auto, heavy depreciation to come, badge (if that matters), would have been a V6 at my budget - I like them but personally see them more akin to Z4M/ Boxster level than Aston Martin/Maserati. I will have one at some point but 4-5 years down the line.
In the end I went for a manual N400 Roadster which is better in everyway than the normal 4.3 sportshift I had previously.
As with all of these - go out and test drive them (back to back if you can) and it will be clear which is going to be the best for you.
I owned a V8 Vantage coupé 4.3 and I loved it, fantastic looks and rewarding to drive. the Sportshift was not the best part but used properly it was smooth and fast enough. Not the easiest car to go fast in any road but highly capable if pushed. I liked so much I could buy another, maybe manual and 4.7 this time.
F-Type, well, I can't say anything of the V8 but I test drove the most potent V6 and it deluded me. Looks and sounds great but it feels heavy and not sporty enough. Also it doesn't felt that powerful. In the floowing days I test drove a 981 Boxter S on the same roads, I didn't buy it either for a number of reasons but as a driver's car it was miles ahead the Jaguar.
Gracabrio, well, I don't know, it feels too big to me but it has comfy enough seats in the back and that could be a plus point.
F-Type, well, I can't say anything of the V8 but I test drove the most potent V6 and it deluded me. Looks and sounds great but it feels heavy and not sporty enough. Also it doesn't felt that powerful. In the floowing days I test drove a 981 Boxter S on the same roads, I didn't buy it either for a number of reasons but as a driver's car it was miles ahead the Jaguar.
Gracabrio, well, I don't know, it feels too big to me but it has comfy enough seats in the back and that could be a plus point.
Maser for me. If you're eyeing up a 4.3 Vantage, that comes bottom of the pile for me. Really not that quick, however they still look good and with some exhaust tweaking sound unholy. 4.7 would be my pick though.
F-Type's are everywhere.. not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but some feel of exclusivity would be nice (for me anyway)
Grancabrio. Again, not blisteringly quick and way too heavy, however that noise and the way the thing looks would make me overlook every flaw it has. I can imagine it feeling very special to get in and out of. And the noise..
the noise
F-Type's are everywhere.. not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but some feel of exclusivity would be nice (for me anyway)
Grancabrio. Again, not blisteringly quick and way too heavy, however that noise and the way the thing looks would make me overlook every flaw it has. I can imagine it feeling very special to get in and out of. And the noise..
the noise
Not easy. I'm sort of on track with Herbs. The Grancabrio was so easy to drive and didn't feel as big as it looks. Smooth lovely gearbox, absolute luxury inside outstanding engine with a beautiful note. I could have driven it for miles. I reckon I could get 2 pairs of socks and a pair of undercrackers the boot - It's tiny and I do need it for touring. I could you the the back seat though.
The Vantage was altogether tauter but a disapointing gear change 1-2, 2-3 and the boot is twice the size. The cabin is very well made but not as special as the Maser. The one I looked at had a cherry black interior, red hood over a graphite body.
I did feel special in both, I don't think the Jag can compete with them on that score.
I've just sold my 996 X50 which was in a different class when it came to speed.
You comments are giving me food for thought...thanks
The Vantage was altogether tauter but a disapointing gear change 1-2, 2-3 and the boot is twice the size. The cabin is very well made but not as special as the Maser. The one I looked at had a cherry black interior, red hood over a graphite body.
I did feel special in both, I don't think the Jag can compete with them on that score.
I've just sold my 996 X50 which was in a different class when it came to speed.
You comments are giving me food for thought...thanks
Yeah the Vantge was a 2008 model registered in March 2009. 16k miles and like new. Main dealer with a years warrenty. There is a 4.7 30k for £48k just 30 miles from me so I might take a look.
Has anyone drove the 4.3 compared with the 4.7? Youtube reviews say more torque and less of a need to rev. I think the sportshift 'box didn't get upgraded until 2012.
Has anyone drove the 4.3 compared with the 4.7? Youtube reviews say more torque and less of a need to rev. I think the sportshift 'box didn't get upgraded until 2012.
red12 said:
Yeah the Vantge was a 2008 model registered in March 2009. 16k miles and like new. Main dealer with a years warrenty. There is a 4.7 30k for £48k just 30 miles from me so I might take a look.
Has anyone drove the 4.3 compared with the 4.7? Youtube reviews say more torque and less of a need to rev. I think the sportshift 'box didn't get upgraded until 2012.
Yes, I drove a 4.7 manual 4 years ago. It wasn't a long and committed enough drive to appreciate any improvement in chassis department but the engine clearly felt different to the 4.3 I owned back then. It is "meatier" low and mid range, it feels a stronger engine. At higher rpm it is certainly quicker too but the transition is smoother and so it can be defined as a bit less happy revving engine. I like cars that need to be worked out to go fast so the 4.3 was ok for me. About the sportshift, it is far from perfect but I am among the relative narrow group of single clutch automated manual supporters. After a while you know exactly when to shift and how to use the gas pedal to get fast or ciy-smooth shifts. Has anyone drove the 4.3 compared with the 4.7? Youtube reviews say more torque and less of a need to rev. I think the sportshift 'box didn't get upgraded until 2012.
I'm weighing up a similar decision for a year or so's time, if I'm a very lucky boy.
My mate has just bought a 4.3 Vantage and it is a lovely lovely thing.
I do like the exterior look of the F type but I worry the interior and drive (and oncoming depreciation) may detract from it a bit... On the other hand I do fancy owning one while they're still new and exciting before they become too "mainstream"...
One factor worthy of note is that the Aston and the Maserati are both due for replacement in the next few years, so depending on whether that sort of thing is important to you, it may be sensible to get into one now before they're superceded and become the "previous shape" versions. As of right now you can own one of those for 50k that looks basically the same as a brand new one of circa 100k, but that window will close in the next 2 years ish.
Obviously it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks, but it's always nice looking like you might be twice as well off as you actually are
My mate has just bought a 4.3 Vantage and it is a lovely lovely thing.
I do like the exterior look of the F type but I worry the interior and drive (and oncoming depreciation) may detract from it a bit... On the other hand I do fancy owning one while they're still new and exciting before they become too "mainstream"...
One factor worthy of note is that the Aston and the Maserati are both due for replacement in the next few years, so depending on whether that sort of thing is important to you, it may be sensible to get into one now before they're superceded and become the "previous shape" versions. As of right now you can own one of those for 50k that looks basically the same as a brand new one of circa 100k, but that window will close in the next 2 years ish.
Obviously it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks, but it's always nice looking like you might be twice as well off as you actually are
Of those 3 I'd pick the Maser, although I suspect it might cost the most to run.
I had an Aston, and it was a huge disappointment to own, sadly, but it should depreciate the least of the 3 I'd imagine.
The F Type would also be good but I think it might have a fair bit more depreciation to go yet
I had an Aston, and it was a huge disappointment to own, sadly, but it should depreciate the least of the 3 I'd imagine.
The F Type would also be good but I think it might have a fair bit more depreciation to go yet
OwenK said:
I'm weighing up a similar decision for a year or so's time, if I'm a very lucky boy.
My mate has just bought a 4.3 Vantage and it is a lovely lovely thing.
I do like the exterior look of the F type but I worry the interior and drive (and oncoming depreciation) may detract from it a bit... On the other hand I do fancy owning one while they're still new and exciting before they become too "mainstream"...
One factor worthy of note is that the Aston and the Maserati are both due for replacement in the next few years, so depending on whether that sort of thing is important to you, it may be sensible to get into one now before they're superceded and become the "previous shape" versions. As of right now you can own one of those for 50k that looks basically the same as a brand new one of circa 100k, but that window will close in the next 2 years ish.
Obviously it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks, but it's always nice looking like you might be twice as well off as you actually are
I don't think the new Granturismo isn't due until 2018 they're bringing out a smaller model in 2017 I think.My mate has just bought a 4.3 Vantage and it is a lovely lovely thing.
I do like the exterior look of the F type but I worry the interior and drive (and oncoming depreciation) may detract from it a bit... On the other hand I do fancy owning one while they're still new and exciting before they become too "mainstream"...
One factor worthy of note is that the Aston and the Maserati are both due for replacement in the next few years, so depending on whether that sort of thing is important to you, it may be sensible to get into one now before they're superceded and become the "previous shape" versions. As of right now you can own one of those for 50k that looks basically the same as a brand new one of circa 100k, but that window will close in the next 2 years ish.
Obviously it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks, but it's always nice looking like you might be twice as well off as you actually are
ZX10R NIN said:
I don't think the new Granturismo isn't due until 2018 they're bringing out a smaller model in 2017 I think.
Alfieri has sadly been pushed back, the Granturismo is next on the list for refresh, yes probably 2018. Bear in mind we're only just over 2 months away from 2017..Forgot to say, it is also worth a look at the Lotus Evora - a car i have come very close to buying each time I ended up with the V8V - it is definitely a car I will have at some point as it wipes the floor with all mentioned when driving it, best chassis by far.
Only reason I didn't pull the trigger was the lack of convertible option which was a must for me.
Only reason I didn't pull the trigger was the lack of convertible option which was a must for me.
Herbs said:
Forgot to say, it is also worth a look at the Lotus Evora - a car i have come very close to buying each time I ended up with the V8V - it is definitely a car I will have at some point as it wipes the floor with all mentioned when driving it, best chassis by far.
Only reason I didn't pull the trigger was the lack of convertible option which was a must for me.
True, I agree, the Evora should have been my replacement for the V8V after having sold it, the Evora I drove simply amazed me. Unfortunetaly the very few examples available in Italy at the time did not convince me for a number of reasons and when a couple of months later I found the right example in Germany a number of sudden expenses had came out...I finally cut my budget for the weekend car and bought (again) an Elise, which I still own. Only reason I didn't pull the trigger was the lack of convertible option which was a must for me.
I'd test drive the 4.7 Vantage before you decide - sounds like you want roadster rather than coupe but you should still get one well within budget as we head into winter. I had a series of Masers (though no a grancabrio), have had a 4.3 Vantage for 5 years, and have just replaced it with a 4.7 (well, deposit paid!). They're lovely cars, and the lowest depreciation out of your list.
The Maser just looks too big/bulky to me. F Type is nice, and you can get a newer one for the same money - but I think you'll get really stung on depreciation.
The Maser just looks too big/bulky to me. F Type is nice, and you can get a newer one for the same money - but I think you'll get really stung on depreciation.
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