What car? c.£30k for my 30th birthday
Discussion
Interesting post here as I am more or less in exactly the same position.
I've owned an E92 M3. Amazing car but wasn't the reliable love affair I was expecting. It was a mint low mileage example but quickly learned they are extremely complicated and BMW are really set to shaft you in your moment of need. It was a 2008 manual car (horrible gear box) and certainly doesn't sound as good as it should unless you're driving very fast.
I test drove a C63 2012 car. Asking price was £40k and they offered me, in the end £19k for my M3. I drove the M3 home and could not justify the extra £20k I was about to put into a car which felt largely the same and no quicker. Of course, it was nicer because it was newer but it didn't feel super special.
I have since sold my M3 privately for several thousand more than the part ex I was offered at MB and am currently looking at the vanatges too. However, I keep pulling back to the C63, as ironically it seems like the sensible option. I can get one a lot newer than the Aston for the same price and surely it will be more reliable and easier to live with?
Also, I just had one drive past me whilst I was walking my dog and they do sound amazing! But I am afraid that if in uh mine I'll just wish I had gone for the aston.
Let me know how you get on and what your thoughts are. I'll be very interested to hear your progress.
I've owned an E92 M3. Amazing car but wasn't the reliable love affair I was expecting. It was a mint low mileage example but quickly learned they are extremely complicated and BMW are really set to shaft you in your moment of need. It was a 2008 manual car (horrible gear box) and certainly doesn't sound as good as it should unless you're driving very fast.
I test drove a C63 2012 car. Asking price was £40k and they offered me, in the end £19k for my M3. I drove the M3 home and could not justify the extra £20k I was about to put into a car which felt largely the same and no quicker. Of course, it was nicer because it was newer but it didn't feel super special.
I have since sold my M3 privately for several thousand more than the part ex I was offered at MB and am currently looking at the vanatges too. However, I keep pulling back to the C63, as ironically it seems like the sensible option. I can get one a lot newer than the Aston for the same price and surely it will be more reliable and easier to live with?
Also, I just had one drive past me whilst I was walking my dog and they do sound amazing! But I am afraid that if in uh mine I'll just wish I had gone for the aston.
Let me know how you get on and what your thoughts are. I'll be very interested to hear your progress.
V8 Vantage! I've had my 2006 tungsten grey one for nearly 3 years,now on just under 38k miles - by far my record ownership duration. I usually change every 6-12 months, and have been through various similar category cars...Maserati, Porsche, TVR.
The Vantage is probably not quite as nimble as something like a 997, but references to it being anything but quick are really that from inside it's very quiet unless on full throttle and has very linear power delivery - both disguise the speed; it's a lot quicker than it seems at first. There's a great bit of footage of Tiff Needell taking one round a track.
As you say, £30k will be bottom end of the market. The things to check for if you want decent running costs are that it's already had a replacement clutch, it has full Aston service history, the right (Bridgestone) tyres with good tread, and the aluminum panels haven't corroded around door handles and door bottoms. In three years mine has only required tyres, routine servicing and a power steering pump (didn't fail, was just noisy).
They are an amazing ownership experience - everyone loves them, they feel special to drive and sound fantastic. I sometime ponder replacing mine, but I can't think of anything to replace it with except another one!
The Vantage is probably not quite as nimble as something like a 997, but references to it being anything but quick are really that from inside it's very quiet unless on full throttle and has very linear power delivery - both disguise the speed; it's a lot quicker than it seems at first. There's a great bit of footage of Tiff Needell taking one round a track.
As you say, £30k will be bottom end of the market. The things to check for if you want decent running costs are that it's already had a replacement clutch, it has full Aston service history, the right (Bridgestone) tyres with good tread, and the aluminum panels haven't corroded around door handles and door bottoms. In three years mine has only required tyres, routine servicing and a power steering pump (didn't fail, was just noisy).
They are an amazing ownership experience - everyone loves them, they feel special to drive and sound fantastic. I sometime ponder replacing mine, but I can't think of anything to replace it with except another one!
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Saturday 24th January 17:37
Noble is a great call if you buy a 2nd car for the practical stuff. As a drivers car it's leagues ahead of anything on your list, even the lotus (but then I would say that). But if you WANT the Aston then buy it. It's not especially quick but regardless of how fast a car is you end up wanting more so you may as well buy what you dream of owning.
)Just throwing this out there, give a Z4 M Coupe a try... although as you've had a Z coupe before not sure if this will float your boat?
To me a Cayman is an awesome car, as is the boxster. I have had two 911s so "done that" and my next Porsche would probably be a Boxster.
The AMV8 is nice to look at and listen to but, in my opinion, outclassed in the driving stakes by the Cayman by a country mile. Probably by the M3 too and almost certainly by the Evora.
The Evora always makes me look twice when I see one, which is unusual for me.
To me a Cayman is an awesome car, as is the boxster. I have had two 911s so "done that" and my next Porsche would probably be a Boxster.
The AMV8 is nice to look at and listen to but, in my opinion, outclassed in the driving stakes by the Cayman by a country mile. Probably by the M3 too and almost certainly by the Evora.
The Evora always makes me look twice when I see one, which is unusual for me.
I had a Cayman S and it was very, very good. But an Aston would feel that much more special - just walking out to one would out a huge grin on your face! The C63, I imagine, would be the most satisfying to drive in terms of noise and sheer brutality.
But, for me, a 'special' car needs to look the part too - a car you can look out of your window at home to admire.
But, for me, a 'special' car needs to look the part too - a car you can look out of your window at home to admire.
Would be the Evora for me without a doubt.
The V8 Astons are really common round these parts, whereas I don't think I've ever seen an Evora out and about.
Saying that, even the AM is miles more special than a Cayman or M3.
I'd also be looking at Nobles. That is a car you'd look back on in years to come.
The V8 Astons are really common round these parts, whereas I don't think I've ever seen an Evora out and about.
Saying that, even the AM is miles more special than a Cayman or M3.
I'd also be looking at Nobles. That is a car you'd look back on in years to come.
Alapeno said:
I'd also be looking at Nobles. That is a car you'd look back on in years to come.
Agree and I love Nobles and you would also get a very nice TVR T350 at that budget, I think the OP might be using it as a daily so I suppose both the Noble/TVR could get maybe a little frustrating at times...but boy they would feel special though. Alapeno said:
Would be the Evora for me without a doubt.
The V8 Astons are really common round these parts, whereas I don't think I've ever seen an Evora out and about.
I've never understood this attitude. Just because a car is rare doesn't make it good. Just because a car is common doesn't make it bad. Surely, you just buy the best car / car you want? Anything else is just vanity or posing of the worst sort.The V8 Astons are really common round these parts, whereas I don't think I've ever seen an Evora out and about.
W00DY said:
How about a higher maintenance budget, but no depreciation to worry about?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
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t that's ugly for an a Italian car
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
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t that's ugly for an a Italian carhttp://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Edited by W00DY on Saturday 24th January 12:24
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