To sell or not to sell - that is the question...
Discussion
There is one car I have been browsing in the ads for the last year or so. It doesn't quite fit into the "practical 4wd" or the £10k-ish planned budget, but.....
I do quite fancy an AM V8 Vantage. Looks like 2005 / 2006 models would be pretty much a straight swap (from a cash perspective), so it's quite tempting. Might have to go and see one, to see what they're really like.
I am a little dubious about their reliability - I remember somebody saying you "learn which warning lights can be ignored". But they're sooooo pretty..... It could replace the turbo very well - in between the sunny weekend 360 and the rubbish weather / do the shopping Cayenne.
I do quite fancy an AM V8 Vantage. Looks like 2005 / 2006 models would be pretty much a straight swap (from a cash perspective), so it's quite tempting. Might have to go and see one, to see what they're really like.
I am a little dubious about their reliability - I remember somebody saying you "learn which warning lights can be ignored". But they're sooooo pretty..... It could replace the turbo very well - in between the sunny weekend 360 and the rubbish weather / do the shopping Cayenne.
davek_964 said:
There is one car I have been browsing in the ads for the last year or so. It doesn't quite fit into the "practical 4wd" or the £10k-ish planned budget, but.....
I do quite fancy an AM V8 Vantage. Looks like 2005 / 2006 models would be pretty much a straight swap (from a cash perspective), so it's quite tempting. Might have to go and see one, to see what they're really like.
I am a little dubious about their reliability - I remember somebody saying you "learn which warning lights can be ignored". But they're sooooo pretty..... It could replace the turbo very well - in between the sunny weekend 360 and the rubbish weather / do the shopping Cayenne.
Have you driven one before? I do quite fancy an AM V8 Vantage. Looks like 2005 / 2006 models would be pretty much a straight swap (from a cash perspective), so it's quite tempting. Might have to go and see one, to see what they're really like.
I am a little dubious about their reliability - I remember somebody saying you "learn which warning lights can be ignored". But they're sooooo pretty..... It could replace the turbo very well - in between the sunny weekend 360 and the rubbish weather / do the shopping Cayenne.
Interior is gorgeous, but the in car electronics are complete toilet (certainly in the older cars, the most recent I've driven was a 2011 n420, which still had a cack satnav). Couple of low rent bits of trim but most of it is spectacular, beautifully trimmed leather and suede everywhere, lovely instruments in the dash too, the plug in key is very cool. Like the Pork there's some wacky colour combinations around, aubergine purple interior anyone?
Not as resolved a drive dynamically and nowhere near as fast, especially in 4.3 format which you'd be looking at for the 30-35k price range. No slouch though, still a very capable sports car but not a "super" car... be prepared to get smoked at the traffic light grand prix!
Sport shift / flappy paddle / semi auto box IMHO is a jerky clunky horror, would be better with a torque convertor auto. The manual if fine, if a little agricultural compared to the 996 and the clutch is pretty heavy too. Not the most responsive throttle either. And the agricultural comment is compared to the TVR too, which to be fair does have a very nice peddle box and feel, if a "rustic" gearbox in the borg warner.
In short, it's a weaker car than the 996 in many ways. but the looks and better not forget the noise, no Porsche can compare to the v8 bark on startup, the burble and the growl!
I've decided to give it a miss this time around due to the horrible residuals. I looked at a 55k car last year, after 24 months, predicted value.... £35k... couldn't see £10k a year go up in smoke. Would be interesting to see where a 35k car goes... I'd imagine the low mileage ones could keep their value.
Oh yes, they are very mileage sensitive when it comes to pricing, chap at the Aston main dealer I spoke to was quite clear on this when we discussing residual values. But that's just his opinion anyway.
I'm expecting to lose little or hopefully nothing on the Porsche purchase.
Excuse the brain dump..
Thanks - that was a useful brain dump!
Not driven one, but think I probably need to - it is the looks that appeal more than anything at the moment. Although when I was out for a blast in the 360 last year a vantage was doing the same thing the other way and did sound nice!
I'd only look at manual and think boring black suits the vantage best.
I can live with a power drop - the turbo is silly fast and I could live with a car that is fast, not mentally fast.
Toilet electrics are a concern. The guy opposite me details cars and he says pretty much every Aston he's done has had an engine management light on at some point!
But then, I expected Ferrari build quality to be crap and have been pleasantly surprised (although not sure how I can say that after the zillion pound service it's just had!).
Not driven one, but think I probably need to - it is the looks that appeal more than anything at the moment. Although when I was out for a blast in the 360 last year a vantage was doing the same thing the other way and did sound nice!
I'd only look at manual and think boring black suits the vantage best.
I can live with a power drop - the turbo is silly fast and I could live with a car that is fast, not mentally fast.
Toilet electrics are a concern. The guy opposite me details cars and he says pretty much every Aston he's done has had an engine management light on at some point!
But then, I expected Ferrari build quality to be crap and have been pleasantly surprised (although not sure how I can say that after the zillion pound service it's just had!).
davek_964 said:
Thanks - that was a useful brain dump!
Not driven one, but think I probably need to - it is the looks that appeal more than anything at the moment. Although when I was out for a blast in the 360 last year a vantage was doing the same thing the other way and did sound nice!
I'd only look at manual and think boring black suits the vantage best.
I can live with a power drop - the turbo is silly fast and I could live with a car that is fast, not mentally fast.
Toilet electrics are a concern. The guy opposite me details cars and he says pretty much every Aston he's done has had an engine management light on at some point!
But then, I expected Ferrari build quality to be crap and have been pleasantly surprised (although not sure how I can say that after the zillion pound service it's just had!).
Go on put me out of my misery how much was the service on the 360 - maybe it will bring me back to reality lolNot driven one, but think I probably need to - it is the looks that appeal more than anything at the moment. Although when I was out for a blast in the 360 last year a vantage was doing the same thing the other way and did sound nice!
I'd only look at manual and think boring black suits the vantage best.
I can live with a power drop - the turbo is silly fast and I could live with a car that is fast, not mentally fast.
Toilet electrics are a concern. The guy opposite me details cars and he says pretty much every Aston he's done has had an engine management light on at some point!
But then, I expected Ferrari build quality to be crap and have been pleasantly surprised (although not sure how I can say that after the zillion pound service it's just had!).
IMIA said:
Go on put me out of my misery how much was the service on the 360 - maybe it will bring me back to reality lol
A friend just had "the big service" done on his Masser GT, £3000-ish! ouchie... Must be a similar ball park.Makes the services for a 996tt look like a walk in the park! (In fact they are cheaper than main dealer services for my Audi!)
davek_964 said:
Toilet electrics are a concern. The guy opposite me details cars and he says pretty much every Aston he's done has had an engine management light on at some point!
But then, I expected Ferrari build quality to be crap and have been pleasantly surprised (although not sure how I can say that after the zillion pound service it's just had!).
I was talking more around entertainment / sat nav / car management, compared to something like the Audi MMI it's pretty poor and that's a commodity product in pretty much all their cars.But then, I expected Ferrari build quality to be crap and have been pleasantly surprised (although not sure how I can say that after the zillion pound service it's just had!).
No idea about other important electronics like engine management etc.
Anecdotally, whilst doing my research there are good and bad ones, get one that's not needed massive amounts of work but has all the services and you're probably looking good.
I'd personally feel far safer with a warranty from a main dealer, and many of them do still tend to deal with older cars and give their full 12 months on them.
Don't know that there are many Aston only specialist around like there are for Porsche. Cant say I looked too hard though.
ILoveMondeo said:
I was talking more around entertainment / sat nav / car management, compared to something like the Audi MMI it's pretty poor and that's a commodity product in pretty much all their cars.
No idea about other important electronics like engine management etc.
Anecdotally, whilst doing my research there are good and bad ones, get one that's not needed massive amounts of work but has all the services and you're probably looking good.
I'd personally feel far safer with a warranty from a main dealer, and many of them do still tend to deal with older cars and give their full 12 months on them.
Don't know that there are many Aston only specialist around like there are for Porsche. Cant say I looked too hard though.
In that case, I think the pcm in a 996 turbo might shock you!No idea about other important electronics like engine management etc.
Anecdotally, whilst doing my research there are good and bad ones, get one that's not needed massive amounts of work but has all the services and you're probably looking good.
I'd personally feel far safer with a warranty from a main dealer, and many of them do still tend to deal with older cars and give their full 12 months on them.
Don't know that there are many Aston only specialist around like there are for Porsche. Cant say I looked too hard though.
The service cost on the 360.... Hmm, let's say £3k would have been bargain of the century for what I had done. The basic major was about £2k anyway. I needed 4 new front ball joints, new wiper motor (4 hours labour sadly). I also wanted loss of other stuff done to bring the car up to my standard - new under tray, alignment, new membrane in the luggage compartment because I knew mine had been cut, some paint in the engine bay where it had peeled around the filler cap etc. Let's say I'm happy with what I was charged but it was more than £3k!
Okay not that bad then. Think most I've paid is circa £5-6k but that included a warranty renewal on a 997 turbo a few years back.
Back on topic I do not know much about Astons but have seen them on these HRE 101 wheels and they look magnificent. Get a V12V if you can! Future classic IMO
Back on topic I do not know much about Astons but have seen them on these HRE 101 wheels and they look magnificent. Get a V12V if you can! Future classic IMO
IMIA said:
Okay not that bad then. Think most I've paid is circa £5-6k but that included a warranty renewal on a 997 turbo a few years back.
Back on topic I do not know much about Astons but have seen them on these HRE 101 wheels and they look magnificent. Get a V12V if you can! Future classic IMO
Love these, tempted to unload my 6T for one.Back on topic I do not know much about Astons but have seen them on these HRE 101 wheels and they look magnificent. Get a V12V if you can! Future classic IMO
I think I've done the 911 thing now
Crimp said:
IMIA said:
Okay not that bad then. Think most I've paid is circa £5-6k but that included a warranty renewal on a 997 turbo a few years back.
Back on topic I do not know much about Astons but have seen them on these HRE 101 wheels and they look magnificent. Get a V12V if you can! Future classic IMO
Love these, tempted to unload my 6T for one.Back on topic I do not know much about Astons but have seen them on these HRE 101 wheels and they look magnificent. Get a V12V if you can! Future classic IMO
I think I've done the 911 thing now
Met with a very helpful Vantage owner today, who talked me through the ownership experience and took me out for a run.
I was very impressed - seemed fast enough, gorgeous noise and the interior is a lovely place to be (although also slightly odd - quite a high dashboard).
I'm pretty much sold and I want one, so the turbo will go back up for sale. Finding the colour and spec I want might take a while but we'll see. I did consider buying one first before I put the turbo up for sale but that would be a tad irresponsible. I may start looking at the same time I'm trying to sell though!
I was very impressed - seemed fast enough, gorgeous noise and the interior is a lovely place to be (although also slightly odd - quite a high dashboard).
I'm pretty much sold and I want one, so the turbo will go back up for sale. Finding the colour and spec I want might take a while but we'll see. I did consider buying one first before I put the turbo up for sale but that would be a tad irresponsible. I may start looking at the same time I'm trying to sell though!
davek_964 said:
There is one car I have been browsing in the ads for the last year or so. It doesn't quite fit into the "practical 4wd" or the £10k-ish planned budget, but.....
I do quite fancy an AM V8 Vantage. Looks like 2005 / 2006 models would be pretty much a straight swap (from a cash perspective), so it's quite tempting. Might have to go and see one, to see what they're really like.
I am a little dubious about their reliability - I remember somebody saying you "learn which warning lights can be ignored". But they're sooooo pretty..... It could replace the turbo very well - in between the sunny weekend 360 and the rubbish weather / do the shopping Cayenne.
Why buy the aston martin v8 vantage, when you got a ferrari? I do quite fancy an AM V8 Vantage. Looks like 2005 / 2006 models would be pretty much a straight swap (from a cash perspective), so it's quite tempting. Might have to go and see one, to see what they're really like.
I am a little dubious about their reliability - I remember somebody saying you "learn which warning lights can be ignored". But they're sooooo pretty..... It could replace the turbo very well - in between the sunny weekend 360 and the rubbish weather / do the shopping Cayenne.
thats a waste of money im my opinion as you already got a similar performenced supercar and now your buying anóther.
John Islam said:
Why buy the aston martin v8 vantage, when you got a ferrari?
thats a waste of money im my opinion as you already got a similar performenced supercar and now your buying anóther.
They are not similar tho. Ignore the "similar performance" side of it (the Ferrari is faster and feels faster and even looks faster.. but neither will be as fast as the Porsche Turbo), other than that there aren't too many similarities other than the fairly superficial stuff. I suspect that having had a bit of time in a V8V the OP will might agree.thats a waste of money im my opinion as you already got a similar performenced supercar and now your buying anóther.
renmure said:
They are not similar tho. Ignore the "similar performance" side of it (the Ferrari is faster and feels faster and even looks faster.. but neither will be as fast as the Porsche Turbo), other than that there aren't too many similarities other than the fairly superficial stuff. I suspect that having had a bit of time in a V8V the OP will might agree.
Yes i know they feel different but he should sell the porsche turbo, ferrari 360 and buy a ferrari 430 spider. nowadays they go for around 65k (gbp pounds)John Islam said:
Yes i know they feel different but he should sell the porsche turbo, ferrari 360 and buy a ferrari 430 spider. nowadays they go for around 65k (gbp pounds)
I want to continue having 3 cars so selling two to buy one wouldn't work. Plus, I have no desire to buy a newer Ferrari at the moment. For me, the 360 is perfect - I'm sure newer cars are "better" but the 360 really is ideal for me so I wouldn't pay for something I don't yet know I want.The "two sports cars" argument is valid though. The reason I thought about selling the turbo in the first place is because it fits awkwardly in my collection and that would be true of a vantage too. Unfortunately, the sensible choices don't interest me - I already have the Cayenne so if I want 3 cars the 3rd one needs reasonable power and reasonable style.
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