Would you sell your v12 vantage manual for a 458 Italia !!?

Would you sell your v12 vantage manual for a 458 Italia !!?

Author
Discussion

CSK1

1,598 posts

123 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
quotequote all
No. Buy a V12 Vantage S instead if you really fancy a change.

FrankieBee

757 posts

121 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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CSK1 said:
No. Buy a V12 Vantage S instead if you really fancy a change.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This. What an excellent ideadriving

SlartiF430

1,828 posts

153 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
quotequote all
I went v8v -> db9v -> f430 -> mclaren

i loved my astons. they were great cars. beautiful...but i got a ferrari itch and i just had to scratch it, so i got a 430. it was a great decision, never regretted it for one minute. ferrari ownership is a special thing. the performance, the feel, the noise - it's generally all good. then i decided i wanted a 458, which i nearly got. however, i saw a mclaren 12c in the flesh (pictures don't do them justice), i saw the doors, i heard the sound and felt the performance. the 458 didn't get a look-in and i bought the 12c. don't worry about going from a v12v to a 458 or mac - in either case you won't lose much money and will be able to get back into an aston if you feel the need. i've never driven a v12v so can't compare in any practical sense, but a 458 will give you theatre and drama that an aston simply cannot. i don't see myself going back to aston (even a v12v)...i'm a two car person (DD + fun car) and i want the theatre in my fun car. if i had to have only one car then i might consider aston again (or maybe not).

kbooker

728 posts

138 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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SlartiF430 said:
I went v8v -> db9v -> f430 -> mclaren

i loved my astons. they were great cars. beautiful...but i got a ferrari itch and i just had to scratch it, so i got a 430. it was a great decision, never regretted it for one minute. ferrari ownership is a special thing. the performance, the feel, the noise - it's generally all good. then i decided i wanted a 458, which i nearly got. however, i saw a mclaren 12c in the flesh (pictures don't do them justice), i saw the doors, i heard the sound and felt the performance. the 458 didn't get a look-in and i bought the 12c. don't worry about going from a v12v to a 458 or mac - in either case you won't lose much money and will be able to get back into an aston if you feel the need. i've never driven a v12v so can't compare in any practical sense, but a 458 will give you theatre and drama that an aston simply cannot. i don't see myself going back to aston (even a v12v)...i'm a two car person (DD + fun car) and i want the theatre in my fun car. if i had to have only one car then i might consider aston again (or maybe not).
A V12V on Corsa's in cold or damp conditions is more theatre/drama than any Ferrari could possibly deliver...biggrin

SlartiF430

1,828 posts

153 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
quotequote all
kbooker said:
A V12V on Corsa's in cold or damp conditions is more theatre/drama than any Ferrari could possibly deliver...biggrin
Lol. An operating theatre wasn't what I had in mind!

kbooker

728 posts

138 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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^^^^^ laugh

Flugplatz

1,952 posts

244 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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SlartiF430 said:
Lol. An operating theatre wasn't what I had in mind!
biggrin

don4l

10,058 posts

175 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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I haven't driven a 458, but some of the comments above reflect my views.

Back in 2008 I had a Lexus. It was a superb vehicle, and I was never going to buy a different make.

Then one day, for a laugh, I went to the Aston dealership. I had a test drive.

I will never forget the moment that we went around the first bend. Six weeks later a DB9 was parked in the garage.

I've driven a couple of Ferraris (not the 458), and they felt a bit like a powerful Lexus. Comfortable, powerful, but unexciting. I've also driven a murcialago, and it felt like the Aston on steriods.

I love driving Lambos, but I don't think that I would get many opportunities to use one. You can safely park the Aston in Lidl's car park.

We all seem to derive our pleasure from cars in different ways.

I enjoy speed and a little bit of fear.

A friend of mine has an XKR. He has wanted a Jag since he was a young child.

Only you can tell what it is that you want from your car.




bentley01

1,002 posts

135 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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I really like the 458 and I could imagine owning one. I decided to try one and I found that I needed to drive it really quickly to get the most out of it. I also felt uncomfortable at the traffic lights with people staring. Now the V12 Vantage gets lots of looks but for some reason I don't feel the same in it. No bad choice really they are all pinch yourself cars that we own.

Nijius Maximus

586 posts

110 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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bentley01 said:
I really like the 458 and I could imagine owning one. I decided to try one and I found that I needed to drive it really quickly to get the most out of it. I also felt uncomfortable at the traffic lights with people staring. Now the V12 Vantage gets lots of looks but for some reason I don't feel the same in it. No bad choice really they are all pinch yourself cars that we own.
THIS.

When I had my R8 at many traffic lights there'd be another Audi (the TT or any RS model seemed to be the worst offender) or BMW who obviously wanted to race. Just got annoying in the end.

I don't get that (well nowhere as much) with the V12V. I think with an Aston you DON'T have to drive it 100mph everywhere you go and people don't expect you to... smile

kbooker

728 posts

138 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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Phil, you have a PM smile

AMDB9

2,714 posts

206 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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Comments on this forum are not surprising as you posted in the Aston Martin section. Had you posted this on a Ferrari forum or the Ferrari V8 section you would surely get a different response. I owned a DB9 for 6-8 months and did not get on with it and was VERY pleased to have gotten out of it. When I bought it I was 38 and the pipe and slippers comments wouldn't stop from colleagues, friends and family...it did not help that my car was black with red brake calipers but the interior had this horrible light oak wood interior (I planned to have it hydro dipped in carbon but that's another story!).

I then sold the DB9 and moved to a Maserati Granturismo MC shift which was a beast of a car and was wayyy better than the Aston and just sounded amazing!

I now own a 458 (black on black) and love the thing to bits. I can't comment on a V12 Vantage as never owned or driven one but the general ownership experience of the F car and the driving dynamics are world apart from the Aston I owned. The Aston felt boring, the interior would rattle and did not feel well put together and it was not a very nice place to be IMHO. Yes the DB9 was a tourer and not a sports car so not a fair comparison but I'm just talking in terms of general ownership experience of the "brand".

Major things went wrong during my ownership too - engine management issues, brake discs warping, battery and numerous electrical niggles. The car had numerous visits back to the dealer some things covered under warranty but the majority left for me to stump up!

My 458 came with a 2 year Ferrari warranty and remainder of the service pack (another 3 years to go) so it's pretty much stress free supercar ownership with no hidden costs.

Go drive one and compare it yourself. I don't think I'll ever be owning an AM again!

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
AMDB9 said:
Comments on this forum are not surprising as you posted in the Aston Martin section. Had you posted this on a Ferrari forum or the Ferrari V8 section you would surely get a different response. I owned a DB9 for 6-8 months and did not get on with it and was VERY pleased to have gotten out of it. When I bought it I was 38 and the pipe and slippers comments wouldn't stop from colleagues, friends and family...it did not help that my car was black with red brake calipers but the interior had this horrible light oak wood interior (I planned to have it hydro dipped in carbon but that's another story!).

I then sold the DB9 and moved to a Maserati Granturismo MC shift which was a beast of a car and was wayyy better than the Aston and just sounded amazing!

I now own a 458 (black on black) and love the thing to bits. I can't comment on a V12 Vantage as never owned or driven one but the general ownership experience of the F car and the driving dynamics are world apart from the Aston I owned. The Aston felt boring, the interior would rattle and did not feel well put together and it was not a very nice place to be IMHO. Yes the DB9 was a tourer and not a sports car so not a fair comparison but I'm just talking in terms of general ownership experience of the "brand".

Major things went wrong during my ownership too - engine management issues, brake discs warping, battery and numerous electrical niggles. The car had numerous visits back to the dealer some things covered under warranty but the majority left for me to stump up!

My 458 came with a 2 year Ferrari warranty and remainder of the service pack (another 3 years to go) so it's pretty much stress free supercar ownership with no hidden costs.

Go drive one and compare it yourself. I don't think I'll ever be owning an AM again!
So there you have it - you should sell your v12 vantage and buy the Ferrari immediately because one chap once had some service issues with a completely different model a few years backsmile

I still think your best bet is to try an extended test drive, as only you will be able to decide whether it's the car for you

AMDBSTony

1,074 posts

166 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
Was thinking of changing my car for a 458 a couple of years or so ago.

Test drove one for an hour or so and was then offered the car for an unacompanied extended test drive for an afternoon.

It was a toss up between a 458 and a Hurracan, however the Hurracan was dismissed as my frail old body wasnt that flexible anymore biglaugh

Whilst the 458 is an extremely good car, for me it just lacked something. I found it a bit too 'in your face' and wasnt really that comfortable. It got too much attention in the wrong way for my liking - the Aston people seem to accept you whereas in the 458 they seem to hate you.

Have had far faster cars than the Aston but its not about that. Theres something about the Aston that is adictive. Simply put its THE nicest car I have ever had, a joy to drive and just epic to look at. I consider myself so lucky to be able to own one of these.

Think that after many years of frequently swapping my weekend car, i actually have a keeper.

Whatever is in the garage, we should all consider ourselves very fortunate. Never thought I would be in a position to discuss which is the better car, a 458 or an Aston, let alone be able to afford both of them.


458man

2,714 posts

206 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
RobDown said:
So there you have it - you should sell your v12 vantage and buy the Ferrari immediately because one chap once had some service issues with a completely different model a few years backsmile

I still think your best bet is to try an extended test drive, as only you will be able to decide whether it's the car for you
Never told him to buy it or to sell his Aston. Just gave him my opinion :-)

Btw this post reminded me to change my username too hehe

Gavc

225 posts

132 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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They are both different cars. 1 mid engined the other front. Both great cars though the Ferrari is sublime but has lost soul and too in your face as all modern Ferrari's are. Happy to drive a Enzo era 308 which is far more involving at a less mental pace. Aston is pure character even though modern with quirks. Live in Uk Aston, live in Italy Ferrari. Or just have one of each. F430 manual is probably the better drivers modern F car and a V12 manual that would be a good garage.

JPF40

350 posts

230 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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Lots of opinion, looks like youll need to dip your toe!

Anyone see Clarksons piece yesterday in the Times?

It does sum up Ferrari ownersip unfortunately.

The only people who really love you when you own a Fezza are your kids, it was one of the reasons for buying a Speciale, and will probably be the only reason to buy another.

SlartiF430

1,828 posts

153 months

Monday 25th April 2016
quotequote all
JPF40 said:
Lots of opinion, looks like youll need to dip your toe!

Anyone see Clarksons piece yesterday in the Times?

It does sum up Ferrari ownersip unfortunately.

The only people who really love you when you own a Fezza are your kids, it was one of the reasons for buying a Speciale, and will probably be the only reason to buy another.
And young boys... They typically haven't fully adopted British cynicism to the point that they look down with disdain on anybody that's comfortable with displaying their hard earned wealth. Also, women prefer Astons 110% if that's your thing.


bentley01

1,002 posts

135 months

Monday 25th April 2016
quotequote all
SlartiF430 said:
And young boys... They typically haven't fully adopted British cynicism to the point that they look down with disdain on anybody that's comfortable with displaying their hard earned wealth. Also, women prefer Astons 110% if that's your thing.
Women are my thing!

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Monday 25th April 2016
quotequote all
Gavc said:
They are both different cars. 1 mid engined the other front. Both great cars though the Ferrari is sublime but has lost soul and too in your face as all modern Ferrari's are. Happy to drive a Enzo era 308 which is far more involving at a less mental pace. Aston is pure character even though modern with quirks. Live in Uk Aston, live in Italy Ferrari. Or just have one of each. F430 manual is probably the better drivers modern F car and a V12 manual that would be a good garage.
I agree. I done the cars and country the other way round though i know my mistake biggrin