DBS residuals - anybody see into the future?

DBS residuals - anybody see into the future?

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Bincenzo

Original Poster:

2,606 posts

178 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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Chaps,
I'm hankering after another AM, and all I hear is the ever increasing popularity of later manual V12 cars leading to strong residual values. Is there any concrete evidence to date, and what is the general forum feeling (please try to be dispassionate) about having a DBS manual as an investment? I can barely afford one right now, but what I don't want to do is look back in ten years time and wish I'd taken the plunge.

Yes, I know this is like asking for the lottery numbers, but has anyone studied trends on the DBS over the past years?

Try to avoid the standard "Man up and buy it" routine, as that's not helpful.

Look forward to hearing the thoughts on both side of the camp.

JPF40

350 posts

230 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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They bottomed out last year and appear to be on the up, albeit slowly.

I bought one, love it. Lots of car for the money.

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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Tricky one

So with classic Aston Martins there are a number of things that help values; manual gearbox is a must (don't beleve anyone trying to sell you an original 1970s V8 with an auto box when he says it doesn't matter). Convertible/volante worth a lot more, lhd is worth 10% more (rarity), rarity counts for a lot, a James Bond connection helps. And the more beautiful the car the better (db6 loses out to a 4/5 here, the original Dbs is an acquired taste)

The modern DBS ticks a lot of the boxes; it's in my eyes the most beautiful car of the Gaydon era. In manual form it's rare (and a manual volante is in the db4 gt zagato category of rarity), it's got a James Bond connection. I'd love to own one and I suspect so will many people in future years

But nothing is a dead cert, so buy the car you want (and if you can stack the odds in your favour with residuals then that can't be a bad thing, so definitely go manual!).


Gettoff

1,434 posts

206 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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When I was looking for the V12V at the back end of 2013 to early 2014 I wasn't 100% on what to go for between that and the DBS. I seem to remember at the time that typically on a like for like basis with year, mileage and specification, to a certain extent, that the DBS was around £5-10k dearer. That's probably the same now but given the scarcity of cars for sale it's a bit harder to judge but they've certainly not dropped in that period despite being a couple of years older.

FWIW, of the two I would say the DBS would be the safer bet, notably because it was the range-topper at the time and the obvious film connection. Plus, they stopped making it, so that's it. There won't be another final final limited special edition like the V12V with even more multi-coloured trinketry to confuse things.

Where does it go in the future? Christ knows. But as long as you buy a good one and you don't put mega miles on then it has to be a reasonable punt, even if you break even and just have the running costs for a few years it would equate to buying a big saloon or 4x4 nearly new and losing however much in depreciation over the same period. Besides, if you look at it as a hobby then it's no different to spending out on whatever that is.

Have fun looking though thumbup

AWV12

600 posts

146 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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Nobody knows for sure, but DBS prices indeed seemed to have bottumed and on their way up now. Also not so much available as 2 years ago.

ALways go for a Manual, not only for the value, also for the fun of driving it :-)

Asd you can see in my earlier post, the manual Coupes are not so rare, but the manual Volantes are!

See here about some numbers: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=143...

AMDBSTony

1,074 posts

166 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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Hi Mark

How are you.....hope all is well?

Glad to see you are looking to return to the marque!

My take on things........if you want a real investment car, I wouldnt see DBS as one that would fit that bill.

I would, and have, put money into the ones with prancing horses on the front - for whatever reason they really do increase in value tremendously!

Since retiring, i have bought and still own many different cars but i dont really see my DBS as an investment car, its more of a special car that is irreplaceable. Yes its a manual and its a model and colour Bond used in one of his films but having said that, for me its the only car i have ever had that has gotten under my skin. Its hard to explain but anyone that has owned an Aston would probably relate to what i am trying to say, as I'm sure you do.

If you do buy one, go for a later B&O model as all the early ones were manual and hence not considered as rare as the later ones, especially as the vast majority were then autos.

I think that the later B&O models will increase more than the earlier ones, that said i think they will all increase. Look at the recent hikes in V12V, i never would have seen that coming as the model is still current albeit updated.

For the avoidance of doubt I do draw different lines between cars that increase and cars that are investments.

Ducks on the other hand - well lets not go there biglaugh

Bincenzo

Original Poster:

2,606 posts

178 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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Morning Tony wavey

Great to hear from you! It's a real gamble, this one, and I'm not sure I can commit to stretching this far financially without having some certainty of at least breaking even. I also shudder at the thought of shelling out £10k on a set of brakes, should they decide to let go. BUT, the DBS is a staggeringly beautiful car and it's a rare opportunity to own a 'flagship car', experience the V12 with a manual box and hopefully not loose too much cash over the years.

Anyway, about them ducks........ smile

gilbo

460 posts

199 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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I passed a black DBS in Reigate high street yesterday morning and they never cease to impress me with their beauty. I don't think there's a much safer place to put your money in mid to long term if you buy right. Look at the price of the original Vanquish's now and I think they are a similar comparison.

kensilver

312 posts

118 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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I'd make the car buying decision first and consider the residuals as a bonus. The other way round never works.

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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Bincenzo said:
please try to be dispassionate
Grow some bks and get it bought before anyone else spots it you big tart


CSK1

1,598 posts

123 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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kensilver said:
I'd make the car buying decision first and consider the residuals as a bonus. The other way round never works.
+1

AMDBSTony

1,074 posts

166 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
quotequote all
Bincenzo said:
Morning Tony wavey

Great to hear from you! It's a real gamble, this one, and I'm not sure I can commit to stretching this far financially without having some certainty of at least breaking even. I also shudder at the thought of shelling out £10k on a set of brakes, should they decide to let go. BUT, the DBS is a staggeringly beautiful car and it's a rare opportunity to own a 'flagship car', experience the V12 with a manual box and hopefully not loose too much cash over the years.

Anyway, about them ducks........ smile
Hi Mark

No doubt about it, the DBS is stunning!

Brakes are ok and nothing to worry about, providing you buy one where the owner has looked after them properly. For example you cannot clean the wheels with 'product' as the discs will be compromised. Have them checked in the first instance and you will be fine.

Choose wisely and you shouldnt lose money........

CockAroach

377 posts

113 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
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Hi Mark. I'd like to offer you some advice from my Aston ownership experience to help you make what can be a big financial commitment and for that reason a hard decision. Back in 2012 I had the very same desire to own a very nice car. My shopping list was DBS, Ferrari 599 or a 997 GT3 RS. 3 fairly different cars, but at the time all around £90k. I tested all 3 and researched the hell out of them and decided on the DBS. Having never owned such a car I had expected to own it and sell it after a year (I thought it was a box that needed ticking and once ticked, I'd want to move on to something else). I had mentally written off £15-£20k for that year - 2 year's motoring and felt that was a fair price to pay for the privilege. 4 years on I still own it, love it and best of all, it hasn't lost any value at all. Servicing is reasonable (£600 minor, £1200 major), it's very reliable (unlike a some 599 gearbox horrors I have heard) and will make you grin even just looking at it in the garage. Current values for the 997 GT3 RS is around £170k and the 599 is around £120k. OK, I could have flipped the GT3 RS for a clean £80k but you can't live life regretting anything. Given the numbers built compared to it's peers, the fact it was Aston's last halo V12 NA Manual and the Bond connection I think, if anything the DBS has room to move up in value. If you were to find one today, I honestly don't think you would lose a penny on depreciation. I don't intend on selling mine anytime soon and given the lack of supply, I'd guess many owners think the same.

Bincenzo

Original Poster:

2,606 posts

178 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
quotequote all
Thanks Adam,
Great story and I'm glad your still happy with the DBS. A couple of my good friends also have them and, like you, are totally besotted with them and remind me every day that I should bite the bullet! There's no question in my mind that the DBS is a very special car, and if bought it would be a keeper for sure. I'm getting more and more convinced that the depreciation has bottomed out and at worst case it'll hold it's value meaning the only outlay would be running costs. Good to hear about the servicing cost, similar to my V8V, but what worries me is consumables, especially the CCMs. In fact the very thought of £10k spent on new brakes makes me seriously consider whether I'm in cloud cuckoo land thinking I can afford to run one. That said, it's a lifelong ambition (mind you, my wife reminds me that I said that about the V8V) and if I can, I'll certainly give it some serious consideration. Thanks again.

Brakke

490 posts

122 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
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Bicenzo

I had the same worries, but in the last few years a few companies have come up with very good reputation that can rework your existing CCM brakes for 30-40% of the OEM-cost.
IVe heard a lot of good stuff about these guys: http://www.sicom-europe.com/refurbishment-service....

If your worries are the CCM brakes (you said that twice now), I would not worry, just use these guys to refurb the discs.

I bought a V12 Vantage roadster just a few months ago.... Im happy I did, because the next cheapest one is 20k euro more already in 2 months time.

Bite the bullet, the risks are minimal and the joy is endless.

Regards
Brakke

Cheib

23,114 posts

174 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
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Fantastic cars but the best on future value is almost totally dependent on the wider market. The good news is that whilst they may have risen a bit they haven't doubled in price so if god forbid the market takes a bath your bath will be less than a lot of other people's. There's no sign of that happening at the moment though!

Bincenzo

Original Poster:

2,606 posts

178 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
quotequote all
Thanks Brakke, I'd forgotten I'd written about the brakes before and I'm on an iPhone at the moment so couldn't be bothered to reread my posts!

Brakke

490 posts

122 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
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ow no apologies needed, I think youre just too worried about the expensive maintenance. Just wanted to show that CCM brakes dont have to be expensive to maintain... wink

Big Brin

529 posts

240 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
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As many have said here it is a superb car, and for me will hold classic status for looks alone. My regrets of not having done something when I look back now , are numerous. The way I look at it, the price paid for the car just changes a few numbers on a piece of paper from your bank. Whether that the numbers are going down when you buy or going up...it's just numbers on a piece of paper.

Provided it's not a real stretch, at the very least, you'll stand a bloody good chance of getting all your money back if and when you sell. They are desirable and do sell...mind you, I think the Lightning Silver ones seem to hang around longest. I flirted with an Meterite Grey 08 DBS a few years ago and I didn't do it, even after agreeing a price at the main dealer at £72!k! Garage could not give it away, and eventually when push came to shove, I followed my head (can't really afford it / justify it / it'll sit in the garage all week etc.) and backed out. Stuck with my DB9, which has long since gone. Lost out on a Merc SLS on the same basis and regret that big time.

If your heart strings are pulling.....why not do it?! And if you can't really keep it, sell it after a year's enjoyment.

Good luck either way.


Bincenzo

Original Poster:

2,606 posts

178 months

Tuesday 10th May 2016
quotequote all
Thanks Brin, wise words. You're absolutely right about the numbers thing, that's all they are, numbers. As long as I can hand on heart state that it will not adversely affect my wife and kids, then buying this car is something I should probably do. If it goes Pete Tong, then I sell. I'm viewing one tomorrow, let's see how far my heart strings are pulled......