Opinions, New 5.0 litre XKR versus Aston Vantage

[cathalm]

Chaps, I've asked the same question on the Aston forum and I'd like to get some advice from the Jag community too. I'm wondering which of these to get as my next car over the next little while and am royally flumoxed. Aston beauty versus Jag go? Jag sophistication versus Aston hand built charm? Would appreciate any opinions on the subject here or on the Aston forum. Cheers.

[Shar2]

Aston looks great on the outside, but the build quality of the interior left a lot to be desired IMHO. I'd go for the Jag.

[cardigankid]

The Jag is a wonderful wonderful car, fast and to my mind better looking. Imho it is let down only by the fact the seats are not 'sporty' enough and the exhaust is much more discreet than the Aston. Both easy things to fix and why don't they? Probably cheaper to service as well though greater depreciation if that is a criteria.

I have little experience of the Aston, though I'm sure you would be proud to own either.

[steve-p]

To a certain extent, perhaps it depends how much you value the badge and brand - I mean if both cars happened to be made by the same company, would it be an easier choice between them? As a brand, there's no doubt in my mind that Aston Martin is cooler, but taking that out of the equation, IMO the XKR is easily the better car - particularly if it's an everyday driver, rather than a weekend toy.

The Vantage is pretty, but then the XK is too. There's a great deal of very good technology in the XK, but doesn't the Vantage still have the wobbly old pop up Volvo nav system? It didn't take very long for me to decide between them, even though the Vantage was tempting. But then I'm happy with the (very good) auto box - if you have a strong preference for a manual gearbox, that could be a major factor.

[Triple7]

Unless it's the AMV12 then XKR without a doubt.

I looked at both as well, for me the lure of the badge of the AM was a big deal, but the product did not match my expectations in any way.

I didn't like the driving position, seat felt low and the dash/steering wheel felt too high. The interior is tiny and claustrophobic, the interior quality, while nice didn't warrant the £40k extra. The Jag is a far more modern product. The Jag is very comfy, I loved the seats although not as supportive as the Astons, they are excellent.

As for the new 5ltr engine with adaptive dynamics and awesome gearbox you will not want a manual Aston I can assure you.

As for reliability, I wouldn't expect any issues with the Jag, I can't say the same for the Aston.



My conclusion was, that if you want to just look at it then buy the Aston, if you want yoive with it and drive it daily, buy the Jag.

[Triple7]

On the Aston forum, there doesn't seem to be a big 'buy' the Aston community. Seems most suggest the Jag or DB9. The 9 is a lovely car, but it us ancient now and having been un one quite a bit, aside the draw of the badge and now the V12, the 5ltr XKR, still a much better car.

[chris_w]

cathalm said:

Aston beauty versus Jag go?

Sadly i don't have any experience of the Aston but have run a new XKR convertible for three months now and really rate it. It is just so easy to live with day to day yet can blitx pretty much anything on the road when you put your foot down.

I think the exhaust system is very good, discrete when cruising but turns on the noise when you're pressing on, suits the Jekyl and Hyde nature of the car.

My main grips with it are the poor sat-nav (and generally slightly clunky touch screen interface), the fuel economy (18-19 in most normal driving, can't better 23mpg on even the most careful of economy runs) which means the range is limited to less than 300 miles, often less. And the packaging is pretty poor, it's a huge car yet doesn't offer anything like useful space in the rear and the boot is pretty poor (better on the coupe naturally).

Shout if you have any more specific questions.

[cardigankid]

chris_w said:

And the packaging is pretty poor...

Eh? Does it come in a box?

[steve-p]

chris_w said:

the fuel economy (18-19 in most normal driving, can't better 23mpg on even the most careful of economy runs) which means the range is limited to less than 300 miles, often less.

Mine has averaged 20.25 to date and I have seen 26 on a reasonable run without trying too hard. It always does between 21 and 23 on my 11 mile commute depending on traffic. The real killer is the first mile or two when the engine is cold though - short journeys and/or congestion use a lot of fuel. I would like a bigger fuel tank - better range would be welcome. I use 95 RON which would give slightly worse economy and a theoretical reduction in power, which in practice is not noticeable with so much to start with.

I don't think the Vantage is likely to be any better - my colleague only averaged 15 MPG in his with the same commute as me, and on 98 RON.

[chris_w]

steve-p said:

Mine has averaged 20.25 to date and I have seen 26 on a reasonable run without trying too hard.

Interesting, guess I may have a heavier right foot than I thought, or maybe the convertible suffers from the additional weight? I also use 95 RON but the it's more the inconvenience of constantly filling up that is annoying.

[cathalm]

I'm not really bothered about fuel comsumption, but I thought the touch screen system in the Jag was pretty swanky. Interesting to hear that some of you don't like it. How much do you think the XK will be worth after 2 years? I get the impression the Aston might be a better buy from that point of view.

[chris_w]

cathalm said:

I'm not really bothered about fuel comsumption, but I thought the touch screen system in the Jag was pretty swanky. Interesting to hear that some of you don't like it. How much do you think the XK will be worth after 2 years? I get the impression the Aston might be a better buy from that point of view.

Overall the touchscreen is ok, maybe I'm spoilt by my iPhone but it's not that responsive (slight delay when you prod it) but you get there in the end. My biggest gripe is with the SatNav functionality which is pretty poor and doesn't match up to my old Tom Tom in terms of accuracy or ease of use. Not a deal breaker for the car overall though, just something they could/should have done better.

I'm pretty sure an Aston would always hold its value better than the equivalent Jaguar, wouldn't dare to guess numbers though.

[Triple7]

I love the Jaguar/Land Rover satnav, don't understand what peeps issues with it it. No it's not perfect, but I think it's great.

We need a start point for values. Are you buying used? Budget £60k? If I assume that these are the figures, then you'll get a 5ltr XKR less than a year old with the full manufacuters warranty remaining. After a further 2 years, it'll be worth about £35k-ish. Idf you buy the Aston, then it will be about 2 years old, and out of warranty, probably be a 4.3ltr (urghhh!) so who will want one of those in 2 years, when they can get a 4.7ltr? Aston will be worth similar money. If you include running costs over the same period, the Jag will cost you far less and you'll be able to drive it more.

[cathalm]

Yup, I could do 60k with a bit of a squeeze. You're right it would have to be a 4.3 Aston, but the folks on the Aston forum seem to belive the percieved lack of go is exaggerated. I mean, a car that does 60 in under 5 is hardly slow is it?

[steve-p]

My colleague's comments about his 4.3 were that it sounded great but didn't actually feel all that quick, wasn't built very well and was incredibly thirsty. He's gone back to 911s after being underwhelmed by the experience.

[pr100]

Triple7 said:

I love the Jaguar/Land Rover satnav, don't understand what peeps issues with it it.

I use my TomTom instead, which is a crying shame because it adds clutter to the cabin/windscreen.

I find the TomTom graphics easier to see at a glance and the spoken road names are a boon (eg: "Turn left into Sesame Street"), especially if you don't want to look at the screen. Most of all, I value the speed camera alerts combined with the update facility.

And I do wish that the Jag sat-nav didn't ask me to agree to some T&Cs every time it is switched on. Not user-friendly imho.

[Triple7]

cathalm said:

Yup, I could do 60k with a bit of a squeeze. You're right it would have to be a 4.3 Aston, but the folks on the Aston forum seem to belive the percieved lack of go is exaggerated. I mean, a car that does 60 in under 5 is hardly slow is it?

If you are only looking at a 4.3, it's no contest it has to be the XKR. The 4.3 Aston you have to constantly wring it's neck to get any go, yes it sounds awesome, but you don't get the pleasure of the sound as you can't really hear it in the cabin, only those you pass get the experience. The 5ltr XKR is mind blowing, I think if you text drive them back to back you won't ever look at the Aston again.

Cheapest 5.0 XKR on Jag site, is £53k, go do it!

[Steve*B]

Triple7 said:

If you are only looking at a 4.3, it's no contest it has to be the XKR. The 4.3 Aston you have to constantly wring it's neck to get any go, yes it sounds awesome, but you don't get the pleasure of the sound as you can't really hear it in the cabin, only those you pass get the experience.

Factually incorrect, in every aspect

Edited by Steve*B on Wednesday 20th January 18:46

[Triple7]

Hey we got a live one! Welcome.

Hey it's my opinion, based on experience in both cars, you driven a 5ltr XKR?

[Steve*B]

Triple7 said:

Hey we got a live one! Welcome.

Hey it's my opinion, based on experience in both cars, you driven a 5ltr XKR?

No, but I always smile to myself when I see an XK of any flavour. This is probably because I've been there, from a Jaguar owners perspective. Those of you who are honest will know exactly what I mean

'Based on experience in both cars'??? Either you were driving the car at under 4000rpm, at which point the exhaust valve opens, or you sat in one and simply didn't start the engine

You also seem to imply that the Vantage is slow. If absolute velocity is important to you when comparing or buying (for me, btw, it's more about the overall package) then do some research on the Nurburgring lap times and report back....

The point of my post btw is not to criticize the XKR, I'm sure it's very nice, but to say that you can't hear the exhaust note of the Vantage from within the cabin is outrageous.