New 2013 Vantage Roadster - is Vantage S worth the extra?
Discussion
I am looking at buying a Vantage roadster (having previously owned a 4.3 coupe) and am coming around to the idea of buying new rather than second hand. Leaving aside the issue of manual v. sportshift, is there now any point paying the considerable premium for an S over the revised standard car? It seems the new basic car has the styling, larger wheels, revised suspension and steering of the S - although please feel free to dispute this...
I had exactly the same dilema last year when I bought my V8. After much deliberation I went for the standard car, I wasn't bothered about the carbon fibre parts or the lights etc.
The S is supposed to have a sportier exhaust, but I couldn't tell much difference and they didn't feel much different to drive. I also went for a manual which ruled out the S as last year it was available with sportshift only.
In hind sight this was probably the best option for me as I changed to a V12 six months later and thet cheaper car probably lost less money in depreciation. There is quite a difference in price for in my opinion little real benefit, other than cosmetic.
If you intend to keep the car a few years, I think the price then will be little different on both cars, as the used car will sell on condition and colour preference etc.
The S is supposed to have a sportier exhaust, but I couldn't tell much difference and they didn't feel much different to drive. I also went for a manual which ruled out the S as last year it was available with sportshift only.
In hind sight this was probably the best option for me as I changed to a V12 six months later and thet cheaper car probably lost less money in depreciation. There is quite a difference in price for in my opinion little real benefit, other than cosmetic.
If you intend to keep the car a few years, I think the price then will be little different on both cars, as the used car will sell on condition and colour preference etc.
mikey k said:
Try specing a std car up to S spec 
If you are not interested in the S bits CF body parts, clear lights etc then buy a std one (or a used S )
BTW the S can now be ordered with a manual
+1 ( nice find by the way with the manual box Mikey)If you are not interested in the S bits CF body parts, clear lights etc then buy a std one (or a used S
)BTW the S can now be ordered with a manual
The key bits Mikey refers to - included on the S are
Carbon- fibre diffuser/splitter ( check the standard car to see if you are ok with the non carbon items)
Wider side sills
Clear lenses
Nav
Bluetooth
Cruise
Piano black/Iridium lower console/fascia
Sports suspension
+ 10bhp/15lb-ft
Unique interior tweaks
Etc
Depends on the price difference you can achieve and how many of the above options appeal......
AFAIK (and AM's web site seems to agree at the moment ) the S has
Sports suspension
Sports back box?
N400 airboxes
Lighter wheels
Wider rear wheels and all 4 tyres
Quicker steering rack
Larger front brakes
clear rear lights
CF splitters front & rear
S interior trim & ski slope
V12 sills
Bluetooth
Cruise control
) the S hasSports suspension
Sports back box?
N400 airboxes
Lighter wheels
Wider rear wheels and all 4 tyres
Quicker steering rack
Larger front brakes
clear rear lights
CF splitters front & rear
S interior trim & ski slope
V12 sills
Bluetooth
Cruise control
Introducing a new manual S while still officially denying it aside as you know Mikey
keeping up with A.M.'s model specs is like wrestling a box of frogs.. or herding cats.. LOL
The standard 12.25My V8 Vantage now has the more direct steering, larger brakes, wider tyres etc.
andddddd.. for the 13MY they "snuck" sat-nav on as standard equipment. No it's not listed on the website V8S spec sheet, but yes it is on the new model range brochure... go figure
as you know Mikeykeeping up with A.M.'s model specs is like wrestling a box of frogs.. or herding cats.. LOL
The standard 12.25My V8 Vantage now has the more direct steering, larger brakes, wider tyres etc.
andddddd.. for the 13MY they "snuck" sat-nav on as standard equipment. No it's not listed on the website V8S spec sheet, but yes it is on the new model range brochure... go figure
Grant3 said:
Introducing a new manual S while still officially denying it aside as you know Mikey
keeping up with A.M.'s model specs is like wrestling a box of frogs.. or herding cats.. LOL
The standard 12.25My V8 Vantage now has the more direct steering, larger brakes, wider tyres etc.
andddddd.. for the 13MY they "snuck" sat-nav on as standard equipment. No it's not listed on the website V8S spec sheet, but yes it is on the new model range brochure... go figure
I know as you know Mikeykeeping up with A.M.'s model specs is like wrestling a box of frogs.. or herding cats.. LOL
The standard 12.25My V8 Vantage now has the more direct steering, larger brakes, wider tyres etc.
andddddd.. for the 13MY they "snuck" sat-nav on as standard equipment. No it's not listed on the website V8S spec sheet, but yes it is on the new model range brochure... go figure
The AM web site spec pages agree with what I posted above
BUT the hard copy brochures agree with what you just said
The down load brochures from the web site are out of date and still show the N420 rear diffuser as an option (good luck making that fit a V12 style rear bumper
)Anyway my first point still stands a speced up V8 is more costly than an S.
OP question is how much of the S spec would you add to the base car and would that make the S better value
Lunablack said:
But what is the price difference, between a reasonably standard new S and a reasonably standard new 4.7??
If its £5k its a no brainer..... If its £20k you may need to ask if the differences are worth it to you...
As far as I can work outIf its £5k its a no brainer..... If its £20k you may need to ask if the differences are worth it to you...
V8 roadster £98,995 OTR
V8S roadster £110,700 OTR
.... Close call, but I think the manual box in a normal 4.7 plus £12k in the bank would swing it for meThanks for all the replies. I had found a rare brand new manual S roadster which I was seriously interested in buying - £114k with extras, but it sold today before I had a chance to even finalise my enquiry
Ironically I went to the same dealership earlier in the week (which is some way from me) only to find that they'd sold the N400 roadster I went to see before I got there...
Apparently the manual S roadster I missed out on is the only one anywhere at the moment. The Vantage prices are pretty confusing, but it seems a basic roadster pre options is now £94k and the S is about £110k as mentioned above. As many of the previously unique S features have now made it onto the basic car it is pretty difficult to know which to go for. I'm hoping to drive a manual S coupe tomorrow and a sportshift S roadster to make sure the sportshift isn't for me. I quite like the F1 in my F355 but feel that a manual may suit the Vantage better...
Next issue is colour - dealers obviously keen to sell me a car from stock and are quoting about 12-16 week delivery for a new order. Preferred colours are Meteorite or Frost White. I prefer the look of the white car, but am concerned it may look a little too flashy as I intend to use it as an occasional work car...
Ironically I went to the same dealership earlier in the week (which is some way from me) only to find that they'd sold the N400 roadster I went to see before I got there...
Apparently the manual S roadster I missed out on is the only one anywhere at the moment. The Vantage prices are pretty confusing, but it seems a basic roadster pre options is now £94k and the S is about £110k as mentioned above. As many of the previously unique S features have now made it onto the basic car it is pretty difficult to know which to go for. I'm hoping to drive a manual S coupe tomorrow and a sportshift S roadster to make sure the sportshift isn't for me. I quite like the F1 in my F355 but feel that a manual may suit the Vantage better...
Next issue is colour - dealers obviously keen to sell me a car from stock and are quoting about 12-16 week delivery for a new order. Preferred colours are Meteorite or Frost White. I prefer the look of the white car, but am concerned it may look a little too flashy as I intend to use it as an occasional work car...
mikey k said:
Good point that S price is with ASM2, it may be slightly cheaper with a manual on a 2013 car
I'd put my money in to a used S roadster and save 25k
Thanks for all the replies - the above is exactly what I've done! Bought a stunning year old Vanatge S, having tried manual and ASM2 back to back I felt the sportshift suited the character of the car and much preferred it to the initial sportshift. Glad I preferred it to the manual as being able to buy a secondhand car has saved me a large amount of cash I'd put my money in to a used S roadster and save 25k
I collect the car on Easter Saturday. I have to say one thing that swung it for me on the S versus non S was the epic noise with the sport button pressed, can't wait 'til Easter - beats an egg
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