Dilemma

Author
Discussion

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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At the end of the day I like convertibles. You can't beat the view when driving abroad and when driving in speed camera Britain you can enjoy going slowly. I'm also a great admirer of Lotus's work.

So do I keep the Tuscan and get an Evora S or keep the Elise and get a V12 Vantage? Yes it's a nice problem to have but right now it's a stalemate. What would you do?

jazzyjeff

3,652 posts

260 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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Wait a while for the Evora S targa and get the best of both worlds? wink

JJ

justin220

5,351 posts

205 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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^I don't think there will ever be a targa.

Tough choice, but a nice kne to have! I think I'd pick the Aston and Elise

Hilti

299 posts

240 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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As much as i loved all of my TVR's, there is something about an Astons britishness that you can't get away from.

I must admit that i am seriously considering a used BD9 / Vanquish against the Evora?

It's a bugger of a decision, don't think you will regret any off them.

J

C43

666 posts

199 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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I would have thought he Aston and Evora are for different markets. The Aston for posing and the Evora for driving quickly.

douglasgdmw

488 posts

220 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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justin220 said:
^I don't think there will ever be a targa.

Tough choice, but a nice kne to have! I think I'd pick the Aston and Elise
Also agree with Justin that there will not be a convertible/targa version of the Evora from what I have also heard (95% sure on that).

Personally I would also go for the V12 Vantage as its an iconic car and looks lovely (especially in Morning Frost White).

Cheers
George

08sag

54 posts

196 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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A great dilemma to have. I must admit to considering a fairly new V8 Vantage in my decision making process: I had discounted the V12 as being too expensive for my pockets.

However (whilst not wanting to be too philosophical about things) I think we often worship at the altar of more power, bigger engine, faster 0-60 times must be best. I am reminded of my fairly recent biking days and the almost annual decision making process of what toy to consider. It always got bigger and more prestigious and went through Daytonas, Benellis, Fireblades and MV Agustas. Whilst they were all fantastic and great for the ego: most of my riding was the ubiquitous sunday morning thrash throught the Dales with bacon butties at Hawes and Devils Bridge and the most fun was had by the guys on the well sorted 600cc bikes who were riding hard to keep up with the bigger ccs. They had a ball: bouncing their bikes off the rev limiter and late braking to keep up!

In reality I suspect the guys who have NA Evoras with the CR boxes will enjoy themselves much more using the full potential of their cars v being scared of the penalties of over exuberance! Well certainly on the UK roads with the restrictions and traffic.

At the end of the day 'you pays your money and takes your choice': I suspect you will have lots of fun whatever you choose. Based on my smile after an extended test drive in the Evora I know I can justify where my money has gone: even though I could have spent on much more power!

Enjoy making your decision: and by the way do you know when the Evora S's are in dealerships?

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
quotequote all
C43 said:
I would have thought he Aston and Evora are for different markets. The Aston for posing and the Evora for driving quickly.
They are different. The Evora is much better suited to daily use. In some respects, (steering, ride, dynamic polish) the Evora is actually superior from a pure driving point of view. It's also more understated. The problem is that the V12 Vantage is a fine drivers car in its own right, offers access to a higher level of performance (and a V12 engine) and with used prices well under £100k, not a world away from a high spec new Evora S. Hence the dilemma!

TomEd

15 posts

184 months

Friday 26th November 2010
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08sag said:
Enjoy making your decision: and by the way do you know when the Evora S's are in dealerships?
My local dealer (Bell & Colvill) took delivery of their S demo car yesterday (Thu) so reckon most UK dealers are getting them this and next week. B&C test drives start on 4 Dec - I'm booked in for 9am smile

douglasgdmw

488 posts

220 months

Friday 26th November 2010
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I do not know where you are based but you could always have a back to back test drive. My local Lotus Dealership in Edinburgh has Lotus/Aston a walk across the car park (Murray Motor Company). If you are Scotland based then have a chat to Graeme (Lotus) or Roger (Aston) as I am sure they will be happy to sort you out with a back to back test drive.

I suspect that Graeme will have his Evora S demo soon or maybe right now.

I also considered getting a V8 Vantage a while back, but the servicing costs put me off (as its one thing buying an Aston and another with the ongoing maintenance costs). Hence more than happy trading my Elise 111R in for my Evora.

Cheers George

DJC

23,563 posts

237 months

Friday 26th November 2010
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Evora S droptop is pretty much my spot on car Pits.

Oh and the Vantage sucks mate, dont buy it. All you will do is wish you had a Sag with a Dom 4.5 in.

Keep the Tusc, visit Dom for the 4.5 and buy an Evora.

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Saturday 27th November 2010
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Glad to see you're still not mincing words DJC.

If they get round to an open Evora, I'm hoping for a removable hard top. Not so keen on the (heavy) electric folding roof that's been suggested. They reckon buyers at this price are too lazy to get out and take the roof off.

Either way I'm not sure I can wait 'til then. I need a convertible in my life but right now I have two so a hard top Evora S for everyday use would be pretty special.

Sagaris 4.5 must be pretty special, I'll admit. I think the tuscan has plenty to deal with as standard but the Saggy was always crying out for more.

Actually I think the V12 Vantage is very much a 'posh' Sagaris. Those who look down on TVR won't realise that I mean that as a compliment!

I'm also aware that many ex-TVR owners have moved on to Astons and many of them, to their surprise, end up looking back on TVR ownership in a more positive light. It's easy to assume that a more expensive car would be better in every way. It doesn't always (or often) work out to be the case. I know. Owning a Ferrari was probably the biggest automotive disappointment to date.

But that big hearted V12 is very special and engines like that won't be available or even allowed for that much longer...


DJC

23,563 posts

237 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
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Well before they did the V12 Vantage, I actually looked at the Vanq. I see that as a grown up Sagaris, esp the S.

The Vantage just leaves me cold. I really want to like the V12 one and tried initially, but its just leaves me a little bored now. I dont like the interior for a start, its trying to hard to be "jewel like" and thats just poncy.

There is an honest about the Vanq that isnt in the later cars. It knows it is compromised, it knows it is old scool and its a bruiser. Love it.

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
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It'll outdrag a DBS too. I'm just not one for the paddleshift box.

DJC

23,563 posts

237 months

Friday 3rd December 2010
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Its not that bad to be honest, after 10mins I got used to it.

But I still want to get my mits on an Ultimate S Works manual conversion smile

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Friday 3rd December 2010
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now you're talking.

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Saturday 11th December 2010
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So in the end a deal on a nearly new v12v got the better of me. There's no question that the evora would make a much better daily driver. For one thing there would be far less stress about leaving it parked for a while. I also know with certainty that in some areas of the driving experience (steering, ride, composure, the Evora is actually superior. I'd have loved buying one new and visiting the factory too. But from a 'you only live once basis' the lure of a 510bhp V12 (I've always wanted a V12 and they may not be around much longer) was just too strong in the end. Particularly given someone else has already taken out some of the monumental depreciation for you. Still, I bet it still costs me more than the evora would have.

So if ever I cross paths with an Evo S on the roads there will always be a small pang of regret as I give you a big thumbs up and flash the lights. Fortunately the remedy will be close at hand or rather just under my right foot!

justin220

5,351 posts

205 months

Saturday 11th December 2010
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Don't think anyone will blame you for picking the Aston, even though it's a slightly unfair comparison as it's double the price wink

Good luck with the new car, look forward to seeing some pics!

Diesel Meister

2,044 posts

202 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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I think an Evora S would be pretty much my ideal car, right now, practicalities (and purchase price aside).

Having said that, I also think that the view from the V12 Vantage point must be fairly special - a more than understandable choice!

The Pits

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

241 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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V12 vantage isn't worth the cost new to me, but with massive depreciation, it's a different proposition to buy used.

Hopefully it won't continue to depreciate at the same rate or it'll be worthless by 2013!