Dilemma

[The Pits]

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?

[The Pits]

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!

[The Pits]

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...

[The Pits]

It'll outdrag a DBS too. I'm just not one for the paddleshift box.

[The Pits]

now you're talking.

[The Pits]

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!

[The Pits]

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!

[The Pits]

Not much. There are stories of £20k off new ones. Mine has under a thousand miles and a lot more off.

I think the cheapest advertised is £89k for a car with under 10k miles. I imagine they'd rip your arm off for £85k.

[The Pits]

Not here, that would be disrespectful on an Evora site. A few up on the Aston site. Thread now very inappropriately entitled 'Anyone NOT like the V12 Vantage.'