Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs Maserati Granturismo 4.2L
Discussion
Afternoon Pistonheaders,
After years of using this website and forum this is actually my first post. I could think of nowhere better to source an answer!
Within the next 6 months I will be in the market for what will essentially be a weekend exotic that will be under cover in the garage for the majority of its life (sub 5,000k/year). I will have about £30,000 to spend, and may stretch to £35,000. My criteria is that it must be beautiful to look at, a pleasure to be inside and a hoot to drive. Fuel consumption/Insurance/Tax/Servicing/Tyres are of no concern.
I have managed to narrow down my search to two cars that I really like and fit my criteria on paper:
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage - probably around a 2006
- Maserati Granturismo 4.2L ZF Auto - probably a 2007/2008.
Ideally I am looking to hear from anyone who has driven either or both (I have yet to drive these). I have carried out quite a bit of research and have read that some feel the Maserati is a little down on power, however considering this will be my first "exotic" so to speak, it would still be a huge step up in power. I have also read that a DBW add on can increase throttle response considerably. Others suggest going for the 4.7L over the 4.2L, in my case this is not an option as it simply puts me over budget.
I work in Europe and am only back in the UK for a couple of long weekends per month and I suppose I want something that I can go for a nice Sunday blast in, but can also comfortably drive across to Europe for the Moanco F1. I know there will be screams of 911 all over the place but (strike me down God) I just find them a little plain and run of the mill these days.
At present I am drawn to the Maserati simply due to its Italian Flair (I have owned Alfas and fallen deeply in love with them) But I am not ruling the Aston out. Ultimately a good test drive of each car will help in deciding, but until I can organise that I would be grateful of any advice/opinions you might have.
Thanks in advance!
After years of using this website and forum this is actually my first post. I could think of nowhere better to source an answer!
Within the next 6 months I will be in the market for what will essentially be a weekend exotic that will be under cover in the garage for the majority of its life (sub 5,000k/year). I will have about £30,000 to spend, and may stretch to £35,000. My criteria is that it must be beautiful to look at, a pleasure to be inside and a hoot to drive. Fuel consumption/Insurance/Tax/Servicing/Tyres are of no concern.
I have managed to narrow down my search to two cars that I really like and fit my criteria on paper:
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage - probably around a 2006
- Maserati Granturismo 4.2L ZF Auto - probably a 2007/2008.
Ideally I am looking to hear from anyone who has driven either or both (I have yet to drive these). I have carried out quite a bit of research and have read that some feel the Maserati is a little down on power, however considering this will be my first "exotic" so to speak, it would still be a huge step up in power. I have also read that a DBW add on can increase throttle response considerably. Others suggest going for the 4.7L over the 4.2L, in my case this is not an option as it simply puts me over budget.
I work in Europe and am only back in the UK for a couple of long weekends per month and I suppose I want something that I can go for a nice Sunday blast in, but can also comfortably drive across to Europe for the Moanco F1. I know there will be screams of 911 all over the place but (strike me down God) I just find them a little plain and run of the mill these days.
At present I am drawn to the Maserati simply due to its Italian Flair (I have owned Alfas and fallen deeply in love with them) But I am not ruling the Aston out. Ultimately a good test drive of each car will help in deciding, but until I can organise that I would be grateful of any advice/opinions you might have.
Thanks in advance!
£35k could get you a Ferrari 355 if you're prepared to shop around and get a fairly leggy one. That would tick all if your boxes (not boring, pretty, fun to drive etc).
Not as reliable as an '07 car but, minor battery annoyances aside (sorted with a trickle charger), I couldn't think of anything I'd rather have for a 5k miles-per-year bit of kit.
However, I am biased as that's what I did when in the same predicament as you, so take it with a pinch of salt.
I haven't driven the Gran Turismo, but I have driven the Quattroporte and found the gearbox very frustrating having only driven manuals before that. For me, manuals are so much more enjoyable and engaging to drive unless you're driving something super fast (ie 3.x 0-60).
Not as reliable as an '07 car but, minor battery annoyances aside (sorted with a trickle charger), I couldn't think of anything I'd rather have for a 5k miles-per-year bit of kit.
However, I am biased as that's what I did when in the same predicament as you, so take it with a pinch of salt.
I haven't driven the Gran Turismo, but I have driven the Quattroporte and found the gearbox very frustrating having only driven manuals before that. For me, manuals are so much more enjoyable and engaging to drive unless you're driving something super fast (ie 3.x 0-60).
I can't help you with your dilemma other than to say a fantastic choice to have to make, in that realm of motoring those two would be right up near or at the top of my list too.
I have only driven a DB9, not a V8V, and I must say that despite, as I believe, the DB9 not being the most well-respected Aston out there (?), for me it was beyond special to drive. I was blown away by it. I don't drive exotica regularly but I don't drive boring tat either, but the Aston was for me a fantastic place to sit.
Having said that, the Maser is one of the few cars which I have stopped and got out of my own car to walk around and gawp at! I absolutely love the looks of these and on paper I would be prepared to overlook any "Italian-ness" in return for the sheer occasion of owning a car like that.
Question - is the V8V smaller (physically) than the Maser, and if so is that a good or a bad thing? I'm 6'4", for instance.
So I guess for me the bottom line would have to come down to a decent long test drive of each. I have done that with cars before, and sometimes one of them just leaps out at you and you immediately know which of the two is the one for you.
Good luck!
I have only driven a DB9, not a V8V, and I must say that despite, as I believe, the DB9 not being the most well-respected Aston out there (?), for me it was beyond special to drive. I was blown away by it. I don't drive exotica regularly but I don't drive boring tat either, but the Aston was for me a fantastic place to sit.
Having said that, the Maser is one of the few cars which I have stopped and got out of my own car to walk around and gawp at! I absolutely love the looks of these and on paper I would be prepared to overlook any "Italian-ness" in return for the sheer occasion of owning a car like that.
Question - is the V8V smaller (physically) than the Maser, and if so is that a good or a bad thing? I'm 6'4", for instance.
So I guess for me the bottom line would have to come down to a decent long test drive of each. I have done that with cars before, and sometimes one of them just leaps out at you and you immediately know which of the two is the one for you.
Good luck!
The Vantage was always the car I really wanted. Gorgeous to look at, a spine tingling soundtrack and extremely well appointed inside. The cache of 'Aston' was also a big draw.
I bought a 25k 06 plate for £36k 2 years ago. It ticked all the boxes, but for some reason it fell between 2 stools. I didn't like using it as a regular daily, but it never quite made the grade as an 'event' car for the weekend. Sorry to say this, but whilst the Maserati would edge my decision now, my feeling is that they are both very similar cars. Interestingly the Gran Sport I drove was a far more exciting car..... I should have pushed the button on that, but I went for an RS4 instead.
I don't think you could find the right 355 for 35k, but that would be my choice, and a ironclad investment.
I bought a 25k 06 plate for £36k 2 years ago. It ticked all the boxes, but for some reason it fell between 2 stools. I didn't like using it as a regular daily, but it never quite made the grade as an 'event' car for the weekend. Sorry to say this, but whilst the Maserati would edge my decision now, my feeling is that they are both very similar cars. Interestingly the Gran Sport I drove was a far more exciting car..... I should have pushed the button on that, but I went for an RS4 instead.
I don't think you could find the right 355 for 35k, but that would be my choice, and a ironclad investment.
I have not driven a V8V but I have driven a DB9 and have just bought a Maserati GranTurismo S MC shift. I found that the Maserati was better to drive and better built than the Aston, the back seats are big enough for adults to be comfortable and I am very happy with it. The 4.2 is very nice but if possible I would go for the 4.7S it is a fair bit better and more of a drivers car compared to the 4.2. I suppose it partly comes down to whether or not you need the back seats. The best thing is test drive them both and see which one you prefer.
It would be a tough choice for me, though i haven't driven either. I love the looks and sound of the Maserati but it's a very big, heavy car and i'm not sure how much fun it would be to hussle down some B-roads, though i imagine as true GT it's amazing and i think Maserati's are just far cooler than modern Aston's. The V8V sounds great and is a lot lighter and more compact.
I imagine both to be similar in performance too
great choice to have to make, I'd also consider the Ferrari 456 & Jag XKR (5.0 model should be in budget)
I imagine both to be similar in performance too
great choice to have to make, I'd also consider the Ferrari 456 & Jag XKR (5.0 model should be in budget)
Oh, how I envy your dilemma!
They're both beautiful cars but I'd have the V8V because...I've always wanted one. There's something about that shape and the English sports car heritage-thing that really appeals. The Maser is also a fine looking machine and I'm sure will tick all your boxes too.
Whichever way you go you have to post your decision on PH, and your post will be no good without pictures!
They're both beautiful cars but I'd have the V8V because...I've always wanted one. There's something about that shape and the English sports car heritage-thing that really appeals. The Maser is also a fine looking machine and I'm sure will tick all your boxes too.
Whichever way you go you have to post your decision on PH, and your post will be no good without pictures!
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