997S v's AMV8 - thoughts please.....
Discussion
So there I was all set to get a 997S (colour choice still pending!) and the wife and I pop into an Aston Martin dealership to do a bit of window shopping on a nice sunny afternoon last week. We were asked if we were interested in the AMV8, but said it was too expensive and left it at that. He enquired as to our car of choice and we said we could get in a 997S for 'X' a month and that was our decesion. Anyhow, he said I can get you in a new AMV8 for the same money. Go on we said and after a chat with the finance guy it all looked the same (Although a bit of a stretch!). So we started to look at the AMV8. It is a fabulous looking car and we were offered a Jan '07 slot for the new model year AMV8. Crikey, beat the wait, we'll have to seriously think about this. We went for a spin and to be honest, I wasn't blown away. It reminded me of my Honda S2000 days, whereby you had to be in the right gear, at the right rev's to get it going. I don't mind that really, the ride was just what I like, not to hard nor too soft and the sound of the thing was exilerating.
So is it worth £90k as opposed to the £75k for the 997S? Well our thoughts were, probably not. We would prefer to 'own' an Aston, purely for its looks and interior, which I prefered over the 997, but owning the thing would be in a different league. I heard guys are getting around 10mpg out of theirs!
So the head still says 997 but the heart says AmV8. Anyone else from the Porka frat had a spin in the AMV8, what were your thoughts?
G
So is it worth £90k as opposed to the £75k for the 997S? Well our thoughts were, probably not. We would prefer to 'own' an Aston, purely for its looks and interior, which I prefered over the 997, but owning the thing would be in a different league. I heard guys are getting around 10mpg out of theirs!
So the head still says 997 but the heart says AmV8. Anyone else from the Porka frat had a spin in the AMV8, what were your thoughts?
G
triple7 said:
He enquired as to our car of choice and we said we could get in a 997S for 'X' a month and that was our decesion. Anyhow, he said I can get you in a new AMV8 for the same money. Go on we said and after a chat with the finance guy it all looked the same (Although a bit of a stretch!).
G
G
I'm sure you could get a Bugatti Veryon for 'X' a month - if you have a sufficient depsoit and large balloon repayment at the end of the period. Make sure you are comparing like with like, otherwise you will find that although the monthly cost is the same, it will end up costing you thousands more over the term of ownership.........
sidicks
For a lover of Jaguars (and presumably the whole British 'thing') like your good self, I'd say AMV8 every time.
I'm pretty certain the 997 is dynamically the better car. However, the AMV8 wins hands-down in the shape, interior, style, image, sound etc., etc.
IMHO
job38 (formerly 800)
I'm pretty certain the 997 is dynamically the better car. However, the AMV8 wins hands-down in the shape, interior, style, image, sound etc., etc.
IMHO
job38 (formerly 800)
AMV8 is the better looking car no argument, and probably as good as any on the road for that. But when you're inside driving you won't see what it looks like, and it drives SO much better than the AMV8.
No contest, the 997S wins. And that's if they are equal money (including resale), which they're far from being. The one other thing to take into account if you buy an AMV8 is that you'll need to choose an auto/tip for your next car because you'll have lost an arm and a leg on depreciation, and even more if it goes out of warranty....
No contest, the 997S wins. And that's if they are equal money (including resale), which they're far from being. The one other thing to take into account if you buy an AMV8 is that you'll need to choose an auto/tip for your next car because you'll have lost an arm and a leg on depreciation, and even more if it goes out of warranty....
The Aston gets it on so many counts, and I reckon the residuals are gonna hold up pretty well, which is probably why you can get into one for the same money as a 997. The problem comes when you start reading into the reliability issues. I know you only hear the bad stories, but there are so many reports of problems in this respect. I think it's pretty much a given that the Porsche is the nicer, more dynamic drive. Tough call - good luck..
I swapped from 997S to AMV8 and job38 has got it spot on. If you're going on looks, interior and the whole owning something 'desirable' tack then the 997 doesn't even get on the same page. Factor in driving dynamics and long term ownership and the Porsche wins. It's difficult to put a value on looks etc. but I don't see the Aston being worth £16k more - particularly given it's unreliability - eight visits to dealer in six months! You'll loose more dosh on the Aston too.
job38 said:
For a lover of Jaguars (and presumably the whole British 'thing') like your good self, I'd say AMV8 every time.
I'm pretty certain the 997 is dynamically the better car. However, the AMV8 wins hands-down in the shape, interior, style, image, sound etc., etc.
IMHO
job38 (formerly 800)
I'm pretty certain the 997 is dynamically the better car. However, the AMV8 wins hands-down in the shape, interior, style, image, sound etc., etc.
IMHO
job38 (formerly 800)
That's a pretty accurate summary.
The AMV8 is deeply desirable and feels special in a way that the 997/997S doesn't (new 997GT3 excepted).
It is a newish model and I would recommend getting a 2007 model year car, which incorporates a number of refinements, improvements and the experience of the first year's build programme.
You should also do the factory trip to see the build and colour options.
Interesting, a 50/50 split so far. I was given a bit of advice and that was don't buy a first generation AM, as the company tends to use the first owners as part of its testing programme! 
The dealer even said the new 2007 model year was the AMV8 to buy, as was the 2003 onwards AM Vanquish. Another £3k and he had a lovely DB9 for sale but where do you draw the line! Thanks for the heads up on reliabilty, the car will be my everyday drive, so it has to be reliable.
I pretty much know we'll end up with the 997 (otherwise this would have been in the AM section!
)
Thanks for the inputs chaps.
(job38 the new XKR is not ruled out just yet! )
G
The dealer even said the new 2007 model year was the AMV8 to buy, as was the 2003 onwards AM Vanquish. Another £3k and he had a lovely DB9 for sale but where do you draw the line! Thanks for the heads up on reliabilty, the car will be my everyday drive, so it has to be reliable. I pretty much know we'll end up with the 997 (otherwise this would have been in the AM section!
) Thanks for the inputs chaps.
(job38 the new XKR is not ruled out just yet!
) G
Geneve said:
You should also do the factory trip to see the build and colour options.
I'd get all the options if I bought one, they are not too expensive at £295 a pop. The dealer had 15 AMv8's out the back so we saw pretty much all the best colours, it would have to be Black Onyx with black.
G
Edited by triple7 on Tuesday 4th July 14:37
I have owned a 997 C2S coupe, a 997 C2S cab and an AMV8 and am now returning to a 997 TT.
This topic has been discussed to death on Aston Martin Owners' Club forums - www.amoc.org - so it's definitely taking a look there.
In summary - the soul, passion, looks, exclusivity, rarity, wow-factor, noise, interior, little-boys'-wall-poster-factor of the AM beat the porsche hands down. I had reliability issues with my AM (though it was the first car into London - probably a stupid move with hindsight) and the 997 C2S coupe was undoubtedly a better drive and a more apt every day car. If you run other cars, then the AM will light up your weekends.
However, the arrival of the 997 TT changes the landscape in my eyes. I have just turned 30 and still LOVE driving - a well specced AMV8 is about £90k and a well specced manual 997 TT is under £100k (the base price includes Bose, tracking device, performance driving course, sunroof, nav etc. unlike the AM). That is a negligable difference and the TT will be SUCH an exciting drive - I am absolutely confident of that. The TT will also be cheaper to run.
It's subjective and there is no right answer - but the Germans have got my money again after the Brits borrowed it temporarily... though I'd love to return to AM one day when I have enough garage space for more cars.
Will
This topic has been discussed to death on Aston Martin Owners' Club forums - www.amoc.org - so it's definitely taking a look there.
In summary - the soul, passion, looks, exclusivity, rarity, wow-factor, noise, interior, little-boys'-wall-poster-factor of the AM beat the porsche hands down. I had reliability issues with my AM (though it was the first car into London - probably a stupid move with hindsight) and the 997 C2S coupe was undoubtedly a better drive and a more apt every day car. If you run other cars, then the AM will light up your weekends.
However, the arrival of the 997 TT changes the landscape in my eyes. I have just turned 30 and still LOVE driving - a well specced AMV8 is about £90k and a well specced manual 997 TT is under £100k (the base price includes Bose, tracking device, performance driving course, sunroof, nav etc. unlike the AM). That is a negligable difference and the TT will be SUCH an exciting drive - I am absolutely confident of that. The TT will also be cheaper to run.
It's subjective and there is no right answer - but the Germans have got my money again after the Brits borrowed it temporarily... though I'd love to return to AM one day when I have enough garage space for more cars.
Will
Edited by wrn on Wednesday 5th July 00:13
Tough market for Aston. If you take away the emotion the badge evokes (we all want to be Bond right?), then their cars simply aren't quite up to it:
AMV8 - 997S is arguably better, but the TT knocks it into next week.
DB9 - In the 430, Conti GT and 997TT market. Not all direct comparisons, but nonetheless its a relatively small market chasing the money here.
Vanquish - Ignoring cars like the Murcie, 170k was always 575 money, and will now be 599 money.
...and in all cases come with built-in unreliability and big depreciation (although the latter is not Aston-specific, 575's are ugly in this regard too).
The DBS looks fabulous and might be interesting if numbers are restricted as predicted, but again at 170k will be pitched directly against the 599. It's not the hardest choice in the world....
AMV8 - 997S is arguably better, but the TT knocks it into next week.
DB9 - In the 430, Conti GT and 997TT market. Not all direct comparisons, but nonetheless its a relatively small market chasing the money here.
Vanquish - Ignoring cars like the Murcie, 170k was always 575 money, and will now be 599 money.
...and in all cases come with built-in unreliability and big depreciation (although the latter is not Aston-specific, 575's are ugly in this regard too).
The DBS looks fabulous and might be interesting if numbers are restricted as predicted, but again at 170k will be pitched directly against the 599. It's not the hardest choice in the world....
Strange, because this is exactly the same as I have been through.
I have simply fallen in love with the way the AMV8 looks, inside & out it is an automotive jewel, simply fabulous & the ownership prospects are so much more "special" than a 911!
I have test driven one twice, am coming out of a 996TT & have enjoyed an extended 24Hr test drive in a 997S.
The 997S definitely has the edge as a drivers car, but it isn't VASTLY better than the Vantage, it also looses in the special ownership stakes! Don't believe the Aston isn't a good drivers car because it is, you need to get used to the notchy gearbox & the fact it needs revving above 5000 revs to really go. But add in the price factor & it is very close call, the S at £70k with options vs Aston at £85k, you are getting extra "hand built " lower volume special, but £15k more than a fabulous Porker is hard to swallow.
As a confirmed long term Pork nut, I don't think I could go out & order a brand new AMV8 over a 997, I pondered this one & came to the conclusion that for the same money as an Aston I could have the new 997GT3, so did the dirty deed & it arrives next March.
But the twist in the tail, is the Aston got under my skin so much, I was offered a late 55 car at a very good deal & am changing into it later this week, until GT3 arrives.
What car are you coming out of?
I have simply fallen in love with the way the AMV8 looks, inside & out it is an automotive jewel, simply fabulous & the ownership prospects are so much more "special" than a 911!
I have test driven one twice, am coming out of a 996TT & have enjoyed an extended 24Hr test drive in a 997S.
The 997S definitely has the edge as a drivers car, but it isn't VASTLY better than the Vantage, it also looses in the special ownership stakes! Don't believe the Aston isn't a good drivers car because it is, you need to get used to the notchy gearbox & the fact it needs revving above 5000 revs to really go. But add in the price factor & it is very close call, the S at £70k with options vs Aston at £85k, you are getting extra "hand built " lower volume special, but £15k more than a fabulous Porker is hard to swallow.
As a confirmed long term Pork nut, I don't think I could go out & order a brand new AMV8 over a 997, I pondered this one & came to the conclusion that for the same money as an Aston I could have the new 997GT3, so did the dirty deed & it arrives next March.
But the twist in the tail, is the Aston got under my skin so much, I was offered a late 55 car at a very good deal & am changing into it later this week, until GT3 arrives.
What car are you coming out of?
grant3 said:
What car are you coming out of?
I have had XKR's the past few years, but thought I'd try something different and a 911 has always been on my wish list.
I really loved the 997C4S that we had for 3 days, but like you the AMV8 has struck a cord.
:Let us know how you get on with her :drool: However, the consensus is for the 997 and this I feel is the route I will take for a couple of years and wait for the inevitable power hike to the AMV8. If Jag are getting the XKR to 420 and with the rumoured 5.0ltr 370BHP normally aspirated V8 on its way along with a 500BHP supercharged version, I can see the AMV8 getting the 5.0ltr as well.
Thanks peeps.
G
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