V8 Vantage v Maserati Gran Turismo
Discussion
JW82 said:
Hi there,
2 years ago I test drove a 4.7 Sportshift before eventually buying a GT-S Auto. I really wanted an Aston and drove this first for that reason. I guess I'm still after an Aston (hence why I'm loitering on this forum) but never ended up pulling the trigger.
I ended up with the Maser as I felt this suited my needs better (seats) and I didn't get on at all with the particular car 4.7 V8V Sportshift the dealer took me out in. The dealer I visited (Central London Main Dealer) had a really interesting view on pricing. In that, the price was the price and that was it. No discussion. At All. I tried asking for a few minor things to be done to car to see if this might go some way to placate both parties, but he organised for a quotation to be emailed to me instead which was circa £5k - which was essentially the callipers being repainted anything other than black and the alloy wheels being taken back to the original colour - as they were currently a gloss black. I also asked for some new mats!
I suspect I got unlucky with the particular car (Aston) as the door handle on the drivers side fell off along with the sat-nav console not being mounted properly and bouncing around the whole time we drove. The brakes felt about as confidence inspiring as a used condom but the main reason I went against it was that the transmission was just not for me and I went for the bigger car. I suspect I was really unlucky as a friend bought one just after and still has it. It is a lovely car and he has reported no problems at all. He also bought from another dealer as had a similar experience to me with the dealer I visited.
1. How would both fare being kept outdoors and not garaged?
I kept my GT-S on the street in a residents bay but did need to jump start it once after leaving it for around 2 weeks.
2. Is one more reliable than the other, in general terms?
Can only speak for the one I had but, it was pretty solid with some minor electrical issues only.
3. Would I be right and say that the Aston would benefit from a stronger residual value?
Probably yes
4. Both have a very strong 'feel good factor' although the Aston may just pip the Maserati on that front.
Both have a great exhaust note and I think, whilst different, both were fantastic. I am sure both would put a big smile on your face every time you jump in to drive off.
6. I am pretty meticulous in looking after my cars and know that full SH on both is essential as well as condition, but what one from the two generally costs more to maintain?
I know I went through tyres on my car pretty much more than any other car I had. Saying that, it was also one of the thirstiest cars also. I moved to a California and 458 Speciale after the Maserati - both of which visit the petrol station a lot less than the Maserati (which surprised me even)
Best of luck with the search. It's a nice position to be in!
Hi JW82,2 years ago I test drove a 4.7 Sportshift before eventually buying a GT-S Auto. I really wanted an Aston and drove this first for that reason. I guess I'm still after an Aston (hence why I'm loitering on this forum) but never ended up pulling the trigger.
I ended up with the Maser as I felt this suited my needs better (seats) and I didn't get on at all with the particular car 4.7 V8V Sportshift the dealer took me out in. The dealer I visited (Central London Main Dealer) had a really interesting view on pricing. In that, the price was the price and that was it. No discussion. At All. I tried asking for a few minor things to be done to car to see if this might go some way to placate both parties, but he organised for a quotation to be emailed to me instead which was circa £5k - which was essentially the callipers being repainted anything other than black and the alloy wheels being taken back to the original colour - as they were currently a gloss black. I also asked for some new mats!
I suspect I got unlucky with the particular car (Aston) as the door handle on the drivers side fell off along with the sat-nav console not being mounted properly and bouncing around the whole time we drove. The brakes felt about as confidence inspiring as a used condom but the main reason I went against it was that the transmission was just not for me and I went for the bigger car. I suspect I was really unlucky as a friend bought one just after and still has it. It is a lovely car and he has reported no problems at all. He also bought from another dealer as had a similar experience to me with the dealer I visited.
1. How would both fare being kept outdoors and not garaged?
I kept my GT-S on the street in a residents bay but did need to jump start it once after leaving it for around 2 weeks.
2. Is one more reliable than the other, in general terms?
Can only speak for the one I had but, it was pretty solid with some minor electrical issues only.
3. Would I be right and say that the Aston would benefit from a stronger residual value?
Probably yes
4. Both have a very strong 'feel good factor' although the Aston may just pip the Maserati on that front.
Both have a great exhaust note and I think, whilst different, both were fantastic. I am sure both would put a big smile on your face every time you jump in to drive off.
6. I am pretty meticulous in looking after my cars and know that full SH on both is essential as well as condition, but what one from the two generally costs more to maintain?
I know I went through tyres on my car pretty much more than any other car I had. Saying that, it was also one of the thirstiest cars also. I moved to a California and 458 Speciale after the Maserati - both of which visit the petrol station a lot less than the Maserati (which surprised me even)
Best of luck with the search. It's a nice position to be in!
Thanks very much indeed for your input, which has put a different slant on things so far.
I think that certain dealers are not interested in offering any deals at all, which is poor. I know of a businessman that walked into a dealership down south after having sold his business for around 30 million in jeans and a t-shirt and they wouldn't even talk to him and he wanted to pay cash for 2 DB9's! He then picked the brand new junior guy in the dealership and put the deal through him rather than the 'snobby suit' that met him at the door!
There are deals to be done on the Astons from what I gather although the margins may be smaller than on other marques.
It'll be the Aston for me when the time is right and I'll take my time and buy on condition and history, even private if needs be with a comprehensive inspection
Thanks very much for your comments
JulianPH said:
Hello
I've had the Maserati and an Aston Martin (DB9 though).
Whilst I can't comment on the Vantage I can tell you that they are both completely different cars (as you already know) and as a very proud Aston Martin owner the Maserati is the better car at every level - except with your heart and soul.
1. How would both fare being kept outdoors and not garaged? - No difference in my experience.
2. Is one more reliable than the other, in general terms? - No difference in my (limited AM) experience.
3. Would I be right and say that the Aston would benefit from a stronger residual value? - Depends upon age/condition/mileage and (of course) spec. Like for like I couldn't say - My Maserati was brand new (£94K) and I lost £30k selling a year later. I am sure it would have been the same story with a brand new Aston (but have not experienced this personally). I never buy a new car now (waste of money).
4. Both have a very strong 'feel good factor' although the Aston may just pip the Maserati on that front. - An Aston will always set your pulse racing more than a Maserati. Both received equal admiration from other people.
5. Has anyone moved to/from these cars with any views? - I have and the Maserati was the better car by a country mile - but I would not move from an Aston to a Maserati now or in a million years (unless I needed the rear seats - the Maserati Granturismo is NOT a 2x2, it is a real 4 seater - 4 six foot plus men and luggage with ease and supreme comfort) but the Aston has something about it that no other car touches.
6. I am pretty meticulous in looking after my cars and know that full SH on both is essential as well as condition, but what one from the two generally costs more to maintain? - Can't comment as I am only a few months into Aston ownership with nothing needed (but under warranty anyway).
7. I would look to finance some of it, can anyone recommend a good company for that aspect? - Oracle, PM me and I will send you details of the guy I always use. There will be others, this is just my experience.
8. Ideally this would be for at least a couple of years and not a brief affair wink - I could say buy the Maserati and enjoy (you certainly will) and then prepare for life with an Aston (this will be the case - whatever you are thinking now), but you should also have an Aston as soon as you can and you have years ahead of you for the Maserati - the problem is it doesn't work like that!
If you would like to try both then get the Maserati first - as once you have an Aston Martin you will never want to change to a Maserati. I say this only because this was my experience. The Granturismo is an excellent car and in my opinion streets ahead of the V8 in every way (and, being honest, the DB9 too). But both these cars have something the Maserati never can touch. They are Aston Martin's.
It is a tough choice, you can't go wrong with either. Get the Aston if you don't need rear seats though!!!
Great write up there Julian and you make some great points as well. My thinking is that if I thought that I needed the 4 seats then I would go for the Maserati, but I think that when I'm ready, a 2 seater will be fine and that's where I would definitely go for the Aston. I'll have a daily driver anyway so can always use that for the 4 seat option I've had the Maserati and an Aston Martin (DB9 though).
Whilst I can't comment on the Vantage I can tell you that they are both completely different cars (as you already know) and as a very proud Aston Martin owner the Maserati is the better car at every level - except with your heart and soul.
1. How would both fare being kept outdoors and not garaged? - No difference in my experience.
2. Is one more reliable than the other, in general terms? - No difference in my (limited AM) experience.
3. Would I be right and say that the Aston would benefit from a stronger residual value? - Depends upon age/condition/mileage and (of course) spec. Like for like I couldn't say - My Maserati was brand new (£94K) and I lost £30k selling a year later. I am sure it would have been the same story with a brand new Aston (but have not experienced this personally). I never buy a new car now (waste of money).
4. Both have a very strong 'feel good factor' although the Aston may just pip the Maserati on that front. - An Aston will always set your pulse racing more than a Maserati. Both received equal admiration from other people.
5. Has anyone moved to/from these cars with any views? - I have and the Maserati was the better car by a country mile - but I would not move from an Aston to a Maserati now or in a million years (unless I needed the rear seats - the Maserati Granturismo is NOT a 2x2, it is a real 4 seater - 4 six foot plus men and luggage with ease and supreme comfort) but the Aston has something about it that no other car touches.
6. I am pretty meticulous in looking after my cars and know that full SH on both is essential as well as condition, but what one from the two generally costs more to maintain? - Can't comment as I am only a few months into Aston ownership with nothing needed (but under warranty anyway).
7. I would look to finance some of it, can anyone recommend a good company for that aspect? - Oracle, PM me and I will send you details of the guy I always use. There will be others, this is just my experience.
8. Ideally this would be for at least a couple of years and not a brief affair wink - I could say buy the Maserati and enjoy (you certainly will) and then prepare for life with an Aston (this will be the case - whatever you are thinking now), but you should also have an Aston as soon as you can and you have years ahead of you for the Maserati - the problem is it doesn't work like that!
If you would like to try both then get the Maserati first - as once you have an Aston Martin you will never want to change to a Maserati. I say this only because this was my experience. The Granturismo is an excellent car and in my opinion streets ahead of the V8 in every way (and, being honest, the DB9 too). But both these cars have something the Maserati never can touch. They are Aston Martin's.
It is a tough choice, you can't go wrong with either. Get the Aston if you don't need rear seats though!!!
I know plenty of guys with M3's, 4's and 5's and C63's and 911's etc and I want to go for something a little different and more unique. It's not just to have the car, it's how it makes me feel owning and driving it that really counts
The cars I've mentioned will all cost every bit as much as either the Aston or the Maserati to maintain as well. Thanks for your comments, much appreciated
P14SMM said:
I've had both and got to say both great in different ways.
Neither are what I'd call fast, an M 4 will leave you but both feel special! Both sound amazing but the masses has the benefit of a proper back seat that can sit adults. No Aston other than the rapide can. So go try both see which feels best
Yeh, two totally different but great sounding cars Neither are what I'd call fast, an M 4 will leave you but both feel special! Both sound amazing but the masses has the benefit of a proper back seat that can sit adults. No Aston other than the rapide can. So go try both see which feels best
I wouldn't be battering on in either to be honest, in my opinion I would be happy trundling along with the odd blast to keep it ticking over
Doubt that I would be going anywhere that I would require seating for 4 adults to be honest, but it wouldn't stop me from thinking of getting one as it felt great to drive as did the Aston
JonV8V said:
I'm curious too. It can't be streets ahead in every way and then you buy something else unless you're into self flagellation
I drove a gran cabrio before getting the vantage and was far from enthralled by the drive. They do look good but that's where it ends for me.
I've driven both as well and while the Gran Cabrio looked and sounded great, the Aston for me was an experience on a higher level again. Had the looks, also sounded great, but I felt myself sitting in the car admiring the whole interior I drove a gran cabrio before getting the vantage and was far from enthralled by the drive. They do look good but that's where it ends for me.
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