Which Semi-Retirement Aston Please Help

[Aston Martin V12]

Hi all

First of all do not be suspicious about my profile ... I have been on Piston Heads for many years but my previous e-mail was hacked and I do not have access to obtaining my old password (Previous username Bentley Blower).

Now my plea for some help... In December I am semi-retiring and will be able to get an Aston with a max budget of £75k to 80k. I realise that I am on the bottom rung of an Aston Purchase but I do want to pursue that dream ....

I have got two cars in mind:-

Vantage V12 2009/2010
DBS. 2008/2009

I will not go on track unless it was a sensible AM day or similar. The car will be used for trips to Le Mans and other Motorsport events etc it will not be for everyday use.

Any views would be very much appreciated .. Don't worry be as blunt as you like ... I need to get the purchase right as it is a lot of money to me !

[franki68]

Financially DBS are holding up really well,I could not buy my DBS now for what I paid for it 2 years ago,the cheapest equivalent cars (2008s with c15k miles) are now 85k ,financially I think the DBS is more desirable as it perceived as a more expensive car.
Try them both,I found it a hard decision but the looks and I think it's better gt abilities swayed me to the DBS.
You will get a newer lower mileage v12v though for the same money .
Tough call,but either is a good one.

[Aston Martin V12]

Franki thanks appreciated ..

[whoami]

I have had both and it's a tough choice.

Depends on what you are looking for.

Simply put, the V12V is much more fun to drive, the DBS is better suited to longer distance cruising as it's more comfortable than the V12V.

You won't go wrong with either car and I think both will be recognised as "classics" in future years.

Also, the manual DBS drives very differently to the Touchtronic version.

Have fun choosing.

[V8 Animal]

franki68 said:

Financially DBS are holding up really well,I could not buy my DBS now for what I paid for it 2 years ago,the cheapest equivalent cars (2008s with c15k miles) are now 85k ,financially I think the DBS is more desirable as it perceived as a more expensive car.
Try them both,I found it a hard decision but the looks and I think it's better gt abilities swayed me to the DBS.
You will get a newer lower mileage v12v though for the same money .
Tough call,but either is a good one.

Agreed paid £83k with 6k for mine now done 15k and I'm estimating I'm going to get close to that when I p/x in December.
It's a manual DBS btw

[Jockman]

You are nowhere near the bottom rung of the ladder - try £35k !!!

As you have acknowledged your looming retirement then DBS is the car of choice. V12Vs tend to be driven by older guys having their mid-life crisis.

It will become completely clear to you once you have test-driven both.

[Aston Martin V12]

I forgot to say I am 52 yrs old

[Jockman]

You have 26.9 years to decide, then.

Stick the kettle on and I'll bring round the biccies

[Jon39]

Aston Martin V12 said:

... will be able to get an Aston with a max budget of £75k to 80k.

... I need to get the purchase right as it is a lot of money to me !

Paul,

Purely on a monetary aspect, I bought an absolutely 'as brand new`4.7 V8V. It was two and a half years old, 8,000 miles, and cost significantly less than your max budget.

A V12V is a magnificent car, but I find with a 4.7, I can only use full throttle for very brief spells on the road. 0 to 100mph in under 10 seconds seems exciting enough for me (of course I never exceed 70 mph). With a V12V, those full throttle spells must be even more brief, and in addition, very few people can even distinguish a V12V from a V8V.

A DBS is a very different car, so you will need to drive the cars on your short list, to establish what is best for you. I have never driven a DBS, but after being used to a Vantage, they do look big.

Enjoy your search.

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 15th June 16:12

[franki68]

V8 Animal said:

Agreed paid £83k with 6k for mine now done 15k and I'm estimating I'm going to get close to that when I p/x in December.
It's a manual DBS btw

I'm not sure it's that strong,I was quoted a price 1 year ago,and I was quoted a price a few weeks back ,price was identical ,I'm not getting back what I paid for it ,but hasn't depreciated trade value wise and long term a manual v12 is going to be highly desirable car ,what manual v12 cars can you buy today ?
Btw don't part ex in December that's suicide.

[Aston Martin V12]

Thank you all I am reading word for word ... Hopefully a few more will offer some guidance now Le Mans has finished :-)

[bentley01]

I bought a four year old V8 Vantage roadster which had only done 5000 miles with every extra on it. People will tell you to be careful of low mileage cars and so called garage queens but I have not had a single issue with the car. Love the V12 except the bonnet vents, but for me it had to be a roadster for those wind in the hair sunny days hearing the car roar. DBS is a great looking car and would be the only other car I would consider.

[Jockman]

Paul, there aren't many on here that have had both as they are different styles for different people - focus in on feedback from those.

Lotto has gone from V12V to DBS so his thoughts should also be sought....If he's not pissed up in a French field somewhere

[Phil74891]

Do try a V8S as well. You'll get an almost new one for your budget.

[Aston Martin V12]

Thanks guys very helpful :-)

[V8 Animal]

franki68 said:

I'm not sure it's that strong,I was quoted a price 1 year ago,and I was quoted a price a few weeks back ,price was identical ,I'm not getting back what I paid for it ,but hasn't depreciated trade value wise and long term a manual v12 is going to be highly desirable car ,what manual v12 cars can you buy today ?
Btw don't part ex in December that's suicide.

I understand what your saying about winter months but I bought my current car i
at that time and it was a good price then.
I am wishing to buy a volante so I expect that to be a lower price in that month.
I guess swings and roundabouts anyway I'm not desperate and I know what I want for my car.
My concern is finding the right car rather than the cost.

[Gdc]

How about a DB9 MY 2010/11 for £60k-£65k and upgrade it to DBS performance spec with switchable exhaust and brakes for £15k as an alternative?

[yeti]

Aston Martin V12 said:

Don't worry be as blunt as you like ...

Ok then.

Why would you seek the advice of strangers regarding such a huge purchase; we don't know what you want or anything about you do we. Drive them both, buy the one you like the most.

Better still, buy a Jaguar.

[AMDBSNick]

yeti said:

Ok then.

Why would you seek the advice of strangers regarding such a huge purchase; we don't know what you want or anything about you do we. Drive them both, buy the one you like the most.

Better still, buy a Jaguar.

Ignore Yeti, he's probably pissed in a field in France

[PiloteAM]

Both Lotto and Yeti are indeed pissed up in a field, and can safely be ignored :-)

Buying an Aston isn't really a problem, it's the running costs that are hard to cope with! There are tales on here of reasonable sounding running costs, but they're the exception rather than the rule...