Hello Gentlemen

[jonesof63]

Having to today arranged the sale of my 72 V12 E-type (I'm retaining a 73 E-type I have ), I'm very much looking forward to sourcing a Vantage, a car I've wanted for some time. While I would love a V12V, finances, common sense and an odd fondness for my driving licence will guide me to find a nice late model V8V Coupe, I'm a bit of a traditionalist so i'm swaying towards a manual although I'm yet to try a sportshift.
Any buying advice would be very much appreciated as would information on anything available for sale that isn't on the AM website, budget circa 75k. Finally, although I'm likely to keep the car for some years, are you of the opinion that the more regular colours Skyfall, Meteorite, and Tungstone will be better sellers than colours like volcano red and cobalt blue. Hoping to be a fully fledged contributor quite soon.

[AMDBSNick]

Manual in the colour that suits you not the next owner

[KarlFranz]

Never understood the mentality of choosing a car based on how easy it will be to sell later. This is akin to deciding which person to marry based on how much hassle they might cause you when you divorce them.

[Jon39]

Welcome.

If you are in favour of a manual, then go for that. A delightful gearchange, where the only criticism is slight stiffness from 1st to 2nd when cold. It is nothing really.
I have only driven a V12VS with Sportshift 3, and then only at high speeds, but Sportshift does receive discussion on here, and a few owners have even sold because they did not like it.

Model year 2009 to MY2011 are 4.7 engines with the original 'classic' bodywork. MY2012.25 onwards are 4.7 with the alterations to sills, front skirt and rear changes.
It depends which you prefer. If you like the 'classic', there are still some perfect cars available, and you might save £25,000.

As for colour, choose what is your favourite. You're probably right about the bolder colours, although a buying dealer would probably either say "too common", or "no one wants that unusual colour". - The Pre-owned listing always shows about one third black cars. My opinion is they look wonderful in the showroom, but often need cleaning.

Good luck finding the car you want.

Edited by Jon39 on Friday 10th July 20:36

[Speedraser]

Happy hunting. No need to lament not going for a V12V, though they are wonderful. A V8V, especially a 4.7 (S or not) is a truly fantastic drive, beautifully balanced, and more than fast enough. The manual is a great manual.

[Dingle Dell]

KarlFranz said:

Never understood the mentality of choosing a car based on how easy it will be to sell later. This is akin to deciding which person to marry based on how much hassle they might cause you when you divorce them.

Personally, I think more people should consider just that!

[V8Andrew]

You have impeccable taste in cars. E type design is just indescribably elegant.

Colour wise I'd say this. Cars are like women. Enjoy what you like and don't worry about the next owner.

[V8V Pete]

For me, definitely manual.

Get the colour you like most (if you can find one).

Having just moved from a MY2009 4.7 to a MY2014 SP10 (manual V8VS) I would definitely advocate going for the S or a MY2012.25 onwards V8V. Looks wise I think the MY2009 is prettier but the S looks more modern so pros and cons on that one. The biggest difference for me though is the revised steering. The faster rack in the V8VS (and MY2012.25 V8V) provides a much better front end IMHO making it quite a different overall driving feel. I will qualify this by saying that this is with "Sports suspension" and I haven't driven a newer car with "Comfort suspension". Also the sports exhaust on the S sounds much better than that on my old MY2009 (again my opinion).

So get out there, drive the various options and don't forget to post pictures when you've done the dead. Welcome!

[timbals]

V8V Pete said:

For me, definitely manual.

Get the colour you like most (if you can find one).

Having just moved from a MY2009 4.7 to a MY2014 SP10 (manual V8VS) I would definitely advocate going for the S or a MY2012.25 onwards V8V. Looks wise I think the MY2009 is prettier but the S looks more modern so pros and cons on that one. The biggest difference for me though is the revised steering. The faster rack in the V8VS (and MY2012.25 V8V) provides a much better front end IMHO making it quite a different overall driving feel. I will qualify this by saying that this is with "Sports suspension" and I haven't driven a newer car with "Comfort suspension". Also the sports exhaust on the S sounds much better than that on my old MY2009 (again my opinion).

So get out there, drive the various options and don't forget to post pictures when you've done the dead. Welcome!

I'd agree with this. The newer (12.25MY) cars feel much tighter than the older ones. It is quite a big difference. That's with or without sports suspension.

I also think the prettier pre 12.25MY now looks a bit dated, I drove past one with my sister and she didn't even think it was the same car. I think it was in Pete's thread he posted a side by side and they look like different cars.

The sports exhaust (standard on an S) sounds much better and louder. It really sings. Without it the 4.7 engine sounds a bit thrashy even 12.25my. The 4.3 actually sounded better.

[Speedraser]

I disagree (I speak of the Coupe, btw). Looks are entirely subjective, of course, and to me, the original pre-12.25 aesthetics are the best looking.

More to the point, I personally prefer the suspension of the original Sports Pack to the S (and 12.25-on Sports Pack, which is the same as the S). The S-spec steering is nice -- a bit quicker, but IMO both are superb. The reason I prefer the original Sports Pack to the S (and later SP) is that the S is significantly firmer. Both are beautifully balanced, but for me, the Sports Pack on my '09 strikes the perfect balance of ride and handling -- its sharper handling is worth the firmer ride over the standard suspension. The S is quite a bit firmer again, for not enough of an advantage in handling (quicker steering, but same handling balance).

This is why IMO either would be a great choice.

[woodsypedia]

With a budget of around 75K, I'd say you're not too far away from a V12V. I owned a 'first gen' 06 plate V8 Vantage (and it was good don't get me wrong), but stepping into the V12, you'll realise what a world away they are in terms of performance and refinement - I think you'd be surprised and very tempted. As for colour, mine is Almond Green. I wanted to stay away from the black's and greys. the colour gets complimented a lot - go bold, be brave, and get whatever colour suits. There's a buyer for everything somewhere

[Murph7355]

V8Andrew said:

You have impeccable taste in cars. E type design is just indescribably elegant. ...

Except the later ones are like later Vantages....messed around with just that bit too much.

All IMO of course