TVR turncoat - tell me about Astons please
Discussion
Hi
I had a deposit on the 'new' TVR Griffith, but after 3 1/2 years I've got bored and asked for it back. Now in truth my backup plan was/is to get a Corvette C7 Z06 as it seemed the most TVR-like of the alternatives (and I rate them very highly). But of course it's LHD, which isn't ideal. AMs weren't really on my radar as I felt (wrongly perhaps) they were a bit 'soft' and not the sort of thing I'd want to pitch up on a track day with. Plus I'd guessed large servicing bills. But I'm willing to be convinced - but the problem is while I know TVRs very well, I can't tell one AM from another.
So...any suggestions of what I should be maybe looking at? The Griffith was to be £90K so I have that salted away, but I'm also thinking about updating my daily driver so I'm thinking a budget of £70K, which obviously means second hand. I guess my 'requirements' are:
Doesn't really matter if 2 seater or 2+2. I do like V8s (still got 2 of them), but no problem with V12s.
Must be 'quick'. OK, hard to quantify, but I've also a Maserati 4200 and I don't class that as particularly 'quick'. I had a 1000Kg/500hp LS-engined Tuscan, and that was rapid...but I don't think there's anything in the AM stable to match that. But I'm guessing with road-car weight it would have to muster 500hp plus?
Must by usable on track days and keep up with most of the sporty stuff, but not a hard-core track machine because...
it also has to be able to do some decent touring without spinal damage.
Ideally not crazy money to maintain - nothing with a mandatory megabucks service regime (are there AM independents in Scotland?)
And I'd be planning to keep this a loooong time, so something 'timeless' that might have a chance of holding its value. And so not a model with known faults/glitches/unreliability.
Anything in the [second hand] AM range I should be considering?
Thanks.
I had a deposit on the 'new' TVR Griffith, but after 3 1/2 years I've got bored and asked for it back. Now in truth my backup plan was/is to get a Corvette C7 Z06 as it seemed the most TVR-like of the alternatives (and I rate them very highly). But of course it's LHD, which isn't ideal. AMs weren't really on my radar as I felt (wrongly perhaps) they were a bit 'soft' and not the sort of thing I'd want to pitch up on a track day with. Plus I'd guessed large servicing bills. But I'm willing to be convinced - but the problem is while I know TVRs very well, I can't tell one AM from another.
So...any suggestions of what I should be maybe looking at? The Griffith was to be £90K so I have that salted away, but I'm also thinking about updating my daily driver so I'm thinking a budget of £70K, which obviously means second hand. I guess my 'requirements' are:
Doesn't really matter if 2 seater or 2+2. I do like V8s (still got 2 of them), but no problem with V12s.
Must be 'quick'. OK, hard to quantify, but I've also a Maserati 4200 and I don't class that as particularly 'quick'. I had a 1000Kg/500hp LS-engined Tuscan, and that was rapid...but I don't think there's anything in the AM stable to match that. But I'm guessing with road-car weight it would have to muster 500hp plus?
Must by usable on track days and keep up with most of the sporty stuff, but not a hard-core track machine because...
it also has to be able to do some decent touring without spinal damage.
Ideally not crazy money to maintain - nothing with a mandatory megabucks service regime (are there AM independents in Scotland?)
And I'd be planning to keep this a loooong time, so something 'timeless' that might have a chance of holding its value. And so not a model with known faults/glitches/unreliability.
Anything in the [second hand] AM range I should be considering?
Thanks.
I would recommend talking to Peter at www.martinsastonservices.co.uk, based in Glasgow, I believe, and a very knowledgeable chap for Aston’s.
Also look at a AMG GTS. I've also got a deposit down on the new Griff, but I bought a GTS in
the meantime - intending to sell it when the Griff came out.
The GTS is a very nice car and I found it more fun/interesting than our Aston V12 Vantage
anyway.
May look at a newer Aston DB11 or Vantage V12 later on.
Also, the Evora 410GT is a very nice car as well. Test drove it last year and was very impressed
the meantime - intending to sell it when the Griff came out.
The GTS is a very nice car and I found it more fun/interesting than our Aston V12 Vantage
anyway.
May look at a newer Aston DB11 or Vantage V12 later on.
Also, the Evora 410GT is a very nice car as well. Test drove it last year and was very impressed
Firstly, big thumbs up for the road legal Tuscan Challenge car. 
Reading the 'wants' list though I'm not sure anything Aston really jumps out at me....
At £70k ish you can get into a very nice V8S or N430 but it's a bit shy of 500bhp, a V12 breaks the 500bhp threshold, or at nearer £90k an early DBS, but, and I'm sorry, none of them really strike me as a goto trackday car, probably quick enough to not be embarrassing but I think they are too heavy and expensive on the consumables to be fun, Aston events aside ask yourself how many you see at a standard trackday, in road trim?
If I had that budget I'd be shopping for a V12 Vantage but I wouldn't be planning on tracking it.
The Mercedes AMG GT isn't a bad call, but I'd be concerned about trackday noise limits.
Reading the 'wants' list though I'm not sure anything Aston really jumps out at me....
At £70k ish you can get into a very nice V8S or N430 but it's a bit shy of 500bhp, a V12 breaks the 500bhp threshold, or at nearer £90k an early DBS, but, and I'm sorry, none of them really strike me as a goto trackday car, probably quick enough to not be embarrassing but I think they are too heavy and expensive on the consumables to be fun, Aston events aside ask yourself how many you see at a standard trackday, in road trim?
If I had that budget I'd be shopping for a V12 Vantage but I wouldn't be planning on tracking it.
The Mercedes AMG GT isn't a bad call, but I'd be concerned about trackday noise limits.
alex_gray255 said:
Also, the Evora 410GT is a very nice car as well. Test drove it last year and was very impressed
I'd agree with this in this case, especially considering the requirement for trackday longevity. None of the AM range in that price bracket are really suited towards track work and will chomp their way through consumables despite being reliable.The Evora is certainly more suited to long trips combined with exciting track time.
Well worth considering or at least getting behind the wheel of an Evora 400 or 410 before signing the cheque for an AM.
I would not be tracking any aston to be honest... they are all quite heavy, which I am sure you know, will mean consumables on track will be expensive. Especially considering for the kind of power you are looking for it would have to be a v12 vantage (even heavier than the v8). Forget any of the bigger astons. Having said that, if you are not too scared to modify your cars, getting a much cheaper v8 vantage and taking it to be supercharged (I think Bamford Rose or another outfit offers these kits) which will really up the performance could be an option.
Also, as someone else mentioned, take a look at Lotus. The evora 400/410 range are very very well mannered for touring, while also being able to stand up to track abuse pretty much out of the box. And the servicing/maintenance costs are pretty cheap. Very easily tunable from Hangar 111 to get close to that 500bhp you are looking for. Driving experience of an evora is also second to none.
Also, as someone else mentioned, take a look at Lotus. The evora 400/410 range are very very well mannered for touring, while also being able to stand up to track abuse pretty much out of the box. And the servicing/maintenance costs are pretty cheap. Very easily tunable from Hangar 111 to get close to that 500bhp you are looking for. Driving experience of an evora is also second to none.
As others have said, V12 Vantage is the obvious direction you're pointing in.
From 2010 there is the V12 Vantage, 6s manual. Then from 2013 the V12 Vantage S. Bit more power (565bhp, with an option of an AMR race pack which will take it to 595 bhp), 7s automated manual. The finale was the V12S with a manual gearbox, launched in 2017.
For a benchmark, my V12S was a shade over £90k last Aug at 2 y 11 months old with 11k miles.
The gearboxes in the 7s automated manual and 7s manual are the same, except one has an automated clutch and one has a foot clutch, The automated manual takes a bit of time to learn to use well. There's a ton of pro/con discussion on here concerning the automated manual. The full manual has 1 out on a dog leg to the left of 2/3.
The S has adaptive suspension (normal, sports, track).
The interior had a makeover in late 2015 (mine must have been one of the first to get it).
Acceleration is brutal, unrelenting, raw, savage (all words that have come from passengers). I've seen the TC light flickering in 4th on a dry road. There's way more power in it than you can use on a public road.
Handling is sharp. Not Elise-sharp but very good nonetheless. Nose turns in quickly, and (touch wood so far) the tails tends to stay put absent serious provocation.
Relatively lots of interior space. I can get a road bike in it. Easily enough space for bags for two for a week+ away. One of the first things I did with mine was a trip to France/Germany/Netherlands/Belgium over 4 days. It ate the mileage and was ideal for the task.
They are quite special. I had a 996 turbo and it was nice but cold. The Aston is a different league; looking back when you park it, sense of occasion to drive it, people compliment you on it a lot.
Holding values: the V12s look like they are holding up well. The V12Ss I'd say are a bit too new still to see that in them, but of the three variants, you've got one of the last naturally aspirated AMs in a very pretty body shape. I can't see them ending up as cheap ratty things (famous last words!)
There is one must have option: lightweight CF sports seats.
ETA: here's one with the LW seats, the facelifted interior, and the automated manual: https://preowned.astonmartin.com/preowned-cars/843...
Otherwise, if you want something a lot more track-focussed, I'd suggest a series 2 Exige (the prettiest of the three series), plus a daily. And some yoga lessons to help with getting into and out of the Exige.
From 2010 there is the V12 Vantage, 6s manual. Then from 2013 the V12 Vantage S. Bit more power (565bhp, with an option of an AMR race pack which will take it to 595 bhp), 7s automated manual. The finale was the V12S with a manual gearbox, launched in 2017.
For a benchmark, my V12S was a shade over £90k last Aug at 2 y 11 months old with 11k miles.
The gearboxes in the 7s automated manual and 7s manual are the same, except one has an automated clutch and one has a foot clutch, The automated manual takes a bit of time to learn to use well. There's a ton of pro/con discussion on here concerning the automated manual. The full manual has 1 out on a dog leg to the left of 2/3.
The S has adaptive suspension (normal, sports, track).
The interior had a makeover in late 2015 (mine must have been one of the first to get it).
Acceleration is brutal, unrelenting, raw, savage (all words that have come from passengers). I've seen the TC light flickering in 4th on a dry road. There's way more power in it than you can use on a public road.
Handling is sharp. Not Elise-sharp but very good nonetheless. Nose turns in quickly, and (touch wood so far) the tails tends to stay put absent serious provocation.
Relatively lots of interior space. I can get a road bike in it. Easily enough space for bags for two for a week+ away. One of the first things I did with mine was a trip to France/Germany/Netherlands/Belgium over 4 days. It ate the mileage and was ideal for the task.
They are quite special. I had a 996 turbo and it was nice but cold. The Aston is a different league; looking back when you park it, sense of occasion to drive it, people compliment you on it a lot.
Holding values: the V12s look like they are holding up well. The V12Ss I'd say are a bit too new still to see that in them, but of the three variants, you've got one of the last naturally aspirated AMs in a very pretty body shape. I can't see them ending up as cheap ratty things (famous last words!)
There is one must have option: lightweight CF sports seats.
ETA: here's one with the LW seats, the facelifted interior, and the automated manual: https://preowned.astonmartin.com/preowned-cars/843...
Otherwise, if you want something a lot more track-focussed, I'd suggest a series 2 Exige (the prettiest of the three series), plus a daily. And some yoga lessons to help with getting into and out of the Exige.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 7th February 18:47
It would seem, and I with my limited experience I probably wouldn`t disagree, that a V12 Vantage seems obvious, but maybe not the best car for regular tracking as it would get the running costs up somewhat. Having tracked my V8 Vantage I found the car went very well, but brake fade started kicking in after 10-15 minutes each session, so there is certainly a limit to how much sequential fun you can have... Or... depending on how track vs road you are orientated, you buy an older V8 Vantage and have it fettled by Bamford Rose or similar, so that you have a lighter, more track focused Vantage that you can still drive happily on the road and depending on what base car you found you could still have change from your 70.
Bamford Rose could certainly get a 4.7 up towards 500hp, and they can could even rebuild an engine to a 5.0 and get it up over the 500hp. Not for everyone obviously but if you are looking for a long time purchase, maybe making the car more to your specifics rather than taking it as it comes offers a solution. Certainly the Vantage is a lot more of an all rounder than a Lotus, great for a blast or the track, but try and put a bag in it...
Bamford Rose could certainly get a 4.7 up towards 500hp, and they can could even rebuild an engine to a 5.0 and get it up over the 500hp. Not for everyone obviously but if you are looking for a long time purchase, maybe making the car more to your specifics rather than taking it as it comes offers a solution. Certainly the Vantage is a lot more of an all rounder than a Lotus, great for a blast or the track, but try and put a bag in it...
I would suggest a trip to see Roger at AM Edinburgh.
He will give you a guided tour of the showroom and there are always some nice used AMs in the car park.
Martin's Aston Services are also definitely worth a call. Peter has a very good reputation and probably knows of cars for sale.
Best of luck in your search.
He will give you a guided tour of the showroom and there are always some nice used AMs in the car park.
Martin's Aston Services are also definitely worth a call. Peter has a very good reputation and probably knows of cars for sale.
Best of luck in your search.
Mr.Tremlini said:
Certainly the Vantage is a lot more of an all rounder than a Lotus, great for a blast or the track, but try and put a bag in it...
Admittedly the Evora is never going to have the luggage flexibility of a hatchback like the Vantage, but it's not exactly lacking in storage space.
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